Scott Ducey - The Interview

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DJ Scott Ducey – Atwater, California
twitch.tv/djscottducey
facebook.com/dsk777
instagram.com/djscottducey
soundcloud.com/dj-scott-ducey
mixcloud.com/dsk777
scottduceythepostfunkproject.bandcamp.com
youtube.com/channel/UCRONjkXYXBRjaTQ1xJPyYPg
Rhythm Mystic Recordings, Full House Digital Recordings, Deeply Grooved, Mood Funk Records, Cabbie Hat Recordings, Juiced Music, Midwest Hustle, Funky Farm, Caliber Sounds, Ginkgo Music, Pocket Jacks Trax, Monkey Junk, Black Crack Records, Royal Music Recordings, Underluxe Records , Seventy Four, Desev Music, Treasured Grooves

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1. What’s your real name and DJ Name?
Scott Ducey is my given name and is also my dj name.

2. How did you get into DJing?
My first DJ gig was in 1984. I was a break-dancer and a friend of mine who was a DJ asked me to play alongside of him. It was at my local youth center on the Air Force Base my dad was stationed at. It was at Castle Air Force Base here in California. I started out playing Hip Hop and Electro Funk. I DJ’d a handful of times and then life happed, so I gave up on the wheels of steel for the time being. I had responsibilities and other things I had to do. In about 1986 I heard a mix tape from Chicago, and it was a new form of music to me. It was called House Music. I liked it a lot but, didn’t fall in love right away. That love for House music would come later in my life. Breakdancing was dying out here by 1986 or so, but Hip Hop was flourishing, and I was an avid record collector and loved Hip Hop and R&B very much. At the time I had no outlet for House Music. So, moving forward in my life to the very early 1990s I started going to Raves and House Music was back in my life along with Techno & Acid House. The Rave scene in San Francisco really changed my life. Changed my life for the better. Going to Raves I was always checking out the DJs and how they mixed the records and I fell in love with it right away. I made the decision in about 1993 to stop watching and start mixing records myself. So, I bought my first Technics 1200 Turntables and a RANE Mp-24 mixer from JK Sound in SF. By 1994 I was playing out at local parties and in San Francisco. I started throwing my own parties called “Deeply Grooved” soon after and the parties went very well. I was DJing out quite a bit actually. I took a break from the whole scene in 2009 or so. Totally dropped out. No music, no parties or anything. I think I was burnt out. That went on for years until one day I really missed the music and my friends I decided to get back to playing music. By this time most people were playing on CDJs, and wax was slowly phasing out to most except for the hardcore vinyl junkies. So, I took my tax return and dropped it on some Pioneer CDJs and a pioneer Mixer. I feel in love all over again. I started playing out again. I ran into an old-school buddy from my Rave days who wanted to have me play in Austin, Texas & in Miami, Florida. So, I went out there and DJ’d a few years in a row and we talked and decided to start a House Music Label. And we did. The label was called “Full House Digital Recordings”. Our first release was from Texan Demarkus Lewis. I was on remix duties for the release. By this time, I was producing music regularly. I was playing out in Texas and Florida quite a bit and started my own label called “Rhythm Mystic Recordings”. Then tragedy struck my life when my label partner and good friend Jaime Mier suddenly passed away from an illness. I was really saddened by his passing and once again took a break from music. My wife being the person who always supported me no matter what pushed my back into the House Music game I would have to say. Since then, I have been back DJing and working on my music again. I’m really enjoying this latest go with the music. Music has always been part of me even when I was a small child, I loved music. I still play out here and there. Running my label keeps me busy. Life is great. And I owe it all to my family and to those who support my music. Most importantly the music is who I owe the most too. Nobody is bigger than the music in my humble opinion. I have been mixing House music for almost 30 years. More than half of my life. I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s been quite the ride.

3. What inspired you to become a DJ?
A love for the music and seeing people having a good time dancing.

4. What do you enjoy most about DJing?
I enjoy the feeling music gives me. It could be my first gig or my 100th gig and I still get butterflies in my gut. I think that feeling in my stomach helps me focus on the mix and the dancefloor. After a while I relax and let go a bit. I find I do my best mixing when I’m totally relaxed. I’ll get there after a few tracks or so.
I also enjoy watching people have a good time on the floor. I’m a people watcher for sure. I love watching the battle circles and the dancers bustin’ a move. I love the dancers!
Another thing I enjoy about DJing is all the great friends I have made along my journey, there are so many of them.

5. How would you describe your music style and what makes it unique?
I love all forms of House Music. I have played them all at one time or another. I love Jackin’ and Tech House a lot. It’s fun to bang it out.
I’m not sure how to answer about the unique part of the question. I would just say maybe it’s the tracks I select and how I put the tracks together in the mix that might separate me from others. Mixing House Music is like a puzzle to me. You have to make the tracks talk back and forth to each other. They have to be on count, or they might not blend together as good as they could if in the right phrase, I think. There are many unique and talented DJs out there. It’s a very tough question.

