Music for the mass’es

DJ JOE BERMUDEZ HAS TRIUMPHANT PRE-THANKSGIVING GIG AT MACHINE

By William Henderson

In the midst of pre-Thanksgiving preparations, straight DJ Joe Bermudez, who has a pension for playing gay clubs and supporting gay rights organizations and efforts, championed the Matthew Shepard Foundation with a benefit performance at Machine on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The performance came just two weeks after his new album, "Mass Movement" dropped.

If you haven't heard it yet, maybe you're familiar with some of the artists with whom he regularly works: Pink, Shakira, LL Cool J, Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Hilary Duff, Pussycat Dolls and Amuka, to name just a few. Clarkson was so impressed with his work that she used his version of "Trouble With Love" on her national tour and featured his remix of "Behind These Hazel Eyes" on her special edition "Breakaway" CD. And fans of "Desperate Housewives" may recognize Bermudez from his version of Shania Twain's "Shoes," which was featured in an episode.

Ranked one of the Top 20 DJ's of 2007 in America by DJ Times alongside Danny Tenaglia, Kaskade and Cedric Gervais, Bermudez has just finished projects for Martijn Ten Velden, Justice and Gabriel & Dresden, and has been touring "like crazy," playing gigs in Sydney, Los Angeles, Montreal, and everywhere in between like Bozeman, MT and Laredo, TX. He had just returned from a gig in Russia when he spoke with In Newsweekly about his new album and where he's going next.

In Newsweekly (I.N.): How did you get your start DJing?

Joe Bermudez (J.B.): I got started in radio when I was 18. The short story is I had just been kicked out of my house and had no job. On the way home from another job interview, I drove by this radio station and thought it might be fun to do. I really had nothing to lose at that point so I went into the station and demanded that they hire me so I could pay my rent. Luckily for me, they did, and the rest is history.

I.N.: How did New England gigs help launch or jump-start your career?

J.B.: Actually, it was the lack of gigs in New England that helped jump start my career. One of the reasons I started playing nationally was because no one around here wanted to book me. Instead of giving up, I started reaching out to clubs around the country and before I knew it I was getting on a plane every weekend to spin them.

I.N.: Of the people with whom you've worked, by whom were you the most exited?

J.B.: It's pretty flattering to be asked by any artist to do a remix for them. I would have to say that the two projects I was most excited about releasing were Hilary Duff's "Come Clean" and Kelly Clarkson's "Behind These Hazel Eyes." They have always been personal favorites of mine.

I.N.: For the uninitiated, how would you describe your sound?

J.B.: I like my sets to have a lot of energy. Right now, I really like the electro and progressive sounds from overseas. I don't like to drink Red Bull so I need the music to keep me up during those late hours.

I.N.: Tell me about the new album. From where did you find inspiration for it?

J.B.: I wanted something that captured what I do. It has a lot of my big records from the summer and some that are about to be big for me in the upcoming months. I also went in and did some special remixes specifically for the CD. There are exclusive new mixes I did for Gabriel & Dresden featuring Molly Bancroft as well as Creamer & K, Jordan featuring Susana. It's also the only CD out with my private remix for Hilary Duff's # 1 Billboard smash, "With Love."

I.N.: How long was the recording process?

J.B.: The idea for the album came earlier this year and it took a second to find a good home for the project. I didn't feel comfortable with the first couple of labels I talked to, but am very thankful to have done this project with Nervous records. They were very supportive and let me create an album that I am very proud of.

I.N.: What's next for you?

J.B.: I am really getting hooked on spinning overseas, so look for me to be playing more international gigs next year. •

For more information about Bermudez, connect to www.joebermudez.com or www.myspace.com/joebermudez.