Stacy Kidd Interview
STACY: In 2002, after I did "I Wanted You" and "Thank You" with Tony Humphries, Tony called me and told me that Louie Vega wanted me to release something on the label. I was shocked and honored, you know. So my first project I sent them was a joint I did with a guitar player named Bryant Ford. I met him at one of FLX's events when he was playing live on FLX's set. I already had the track done and he just came on and did his thing. Then I wanted to make it a little better so I called Glenn Underground and he put some live keys on top. Next thing you know I went back and contacted Byron Stingily and got him to sing a little something and there it was...
5: That was "Where Did It Go". Were there any others? Or are there any other MAW projects in the works?
STACY: I did that one and then I did "Ancient Forests" as a single. When "Where Did It Go" was re-released, "Ancient Forests" was on the other side...
Right now I'm focusing on my other projects because, you know, I've never done a mix CD in all these years. Never.
I've been doing production for years so that's really my goal now.
5: Like so many other DJs, have you converted to CDs and a laptop when you travel or are you strictly a vinyl man?
STACY: The only reason I'm playing a CD is if I'm playing unreleased joints. I LOVE WAX. CDs do seem easier for travel, but I don't know... Wax is wax. CDs - that's just not for me.
5: Because you are so prolific you must always have a million things going at once. So what else is happening for the end of 2006? What about goals for 2007?
STACY: Well, I just finished with a video shoot with me and XL. I'm also doing a video tour for "Let Love Enter". You remember that track? We just did a remix with vocals and a hook and everything.
I'm doing a "Let Love Enter Tour" where I'm traveling all over the world, filming parts of the clubs for the video. I've got a lot of support for that. I've got Belgium and France so far, and Utah, and Orlando for New Year's, and then I have Australia and New Zealand coming up. I'm hoping to have the video as a bonus for my mix CD.
And actually the video we just shot just got picked up by MTV-UK. That's pretty exciting and there are two companies overseas that have video shows that want me to send it to them, too. There's really no better marketing than that!
5: I've also been told that you are releasing your work on Traxsource through Chicago Sound Source?
STACY: Yeah, yeah, I'm releasing all of my back catalogue 'cuz I've got people sending me emails and calling for stuff they can't get anymore. So I'm gonna release some special extended EPs on Traxsource like my Jazzy Days series. And I've got a brand new one called Jazzy Days 4. I'm pulling all of my stuff from 1990 to 1996 that a lot of people didn't get 'cuz it didn't come out here but it did come out in France or Australia or something like that. And vice versa. There are things that were released here that you couldn't get overseas, but most of it has come back to me. Plus I have a lot of remix stuff - a brand new "Lake Street", a brand new "Jammin'". It's a lot. I've got so much plus another twelve DATs of unreleased stuff.
And I guess I can tell y'all - you will be the first to know - I got this remix with Daft Punk that I'm working on but I can't say much more. [laughs] Y'all can be the first to know... I plan on really flooding them with my stuff.
5: Video tours, new tracks in production, re-releases and spinning around the world, do you ever get to just go out and enjoy a House night in the city?
STACY: Well it sounds like a lot but the traveling, it comes in spurts - mostly on weekends. And there's always stuff I can do in the week, cuz I'm here for work - I do production work for WGCI. I do all the drops and intros and outros for the Beyonce Fox Show and I also do it for the Bad Boys Show. You gotta keep it busy. If you don't do nothing, that's when people forget about you.
5: Are you at a stage in your career now where you mentor other producers or DJs? What is some advice that you can give to someone hoping to make a career in House music?
STACY: Yeah I have a couple of guys - Tyrone Davis, a vocalist. He's got a lot of talent and I want to help develop him and get him out there. Ice Mike L - he's an up and coming producer who's hot. The young cats - all I tell them is always keep your head up because no matter what music you're into, you will have ups and downs, someone won't want to sign you and so on.
I used to think that when I sent a track to a label - if they don't take it, then it must be garbage, and I'd look past that track and go to make something new. That's not the case. Everyone has their own taste.
For example, Paul Johnson's "Get Get Down". I know two companies that he shopped it to and they turned it down. He put the track on his album and look what it did. It became an anthem. So never take someone else's judgment to heart. Everyone has his own taste.
5: By most measures, you are a success in a business that is cutthroat and dirty. Was there ever a lesson that you had to learn the hard way or early on that has helped you remain one of the most prolific producers on the scene?
STACY: The lesson I had to learn is never take the business personal. I've been friends with a label or a company and I was certain they were going to go a certain way - you know, you look out for them so they would look out for you. But in the end, it's all about business so don't ever take it personal.
5: Do you think House will become a part of mainstream America? Will it go back to being commercially viable like the days when Lipton Tea used "The Whistle Song" and had even rural America singing Frankie Knuckles?
STACY: It is mainstream. It may not be as big as hip-hop or something else but we wouldn't be going to the Miami Music Conference if it wasn't mainstream. I mean, every city has it's own little dance station or night. But like I said, if you aren't into it you won't find it.
I don't know if, or how big it's going to get here. It is already pretty huge overseas and there is a bigger and bigger demand. One thing is for sure - it's not going anywhere.
Stacy Kidd can be reached through his website, djstacykidd.com. For bookings, exclusive mixes and a release and touring schedule, visit chicagosoundsource.com.
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