GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Brooklyn-born and raised DJ/Producer Angel Moraes, of Puerto Rican decent, has been releasing productions on his own Hot n? Spycy label imprint since 1993. 2004 marked a fresh beginning for Angel with the launch of Soundworks, his custom-built recording studio in Montreal (www.globalsoundworks.com). Angel currently resides in Montreal, Canada..

Recently, queerplanet Interviewed Angel about the upcoming Star 69 Records All-Stars Night, as well as about his musical background and the dance scene in general.

queerplanet: Hell-o Angel! Please tell us a bit about the Star 69 Records All-Stars Night which you will be performing at....Does it seem to have a "good vibe" around it?

Angel Moraes: There seems to be a very healthy vibe towards this party, so I am excited to be a part of it.

Is there anyone performing at All-Stars Night whom are you particularly excited about?
Cevin Fisher..Cevin and I have known one another for a long time and there's always been a very healthy resepct for each other. I am also looking forward to hearing something new from him, he's a great producer.

How would you personally describe 'The Moraes Sound'?
I am not into the commercial side of things, I like the more obscure sounds, the deeper tracks, if you will...So I guess my sound is a little darker but with pieces of candy thrown in every now and then.

As a youth, When you first found the record of Frankie Vallie's "Swearing to God", how did it affect you?
When I first heard that record, it was about a moment, summer breeze, good friends and a beautiful girl..that was it. So the record just stuck. So for about a week I drove my Mother crazy to get it for me and then played the hell out of it for another period of time, which I'm sure drove her even more crazy.

What other types of music are listening to / influenced by?
I like a wide range of music, ironically I don't listen to dance music at home. I listen to salse, jazz, easy listening. Down tempo stuff..I think right now in my CD player at home I have George Michael's "Ladies and Gentlemen" Double CD.

How do you think it differed for you, as a DJ/Producer growing up in New York in that late 1970s / early 80s era, as compared to other parts of the country / world at that time, or compared to New Yorkers who came up in later days / scenes?
Well I think one abvious thing is that I probably have a richer musical vocabulary than the new jacks, even though I still consider myself a new jack. I am very grateful for the musical era I grew up in because I have a a frame of reference thats priceless. Not just with music but with club experiences and sound.

How is the Soundworks Studio project coming along? Is it what you had envisioned that it would be?
There's nothing really special about this except that the creative drive has been liberated that much more. I can do so much more today than when I didn't have my own studio. I must have at least 20 new projects in pre-production, all of which I am very excited about. Before Soundworks, this was not possible.

You have worked with and/or remixed such artists as Suzanne Palmer, Kelli Sae, Latrice Verrett, and more often, Dana Divine, as well as others...What makes these types of collaborations work? Is it more fun than doing solo work?
To be honest, this is solo work, as far as production, I work alone, we only collaborate on the writing. The stuff I've done with Latrice, Dana and more recently, Rachelle is all original stuff, not remixes and thats where I get off, to me that the high in doing this, the fact that you're creating something that otherwise would never exist...Remixing is great when there's an interesting project, but for me there is no feeling like the feeling I get when creating something from scratch...nothing.

What are you plans for the future of Hot N' Spycy Recordings?
Hot N Spycy did its thing, it fulfilled its purpose...For those of you who would like to refresh or familiarize yourself with Hot N Spycy-It has all been digitally remestered and is available at beatport.com and dancetracksdigital.com.

I ask all DJs this: Dance Music. Why do you think it has stayed so popular in the GLBT community? and, has it transcended the 1970s / 80s stereotype of being "for the gay crowd"? Do you think Dance music gets the respect it deserves?
There are three things in life that people will always need...food, shelter and entertainment..Thats why!! Dance music will never die because its not like other genres of music which can be fads, here one moment gone the next...Dance music is a way of life. I think that from the people that only see dollars and cents..it doesn't....but from the people who are really listening, it definately does.

The Star 69 Records party will now feature HECTOR FONSECA in addition to ANGEL MORAES, CEVIN FISHER, SAEED YOUNAN. queerplanet is a sponsor and will be at the event! Stop by and say hi!

Monday 3.27.06
STAR 69 RECORDS
ALL STARS NIGHT at O P I U M G A R D E N
Music On The Main Floor By
SAEED YOUNAN
CEVIN FISHER
ANGEL MORAES

In the Imperial Room

OHZEE & THE BUTCHA
HECTOR FONSECA
DOORS OPEN 10pm - 5am
OPIUM GARDEN
136 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach
TICKETS: $10 w/WMC Badge, $20 Advance, $30 at The Door
Advance Tickets Available at
WANTICKETS.COM