DJ Ste ve Sidewalk , our Get Out! Magazine DJ of the Year for the last 2 years, is spinning at the Awards on December 14 at xl. His Current DJ Residencies include Electro Pop Saturdays at XL, Gay College Tuesdays at XL Rosebud, Pop Wednesdays at Feathers, River Edge N.J., Fridays at IKON in Sayre ville N.J.
Where did you get your start spinning?
In 2014 I will have been a DJ for 15 years. I started with gay youth dances which led college night at the now defunct Connexions in N.J. My big break came from a two-year residency at Tunnnel NYC for the Kurfew Party.
So where did “SIDEWALK” come from?
When I was 15 I was promoting local “punk” concerts at like VFW halls. I was always on sidewalks from Jersey to NYC giving out flyers and promoting. The name stuck. I decided at 17 I wanted to apply this type of approach to gay youth dances. Then at 18 I set out to work at clubs.
How you best describe your style of music?
I’ve always been known as a POP DJ. But I like to think I offer a wide range from house/EDM to Top 40/Hip Hop to Latin and ‘80s and Disco. It really depends on the party. Each one is different, and therefore my music is as well.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully conducting another one of these interviews with you. [laughs] I really love working in music and nightlife. It’s truly my passion, and I am grateful for each night I get to do this.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I am very diverse in music. I am familar with many different genres, not just club music. I also consider myself a promoter as much as I am a DJ. I started promoting before spinning. I feel the two go hand in hand. I actually won an HX Award in 2007 for best new party and was nominated for a Paper Magazine award for my Hot Mess Sundays Party at Porkys.
You’ve won the Get Out! DJ award in 2011 and 2012. What’s the secret to your success?
It’s an honor to win or even be nominated, but the true award is getting to work in nightlife for a living. It’s not an easy business, especially longevity wise. Every day I remind myself the only reason I get to do this is because of my loyal customers and fellow party people. They always come first, and no matter where I spin it’s important that they can always talk to me and request songs and feel a part of the party. Because without them, there is no party.
twitter.com/stevesidewalk
facebook.com/stevesidewalk
Steve Sidewalk’s TOP 10
1 Applause Lady Gaga (Funk3d Mix) Work Bitch
2 Britney Spears (914 Hit Squad Mix) Timber
3 Pitbull feat. Ke$ha (FmSteff Mix) Wrecking Ball
4 Miley Cyrus (Saul Ruiz Circuit Mix) Roar
5 Katy Perry (Cosmic Dawn Remix) I Love LRad Icona Pop vs Knife (Reid Stefan Mix)
6 Next to Me vs. Animals
7 Emile Sande vs. Martin Garrix Mashup All Night
8 Icona Pop (Cash Cash Mix) Venus
9 Lady Gaga (Dirty Pop Deconstruction) Body Ache
10 Britney Spears (Matt Nevins Mix)
