I’ve had the good fortune to interview many of the biggest DJs in the world. However, for one reason or another, I’ve never spoken with DJ/producer David Morales.
One of the heaviest hitters in the realm of house music, the NYC-born Morales has DJ’ed every corner of the world, produced and remixed for over three decades. Despite his success, he’s never rested on is laurels and is constantly in a state of artistic progression.
As part of our Last DJ Set series, where we’re talking to a wide range of mixers about their last gig before government-ordered lockdowns and travel bans went into effect in March, the Italy-based Grammy-award winner and head of the DIRIDIM label recounts his final set behind the decks (for now) and gives us a glimpse into how he’s morphed from globetrotting DJ to full-time studio producer while in quarantine.
When and where was your last DJ gig?
David Morales: My last gig was House Masters at The Keys Yarm in Teeside UK [on February 29, 2020].
How did it go?
It was a great event. It was more of a ’90s theme of music and it’s always a pleasure to play music from that era.
What was your mindset going into it? Where had you played previously?
At that time, things were normal. Previous to that, I had played New Year’s Day at Pier 1 in Sydney, Contact in Tokyo, Pacha in Munich, Jaeger in Oslo, Nest in Toronto, Stereo Bar in Montreal and Boogaloo in Zagreb.
Did any tracks, in particular, go over especially well during that gig?
Well, I normally play a lot of my own tracks and a lot of them go down well.
What is your best memory from that gig?
It was an older crowd that loves to hear vocals and I love playing vocals.
Everyone can’t wait for clubs and festivals to begin again. What do you miss most about DJing? How are you keeping your skills sharp?
I miss the whole adventure of traveling. Being on lockdown has been like a forced holiday. I’ve been touring heavily for the last 25 years. Being on lockdown has really given me time to concentrate on music. Live streaming has made me play more in my studio and listen to a lot of music, even older tracks that I forgot about.
A lot of DJs have been doing live streams and working on tracks. What have you been working on during the lockdown? How can fans support you right now?
I’m in the studio every day, even on the weekends. I’ve started my own live stream show on Sundays called SUNDAY MASS, which is a three-hour stream where I speak and play all kinds of music from the last 40 years.
It’s been a good way of exposing the new generation to music that has really shaped where our music is today. There’s no dance floor, so it’s like inviting people to my house to listen to music. I really enjoy it and the reaction has been great. It’s a way of keeping in tune with my fans.
Any last words on your last gig?
Well, it wasn’t really my last gig, lol.