DJ Joe Gauthreaux celebrates 20-years spinning at Hydrate Nightclub
Fri. October 11, 2024 8:06 AM by Ross Forman
dj joe gauthreaux
Special set planned at Hydrate for November 23: 'I usually walk out of the booth there reminded of why I love this job so much,' says Gauthreaux
DJ Joe Gauthreaux returns to Hydrate Nightclub in Chicago on Saturday, November 23, with a special multi-hour set honoring his 20 years spinning at the popular Lakeview bar.
“I can’t believe it’s been that long! There are only a handful of clubs or organizations that I can say I’ve worked this long for. Chicago is one of my favorite cities to play, so having Hydrate be one of them means a lot,” said Gauthreaux, 48, who lives in Atlanta. “Every gig at Hydrate is always fun and memorable, but if I have to choose, my (all-time favorite was the) first time back after (the pandemic) … it was pretty epic.”
Gauthreaux has been DJing since 1996 and his resume includes Northalsted Market Days three or four times, most recently in 2022.
Market Days ranks among his top 10 parties of all-time.
“I started playing (at Hydrate) not long after they took the space over from Manhole, and all my DJ friends were saying what a great room it was to play. One of them, DJ Lydia Prim, was a resident there and I think she’s the one who recommended me,” Gauthreaux said. “The one thing I keep thinking about my connection with Hydrate is how they constantly have some of the best crowds to play for, both in size and taste. Not only that but getting to play a real 5- or 6-hour set and go places, I can’t anywhere else.
“I usually walk out of the booth there reminded of why I love this job so much.”
Gauthreaux spins at Hydrate three or four times annually. The renowned circuit DJ also is a resident The Eagle in Fort Lauderdale and Heretic in Atlanta. There are other clubs, promoters, festival organizations and things like that where he also is a regular and on the rotation.
“I don’t remember my very first night (at Hydrate), but I do remember the time period when I first started playing there because it was so different than the club I perform in today,” Gauthreaux said. “When I started, most DJs – including myself – were still using vinyl, especially since Chicago is (the birthplace) of house music. And, the DJ booth was on the opposite side of the dancefloor, where the stage is now.”
Gauthreaux praised Hydrate owner Mark Liberson, his partner Rodney and the entire nightclub crew “for believing in me the last 20 years, whether my stock on the circuit (scene) was up or down,” he said. “The relationships with people I work with are just as important as the connection I have with listeners and supporters of my music. Both of those mean the world to me, and I don’t take either of them for granted.”
So, what can we expect from Gauthreaux to celebrate 20 years?
“I wish I had some fun answer, like, I’ll incorporate Pink-styled acrobatics into my set … but that won’t happen,” he said, laughing. “You can expect to hear a DJ who has a knowledge of his craft that only comes with years of experience, and a zeal and desire to showcase what he knows in a unique and creative way. I genuinely care about the experience people who stand in line and pay cover to come and dance will have, and I give 110 percent every time in the hopes I can please as many people as possible. That’s always the goal.”
When asked how the circuit scene has changed over the past 20 years, Gauthreaux admitted it is a topic he often discusses with peers and friends.
“Today, the cynical part of my brain wants to echo the internet’s focus on how the focus isn’t on music anymore, with the advent of Instagram and social media. And how it’s about sex and stunts these days, with the music and the craft becoming more of an afterthought,” he said. “But the positive side of me thinks that while all of that may be true on some level, there as just as many positives that have come along, cut from the same cloth. The biggest one is, I can reach people all over the world with my music and podcasts, more than I ever could before apps like Soundcloud or Apple Podcasts. And someone listening can message me on Insta, Tik Tok etc., and ask about a track or an aspect of my job. The list of good and bad is endless, which is incredible if you think about it because the core value of our ‘scene’ is almost identical to when I started: a community coming together for a few hours to dance and bond.”
