Sean Strange mixes Volume #14 of The 312: the Chicago House Music Podcast from 5 Magazine. Each episode features 100% real Chicago DJs playing real House Music around the city.
Sean Strange is a young DJ that has had the fortune of being blessed with residencies in quite a few of Chicago’s premier clubs, and his growth as a DJ in the last several years has been amazing.
The interview picks up below the mix:
What part of Chicago are you from and where do you derive your musical influences from?
I feel rather blessed to be born and raised in Chicago. Being from here you are exposed to so many brilliant artists. My first earliest influences would have to be Snoop Dog & CZR via Bad Boy Bill. Those were the first two tapes I bought when I was in 4th grade. My influences as an artists are different though. When I first started gigging and getting noticed I was a resident at Evil Olive Chicago. This gave me an opportunity to open for so many talented Chicago titans, but 3 people stand out in my mind: first was Paul Johnson. Derrick Carter and Mark Farina.
You used to be a resident at Evil Olive many moons ago, I remember that’s when I first met you! What’s been going on for you since then as a DJ and producer?
Yeah Evil Olive was the best experience probably for me as a young fresh DJ. I look back to then and think about how I really had no clue about the amazing position I was in. Since then I’ve been very fortunate to have numerous residencies here in Chicago but currently they are
-Sounds From The Underground is my weekly radio show on www.clubvibez.co.uk based out of the UK which airs every Sunday from 4-6pm CST.
-Vertigo Sky Lounge (Primary residence & also Entertainment Director), Primary where I play about monthly right now,
Spybar (yearly) and 8actavo Rooftop in San Jose, Costa Rica, which is also yearly.
Where do you like to find your music usually?
I typically am fortunate to have most of my music sent to me from the artists but If I was looking for new music I’d probably go to Gramaphone and find some records or Discogs. For digital music, I’d have to say Traxsource or Juno.
What was the last set you saw that really inspired you?
I’d have to say probably Gene Farris anytime recently. My homies from New York, Chris and Steve Martinez really make me wanna get to work too. Last time they were here we were at Gramaphone and those guys don’t play around when it comes to crate digging. I have mad respect for them.
