When I first met DJ Val, I found her to be a kind, warm, engaging, and fascinating person. She has had an incredible life and an equally incredible career. Imagine being in the business for 50+ years and still having the passion to create and share your talent and spirit with the world. That is DJ Val!!!
 
I want to thank DJ Val for agreeing to this interview and for her thoughtful responses to my questions. You can catch her at ADE!! Flyers with info are below….
 
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
 
A: I grew up on the south side of Chicago in a neighborhood near Midway Airport. I went to grade school at St. Richards and Richard Edwards, attended Curie High School and Richard J Daley College as well as Morton College. 
 
Q:  Did you come from a musical family?
 
A:  My Mother had an extensive 78’s record collection, My sister a talented opera singer and 2 brothers whom unknowingly gave up there record collection to me while I was in the 5th grade. So I would say yes.

Q:  How did you first get introduced to music, and what drew you to house specifically?
 
A:  Being the youngest of 4, my siblings introduced me to a wide variety of music, mostly my sister Regi because she is a Beatles fanatic. In 1969 I was introduced to Kiddie A-Go-Go on TV! I had white Go Go boots and loved that everyone’s attention was on the music, Many years later, .House music just organically appeared in the club scene and embraced by all of Chicago’s club DJ’s.

Q:  Can you tell us about your earliest memories as a DJ?
 
A:  In the 4th grade my parents separated, I went from a private school to a public school. It was like going from black and white to color! Art and music in school? WOW! This was awesome!  Times were hard, my Mom had to work a lot of hours so I joined a latch key kids program after school and asked the principle if I could do a Wednesday night dance, he was all for it! This was in 1973. They never had done this before and it was a big hit! We all had a blast. I brought my record player with built in speakers and attached an 8-track to it, I went back and forth from 45’s to 8-Tracks.  
 
 
Q:  Can you share a pivotal moment from your early days as a DJ?
 
A:  Spinning my first wedding at 14, Getting my first club residency, Learning how to beat match, Going from 8-tracks to vinyl to cassettes to CD’s to MP3’s There were so many pivotal moments,I have had a long career.  

Q:  Who were your biggest influences when you were starting out, and why?
 
A:  When I started there were bands. So the artists were my influences. I had never heard of a club DJ when I first started. 

Q:  What was the scene like when you began your DJ career, and how has it evolved? 
 
A:  I can remember me and a friend Lenora making up line dances to Kung Fu Fighting, Disco started popping around 1975 and it was like Christmas for me every day! Everyone was dancing and everyone’s attention was on the music! Bands played at every venue, so when I started doing clubs the bands hated the DJ’s! It was a thing.  House evolved and started trickling into the club scene in the early 80’s. I worked at Lizzio’s at the time and record pools would drop off records while I was spinning and I would give them a spin. I felt so lucky that I was getting free music! That’s how we broke a lot of new records. I was invited to the Warehouse by the record pool to hear different DJ’s including Frankie Knuckles and I got to go to a secret room to meet the actual artists. Looking back…Wow was I lucky! Today I can bring in a stick with 50 crates of records on it, go to any club and spin. Crazy!

Q:  Describe a turning point in your personal and professional life that shaped your path as a DJ.
 
A:  I was a hustler as a kid, I painted murals, signs and loved to play music at parties. My Dad owned a bar in Bridgeport so I got to have parties there, New National Tap and Ballroom, 3310 S, Morgan. It’s long gone now however, I realized then I could make a some money at this! I was creating calendars for a bunch of clubs where I would draw little things in every day of the calendar with their specials, bands etc. I posed the question to the GM at Lizzio’s and asked if I could DJ there.That was it!  I was in! I spent the next 17 years there and ended up running that club as well as DJing there.. 

 
Q:  How has your approach to DJing changed since you first started, musically and technically?
 
A:  Music is ever evolving as well as technology. When I first started I didn’t even know what I was doing. Just knew it was fun and I was addicted to it. I approached it as, whatever money I make I am buy records with that! Now I approach it as this, I have spent me entire adult life doing something I loved. I was blessed with 3 residencies each one over 16 years, and numerous others. Now I get to pick when and where I want to spin because I have earned that privilege. Technically, I have a lot of records, CD’s Cassettes, 8-Tracks and MP3’s and 4’s.I now carry all of those things on a stick, That’s amazing to me!  I am blessed to be signed to Music Plant Records and have several releases with them as well as working on new ones. After spinning for so many years this was a natural progression to producing an being with America’s longest running dance label I can say I feel accomplished and very lucky, and so very grateful for that opportunity 

Q:  How would you describe your DJing style in one sentence, and how has it evolved?
 
A:  I spin House music and depending on the crowd, that determines my style throughout the night as it evolves.   
 
Q:  What is your favorite genre of house music and why?
 
A:  I like Tech House and Jackin’ House at the moment because it’s impossible not to dance when you feel that energy!

Q:  What keywords would you use to encapsulate your sound and sets?
 
A:  Energetic House.
 
Q:  What is your process for curating a set?
 
A:  What type of club is it? Who hangs out there? Look at the crowd and read them like a book.

Q:  What’s your process for reading a crowd and adjusting your selection in real time?
 
A:  There isn’t a formula, my process comes from experience. 

Q:  Which equipment or software do you currently love?
 
A:  I still love Serato but rarely get to use it anymore. I still pull out the vinyl once in a while.

Q:  Are there memorable collaborations with other artists or producers you’d like to highlight?
 
