KCTDC_More_Interest: Five

A few months back KCTDC resident PK and Mr. Nuro got an early morning call from our friend in St. Louis, club promoter Obree JD … asking us if we could deliver her a special package. The night before the St. Louis airport was hit with a tornado, closing down all in bound and out bound flights. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, but Obree had booked Mr. Tommy Largo to come in for a night at the (infamous) Upstairs Lounge.

Without a second thought we packed our overnight bags and headed out on our adventure to the Lou. After picking up Tommy from MCI we headed to St. Louis. Yadda yadda yadda. We end up at the club after a long drive ready for a cocktail and some time to get our boogie on. Opening up the night was Paul Moody better known as Hugs and a guy who’s name escapes me, but looked like Bucho’s doppelgänger. (I’m sorry, the vodka was strong that night.) Getting a chance to talk to Paul after his set was a pleasure and his jacking house was just what we needed after our drive.

Paul has been playing music for almost two decades. We had a chance to sit down and get a quick interview and also get a copy of his recent mix set.. which was live at his birthday party. Cheers!

HUGS BIRTHDAY LIVE 2011 by RAREandCHOICE

Name:
Paul Moody

DJ Alias:
Hugs

Years behind the decks:
Since 12/94

What was the first record you purchased:
LOVE TKO: Head Turner

What type of platform do you prefer to perform on:
Vinyl forever, SL1200s and Pioneer mixers… recently Serato for new music and ease of transport, but always vinyl. I like that they have become joysticks in a sense of it. I cannot handle CDJs and Midi pads… although I can see clearly where that has come from and where it is going.

What drew you to the type of dance music that you play:
I was soooo into Metal in my adolescence, I moved into Ministry and Skinny Puppy… but it was Pretty Hate Machine by NIN that really interrupted my whole concept of Dance music.

The whole time I had been pursuing my own musical interests and as I studied different instruments and played drums in several bands, metal to punk to grunge, it just peaked with that early 90s scene and disappeared.

I did not go to college when my friend’s did and in the vacuum that followed, I experimented with every aspect of my life- ultimately, once I discovered the ‘party’ scene here in St. Louis it all came together.

I saw the possibility to perform rich, involved music, lush soundscapes with a level of experience and ability I already had. Electronic music did not require a band or anyone else to be involved. Ultimately, the best place for a nervous, muddled kid with such aspiration as my own- was behind the decks.

It was the fact that I could perform and control, explore and celebrate – interact without the pressure of presenting just myself that made dance music and dj-ing the part of my life that it still is today.

The real issue then was to choose, and play well, the music that was closest to me, what I felt- what moved me. So I began to pursue the djs and artists that I enjoyed listening and dancing to.

We went all over the Midwest and hit multiple events each weekend, the proximity of Chicago and its sound really made me who I am, reinforced by the friends I made here, there, and in Memphis. Djs like Maddy, Diz, Farris, Maeda, Traxx, Mystic Bill, Jeff Feller and Lance (who personally directed me to so much great music), Astroboy, That Girl’s parties (Horizon and Wicked series) put so many excellent artists in St. Louis, OD/Musaria, Swank/Whize and the Shape family in Memphis who put me on and my close friends Don, Chris, Jim (Treefish) and Casey, Ned, Micah- we would all go out so far and then discuss it. Break it down, look at what worked and what did not… we all could not deny that deep house sound: bleeps and sweeps at midnight, screaming vocals at dawn.

Favorite record label:
Guidance and before that Prescription was where I began, today I mostly search by artist, all my heroes have their own labels. I will always get what is new by Guesthouse, Myna, Tight, Tango, Amenti, Yerba Buena, Large, Drop, recently a lot of new labels, strictly digital labels are coming out. I will always support the locals as well; Photo Records, LHM, and Puff’s releases are in the ‘bag’.

Best place to find new music:
The streets, lols- it isn’t like that any more- digging is not physical. I am an old man now and in St. Louis we have no “store” no central place. I go out when I can and it is the recording and sound work that I do which keeps me grounded. I want to see what you play, help you get where you want to go. In doing that, I always get shown that bright and shining light.

Favorite live act / DJ to see perform:
Diz has my heart, I met him 15 years ago and could not talk. Derrick Carter kills, every time… club culture now a days is so tough, you have to force and convince these artists that this a real scene, a place of real respect for House music and once that fact is establish most anyone lets loose.

I saw Ritchie Hawtin play recently and the weather ruined my last chance to see Scott Hardkiss. My favorite dj of all time though has to be Traxx who I have seen and been amazed by the most.

The most recent wave of UK artists are doing it severe. Da Sunlounge, Inland Knights (not so new), Late Night Society and I think I would explode if I could see Stereo Mcs live… I buy everything I can from them.

Do you produce, if so, where can your original productions be heard:
I write, all kinds of stuff- I would love to do soundtracks, scores and commercials. I have not submitted anything and could post here and there. I am working on a project with my domain http://www.rareandchoice.com/, it is just what it implies: hard to find, excellent everything. We will have to see…

Besides music, what else do you collect, if anything:
Dust… I am dedicated father so I have the bruises and burns that come from forcing my agenda on institutions like the public schools, job market, and national healthcare. I have my fair share of books, games, and art as well. I like to think I don’t collect people, but I count my friends and family amongst my valuables and life is pretty good.

When is the best time to listen to dance music:
Once time all day!

What do you order at the bar:
Gluten free anything, I have issues.