DJ Joe Gauthreaux

From major circuit parties to dance clubs across North America, Brazil and Asia, DJ Joe Gauthreaux (pronounced GO TROW) is synonymous with having an amazing and unique musical experience.

A New Orleans native now living in Atlanta, DJ Joe G, as he’s often called, is known for his tribal twist on the day’s hottest music, including chest-thumping remixes of Rita Ora, Diana Ross and most-recently Kesla Settle.

ChicagoPride.com chats with DJ Joe G before he returns to Chicago for Pride Fest 2018. Here we talk about the Chicago club experience, his path to remixing Ross’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and more.

CP: You’re back for Chicago Pride Fest, performing both the festival and Hydrate Nightclub this weekend. What can the crowd expect from you?

JG: Chicago is always one of my favorite cities, because I feel like we understand each other musically. I can be more of myself here musically, so basically it’ll be an unedited, no holds barred version of my set.

CP: What will you be playing?

JG: A lot of my own remixes with my co-producer Leanh, my original tracks, and lots of beats and vocals to make you move your body.

CP: Let’s talk a little about what you’ve been up to the last six months. First, a remix of the legendary Diana Ross’ “Aint No Mountain High Enough.” How did that come about?

JG: I got a call from the representative at her record label, who is a fan of the work I’ve been doing with Leanh, and asked us if we wanted to do a remix. It was a pretty exciting phone call.

CP: How does it feel to remix an icon like Diana Ross?

JG: It’s an incredible honor, exciting, and very humbling as well. Just like you said, she’s an icon, and the last thing you want to do when putting your own musical spin on a Diana Ross classic is mess it up.

CP: Plenty of pressure for sure. So, what was the creative process like?

JG: The creative process was very challenging. We worked from the original 1970 session. Back then, music was recorded with a live band. Nothing was “exact.” Music today is mostly made in a computer, which means everything is exact. So every syllable, every note, had to be adjusted to our new, modern production. It was a lot of work, but so rewarding because I am extremely happy with how the remix turned out.

CP: And tell us about your other recent project remixing Kesla Settle’s “This Is Me.“

JG: It’s funny about this remix because we initially turned down. A few years ago I remixed “What the World Needs Now is Love“ and it was so much work, and so challenging, that I didn’t want to take on another “show tune.”  Luckily, my co-producer Leanh said he loved the song, and insisted we accept the project. I’m so glad he did, because it’s been the most successful remix either of us have ever produced.

CP: Who do you see as a rising star in the dance music world?

JG: There’s a couple of gay producers that I really like right now.  Thomas Solvert and Esteban Lopez are doing some great stuff at the moment.

CP: Name three of your favorite dance tracks right now.

JG: Netta, “Toy:; Kylie Minogue, “Stop Me From Falling” (Joe Gauthreaux & Leanh Remix); and Joe Gauthreaux & Belladonna feat. Zhana, “Don’t You Come Back”.

CP: Now a quick round of personal questions. Single, married or dating?

JG: I’m single.

CP: What do you find most attractive in a partner?

JG: Intelligence, and a nice smile.

CP: How do you spend your free time?

JG: Most of my free time is spent on music. Writing, remixing, listening. It’s my life, and I love it.

CP: After Chicago Pride Fest, what’s next for you?

JG: Gay pride in New York, and Philadelphia for July 4. You can get the full details at my website, www.djjoeg.com 

Chicago Pride Fest 2018

Joe Gauthreaux performs Hydrate Nightclub at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 16 and the Waveland DJ Stage at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 17. Chicago Pride Fest, which is organized by the Northalsted Business Alliance, runs June 16-17 on Halsted Street between Addison and Grace. A $10 donation is recommended. The Chicago Pride Parade is the following Sunday, June 24 at noon. 

Chicago Pride Fest Line-up: Saturday, June 16 | Sunday, June 17

Related: Mýa set to close out Chicago Pride Fest, June 17