Joe Gauthreaux

Starting out, Joe Gauthreaux made a name for himself spinning vocal house mixed with tribal and melodic trance. Today, his sound is a bit more diverse.

"I genuinely love all kinds of music," he explains. "I love tribal, EDM, progressive house, and then sometimes I simply love a good commercial vocal anthem."

He says today's clubbers simply want to have a good time. "That's what I tell myself when I go into the booth: make it fun."

That can mean a full on banging tribal set, or if the party is on a beach in Miami, lots of anthems and some EDM styled tracks.

"Whatever the event, I want people to think the experience was worth the cover charge. I don't take anyone's time or money for granted. I aim to give them something they can't get on their own, something new and original."

Joe Gauthreaux spins I Love Moody @ Town on April 5th, part of DC's Cherry Party Weekend.

PH: (Paul Hutnick) When did you first perform Cherry?

JG: (Joe Gauthreaux) It was the early 2000's, an afterhours event. One of the first really big gigs I did.

PH: Do you remember the hot track at the time?

JG: Darude "Sandstorm". Don't ask me why, but that track sticks out in my head. I remember the place going crazy when I played it.

PH: How many times have you spun Cherry?

JG: I do it every year except I missed last year because Cherry moved their dates and it conflicted with a party I had already committed to. But that won't happen again! This is an event I look forward to every year.

PH: This year, you're spinning the Saturday afternoon tea-dance celebrating celebrity physician and photographer Dr. Moody Mustafa's birthday. Do you have anything special planned for him?

JG: Of course! Moody is one of my favorite people in the world. We go back a long way. I love him because he loves the music and respects what a DJ does. Not to mention, he is an amazingly talented photographer.

PH: How does DC's gay nightlife stack up against other big cities?

JG: I don't think it's fair to compare cities. Every city I play in has its own individual charm. I love DC. The boys definitely know how to have fun.

PH: Are you still a resident at Cobalt?

JG: Yes. I love Mark Rustein and the whole gang there. It's hard to have a true residency nowadays, but I have one at Cobalt and couldn't be happier. It's always a blast when I'm there, or at least I think it is.

PH: What is your top record right now?

JG: Kylie Minogue's "Into the Blue".

PH: How do club tracks reflect what is going on in the world?

JG: The great thing about club music is that it helps you escape what is going on in the world.

PH: Does DJing have a shelf life?

JG: Why, are you trying to get rid of me? (Laughs)

PH: Of course not! But how long do you plan to spin?

JG: I'll do it as long as people want to hear me DJ. Then I'll find something else to do. It's never good to stay too long at a party you're no longer invited to.