DJ Q&A: Walker & Royce
In the early days of Halcyon we connected with the BAY AREA DIRTYBIRDS, a growing community of dance music lovers and DIRTYBIRD enthusiasts organized by two lovely little birds, Sarah Michelle and Anya Bananya. We also booked a dynamic duo who were destined for DIRTYBIRD greatness, Walker & Royce. In celebration of their Halcyon return and exclusive SF 2019 club residency, we asked the BADB’s what questions they had for Walker & Royce. The results were pretty entertaining and make up this months DJ Q&A. BIRD is the WORD!
Brandon Brown: Was it always house and techno? Or did you guys love other genres of music before you started producing?
Sam: I actually went to school for classical music. I think that dance music and classical music have some things in common like taking you on a long journey.
Gavin: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are my favorite producers.
Albert Calay: If you had to play one track on repeat for your whole set which track would it be and why?
Sam: Secondhand Satellites – orbit 1.3
Gavin: The Trashmen Surfin Bird because the bird is the word.
Alina Kuznetsovski: What is one track that never gets old no matter how many times you hear it?
Sam: Secondhand Satellites – orbit 1.3
Gavin: Erotic City by Prince.
D J Love Tap: What are the inspirations and concepts behind your songs titles and subject matter?
Sam: Well, ITB was really about class struggle in feudal Japan. but most of our songs aren’t that transparent.
Gavin: We are pretty serious about not being serious. We let the songs lyrics and meanings happen naturally.
Alex Vazquez: How do you come up with your track names, and do they ever have an influence on the tracks themselves?
Sam: When we start a track we name it some utterly meaningless mess of letters. for example, donaldtrump1, donaldtrump2, etc.
Gavin: The names of tracks usually work themselves out over time. So the tracks really have the influence on the name.
Janie Flores: What’s the craziest set you have ever played?
Sam: Lightning in a Bottle!! what a time.
Gavin: I played a private birthday party for this very wealthy family.
Sarah Michelle: If you could transform into an animal, what animal would each of you choose and why?
Sam: A really rich one. like an owl.
Gavin: Swan, I think they have easy lives. They don’t have to answer to anybody.
Eoin Ryan: If you each had a super power, what would it be and why?
Sam: Never have to wait in lines.
Gavin: My super power would be being able to have Sam not wait in lines. Then I wouldn’t have to hear him complain about waiting in lines.
Sarah Michelle: What is your favorite variety of potato?
Sam: The red snapper.
Gavin: I like a variety of potatoes.
Scott Hatfield: If you were to do a soundtrack for a movie, what would be the movie title?
Sam: Star Wars Episode 1: The Do-Over.
Gavin: Untitled James Cameron Project.
Anya Bananya: If you could play in any landmark location anywhere in the world, where would you play?
Sam: Air Force One.
Gavin: Mars.
Jennifer Papp: If you could have one outrageous thing on your rider at every gig, what would it be?
Sam: Conan O’Brien, cheering me on.
Gavin: How do you know we don’t have something outrageous on our rider already?
Feras Khatib: If either of you weren’t a DJ/Producer, what would each of you be doing instead?
Sam: I actually might have done soundtracks. but if the DJ thing didn’t work out I don’t think that the soundtrack thing would’ve worked out either lol.
Gavin: I really have zero skills outside of this. I’d be a snorkeling guide in Costa Rica.
JoJo Walker: Tell us a secret or fun fact/secret about each other that the rest of the world does not know?
Sam: I can touch my eye with my tongue.
Gavin: Sam doesn’t read the questions correctly sometimes….shhhh. He is also a incredibly picky eater.
Dennis Bantugan: What is the most embarrassing moment you’ve each had while performing?
Sam: Years ago we once followed the legend Che Damiez in Berlin and it completely cleared out by our second track.
Gavin: Anytime the music stops on accident whether its my fault or not. Every time I do that it replaces the last time as the most embarrassing moment.
Jesus Aldo Del Real: Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Sam: They’re out there putting ketchup on hotdogs man. it’s a new millennium.
Gavin: I dig it.
