Join Red Sonya this Friday night, along with Adultnapper & Cameron Angeli, at the very first Woogie Nights of 2012!

Before you hunker down for a good read, pop on this great new mix, by Red Sonya, on Beat Soup!

POCKET: You’ve been spinning since 2001, what was it that made you decide to try your hand at being a DJ and what DJs were out there that inspired you at the time.

SONYA: I've always loved music, and have been collecting it in all forms since I was a child. At some point, I found myself in San Diego surrounded by DJs, and it was just a natural progression. I think it was the record shopping that did me in. It was when I started to find out about the music that was out there, not getting played. I wanted to play it! And when I did, the crowd reacted in a way that's just addicting. Mushroom Jazz was my first vinyl purchase into my DJ career, and I'd have to say DJs like Mark Farina and DJ Dan were big influences. I was really into the San Francisco Sessions sound and the Funky Tekno Tribe at the time.

POCKET: Do you come from a musical background?  Do you play any instruments?

SONYA: My father was a bass player, which I think is interesting, because I love me some basslines like no other! I took piano lessons as a child and I am producing now.

POCKET: Tell us about your very first gig, where was it, how many people were there and how’d you feel going into it?

SONYA: Ahhh the days of Tio Leo's. My first official gig was an all girl DJs night that was put together by Vinyl Elements, the crew I was in for over 5 years. It was a mellow local Wednesday night, so I'm guessing 50 people? I remember I was sooo nervous! I wore a bright red wig that night. For some reason being in partial costume helped me get on stage…haha!

POCKET: As a DJ, you have a very good work ethic and you do a few of your own events, including one regularly in Mexico. Out of all of them, which is your personal favorite and why?

SONYA: Lady Lush is always fun wherever we end up playing, and Native Alien is hosting some awesome group outings south of the border, wine tasting, relaxing in hot springs, playing music under the stars. I'm pretty spoiled. There's no favorites when everything is awesome!

POCKET: You’re playing a lot in Mexico these days, can you tell us a bit about that location and what’s going on there?

SONYA:  I have been enjoying going to Baja California. I really like DJing there. There is a good energy with the people around the music. Ensenada knows how to get down, that's for sure! We have a hard time keeping up sometimes! Every time I've DJed there, there's been a packed dance floor, and who doesn't love DJing for a crowd that chants and shouts?

POCKET: We know you’re a gear head, you can’t hide it.  We’ve been to your house and saw the mountain of electronics in your living room.  Out of all of it, what’s your favorite & why?

SONYA: When I'm here at the home studio, I like to practice my DJ sets on the Stanton SCS4DJ. It's the new controller that doesn't require a laptop. It has it's own hard drive and computer built in that plays my files. It's pretty neat. :)

POCKET: And knowing that you have tons of gear, you seem to be sticking with CDs and Vinyl.  What are your feelings about how digital the DJ world is becoming and do you see yourself diving into that further?

SONYA: Well, I know one thing, I haven't yet had a reason to bring a laptop into the DJ booth. I work on a computer all day, so the last thing I want to do is lug it around somewhere where I may spill a drink!  We have traktor in the studio, and I think it's rad. I just prefer to throw my CDs and headphones in my purse when I DJ out, especially when we travel to Mexico. I also always have a thumb drive ready to rock however necessary….

Red Sonya rockin' The Woogie Stage at Lightning in a Bottle 2010!

POCKET: Wanna tell us a little about what you do in your “other” life?  You’re a web girl, yes?

SONYA: I guess you could say that! It was always a side note until I moved to LA and made it my full time job. I didn't realize that all the work I was doing to promote myself as a DJ, was actually a skill that I could provide for other people as well. Not even meaning to, I built myself a portfolio by helping some friends out with building their own websites. I guess I am what they call a Wordpress Geek.

POCKET: What producers or labels are out there right now that you find particularly inspiring.  Like if we wanted to cop the Red Sonya style, who would we buy?

SONYA:  I think that's the reason you can't cop my style! I don't have any favorite producers or labels! I find so much inconsistency these days with producers and labels, I give up! I listen to everything I possibly can, and buy what I like.

Check out Red Sonya playing at Nexus NYE, 2011.

POCKET: Of all the gigs you’ve played, tell us a good story of one that really stands out.

SONYA: I think if I were to think of one of my favorite gigs, I would flash to playing in the San Francisco Love Festival during the parade several years ago! I remember being so grateful that I was playing on CDs at this point, because it was a bumpy ride! Turntables would not have worked, and I wouldn't have been able to play! DJing on a moving float is pretty awesome! There were some dancers that danced with us the whole time as we rode down the street. It was a treat for sure!

POCKET: And of all those gigs, tell us a story about one that was flat out strange.

SONYA: A few things popped in my mind, and I can't even tell those stories to my mom, so yeah….This is going to be on the internet, right?

POCKET: Internet?  This?  Nuh uh . . . ;o}  Have we seen you spinning at Best Buy and Macy’s? We think that was you. What was that about?

