DJ/Producer Corey Craig continues to redefine the current sound of house music and electrify the club scene. He brings his award-winning signature mix of Commercial, Progressive Dance and modern classics to a residency at XL. He launched his floor filling formula in NYC bars/clubs, grabbed the attention of FornabaioVoss Events, and is now a global sensation from Sydney to Madrid. Headlining work includes the 2009 NYC Dance On The Pier, Pines Party 2010, Ascension (Fire Island), Halloween In New Orleans, Sydney Mardi Gras and Sandblast Asbury Park. He has also performed special sets with his mentors Moto Blanco, Freemasons and Bimbo Jones amongst others. Corey Craig owes his massive following to spontaneous live sets and wildly popular podcasts, which are constantly one of iTunes’ most downloaded. Two Centaur album projects, Popular and Pride 2011 give a sample of his production and compilation talents. Corey’s current and upcoming work with partner Saul Ruiz as R2C2 features a unique sound ready to mold the club scene well into the future.
Corey Craig just finished his latest mix CD from Centaur entitled Party Groove: Pride 12. The CD is now available on iTunes, Amazon, TheOutClub.com and record stores across the country, especially GLBT stores. Take a listen to what makes Corey Craig so HOT and in demand!
We had a chance to chat with Corey about music, being a DJ, and what’s hot. Here is what he had to say.
Centaur Music: Tell us about your new CD Party Groove: Pride 12.
Corey Craig: Pride 12 marks my 2nd mix in the series. I wanted it to tell the story about the Pride we should have within ourselves. Imagine a relationship ending, your friends dragging you out to take your mind off the drama and as the night continues, you realize that you will be fine. Your Pride hasn’t been hurt even if your heart has.
LGBT relationships are just as emotional, relevant and complicated as our straight counterparts. This Pride mix is about respecting all the elements of a relationship, romantic or otherwise, ending and realizing that we have the strength to continue and maybe even find something better around the corner.
I selected certain tracks because they remind me of people we all know that are good at helping us “snap out of it” and remember to live. Night Of Your Life, Give Your Heart A Break and Good Girl are prime examples. Other tracks like Where Have You Been, Brokenhearted and Stop Me Now are great examples of pushing towards the future and recognizing our own strength. I ended the mix with a tribute to Donna Summer and a nod to two tracks that give the listener optimism about new relationships to come.
I want to give special thanks to Tom Geiss, Eric G, Max C for giving the mix a spiritual element. Marc JB, Bimbo Jones and Inaya Day get kudos for the special sound Every Breath gives the compilation. Cosmic Dawn, you are amazing and I hope more people get to hear your official remix work from this point forward.
CM: What is your favorite thing about being a DJ?
CC: Creating an environment that allows people to just relax and have fun. I love watching and controlling the mood of a dance floor and making people realize it’s okay to let loose and live!
CM: How did you get your start?
CC: While filming my audition video to DJ for Ellen Degeneres, I met a TON of influential New Yorkers who agreed to be in my video. I gave each of them a copy of my newest cd and they all loved it. Couple that with FOODBAR playing all my early work and there you have it! (Pier Dance 2009 cemented everything)
CM: Tell us about one of your favorite moments from traveling around the world to DJ.
CC: It is a tie between Purple Party, Dallas where my whole family was in DJ booth with me for the first time as I spun for my gay crowd…. and Sydney Mardi Gras, Oxford Hotel where the entire crowd was singing along and grabbing whomever was closest…. WE BONDED !
CM: What is THE song to look out for this summer?
CC: Noisettes Winner is on my fast track as a late Summer ANTHEM!!!!
But Scissor Sisters Let’s Have A KiKi is still on fire (They performed the song last week at my XL residency Fornabaio and Voss’ Rockit) it was MARVELOUS!
CM: Who is your favorite artist and favorite remixer and why?a
CC: Right now I am feeling EMELI SANDE… her voice is amazing
Remixer: Right now, I am feeling Seamus Haji and the new Freemasons stuff coming up is going to blow you guys away!
CM: Any new project you are working on and a few quotes about it (besides Pride 12)?
CC: Reuniting with SAUL RUIZ and creating hot remixes in the fall as R2C2… the new sound we are pursuing is a slick 90’s house feel with updated instruments and melodies.
CM: What is your current Top 10 List?
CC: Scissor Sisters – Let’s Have A KiKi
Noisettes – Winner (Westfunk and Steve Smart)
Lorena – Euphoria (WaWas Remix)
Florence and the Machine – Spectrum (Calvin Harris)
Usher – Scream (Seamus Haji Club Mix)
Rita Ora – How We Do (Papercha$er)
Maroon 5 – Payphone (Cutmore)
Karmin – Brokenhearted (Razor & Guido)
Gossip – Move In The Right Direction (Seamus Haji)
Azealea Banks – 212
CM: What club appearances do you have coming up?
CC: July 22, Sand Blast Riptide Pool Party; July 27 and August 24, 31 Rockit @ XL (NYC Residency), October 12, Atlanta Pride Kickoff, Georgia Aquarium; October 26, Halloweens in New Orleans, House of Blues.
