World famous, extremely hot, internationally traveled DJ Dani Toro is brilliant and very candid with a remarkable sense for knowing and creating music. Hailing from Spain, Toro claims he was not so knowledgeable when he began. One of the resident DJs at Viva, every couple of months he returns. This year he will be there for Pride, June 27. In between travels across Europe and winding up at the White Party in Palms Springs, I was able to have a very enlightening conversation with him.
So how long have you been a DJ?
I started back in 2002, so I have been DJing for over 10 years now.
What inspired you to start DJing?
I always had a passion for music and DJing, and back then, at a time when everyone wanted to be a DJ, it was a big challenge for me to show that I actually had talent and that I could be a good live DJ. Playing live for people was my biggest inspiration.
Where are you from?
I am from Spain.
You travel all over the world now, correct?
Yes, I have been traveling and DJing in many different countries, pretty much all over the world. So I guess you can say that I have earned my title as an “International DJ.”
What are some of the biggest parties you have been or will be DJing at?
I think the White Party in Palm Springs and the WE party in Madrid have been the biggest. They each had about 4,000 to 5,000 people attending. And of course XLsior in Mykonos is another big event. This summer we expect around 5,000 people. I love it!
How did you finally become as good as you are at DJing?
Well, in the beginning my biggest challenge was being able to work well with the equipment, but I really wanted to excel at DJing, so I practiced every day and took unpaid gigs to have a chance to perform in public, spin and overcome the challenges in a live setting. I began playing mostly for straight parties, and then I jumped into the gay and “gay friendly” scenes.
Are you gay?
Yes, I am gay.
That’s always a plus.
It can be. I remember the first time I DJ’d for a gay crowd, in Madrid. I was in front of thousands of people, and I was nervous, because I was not sure what they expected. I played techno, the crowd responded, and it ended up being a great party. After that, I started getting calls from promoters to DJ their parties.
Do you have a favorite DJ?
I have a few, and one of the established ones is definitely Abel. But there are also some new DJs that are really good and promising. As a music producer, I love my business partner DJ Leo Blanco.
You’re going to be doing a few parties in the New York area. When?
I am currently a resident at Viva, the biggest weekly party in NYC, produced by Ric Sena, John Blair and Beto Sutter. I spin there every two to three months. I will be there for NYC Pride this June.
I’ll be there, just to make sure you’re a good DJ.
Yes, please come. I will not let you down. The NYC crowd is demanding and savvy, so I always try to be in top form.
How old are you?
I am 32. But age is only a number.
What type of music do you play?
I prefer tribal, tech, house. Most of the music I play are my edits, meaning I edit songs to make them different based on my taste and the type of set I will play.
So then you also produce your own music?
Yes, I produce, and I have my own original tracks. I love to create and make music sound different.
What is your favorite thing about DJing?
I love playing for the people that come to hear my set. When you play the right track and you see the crowd react positively and pay attention, that is the best feeling. It is hard to put it in words. It’s a very special feeling. And that is why I would love to do this for the rest of my life.
People seem to be celebrating DJs more than ever. Why do you think that is?
I think people have always come to hear the DJ play, and the performer was an added bonus. In a club, the DJ and the music become one, and this is passed on to the crowd. It’s some sort of magic. In recent years, DJs are also seen as somewhat of a superstar, especially when they remix songs for big music stars as Madonna, or when they release their own songs in the market and have big hits, like David Guetta, who has become a hugely popular DJ, a superstar. DJing used to be more of an underground thing in our scene, but it has changed a lot thanks to the magnitude of many events and social media.
Is there anything else you’d like to say for Get Out?
I would like to thank everyone who comes to hear me spin and who allows me to take them on my musical ride. I’d like to shamelessly promote Viva’s Pride Party in NYC on Saturday June 27. I will be DJing together with Aron, so it’s going to be big and very special. And please follow me on facebook, facebook.com/DaniToroSpain. Can’t wait to see you all on the dance floor around the world!
VIVA SATURDAYS
June 27, 2015
605 West 48th Street
New York, NY 10019
vivasaturdays.com
