DJ of the Week — Bruce laBruiser

qPDX is starting a new feature! Every week we will introduce you to a local LGBTQ party DJ and ask them about their experiences in the scene and feature an audio mix they’ve made. If you’re interested in being featured contact alley@qpdx.com.

This week features DJ Bruce laBruiser, formerly known as Gutter Glamour, Jenny Bruso. You can catch her party Dirtbag! this Thursday (tomorrow) September 1st and again at Saturday September 10th at a great outdoor end of summer party called Some are Sparkles with Beyondadoubt and Chelsea Starr.

When and how did you get started DJing?

It’s kinda funny because I never actually planned on djing. It came to me. My partner and a good friend of our’s wanted to throw a benefit and for some reason they had this idea that I should dj it. Without even thinking about it I told them, “no.” I hate a lot of attention and being on the spot, but over the following next few days I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I found myself thinking about what kind of dj I would want to be and I was hearing all of my music in this new way. Suddenly, I was dying to do it! And after that first time, I was hooked, though I shudder to think about those early days. Eek. It’s actually the perfect gig for me, because I get to be this big part of the party, but i’m tucked away from the crowd and it’s totally weird, but I often find that folks really aren’t even paying that much attention to the dj. Depends on the party.

How did you get your DJ name?

People have always called me Bruce and Bruiser because my last name is, Bruso. I’m a fan of the gay art porn director, Bruce LaBruce, and I was thinking about him or something and the name just came to me in this moment of “YES.” And it totally feels like my name. I feel like it conjures a lot of fabulous gay flamboyance.

What parties/clubs do you currently DJ?

My main party is Dirt Bag. It’s a small queer indie electro pop party at The Know on NE Alberta. It is totally my magical baby. That little punk club gets packed to the gills with hot sweaty queers who just wanna dance to some goodass music that they don’t usually hear at other dance nights. I always have incredible guest djs, too. Dirt Bag will be happening this Thursday, September 1st, with special guest DJ Kasio Smashio and it’s free! Aside from Dirt Bag, I’ve played all types of parties around town and in San Francisco and Seattle. Mostly queer dance parties, but what I really love is playing afterparties and in-between sets with bands.

What genres of music do you like to play?

My schtick is indie electronic music. Electro pop, house and a little new wave, mainly. Music by queers always get top-billing, of course. I’ve definitely had to carve out my little niche. Most of the parties in town want a more top 40 vibe and I just don’t fit into that, so I’ve had a harder time finding the right gigs, but it’s totally worth it to play the music I love. I figure there are more than enough DJs who will play the Lady Gaga and Rhianna, I don’t have to do it, too.

What are some of your current favorite tracks?

EASY: “How Deep Is Your Love?” by, The Rapture and “Trancegender” by, Pictureplane.

What do you wish would stop being played out right now?

Without hesitation: Kesha, Katy Perry and most mash-ups.

What are your main pieces of equipment and your favorite?

I use a laptop and a Hercules RMX controller. Pretty simple and it works well for me.

What else do you want qPDX to know about you?

Saturday, September 10, I’m doing a super fun one-time end-of-summer outdoor dance party called, “Some Are Sparkles.” I’ll be DJing with such superstars as DJ Beyondadoubt and Chelsea Starr. Photobooth by the incredible, Bloodhound Photography. It’s at Plan B. 9pm. It will be too magical!

Also, and this is kind of a secret, but I’m gonna let you in on it anyway, I have a new dance party starting in October with wildly fun electro DJ, Kasio Smashio, and our creative engineer/fabulous party girl, Sterling Clark. It will be a queer dance party for the music enthusiast. Lots of electro pop, indie stuff, etc. There will be an arty theme to it and lots of other little surprises that I don’t wanna spoil just yet, but look out for it! It will be called DEEP CUTS and it debuts October 7th at Rotture. Special guest DJ Freddie Fagula!

I am always looking for fun new gigs. I love private parties, playing in clubs, bars and stores and with bands. Please contact me and listen to my soundcloud mixes!

http://soundcloud.com/BruceLaBruiser
http://facebook.com/BruceLaBruiser

DEEP SUMMER / / SPARKLE CUTS by Bruce LaBruiser