[INTERVIEW + VICEROY ROUNDUP] Its Summer Time with Viceroy

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Joel:Â Being from the Seattle area we don’t get a whole lot of sun, so most of the time we have to live vicariously through other people or in my case, music. You seem to have a unique style of production that fits this picturesque image of mine. An image of beaches, pools, fruity drinks, good vibes and most importantly…. loads of women. I know you don’t live in Vegas, so what inspires this style of music for you?
Viceroy:Â I think my best experiences through-out life always happened in the summer. The summer is something everyone looks forward to and growing up I couldn’t get enough of it. I also find my style of music aka “summer music” to be a style that can be played in all different kinds of settings with all kinds of people. Its multi-functional in that sense, plus who doesn’t love a feel good track? I wasn’t always into feel good music, but when I first explored edm, nu-disco was introduced to me immediately and I fell in love with it.
Joel:Â Viceroy is an interesting moniker, its more than a dj name, its a ruler of sorts. Can you tell us a little about what Viceroy means to you and your music? Side note: Did you know that Christopher Columbus desperately wanted to be the Viceroy of all discovered lands?
Viceroy:Â haha I did not know that! I’d have to say I did not pick the name “viceroy” because of its definition. I just think it sounds cool, but now that I’ve been making music under it the definition definitely reflects my music. I want to be a leader not a follower in my genre. I’ve worked really hard on my branding and I am really happy with how its turned out. There are so many DJs trying to make it out there, but these days you have to a full circle business man: understand your product, make it a niche, and share it with your fans in the easiest way possible. I think I do that really well.
Joel:Â The Viceroy of the dance floor rings nicely I think. As far as branding, you certainly have created an identity for yourself, while other dj’s tend to neglect that aspect. In the end, its a business- you just happen to be able to do what you love. How do you think this branding has effected attaining work?
Viceroy:Â My branding is definitely a niche market, however, its put me in a position to do very well in it. I basically found out what I am good at and focused on that. It’s really a battle of knowing a lot about one thing verses a little about a lot you know? These days you have to be unique and not be spread out in order to make it.
Joel:Â Dude, I totally know what you mean. This millennial culture of mass information mixed with A.D.D. makes focusing on one thing extremely difficult. I think a lot of people in our generation struggle with that, so congrats to you my friend. I also, wanted to congratulate on your successes so far. I really enjoyed you last E.P. “Sunburn”. I think everyone is curious about what direction you see your music going and what you have in store for us next?
Viceroy:Â Thank you Joel! Such kind words. The Sunburn ep in my opinion was a step in the wrong direction for me. I was trying hard to be something I wasn’t. I think after that I realized what I wanted to do. From the Yelle remix on, you can see a consistency in my production all around from branding to style. My releases in 2012 have really pushed my career to the next level. I have some house remixes coming out soon and some downtempo ones as well. I like to mix it up. Keep that same summer vibe, but touch upon all kinds of genres and bpm ranges. And yes, I will have another Jet LIfe remix coming out this summer.
Joel:Â Another “Jet Life” remix… I think we can now thank infant baby beach-lord David Hasselhoff for some answered prayers. Just a couple questions left. If you had to name a favorite gig or performance of yours so far, what would it be?
Viceroy: Id say I really like pool parties. There’s something about a day party that makes for a killer party ya know? I dont mean the tame kind of pool parties either. The ones that get wild are incredible amounts of fun and are the club scene of the day. I just played one in Scottsdale put on by Patron and Skyy Vodka and it was killer. I dont have a particular performance that I liked the most. They have all been so different.
Joel:Â Lol, Viceroy & Pools are like Peanut Butter & Jelly. Ok, I’ve got to leave you with one of my all time favorite cheese-ball questions.
Two parts:
1) If you could work with any three musicians, living or dead, who would you choose?
2) if you could spend a day with any three people, living or dead, who would you choose?
Viceroy:Â Â I love cheese-ball questions!
1) I’d love to work with Daft Punk, Madeon, and Michael Jackson. Great mix of new and classic talent.
2) hmm…I’d love to chill with Richard Branson for a day. That guy knows how to ball out! The Beatles in their prime for sure and Mark Zuckerberg. I find his story really interesting I feel like he’s pretty down to earth despite all of his recent success.
♫ Ghost Beach – Miracle (Viceroy Remix)
♫ St Lucia – Closer Than This (Viceroy Remix)
♫ Mark Morrison – Return Of The Mack (Viceroy Jet Life Remix)
♫ Notorious B.I.G. – Going Back to Cali (Viceroy _Jet Life_ Remix)
♫ Wiz Khalifa – This Plane (Viceroy Jet Life remix)
♫ Rihanna – We Found Love (Viceroy Remix)
♫ Madonna – Like A Prayer (Viceroy + Alkamyme Remix)
♫ Katy Perry – Last Friday Night (Viceroy Poolside Remix)
♫ Viceroy – Paradise (Original Mix)
♫ Viceroy – Mirage (Original Mix)
♫ Viceroy – Sunny Daze (Original Mix)
i think that going back to cali has been on every playlist i’ve had for months! Â
Lol. I feel you.Â
great post, i love his remixes so much (on this list, particularly the first five) and cant wait for more to soundtrack the summer
Thanks, new Jet Life remix coming soon!
Just the hits. Thi
THANK GOD! I briefly heard the 'This Plane' remix a few months ago but then lost it amongst the site and didn't know its name. I have had the synth melody stuck in my head ever since and gave up hope of finding it again. Hoorah!