A True Dance Revivalist: An Interview with "Little Louie" Vega

January 13, 2009 3:07 PM
by Michael Maryanoff

Miami's best known to play host to some of the best nightlife events that have ever taken place in the country. Every so-often, there's a concert or show at one of the many nightlife establishments that's truly special and have people buzzing and comparing future events to it. This weekend marks the second appearance of the highly touted bi-monthly residency of "Little Louie" Vega at the infamous Vagabond. The Junkies are always sure to be a part of this event, and for those of your who were unlucky enough to miss November's show, the only advice we can give is to NOT miss this Saturday's. Not only does Louie bring some of the best music from the past, present and future, but the event seems to attract a wholesome crowd that's only there to dance the night away.

CoolJunkie recently got the chance to catch up with the original Master at Work as he was kind enough to fill us in on his thoughts about The Vagabond and its owner, what five records he'd take to the grave with him and what he has in store for the new year.

CoolJunkie: What are your feelings about playing a club outside of SoBe, such as The Vagabond?

”Little Louie” Vega: I'm very excited I finally have a place to call home (as a DJ) in Miami; "The Vagabond". We are bringing the Dance Ritual and Roots parties over to The Vagabond every other month. This Saturday is the next one and we are all looking forward to it. The last one we did in November was memorable and I'm still getting emails about that night. The Vagabond is a very special place with a good sound system, great staff and the crowd is A Class. I have good feelings about this new hot spot in Miami. The Vagabond is the PLACE TO BE!!!!! Carmel Ophir is a genuine person who has an amazing passion for music, and loves bringing people together under one groove. He is a well-seasoned promoter who knows how to throw a great party with wonderful themes and concepts without watering down the events. Carmel is also a friend of mine for over 11 years who has produced many of my WMC Miami events. I've learned much from him and watched him grow from club promoter to club proprietor. I'm very proud and inspired by Carmel. He shows you that with a dream, some ambition, hard work, and talent of course, you can make it happen. He is becoming his dream!

CJ: Do you think there are any dogmas in DJing that never change?

”Little Louie” Vega: As a DJ it’s important to know how to read a crowd, create an atmosphere within the venue and play music strictly from the heart which is something that can't be taught, its something you have inside you. Those are a few things that never change.

CJ: Some people can be really strict in their approach to programming a set, but you play everything from disco to rock and house. What’s the advantage of being malleable?

”Little Louie” Vega: The advantage of being malleable is that you can create a journey by playing so many different styles. This came about from growing up in New York City in the 80s, it was about good music and there were lots of experimental sounds going on in different genres. There were no rules on tempo either. You could here a downtempo song or uptempo in the same club. It wasn't just one thing. Larry Levan was one of my favorite all time inspirational DJs who mixed all genres of music back in the day at the Paradise Garage.

CJ: Nowadays a six-month-old track is seen as a classic. How important is it to keep some classics in your crate?

”Little Louie” Vega: For me, a classic is a song over 10 years old which brings back special memories/nostalgia of a time in your life; a song that touched you in some special way. It’s important for me as a DJ to keep classics in my crates. Being a pioneer in this music makes it even more important to show people the roots of where dance music comes from.

CJ: You have a crate that only holds five records. What five records would you put in it?

”Little Louie” Vega: Five Records I'd have in my crate:

Songs In The Key Of Life - Stevie Wonder
Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band - Savannah Band
Donnie Hathaway's Greatest Hits - Donnie Hathaway
Love Is The Message - MFSB
El Juicio - Willie Colon & Hector LaVoe

CJ: Even though it has played a pivotal role in shaping dance music, New York has been overshadowed by places like Ibiza and Berlin as a dance epicenter. Do you think it has fallen off the wagon? Could it be good in a sense, allowing it to cultivate a scene not heavily swayed by the status quo, ‘Flying (relatively) under the radar’?

”Little Louie” Vega: New York Clubs like the Loft, The Paradise Garage and all its predecessors are the blue print of clubs around the world. It all started here in the 70s through the 80s. Today there are many clubs and nights (parties) in NYC that carry on that spirit. I for one have a night along with my partner (in the event) Kevin Hedge, of Blaze, at Cielo in NYC called ‘Roots,’ every Wednesday night for five years now. There are several parties and clubs still going strong in NY like 718 Sessions, Body & Soul (on occasions), The Shelter, Ain't Nothing But a House Thing, Libation, Sapphire Lounge, Soulgasm, Deep Space, APT, Santos Partyhouse, and Pacha. Those are a few that come to mind, but the ‘super-club’ with this sound is pretty obsolete now in NYC. There are few of these parties that can hold down a room that holds a few thousand unless it’s a holiday event thrown by reputable promoters in this game. But NY also holds many global DJs that go out to play for the world all year round. I think it’s fine that it’s more under the radar when it comes to super-clubs. It just went back underground. That’s the way it all starts. There is a new generation of DJs that are ready to carry this spirit of music on.

CJ: What do you have in store for 2009?

”Little Louie” Vega: In store for 2009 is the release of Ananesworld in May 2009, on Vega Records. Anane (singer/songwriter from Cape Verde) was part of our group, Elements Of Life, which produced two albums in 2003 and 2005. She traveled the world and performed the most prestigious festivals and venues like Montreaux, Womad, Roskilde, House Of Blues, New Morning, The Blue Note, and even the NorthSea Jazz Festival to name a few. Anane has also recorded lead vocals on One Dream with Elements Of Life, which was a song composed by Louie Vega & Blaze for Cirque Du Soleil and performed live at the Superbowl in 2006. Now it’s time for her debut as a solo artist. She will be touring Ananesworld in May through the summer accompanied by The Elements Of Life Band and myself conducting the orchestra.

Vega Records, my record label, releases two singles a month and a bundle every other month at a digital store near you (iTunes, Traxsource, Beatport, Rhapsody, etc.). The catalog has close to 100 singles. I'm now in the studio recording the next Elements Of Life album entitled One Dream which will be out in early 2010. The album will be a tribute to powerful women!

Recently I've worked on productions for Eryka Badu, Thievery Corporation, Femi Kuti, Kenny Bobien, King Street Records (Mix by yours truly), Ursula Rucker, Lisa Fischer and Cindy Mizelle. I have new emerging artists on Vega Records producing and performing: Boddhi Satva (Afro tech music), Louie Lou Gorbea, Duce Martinez, Johnny Dangerous, Fabion Genito (From Italy), Animalhouse, Agev Munsen, Luisito Quintero and Mr. V. Anane will launch her newly owned imprint Nulu Music in March for the conference. She will debut her Ananesworld album live in Miami at The Vagabond during the conference in March during our party Roots (NYC). Lookout for The Vagabond Welcomes Roots on March 26, 2009.

Click here to hear more from "Little Louie" Vega.

Click here to get your tickets to this weekend's event.