Amanda Parker and Carlos Rosario are about to cause a massive epidemic in Edinboro, and if they have any say in the matter, they both hope it spreads everywhere. When asked about their upcoming dance party titled “Shut Up and Dance,” Parker explained that the name of the event tells everyone who will come out on Friday night all they need to know about their fundraiser. “[It's going to be] a rapid dance epidemic. Absolutely.” Before the two spin their sets at the Hangout, the DJ's filled A&E Editor Alice Groesbeck in on what they're up to lately and why everyone should just shut up and dance their hearts out this Friday night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Alice Groesbeck: First, could you tell me what your major is and what year you are in school?
Amanda Parker: I am a communications major/art minor and a senior.
Carlos Rosario: I’m a broadcast journalism major, and I’m in my junior year.
AG: The promo photos that Brian Henry took for you two are awesome. Where were they taken and what kind of vibe were you guys going for in the photos?
AP: They were actually taken in my house. We were going for an old school vintage feel, which works out well with our wallpaper.
CR: I don’t really know what kind of vibe we were going for, we just wanted to target the artsy crowd because that’s who we knew would want to come out to our event and [judging by the] word on the street, it’s working!
AG: So what kind of work was involved with getting all the remixes together? Did you guys remix songs yourself or did you hunt all over the Internet and other places for the best selections?
AP: We did a little bit of both. I have done some mixing in Pittsburgh and an amateur at parties so I grabbed some of my old stuff but also surfed the Web for songs with the most energy.
CR: Unfortunately being a college student its hard to get cash for professional turntables and equipment to make our own remixes, so its been non-stop scouring over the interweb and I honestly don’t know how people come up with the mixes that I have heard; it just blows my mind how much is out there!
AG: What can people expect when they come out to the Hangout on Friday night? Does the title of the event sort of just say it all?
CR: The people that come out on the 23rd can expect to get really sweaty [laughs] and I have a lot of remixes that just make you want to go nuts! So expect some bass that goes BWOMP, some fancy and hard synths and funky beats.
AG: How did you decide to put on “Shut up and Dance?” Did an organization approach you?
AP: It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for quite some time.
CR: ‘Shut Up and Dance’ just came about one day at the radio station, Amanda and I were talking and she said that she wanted to do something before she graduated, like a dance party. I had thought of this idea and told a friend about it but didn’t know how I was gonna do it so I kinda set it out of my mind and focused on school. So when I told Amanda I had previously wanted to do it as well, we just formed a team and have been at it for two months now.
AP: It's five bucks to get in; all proceeds benefit Shriner's Hospital in Erie. We just wanted to do it to do it.
CR: All that money goes straight to the charity. If people want to donate more, we [will] have glow sticks for one dollar.
AG: How long have you been DJing and what makes it fun?
AP: I have been an amateur mixing music since I was about 15, but now I’m starting to get into my grind with performing and learning how to scratch. The best part about playing music is keeping the crowd at their peak. I love making sure people are having a good time and are feeling good about it. Positive energy is key!
CR: I haven’t really been doing it long, maybe a year. I did some underground parties off campus last year and really got into it. What I love most about it is the feeling you get when you play a song that someone else made and play it when people are in the moment and watching how the crowd reacts and moves. You are essentially a performer and you have a whole bunch of people waiting to see what you have. It’s really cool to surprise them.
AG: Why are you two DJing this party together? Do you both have a similar mindset when it comes to DJing?
CR: we have the same ear for what sounds good and what gets people to move.
AP: I knew I wanted to jump on set with Heylos when I started listening to his show; we both have similar tastes.
AG: Carlos, how did the whole “DJ Heylos” thing come about?
CR: Basically, everyone went from calling me Carlos, which then turned into Los and for some reason everyone just started saying, “Heeyyyyyyllllllloooooossss!” Every time I showed up somewhere. [So] for some reason, it stuck with them, so it stuck with me, and I love it!
AG: Carlos will be spinning more hip-hop sounding jams and Amanda, you’re going for more of that indie-electronica feel. Can you tell me more about why you’ll be playing songs from that genre?
AP: Mainly, I’m playing music from that genre but definitely not everything. It gets you moving.
AG: If it's okay to have a few spoilers, can you include some songs you'll be spinning on the 23rd and why you think they are going to be fun to play at the benefit?
AP: Rock/house/ electro/ party-rockin mash ups of top 40/ hip hop/dub-stepping/ 80’s and 90’s. Yep, were crossing genres, so it will no doubt be a good time.
CR: My set is going to vary from some names like La Bouche, Peace Treaty, LMFAO and more. I can’t give away too much but it’s going to be massive!
2 comments