SONYA: The Best Buy gigs were for Stanton. I was there in support of the new Stanton SCS4DJ Digital Mixstation, and gave tutorials to customers and Best Buy employees. If you've seen me at a department store recently, I was performing for Riviera Magazine for some swanky cocktail and shopping shindig, and you may have heard downtempo. I do believe it was Bloomingdales though….

POCKET: You also have an amazing collection of what I could best describe as 70s down-tempo funk.  Do you get to play that often?  How might we hear that side of Red Sonya?

SONYA: I call it 70's Funk. I like the dance floor kind! I love me some George Clinton, Zapp, Brothers Johnson, Gap Band,  Kool & The Gang, The Dramatics...I could go on and on! And no I don't play it often. These sets are more for late night house parties at my pad. For when you've had enough electronic music, yet still need to dance. These gems don't leave the house very often. You'd have to come hang out to hear the funk.

POCKET: What about music production?  Do you produce and/or do you plan to?

SONYA: Yes, I'm ready. I've been putting it off for way too long, and I'm finally over the wait. Alien Tom and I have a remix coming out on Hype Muzik that we did with Norman H, and I feel like that is the initial progress I needed to get the ball rolling in that direction. I'm excited to see my name on beatport!

POCKET:  Awesome, so are we!  Definitely let us know when that drops.  You’re about to play at Woogie Nights LA on Friday January 20^th with Cameron Angeli and Adultnapper.  How are you feeling about that gig?  You got an idea of what you’re going to play or are you gonna see what inspires you in the moment?

SONYA: I'm excited to play, and have been digging for some special tracks that will set the mood before Adultnapper. I like long opening sets, as I like to play a lot of different styles of house music, from deep to techy, to vocal and jazzy. I plan to mix it up a bit.

POCKET: What pet peeves do you have as a DJ when you play a gig?  For me, it’s showing up to a gig where they only set up one booth monitor, what is it for you?

SONYA: Ha! I feel that, I love my monitor in stereo! Ya know, one pet peeve that I see over and over again is the DJ table being too low.  Bending over in heels = ouch.

POCKET: Hear that promoters?  Booth monitors in STEREO and taller booth tables! We recently asked Joplin a similar question but wanted to get your take on it as well; how has the experience been for you as a female DJ in what is still a heavily male dominated world?  I don’t mean to be a sexist pig, but there is definitely something hot about a bad-ass female DJ, which you clearly are . . . do you think that helps open doors for you or do you find that adds even more pressure to live up to the hype?

SONYA: It can do both. I'm still not sure if being a girl has helped or hurt my career in any way. I know that the horrible stereotypes have definitely pushed me to be a good DJ, not just a girl DJ.

POCKET:  Who’s this Alien Tom guy exactly?  What’s his story?  What is Red Alien?

SONYA:  He's from out of this world, duh! When Tom and I met, we just clicked. So when we DJed together it was on! We stared out playing vinyl on 4 turntables in our SD studio, and then over time our DJing style changed into what it is now. When we play as Red Alien or Red Alien Invasion, we usually play what we call one's, meaning playing one track each, both wearing headphones, and both working the mixer. It's the ultimate Tech House Versus Techno battle. We have a lot of fun, and we're pretty serious at the same time. We just got some new gear in the studio, and may bring back the 4 decks set, this time digitally.

POCKET:  Tell us a bit about your Lady Lush brand, what’s the idea behind it?  When and where did it start and how often do you produce events?

SONYA:  It all started in October of 2007 when I teamed up with artist friend Andre Couturier and DJ Moody Eva and hosted Lady Lush as a one off, and it went OFF! We continued the event as a weekly at the Airport Lounge in Little Italy, and rocked out there for a solid year every Thursday. I also hosted Lady Lush, and Lady Lush Versus, at other venues including the Ruby Room, AC Lounge and Office Bar in San Diego, and Club Tatou and AC Supper Club in LA. My personal favorite Lady Lush residency will always be the infamous Fire Garden. I'm very grateful that people have trusted my judgement in booking talented DJs, because I know many, and we have some good times! Lady Lush also wouldn't be what it is without the art direction of Andre Couturier. His custom illustrations are amazing!

POCKET:  When we first met you, you were a San Diego DJ.  You’ve been in LA for a couple years now, how does it compare?  Did you come to LA for your DJ career?

SONYA: LA and San Diego are completely different vibes, and I like them both. I came to LA because LA provided a place for me to live when I needed one, and I stayed. There are a lot more options in LA than San Diego, and I like that. The parties in LA are no joke, enough said. San Diego has a warm home vibe for me. I lived there for about 10 years, and I never said goodbye when I left. In fact, I still have a DJ residency at Miso Harney Sushi in Old Town every fourth Saturday of the month. It's my excuse to visit!

POCKET:  Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us Sonya, we’re super stoked to see and hear more from you in 2012!  See you at Woogie Nights!!

Listen to more music and get booking info for Red Sonya!!

Red Sonya playing on The Woogie Stage at LIB 2010 . . . Awesome!