Joe Gauthreaux: Exclusive Interview
Recently named the "Hottest DJ of 2005" by "Out Magazine" and sporting a new CD ("Party Groove: Cherry Volume 2"), Joe Gauthreaux has certainly hit a high note this year.
"I still travel around a lot," he told us from New York City. "But I really love Atlanta. And I'm not just saying that. I have a lot of friends there, and the crowd always seems to be really appreciative when I come."
Gauthreaux began his career in 1996 at clubs like Oz in New Orleans. "I started going out when I was 16. I just bought a lot of CDs and made tapes and begged this one DJ to sho me how to do it. Then I did. Nothing was going to stop me."
Since then, Joe Gauthreaux has played a myriad of clubs all over the country, including Atlanta's own Fusion, Backstreet, Armory, Blu, and WETbar. "I've never been to Jungle, but I'm really looking forward to it."
Known as one of the youngest (and most attractive) in the exclusive club of world-renowned DJs, Gauthreaux shrugs it off. "I don't really think it's relevant--I'm an established DJ now. I mean yeah I'm only 28, but I was really young when I started. Did I get some jobs because I had a certain look? Probably. But there were people who also said I was too young to know what I was doing."
So what elements are necessary to become a world-class DJ? "A lot of it has to do with how good you are, but also where you are. I wouldn't have come this far if I didn't have a platform. I was in New Orleans when a bunch of gay parties came through, so they heard me and club promoters heard me."
"I moved to New York two years ago thinking I had a really established name, but since I've moved here my career has gone so much further. The scene in New York is so competetive--but I needed to be challenged. So now I'm stepping it up a notch."
- Visit DJJoeG.com for more on Joe Gauthreaux and his music.
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* For more gay Atlanta tips, tricks and insider secrets get the book ATLANTAboy: An Insider's Guide to Gay Atlanta on Amazon!
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