A:  My first remix/production was with the late DJ Teri Bristol and Georgie Porgie, It was a track about out friend Tom-E that had passed away. Tom-E’s Theme will always be the most memorable because of the entire collaboration and what it meant to me personally to be included in on that. 

Q:  Who are your favorite DJs and producers?
 
A:  When I hear Georgie Porgie he always makes me want to be a better DJ, I also like Sebb Junior, Xavier Joshua, Block & Crown, Jimmie Page & Dave Aude. 
 
Q:  What are some of your all-time favorite tracks?
 
A:  I Feel Love by Donna Summer, Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order, Beautiful by Georgie Porgie, Sandstorm by Darude, Losing It by Fisher, 
 
 
Q:  Who has been your biggest influence, personally and professionally?
 
A:  Personally and professionally Georgie Porgie. Hands down!

Q:  Looking back, which moments are you most proud of?
 
A:  I’m proud that I sustained over 5 decades in an industry that is male dominated. I am proud to be a producer with America’s longest running dance label Music Plant Records. 

Q:  What changes have you observed in gender dynamics within the industry over the years?
 
A:  All I have to say about that is look at a flyer for any festival and percentage wise how many are female vs.male. We still have work to do!
 
Q:  Do you see things improving for women in house?
 
A:  I do, there are enough of us now to book our own festivals, Music Plant Records has ALWAYS supported women in house, Dawna Montell, DJ Rocky B. Psycho Bitch, Teri Bristol & myself and I could go on and on. It’s an exciting time, things are changing in the industry as they always have and, I am excited for our girls who with all the struggles will now have a better chance!
 
Q:  Do you believe gender is a factor in bookings?
 
A:  I do, It’s a given, as a female you have to be persistent, really good at what you do and grateful if given a chance to shine!  
 
Q:  How has it changed over the years?
 
A:  Pay for one. I have always gotten paid less then my male friends, I noticed a shift around 2000 where if I were booked I was getting close to or the same as my male friends. After that I just demanded more money and got it. You have to be persistent.

Q:  How do you preserve your legacy while staying current and relevant?
 
A:  Keeping my radio shows going and touring here and there. After 50 years of spinning my legacy will live on in my mixes and music.

Q:  What are you focused on right now (projects, residencies, tours)?
 
A:  I will be in Amsterdam for The Love House Tour as well as Women Of House The 10 Year Celebration at The Amsterdam Dance Event, Also. I’m starting a new radio residency which will be announced while in Amsterdam and working on a new record with Music Plant Records!
 
 
Q:  Are you releasing new music? What are you up to?
 
A:  I will be releasing new music in the coming year! I will have an announcement during ADE about the new residency.
 
Q:  How long have you been producing?
 
A:  Since November 2016 with Music Plant Records.

Q:  Which causes or communities are you currently championing?
 
A:  Susan Mast Foundation which really helps people with ALS in memory of my late husband Patrick Harmon. I am a two time cancer survivor, so that is something I will always help with when I can. 

Q:  What are your short-term goals for the next year or two?
 
A:  Enjoying the work life balance. Makes me much more creative! Putting out my next record & putting in the work for my new residency.
 
Q:  What are your long term goals?
 
A:  More productions, more mix shows, Mostly, enjoying life.

Q:  Are there dream collaborations or venues you’d still love to conquer?
 
A:  I always wished I could have spun at Crobar, That’s long gone now,. I still pinch myself sometimes that I get to work with Georgie!  I have had the itch to work with Block & Crown, Sebb Junior and Barry Harris, you never know what the future holds!

Q:  How do you envision the house scene evolving in the next decade, and what role do you want to play?
 
A:  The Love House is embarking on some really big things, I will continue to be a part of that movement!  House is always evolving and with it brings love and the experience of all becoming one on the dance floor. I hope to produce more tracks that make people wanna dance. 

Q:  How do you stay creatively inspired after decades in the business?
 
A:  It’s not a choice with me, I can’t explain it. It’s just always there like breathing. I am inspired by doing.

Q:  What rituals or routines do you practice to stay focused and motivated?
 
A:  Rituals? I wear a bracelet when I spin. Teri Bristol and I bought matching bracelets in Miami and we would raise our arms, touch bracelets and yell, GIRL POWER! I wear it in memory of her. Motivated? Easy, the music motivates me. 

Q:  What have you learned about resilience and longevity in the music industry?
 
A:  I learned it’s very hard work. 

Q:  How do you unwind or recharge between gigs?
 
A:  I walk the beach at sunset every night. I take pictures which now hang in galleries. 

Q:  What are your hobbies or other interests aside from music?
 
A:  I have been a graphic artist for Hayes Beer Distribution for 30 years, I love Photography and hope to get back to painting soon, I have been featured in a reality TV show in Amsterdam, De Grannies Von Amsterdam Season 1 episode 6. I had a blast doing that and hope to do that again! 
 


Q:  What practical advice would you give to aspiring female DJs starting today?
 
A:  You have to want this more than anything to succeed at this! It takes hard work. Go to some music conferences and meet like minded people. Network as much as you can. Be nice to everyone. 

Q:  If you could time-travel and tell your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
 
A:  That guy from Crobar that just handed you his business card? Go see him. 

Q:  Can you describe a moment that reminds you why you love DJing?
 
When you land that perfect music cocktail and the crowd is SCREAMING… (((goosebumps))) I do it for the goosebumps!
 
Q:  What’s next for DJ Val?
 
Living my best life, Making music and art and spinning up some parties with The Love House!
 
All links can be found on www.DJVAL.com