Friend 1-What should we go out and do tonight?
Friend 2-We could go to the bars.
Friend 1- "But I'm not 21"
Friend 3- "The bars...AGAIN?"
Friend 1- "I want to go dance my ass off!"
Friend 2- "I'd rather not drive for 45 minutes to party"
Friend 3- "Yeah, it's expensive too"
I'm sure you've all had this conversation with your friends. I know I have. Though I'm 22 now; I was "underage" once too. I have friends that are younger. Plus, I agree with friends 2 & 3; driving to the city is so damn expensive and time consuming.
Fortunately, for us... along came Timothy Thai. A Rohnert Park local kid with a love of music and a hella-of-a-lot-of BALLS.
Here is a short interview I had with the Timmy Thai:
Meet DJ T. THAI
How did you decide to create a brand new dance scene in Sonoma County?
It all began after a festival called Lovefest in 2008 in San Francisco. It involved 100,000+ people and Electronic Dance Music with a dozen stages or so. Since then I knew I wanted to dance and spread the amazing music. Look at it now!!! All over the radio. But I wanted to stop driving 45 minutes to the city all the time for great parties. A friend of mine wanted to DJ for a show, so what better way then to throw your own show??
It all began after a festival called Lovefest in 2008 in San Francisco. It involved 100,000+ people and Electronic Dance Music with a dozen stages or so. Since then I knew I wanted to dance and spread the amazing music. Look at it now!!! All over the radio. But I wanted to stop driving 45 minutes to the city all the time for great parties. A friend of mine wanted to DJ for a show, so what better way then to throw your own show??
Where did the name Dance or Die come from?
The vibe we got from the first show was absolute amazing. It wasn't packed, but everybody was dancing as if it was their last night alive. Since then... Dance or Die. I've been to shows or clubs where the place is packed and half the people are standing around. At Dance or Die that doesnt happen.
What gave you that initial push to create Dance or Die?
The initial push was to push for what I loved and wanted to do as a DJ. Spreading good music is a huge passion of mine and being able to spread this feeling I get through music with the hundreds of people that show up to my shows is unbelievable and I can’t explain it.
The initial push was to push for what I loved and wanted to do as a DJ. Spreading good music is a huge passion of mine and being able to spread this feeling I get through music with the hundreds of people that show up to my shows is unbelievable and I can’t explain it.
How long have you been a DJ?
I've been Dj'ing since 2009, but I think deep inside we're all Dj's
.
Who's your favorite DJ guest?
My favorite DJ/producer is Diplo, but my favorite guest dj that has played at my shows is Ross FM from 99.7 House Nation, a good friend of mine that has been there for me since the blow up of Dance or Die.
Which areas has Dance or Die been in?
Dance or Die is strictly Sonoma County, but we help push for shows in San Francisco like the one with Downlink & Lazy Rich - Nice Dreams 2.
I've been Dj'ing since 2009, but I think deep inside we're all Dj's
.Who's your favorite DJ guest?
My favorite DJ/producer is Diplo, but my favorite guest dj that has played at my shows is Ross FM from 99.7 House Nation, a good friend of mine that has been there for me since the blow up of Dance or Die.
Which areas has Dance or Die been in?
Dance or Die is strictly Sonoma County, but we help push for shows in San Francisco like the one with Downlink & Lazy Rich - Nice Dreams 2.
What was the first event you ever played at?
The first official event I ever played was Electro CandyLand, with over 2000 people and 4 stages. I had about 200 people as I was one of the opening djs. Who knew that’s where I would meet Ross FM on the main stage.
The first official event I ever played was Electro CandyLand, with over 2000 people and 4 stages. I had about 200 people as I was one of the opening djs. Who knew that’s where I would meet Ross FM on the main stage.
What's the best event you've played at/put on?
The best events are always the Dance or Die shows. The quality of people and the vibe are just off the hook. Everybody having a great time screaming, jumping, and dancing all night light. It's because this is all so new to them. They get excited for the DJ's that come through. San Francisco and Oakland it happens all the time so this music and the djs aren't really anything to get excited about.
The best events are always the Dance or Die shows. The quality of people and the vibe are just off the hook. Everybody having a great time screaming, jumping, and dancing all night light. It's because this is all so new to them. They get excited for the DJ's that come through. San Francisco and Oakland it happens all the time so this music and the djs aren't really anything to get excited about.
Out of all the tunes you have, which one 'never fails?'
Aerodynamic by Daftpunk that I remixed.
What's your favorite tune of all time?
Music is always changing, like right now, playing Moombahton in Santa Rosa the kids are going wild over. I play all good music from Electro, House, Hip Hop, Dubstep, and it’s the way I incorporate it in my set that I think blows people’s minds. It's not club-like at all; it's actually like the energy of a rock show created by a dj. Right now it's Avicii - Levels. You can mash it up with so many different songs!
When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
Oh man if it’s not my show, then I party all night and meet people and artists and party until the AM! But if it’s my show I normally just hang out with some old friends I haven't seen in a while then passes out after. It's hard work throwing your own shows!
So how is the scene in your eyes at the moment?
The scene is absolutely ridiculous right now. I never thought I’d see Electronic Dance Music this big. I thought a couple thousand people at a show was a lot, but now its 100,000+ with ALL kinds of people! It's all over the radio and its starting to gain people who don't even listen to Electronic Dance Music. What I guess I’m trying to say is how people would hit the Hip Hop clubs because it's poppin and is the standard, but now the standard is shifting to Electronic Dance Music, it's the place to be right now.
Where do you live?
I live in Los Angeles right now. Loving it! Summer all year long and kicking it with artists like Dillon Francis, Skrillex, 12th Planet, and such haha.
What’s the Funniest thing that ever happened at an event?
At Dance or Die the crowd was raging so hard they were pushing the dj table and almost tipped over all the equipment! We had to get a security guy stand in front of the booth and protect it.
What do you do outside of the dance music scene?
Outside the Dance Music Scene hmm. I love everything. Play soccer, go to reggae concerts, hip hop clubs, and just focus on school mostly.
What advice would you give to up and coming DJs/Promoters?
Now a days everybody is trying to be a DJ. If you want to blow up you have to be unique. Remix your own songs, make your own mashups, don't play songs that everyone else is playing because then you’re just one of a million. I for example play a lot of the unique sounds that you don't hear at other events. I like to focus on the Reggaeton sound and Brazilian beats in my set. It's hard to explain but just listen to the bass kick of Pon De floor, that’s an example.
When you play is this pre planned set?
I really have to know what the crowd wants, I have different playlists for different styles of crowds and I'll create a playlist for that night before the show.
Why is Dance or Die different?
The base of Dance or Die isn't really different from any other event. It's just that the people that come and people that come play make it crazy and fun as hell.
Thank you Timothy Thai
-Robotchick
For more information on the Dance or Die pre-anniversary show on 11.11.11 Click Here
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