This post is also available in: Nederlands (Dutch)
This week in the feature MY FIRST GIG: American DJ/producer Curtis Bledsoe, now living in Haarlem. "The turning point came when actress Juliette Lewis approached me."
“The first gig I was officially hired for was at a private house party in the Hollywood Hills, California. It was a birthday bash for Ruben, a friend. At that time, I was 21 years old.”
A-list Celebrities
“I was super nervous about the gig. I was performing in front of a mixed crowd that I didn’t know well, and among them were a few A-list celebrities. One of them was actress Juliette Lewis. I didn’t prepare an exact playlist beforehand but, of course, I had practiced endlessly leading up to the night. I wasn’t planning on doing anything too fancy, but at that time, I was only playing vinyl, so I practiced for at least four hours every day. On weekends, this could go up to eight hours per day.”
Proud Owner
“At the party itself, a few friends were there. Among them was my good friend Philippe, who helped me transport and set up my DJ gear. Back then, I was the proud owner of two Technics 1200 turntables, a Technics mixer, and three crates of vinyl. I think I had Stanton needles at the time. I only started spinning with Shure Whitelabel needles a few years later, after winning them in a DJ battle at a club called The Beach in Las Vegas. This club was run by my friends Sandy and Jonathan. In fact, it was Sandy who recommended my name to Ruben as a DJ for his birthday party.”
DJ Craig Boyd
“My mentor at the time was DJ Craig Boyd. When I first started DJing in Los Angeles, he taught me the ins and outs of spinning. Unfortunately, Craig couldn’t be there when I performed at that birthday bash in the Hollywood Hills.”
On Edge
“That gig was a special story in any case. It started like most gigs do for many DJs: you’re the first one there. As the night progressed, the room filled up and everyone seemed to be having a good time. I was still a bit on edge because I wasn’t exactly playing the mainstream tunes of the moment. Even though I was enjoying myself, I worried that people might want more hip hop, while I was leaning more towards deep house.”
Juliette Lewis
“The turning point came when Juliette Lewis approached me. I recognized the actress in a millisecond. Immediately, I thought she was probably going to request a different kind of music, but that wasn’t the case at all. Instead, she complimented me on my track selection and said she was really enjoying it! At that moment, I was playing “Needing U” by David Morales – I’ll never forget it!”
Fantastic Memory
“By the end of the night, everything had gone well, and I was left with a fantastic memory above all. If I ever meet Juliette Lewis in person again, I want to thank her for her kindness and encouragement, which helped calm me down at that moment. What I learned from that first gig is that it’s essential to truly believe in the music you play and to trust that feeling. Besides that, it’s important to always stay alert because you never know who might be in the audience.”
Las Vegas
“After that first gig, I went on to play in many well-known venues across the United States and around the world. I lived in Las Vegas for a long time, where I had the opportunity to perform at the famous club Utopia on the Las Vegas Strip. I also played at Club Rudder at C2K, was a resident DJ at GLO, played at Nacho House, and at many more venues in Vegas. I also DJ’d in places like Southern California, Texas, and Kansas City.”
"The Light Screwed In"
“In a co-production, I also ran my own house label called Soulsupplement and released two underground vinyl records: Lessons and The Light. One of my best memories ever was hearing Doc Martin play “The Light Screwed In“, which I produced myself at the London nightclub Fabric.”
Expanding
“Currently, I’m working as an independent producer. In early 2019, I have some original productions and remixes planned. I now live in Haarlem and have been warmly welcomed in the Netherlands. It strongly feels like I can fully develop my musical potential here.”
“I thoroughly enjoy working at the online radio station Amsterdam Most Wanted (AMW). I first came across it during ADE 2015 and fell in love with radio. Since then, I’ve been a resident DJ and On Air Personality at AMW. The station offers a platform to work and meet some of the biggest names in the business. Always live, no premixes, and no sync!”
This interview with Curtis Bledsoe was originally published on This Is Our House in November 2018.
Who is Curtis Bledsoe?
Curtis Bledsoe is a deep house/deep tech producer, originally from Las Vegas and now living in The Netherlands. Curtis Bledsoe has traveled the world spreading his unique blend of deep house and deep tech sounds to happy people all across the globe. What began in the 90s in Los Angeles as a hobby has clearly transitioned to what is now his passion. DJing has taken him to over 30 countries.
No matter the location or the venue, Curtis is most happy entertaining the crowds with his unique ability to keep the crowd guessing! Curtis Bledsoe is a true Selekta! He’s only happy when the tunes are obscure and the dancefloor is shaking! Currently Curtis Bledsoe is a resident at the world famous Amsterdam’s Most Wanted radio station (AMW.FM)
Curtis Bledsoe is known for his unique ability to program the right track at the right time and he attributes this to his many years of experience behind the decks in Los Angeles and Las Vegas the home of Soulsupplement Records. Also a talented music producer, Curtis Bledsoe has appeared on Soulsupplement outings “The Light EP”, “Lessons EP”, “Naked City EP”, and “Passport EP”.
More Curtis Bledsoe?
More First Gigs? Check them all here!
