See also "Dennis Ferrer on Commercial EDM: 'They See an Easy Customer Who Wants It Fast & Cheap.'"
When renowned DJ-producer Dennis Ferrer got kicked off the decks mid-set at Mansion nightclub for not being "commercial enough" back in February, he found himself in the middle of a growing debate between representatives of the underground house scene and the commercial EDM contingent.
This weekend, Ferrer returns to Miami. So we here at Crossfade spoke with him about "Cheez Whiz" music and the virtues of house.
He also delivered his final word on the now-infamous Mansion incident.
UPDATE DJ Shadow kicked off the decks at Mansion Miami, just like Dennis Ferrer.
Would you care to set the record straight on the infamous incident at Mansion back in February? What exactly happened, from where you were standing?
It's simple. The one person who booked me at Mansion the other previous times, and allowed me to do my thing, left for another position at another company a few weeks before my scheduled date. I show up totally expecting to do what I do, and what I thought was expected of me. But a half-hour into my set, someone within the new personnel requested whether I can "play more commercial" as their bottle crowd was complaining to management.
I basically told them that one, I don't play commercial! And two, even if I wanted to, I don't have the records to do so, which was subsequently used by them to misquote me in a belated irresponsible response to the incident. I was then told if I can't do it, then would I mind getting off early. I responded by saying, "Sure, no problem. But you do realize that the previous management had contracted me for several other dates later? Are you sure you really want to do this?" Which was followed by, "Yes, the owner understands this and he wants you to get off."
Dennis Ferrer's Mansion Incident
Miami's Mansion Nightclub Stops DJ Dennis Ferrer's Set for Not Being "Commercial Enough"
Dennis Ferrer on Mansion Incident: "Sad to See People Force-Fed a Misrepresentation of EDM"
Mansion on Dennis Ferrer Incident: "We Had to Make a Call When His Set Cleared the Venue"
To me, it wasn't that big of a deal until they were completely irresponsible in the way they handled the backlash when all the tweeps chimed in after I tweeted what was happening. They then took it up a notch by being 100-percent tasteless afterwards by blaming my opening warm-up DJ and then me and my playing style/selection. As if they had no idea who they were booking. As if I hadn't played there before and played the same way! [Laughs]
To attempt to throw more mud in my face, they started a Thursday-night party, proclaiming their underground friendliness with underground acts. I think Art Department was the act after this. Boy, if the bottle crowd was complaining about me ... Ha! I wonder what they were saying after they played! [Laughs]
Look, it was what it was. Someone with big balls bitched they wanted "EDM" -- they had big money on the tables. Management panicked when the tables threatened to leave or began leaving. I refused to play that kind of game. I wasn't arrogant, I'm just me. You paid for me, not anyone else. I got kindly asked if I can't deliver what they need at that time, then could I please get off. I did.
In all actuality, they were nice about it at first and apologized. It's just the cover-up after the backlash they received that pissed me off. They tried to throw me under the bus after fudging up the attempt at clarifying what really happened. A big sign of disrespect to any professional, never mind a DJ, and a definite no-no.
Dennis Ferrer. Saturday, August 18. Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami. The party starts at 10 p.m. Call 305-375-0001 or visit clubspace.com.
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