DJs To Watch: “I really like DJ Tanner in Washington D.C., he’s the most experienced, capable and talented DJ you probably don’t know about. DJ Vescovo and Michael Grand in New York are both young and have a genuine passion for the craft, and DJ Ruben in Atlanta is one to watch. All of them have drastically different styles, but they all have a passion for the craft driven exclusively by the music. They’re not trying to capitalize on social media fame or monetize an Instagram following.”
“I can’t believe it’s been that long! There are only a handful of clubs or organizations that I can say I’ve worked this long for. Chicago is one of my favorite cities to play, so having Hydrate be one of them means a lot,” said Gauthreaux, 48, who lives in Atlanta. “Every gig at Hydrate is always fun and memorable, but if I have to choose, my (all-time favorite was the) first time back after (the pandemic) … it was pretty epic.”
Gauthreaux has been DJing since 1996 and his resume includes Northalsted Market Days three or four times, most recently in 2022.
Market Days ranks among his top 10 parties of all-time.
“I started playing (at Hydrate) not long after they took the space over from Manhole, and all my DJ friends were saying what a great room it was to play. One of them, DJ Lydia Prim, was a resident there and I think she’s the one who recommended me,” Gauthreaux said. “The one thing I keep thinking about my connection with Hydrate is how they constantly have some of the best crowds to play for, both in size and taste. Not only that but getting to play a real 5- or 6-hour set and go places, I can’t anywhere else.
“I usually walk out of the booth there reminded of why I love this job so much.”
Gauthreaux spins at Hydrate three or four times annually. The renowned circuit DJ also is a resident The Eagle in Fort Lauderdale and Heretic in Atlanta. There are other clubs, promoters, festival organizations and things like that where he also is a regular and on the rotation.
“I don’t remember my very first night (at Hydrate), but I do remember the time period when I first started playing there because it was so different than the club I perform in today,” Gauthreaux said. “When I started, most DJs – including myself – were still using vinyl, especially since Chicago is (the birthplace) of house music. And, the DJ booth was on the opposite side of the dancefloor, where the stage is now.”
Gauthreaux praised Hydrate owner Mark Liberson, his partner Rodney and the entire nightclub crew “for believing in me the last 20 years, whether my stock on the circuit (scene) was up or down,” he said. “The relationships with people I work with are just as important as the connection I have with listeners and supporters of my music. Both of those mean the world to me, and I don’t take either of them for granted.”
So, what can we expect from Gauthreaux to celebrate 20 years?
“I wish I had some fun answer, like, I’ll incorporate Pink-styled acrobatics into my set … but that won’t happen,” he said, laughing. “You can expect to hear a DJ who has a knowledge of his craft that only comes with years of experience, and a zeal and desire to showcase what he knows in a unique and creative way. I genuinely care about the experience people who stand in line and pay cover to come and dance will have, and I give 110 percent every time in the hopes I can please as many people as possible. That’s always the goal.”
When asked how the circuit scene has changed over the past 20 years, Gauthreaux admitted it is a topic he often discusses with peers and friends.
“Today, the cynical part of my brain wants to echo the internet’s focus on how the focus isn’t on music anymore, with the advent of Instagram and social media. And how it’s about sex and stunts these days, with the music and the craft becoming more of an afterthought,” he said. “But the positive side of me thinks that while all of that may be true on some level, there as just as many positives that have come along, cut from the same cloth. The biggest one is, I can reach people all over the world with my music and podcasts, more than I ever could before apps like Soundcloud or Apple Podcasts. And someone listening can message me on Insta, Tik Tok etc., and ask about a track or an aspect of my job. The list of good and bad is endless, which is incredible if you think about it because the core value of our ‘scene’ is almost identical to when I started: a community coming together for a few hours to dance and bond.”
DJs To Watch: “I really like DJ Tanner in Washington D.C., he’s the most experienced, capable and talented DJ you probably don’t know about. DJ Vescovo and Michael Grand in New York are both young and have a genuine passion for the craft, and DJ Ruben in Atlanta is one to watch. All of them have drastically different styles, but they all have a passion for the craft driven exclusively by the music. They’re not trying to capitalize on social media fame or monetize an Instagram following.”