6 Questions for DJ Colleen Crumbcake
07-20-11 Interviews
Who: DJ Colleen Crumbcake
Lives: NYC
Where to Find Her: sugartownindustries.com
Why We Think She’s Cool: Because Notorious BIG’s “Juicy” is in her top 10 Summer jams!
Interview by: José
Foundry: So I guess the first obvious question would be, "How did you become a DJ?"
DJ Colleen Crumbcake: I was always the kid making mix tapes for my friends. When I got to college, I DJ'd at my college's radio station and spun at some bars. Then I headed to Chicago, where I continued DJing at college/community radio stations and bars. Friends would ask me to spin at the occasional wedding and then pass my name onto their friends, but I was never interested in becoming a "wedding DJ."
I moved to New York City to work in TV production, which I did during the week. All of a sudden, I found myself spinning at more and more weddings and events. At that point I realized that I actually really enjoyed working at weddings as much as I enjoyed the party stuff--which was good, because someone posted my name on the IndieBride message board right around then, and it all snowballed. I started getting too much business, decided to quit my full-time job and open popshop! djs. The rest is history!
F: Where did you get your DJ name?
CC: I came up with a very long and silly DJ name when I first moved to New York City for working at bars. East Village Radio morphed my name and the DJ name together, and I decided it was easier and less confusing, but then it stuck in the wedding biz too. Now it's become my actual nickname to most of my friends, which is strange and sort of funny to me. It's actually served me well. People really remember it and seem to find it very cute. I've embraced it in my own way by getting a little tattoo of the word on my arm.
F: So I know you've DJ'd some of the best venues in NYC. How is The Foundry different from some of the others you've done?
CC: Well, the sound system is awesome here. I highly recommend that my clients take advantage of it, because it's a perfectly calibrated system for the space, and the sound levels are always perfect. That's rare, and it always sounds amazing. Besides that, The Foundry is one of the most unique spaces I've been in. It's beautiful but a little edgy (since it is a converted foundry and all), and I adore the staff here. You guys are so attentive and easy to work with. I always look forward to my events here.
F: Have you ever had a Bridezilla on your hands?
CC: Not really. I mean, we've had some brides and grooms that are super specific about what they want, but I can't really say that I've had a true Bridezilla/Groomzilla. Honestly, I used to work in client service in the TV production industry, and I've never dealt with anyone as bad as my old ad agency clients!
F: How do you unwind after each gig?
CC: Depending on how tired I am, sometimes I'll go dancing at one of my DJ friends' dance nights in the neighborhood or just go home, plow through some chocolate and pass out. It's all very glamorous!
F: Last question - can you try and list me ten of your favorite albums?
CC: Jose, this is the hardest question ever! How about my top ten
summer jams (in no particular order)?
1 Kim Fowley - Motorboat
2 Dirty Gold - California Sunrise
3 Washed Out - Feel it all Around
4 Destroyer - Kaputt
5 Jane's Addiction - Summertime Rolls
6 Notorious BIG - Juicy
7 Jacques Dutronc - Les Cactus
8 Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood - Summer Wine
9 B-52's - Legal Tender
10 Robyn - Konichiwa Bitches