Quickie with a DJ Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Edition: Lemonade
We caught up with Ben Steidel of Lemonade before the event at Stone Rose, the official lounge of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week:
If you could have one superhero power, what would it be? Anyone who doesn't say "flying" is a liar.
First job you ever had? I worked at a park that hosted company picnics and events. It involved lots of garbage clean-up as well as working at a fish pond and occasionally DJing for a children's "dance party". I taught little kids how to do the chicken dance. I was 14.
Favorite candy / snack? I have a reputation for being a big snacker. Lately it's been classic Snickers bars, tropical Skittles, and Zapp's potato chips.
What do you drive? A super busted looking red Dodge van that used to be the Lemonade tour van. It rarely leaves New York these days. It's a little scary.
Kind of watch do you wear? When I was a kid I was obsessed with the show Parker Lewis Can't Lose and I begged my parents to buy me a Swatch like the one he had. These days my phone is the only clock I look at.
Favorite Sneakers? Classic simple black Converse or Vans.
Favorite fashion brand? My girlfriend has a line called Shown To Scale. I'm a big fan.
If you had one night left to live, how would you spend it? Dancing and having fun with my close friends, preferably on a beach somewhere warm.
Favorite video game? I play "Jewels" on my phone. I'm pretty bad at video games.
Can't leave home without? "keyswalletphone"
First DJ you ever saw live? I'm honestly having a very tough time remembering a specific "first time". I saw Goldie play a live set in 1996 that left a huge impression on my teenage mind although it took me many more years to actually "get" dance music.
How would you describe your style? Simple, casual, but not afraid to be ridiculous sometimes.
What are your thoughts on the dance music culture right now? The culture of dance music is always going to generate good and bad things. At it's best, it's a culture of freedom, personal empowerment, uninhibited joy and release. I probably don't need to describe it at its worst. I think it's interesting that America has finally come around to mainstream "EDM" or whatever, and I find a lot of that music pretty inspiring actually, but the culture of true underground dance music is where my heart is. I like it cheap and gritty and as immersive as possible.
Favorite track to play? That's a tough question, but at the climax of a party, I love playing "Reach" by Lil Mo Yin Yang. It's Louie Vega and Eric Morillo from 1995 and it smokes every other "peak time" tune I have.
What can party goers expect from your set for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week? That really depends on the party, If you're there to chill, we can chill. If it's time to party I will try to help that along as best I can!
What DJ do you want to:
Hug? Matias Aguayo
Party With? Larry Levan
DJ alongside live? Maurice Fulton
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