RS: How did your first remix project come about?
Joe Bermudez: I had gone through a really bad break up. I didn't
want to leave my house and was miserable. Some friends of mine in NYC
were trying to get me to go to a strip club to cheer me up. I finally
agreed, but only if they let me play in their studio after. I ended
up working on Mya's "Case Of The Ex" and became hooked.
RS: Are you Mac or PC?
Joe Bermudez: I am on a Mac now.
RS: Whats your favorite keyboard / piece of outboard gear?
Joe Bermudez: Probably my Novation K Station. It's nice and small so
it doesn't take up much room, but the sounds are big and very easy to
tweak. I tend to use that as my controller a lot.
RS: What software do you use?
Joe Bermudez: I sequence using Cubase SX 3 and a ProTools Mix Plus system.
RS: I saw you quoted in an advertisement for Cubase. What role do
you think corporate sponsorships will play in your DJ career?
Joe Bermudez: I They keep me sounding fresh. Basically they let me
play with their toys first before the general public to see what I
like and dislike about them. Getting to use various plug-in's and
VST's before other DJ's is a huge advantage.
RS: Are there any other companies out there that you would like to be
sponsored by?
Joe Bermudez: Some free software from Native Instruments would be
nice. A new Access Virus keyboard wouldn't hurt either. Maybe even a
new Macintosh 12" Powerbook G4. You pretty much just opened Pandora's
box. Ask another question real quickly or we will be here all night
discussing gear... ha ha.
RS: What has been the most challenging song for you to remix?
Joe Bermudez: I would have to say Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway." The
original is in a 6/8 time signature, which is basically a waltz, and
the label wanted a mix that was 4/4 for the mixshow guys to play. It
was really frustrating trying to get the vocal to lock to that kind of
groove and I almost gave up. It seriously has thousands of edits to
make it work and I am surprised at how good it sounded in the end. I
am glad I stuck it out as the mix played a huge role in helping her go
number 1 at CHR with only a 5-spin victory over Maroon 5.
RS: I notice that you often team up with other people for remixes -
what role do you say you and Josh Harris play when remixing a track?
Joe Bermudez: When we do a remix, Josh's primary role is to talk shit
to me on Instant Messenger... ha ha. Seriously though, we are both
able to do a record completely on our own, so when we do decide to
team up and combine our talents, I think it tends to make the process
more creative and efficient. I may think of something that Josh would
have never thought of and vice versa. Four ears are certainly better
than two.
RS: How important do you think remixing and production is for DJs?
Joe Bermudez: Nowadays, I would say it's pretty important. Labels
are not commissioning big remixes like they used to so if you want a
hot remix, you pretty much are stuck doing it yourself. Each year,
the bar gets raised for DJs and you have to be able to do more and
more if you want to survive and stay in the game.
RS: Several of your remixes are pop oriented - let's say midtempo -
mixes of Kelly Clarkson or Jesse McCartney. Do you play these remixes
in your club sets or are these mainly for radio and mixshows?
Joe Bermudez: They are primarily designed for radio, but I see them
getting some serious club use in the next few years as tempos continue
to slow down. I actually closed my night in Chicago this past Friday
with my Behind These Hazel Eyes remix and the crowd went nuts for it.
RS: Where do the remix names come from -- ie lasik surgery, pinky
swear, regal? Is there some inside joke her that you care to clue us
in on?
Joe Bermudez: I honestly don't know. My wheels are always spinning
and I guess I need as many creative outlets as I can get so I just
started coming up with smartass names for my mixes.
