Australian DJ/Producer Dan Slater headlines Hydrate Nightclub, Saturday, June 19

DJ Dan Slater will be at Hydrate Nightclub on Saturday, June 19 for his first gig in Chicago since the pandemic. His set starts at 11:30 p.m.

Slater was the winner of the Sydney Mardi Gras DJ Spin-Off Competition. Since then he has gone onto sets and residencies at some of the biggest parties around the world, including Winter Party Festival (Miami), White Party Palm Springs, Matinee USA, XLSIOR Mykonos, WE Party (Madrid), White Party Week (Miami), Brüt (London), The Zoo Party (San Diego), Munich Pride and much more.

Slater has produced remixes for Cher, Alfie Arcuri, Carmen Elektra, Nat Conway, Britney Spears, Paulini, Ultra Nate and Marcia Hines, among others. His first release, 'Minute Of You' saw him collaborate with JimJam, and featured soul diva Nalaya. 

In The Booth With ...DJ Dan Slater

What, if anything, do you eat while DJing:

"I have a real sweet tooth, so (the) majority of the time I have a collection of Twix, Sour Patch Kids or Starburst FaveReds in the booth."

Um, what happens when you have to go to the bathroom while DJing:

"Put on a long track and run!"

If you weren't a DJ, what would you be:

"I'd most likely be working in marketing in television or entertainment. Before I started DJing I used to be a dancer/singer in musical theater back in Australia. I decided I needed a career so I did a bachelor of business in marketing. But then my DJing career accelerated and I had to make the decision what to do." 

Dream DJ gig, and why:

"I'd love to DJ at World Pride in Sydney. It's my home town and I don't get a chance to go back very often. I think that would be a pretty special gig to DJ."

What is DJing in Chicago like:

"Hydrate is one of my favorite clubs in the U.S. to DJ at because it's quite intimate and you can really connect with the crowd. Plus, the Chicago guys and girls really know how to have a good time."

How does DJing in Chicago compare to DJing elsewhere in the world:

"At a lot of clubs and festivals around the world, you'll only get to DJ for 2 (or) 3 hours, max. The great thing about Hydrate is you get to play a 5-6 hour set, so there is a lot of preparation that goes into putting a set together. That way you can create a journey throughout the night and play a variety or music from start to finish."

Advice for an aspiring DJ:

- Be supportive of fellow DJs and producers and people in the industry.

- Don't be afraid to take risks. 

- Make sure you focus your creativity on original productions and remixes.

DJing superstitions:

"Not exactly superstitions, but I definitely have my routine when preparing for an event. I like searching for new music to keep every set fresh and different. Then depending on the time of the event, I'll make sure I eat and have a sleep before I start work."

(Complete the sentence) Even my close friends might be surprised to know:

"I have a strange obsession with candles in my house. I love the way they can have such a calming effect as soon as you walk in the door."

For more about DJ Dan Slater, go to: www.facebook.com/DJDanSlater or www.instagram.com/danielsl8r