Interview with Denny Tsettos

DMA: Were you ever into playing alternative at all?
TSETTOS: I started a college night years back when I was in college and I incorporated some into my set but they were more industrial bands like Front 242 and 808 State I've always been primarily a dance DJ. In my early years when I played for the teens I played alot of freestyle like Judy Torres, Voice In Fashion, TKA, Noel. Then I played a great deal of Chicago house like Adonis, Marshall Jefferson, Chip E., JuIian Perez, Fast Eddie, Tyre Cooper. Those were huge!!

DMA: When did you discover the world of buying imports?
TSETTOS: I started buying Imports In 1986.

DMA: Were a lot of DJs In your area playing imports or was that one of your 'tricks' to make yourself stand out?
TSETTOS: My area was pretty up on the music. Most if not all of the local DJs would buy imports. Growing up listening to Scott Blackwell, Franco, Mojo, Little Louie. Those guys made me frequent Vinyl Mania all the time.

DMA: How many gigs have you had that have the impact that a club like Abyss has had?
TSETTOS: I have to say every place before Abyss that I played was very successful. By far Abyss and the Shore club Temptations are the two best places that I have played. I started Abyss 5 years ago. It took a whIle to really develop and build the night to what it is now. It took of great deal of educating not only to the audience but to management as well.

DMA: how did you go about doing this? What was it like before you were there?
TSETTOS: They didn't believe in the music that I was playing at first. But I stuck to the music that I believed in. I would try little by little to play progressive house throughout my night. I would try to feature a couple new jams every week and gradually get them into it. It reached a point where people were loving It. When I started, Friday nights were doing 400 people. Now we do close to 3,000.

DMA: Besides your DJ-ing work, what are the contributing factors to Abyss' success?
TSETTOS: TEAM WORK!!!

DMA: Describe.
TSETTOS: Management having the trust in me to let me do what I do best. Owners that are willing to spend money to better their club. By this I mean giving the customer a beautiful establishment with a killer sound and light show. Staying on top of the times and trends. Promotions that draw people to the club like great live performances. They also really understand the importance of a good DJ where many club owners don’t.

DMA: Do you feel that you share more in common with New York clubs then you do with the local competition?
TSETTOS: Definitely. Most of my crowd goes to the city right after my club. Tunnel on Friday and Sound Factory on Saturday is full with all people who come to Abyss and Temptations.

DMA: Do you think that the spread of Ecstacy use has created this niche in New Jersey?
TSETTOS: I believe that it has helped the scene everywhere. Now there are no more fights in clubs. All they care about is having a great time and being turned out musically. Every week they are thriving for new musi and what new jams I'm gonna drop. These club kids have experienced that musical journey that the combination of X and good music can take you on. I must say no one can do that better than Junior Vasquez. Junior is one of the big reasons why I do this. I used to go and listen to him back when he was at the original Sound Factory. He would just know how to get in your head and just send you.