Photo: Anne Staveley
What MOORE could you ask for? Sorry, Melanie. We couldn't help it.
Every four years, the World Cup unleashes its epic fury on the globe as 32 countries come together to try and out-soccer one another. As if to mirror this gathering of nations, local DJ Melanie Moore puts together a series of DJ events to coincide with the tournament. That’s correct: Santa Fe-World Cup DJs 2010 is underway.
“My mother was a soccer player,” Moore tells
SFR
. “Growing up, soccer was always a big deal in our house, and I’ve always been enamored of the World Cup.”
Now in its third iteration, World Cup DJs began this year on June 11 and plays out at neighboring venues Corazón and Cowgirl. For the series, Moore assigns to each DJ a country based on criteria such as bloodline, cultural background or fanatic interest. For example, Moore comes from an English background and will therefore spin on behalf of the English soccer team. The two teams that make it to the final match will determine the final night’s DJs.
Make sense? Good, because I’m not explaining it again.
This nexus of DJs is pretty neat for a couple of reasons. Firstly, for the next month, soccer and music fans alike can check out dozens of DJs and totally be friends.
Secondly, according to Moore, “Us DJs don’t always get this chance to see each other perform. We’re usually working or playing ourselves, and it’s really fun to reconnect and network and hear great music.”
Even for a non-sports enthusiast like myself, it’s exciting to have such a broad representation of Santa Fe DJs get together and perform for one huge, month-long event. There’s nothing else quite like it in town. I’m talkin’ just about every DJ you can think of: Feathericci, Maynard Del Mar, Ché, King George, Swingkid, Phi, Donovan, Yon, Erin English and Chrystalline to name a few.
Whatever you do, don’t miss one of the series’ final highlights: a Saturday, July 10 show at Corazón with super-famous Chicago house and electronica DJ Johnny Fiasco, who will spin a set for
Mexico
.
I set out to learn more about World Cup DJs but I also was curious about the woman behind it: DJ Melanie Moore. Behold the latest installment of Know Your DJs!
Name:
Melanie Moore
DJ Handle:
DJ Melanie Moore (I like it; it’s simple and informative)
Affiliations:
Sex on Vinyl, Black Swans, World Cup DJs
Origin:
“I grew up in South
Florida
, really close to the
Bahamas
, and the island music was important to me. I played some instruments but, when I was accepted to the University of
Florida
, I took a musical hiatus to focus on my studies, but promised myself I would get back to it. After I graduated, I moved to Santa Fe and allowed myself the time and practice to get into DJing. If I hadn’t given myself that, I would have gone nuts!”
Story:
Y’all know the name Melanie Moore. This badass local DJ has been around since the dawn of the Santa Fe DJ scene, putting together shows with local favorites and international superstars. Though Moore helms many events, the Black Swans shows are her most notable.
“When I bring these DJs, it’s not just for their great talent,” Moore says. “Think of it this way: These people come and play here, and everybody’s pumped, and then the next day they’re jumping on a plane for Istanbul or Europe or wherever, and they’re spreading the word that Santa Fe is an amazing place to play.”
Much more than a glorified selector, Moore has honed her craft over 16 years of performing.
“I’m taking one song and mixing it with a second song to make a third song you’ve never heard before, and will probably never hear again,” she tells
SFR
. “I also use a lot of songs with lyrics…I weave them together to try and tell a story,” she adds. “Sometimes the story is really weird but, if you pay close attention, it’s there.”
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