6. What has been your favorite gig or event to play at so far?
It was not one of the huge parties that I have played but, I would say it was a party we threw for my birthday in February of 1998. The party was named Deeply Grooved presents Urban Soul. It was just a fun party with a very great vibe. The DJs for the night were Hector Morales, Sean C, my good friend Matt Burton and myself. We had a lot of San Francisco heads down for the event. It was a really good time. The after party was even crazier. On the way to the after party the local radio station was playing one of my DJ mixes. They were just playing it by coincidence. They had asked for a mix months earlier and they played it that night. All my friends were asking me if I heard it. We all laughed and joked about it. I have never been the “rock star” type. I was always approachable and talked to everyone. For me it was always about simple pleasures and keeping things simple and not complicated. My favorite Raves that influenced me most were probably the Toon Town parties in San Fransisco. Those and The Gathering parties also in the Bay Area.

7. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Early influences include: New Wave and Post Punk groups like The Cure, A Flock of Seagulls, The Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, Depeche Mode and so so many more.
House Music influences would include: Derrick Carter, Demarkus Lewis, Angelo Ferreri, Chemars, Wattie Green, and Scrubfish to name a few that really inspire me.
70’s &80’s funk & soul influences: One Way, Cameo, BB&Q Band, Midnight Star, Rick James, Roger & Zapp, Gap Band, SOS Band, Loose Ends, 52nd Street and so many more.
70’s & 80’s rock influences include: The police, Hall and Oats, Fleetwood Mac and so many others. Too many to list.

8. Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or releases you have coming up?
I’m working on a bunch of tracks to be released. Not sure I know what I want to do with them just yet. They might go to my label, or I might shop them out to some other labels. I also have tracks coming out under my alias “The Postfunk Project”. So be on the lookout for some new things in the works.

9. How do you stay up to date with new music and trends in the industry?
I always try to stay up to date with new music and music trends. My son Myles is a big music lover like his father, and we keep up to date with Indie Music, it’s a fun little thing we got going on, we do find some great music between the both of us.
My real love is House Music and I dig constantly at all the online stores. I also receive promos from some really great artists. I also listen to some of my favorite artists’ Dj mixes and mix shows to hunt down track lists and hot cuts. There is so much music out there now a days. It’s tough to keep up sometimes.
Back in the day there were limited numbers of records pressed so not everyone had a copy. Today it seems like any track can be had a click of a mouse button. You have to work really hard to try and have tracks that the other DJs are not playing. I love digging though, it keeps me up to date with what’s coming out weekly. Promos can keep you ahead of the game for a little while. Not long though. It’s a must to keep up with new music and trends. I have been playing a lot of 90’s era House Music as of late. Some excellent quality vinyl rips do the trick nicely. A bit of nostalgia is always nice.

10. What advice do you have for aspiring DJs?
Be yourself. Work hard and be patient. Try not to get caught up in DJ politics. To get respect you must give respect. Don’t ride coattails. Do the hard work yourself. It’s much more gratifying, I think. Also, others will respect you more for putting in the work. Take advice from and listen to those who are where you want to be. Watch out for “constructive criticism” that you never asked for. It’s not hard to plant seeds of doubt in one’s head. Keep your circles positive and close. Return the love when love is given to you. And lastly don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

11. How do you think the role of a DJ has changed over the years?
I think the role has changed for the better in most cases. I like how you can listen to some kick ass bedroom DJs that could blow the socks off some of the touring DJs out there. Unknown DJs who would never have had a chance back in the day before the net. Their roles have changed dramatically. Some these guys are really good! Twitch is a valuable tool for the bedroom DJs and producers. That said, there are downfalls. Like one being oversaturation. Where do you start? Who do you listen to? Some DJs trying to fake the funk. With the good comes the bad, I guess.

12. How long have you been streaming on Twitch?
1 month. I’m an affiliate now and completed my 5th show. I really enjoy playing on Twitch TV.
To be honest I’m still a noOb when it comes to twitch. There is a fantastic DJ community here on twitch and people have been so helpful with any questions or concerns I have. I absolutely LOVE that. I love genuine people.

13. Who are your favorite Streamers and why?
There are just too many to name! The amount of talent on Twitch blows my mind. People are stepping up their game big time. I can pretty much listen to some awesome House Music on twitch 24 hours a day. DJs from all over the world showing their stuff. What’s not to like? Maybe I can name a few streams I dig. I hate to leave anyone out. I love you all. Dj Mes, Dj Heather, Mr. V, 83West

14. Did covid and recent lock-downs influence you to start streaming on Twitch?
Not really. I just started streaming on Twitch January 2023.

15. Anything else you want to add? Good time to shamelessly promote yourself.
Be sure to follow and subscribe to my stream, friends. It helps keep the stream healthy and going strong.
Look for my music at the sites I listed. Be on the lookout for the new things I have coming soon.
Support your favorite DJs, my friends. They need your support. And don’t forget to tip and donate!
Best wishes & much love to you all.