Aliens, Ghosts and Foxx’s…
It’s all in a days work for the creative DJ-ing duo Dennis Da Silva and Roger Spy. Eyetunes find out what really makes them out of this world.
So boys when did you meet and where?
DDS: Well we met on My Space just before a DJ gig at EGG where we met properly. I wasn’t sure of Roger’s gender but he’s really just a young alien with shiny bits and heels.
RS: After seeing the promo flyer for the Wearable Art For Durable People at EGG, where I did the visuals for, I added everyone who was DJing, performing and promoting on myspace, Dennis was the only one who replied.
Would you say you had similar tastes in music?
DDS: Very similar but we conflict at Barbra Streisand. I shan’t hold that against him though…as yet.
RS: Yes, we both believe there is no bad music, only bad musicians. We love music.
What would you say would be the ultimate dance floor track that sums up your characters?
DDS: Probably something that only exists in my head at the moment – a mashup involving Michael Jackson, John Foxx and Aphex Twin.
RS: Michael Jackson’s Black or White
What was the first club you both went to?
DDS: Some place on Sandy Lane in Barbados
RS: Café de Paris
What or who inspired you to become DJ’s?
DDS: Depeche Mode and David Bowie.
RS: I wanted to control a venue’s atmosphere and people’s night!
Where are you DJing at the moment?
DDS: A new weekly Indie / Electro night called Über in South London
RS: Resident DJ at Beach Blanket Babylon (BBB) in Shoreditch on Wednesdays and at BBB in Notting Hill on Friday’s and Saturday’s.
What attributes complements each other DJ sets?
DDS: I’m not in love with what is currently referred to as ‘Pop’ so I play what I want.
RS: Being outcasts and playing what we feels instead of what is expected.
Dennis you also have an art agency called ArtHertz. Tell us more about that
DDS: I started ArtHertz in 2006 to create events involving art and music staged in unconventional spaces, particularly those involving large scale architecture. I’m very lucky to get the chance to work with some of my favourite artists who are my friends as well – I have the best job in the world! We’ve produced and curated events for Fulham Palace, Durham Castle, Apple Store & Rushes Soho Shorts, most recently the DNA Exhibition at Horse Hospital. We will have a stand at the Kinetica Art Fair 2010 in February then a major art and music event that includes a séance at Battersea Power Station in May entitled, Electricity and Ghosts.
Roger you are quite the ‘creative’ with a background in video editing, graphic design and photography. What is the most creative thing you have achieved to date?
RS: I’m always creating. When I’m not creating something that people have asked me or paid me for, I’m busy creating out of my heart and mind. It’s a self-imposed rule that my next work will always have to be something better. I never settle, I’m never satisfied. I do a lot of artwork involving photography, drawing, design and I’m constantly writing lyrics. Some of the pieces I have created recently are my favourite work so far, but no one has seen in it yet.
But if I have to name a couple of favourite creations, right now, it would have to be the Foxx video and my face.
Dennis do you think there is a natural synergy between art and the type of music you play?
DDS: Absolutely, they are inextricably linked and part of the same language as well as
great antidotes to each other.
Roger you recently showcased your John Foxx inspired video “From Trash” video at the John’s DNA exhibition curated by Dennis and Arthertz. What was your inspiration behind your video?
RS: The one and only inspiration for John Foxx’s video presentation was purely the man who I consider the King of Electronic, John Foxx.
His music speaks to me so loudly! I hear and see life with his music! It’s so interesting for me to look back now at how I did that 22 minute piece in 3 days. I had no time at all, yet everything came out so easily. It was one of those beautiful experiences where the work created itself, I was just the source. His music charged me with energy.
I used clips from four 1950’s sci fi movies, The Mysterians, Project Moonbase, Conquest of Space, When Worlds Collide and the silent Metropolis to marry five of my favourite Foxx tracks. Once I had all that assembled, the video created itself, I was really just the source. Even though I created some images from scratch and shot others, the way the images connected to the music was beyond coincidence, it was magic!
My obsession with music completely took over me and it was honestly one of the most delightful violent processes I had ever been through.
John Foxx’s music violence controls me! His music moves! Things that move are beautiful!
You both have a very unique fashion style. What would you wear if you were to visit her majesty the Queen?
RS: Something to make her envious.
DDS: When I was last in her presence, I wore French blue so maybe something purple this time and I’ll probably make more of a statement with my hair so that I’m not upstaged by La Spy.
What is your favourite Kirk Originals eyewear collection and why?
DDS: My favorite collection would be the artistically creative Kirk Heroes; each style has an illustrated character. I wear Sir Reginald who as it happens knew Leonardo Da Vinci. Mind you there is a striking resemblance between the suave Olaf ‘The Shadow’ Kirk and me.
RS: The Sunshine collection especially the Ricky in Gold, their inspiration derives from the decadent glamour of the 70’s.
If you were both marooned on a desert island what 3 items could you not live without?
RS: iPod, sunglasses and Michael Jackson’s Live in Bucharest DVD
DDS: A fully fitted kitchen, Roger’s iPod & A Stargate.
So what does the colourful future hold for this dynamic DJing duo?
DDS: Roger is an integral part of ArHertz and although we fight a lot, I have to admit he’s a great talent. We get asked to DJ more & more but it’s difficult with our schedules but we plan to invest more time into this in 2010 alongside some ‘live’ stuff involving Roger’s visuals.
Links
www.ArtHertz.com
www.myspace/rogerspy
www.youtube/rogerspy
www.facebook.com/rogerspy
www.facebook.com/dennisdasilva1
Dennis Da Silva wears Sir Reginald H5 from the Kirk Heroes collection. Photo – Helena Tepli
Roger Spy wears Ricky from the Sunshine Sunglass collection
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