The Angelic DJs know that there is power in numbers. The four female DJs – Etain, MLE, Jamie Kent and Miss Vicious – joined forces as the Angelic DJ collective in February, and they’ve since become a high-profile group in the Denver dance scene.
Working together offers the foursome a chance to utilize each other’s complementary skills in marketing, networking, communication and organization, and gives the group extra clout when it comes to booking gigs and sealing deals. So far, the decision to work as a group has been very successful.
“We’re a great team,” said Kent, who initiated the idea and contacted the rest of the group. “I wanted it to be a business, and I had a good idea of who I wanted to include. There are a certain few people who really do a lot.”
Seems that Kent had pretty good instincts. Although all four women, who range from the mid-20s to mid-30s, hold down day jobs, they achieved their first major group goal when they landed a regular monthly residency at Vinyl that kicked off in October.
“We are all very goal-oriented,” Etain said. “We see so much more potential for what we do.”
The next set of goals includes plans to start producing their own music, and they hope to have a CD in the works by next year.
The Angelic group is one of only two all-female DJ collectives in town – the other group, Sisters Mile High, is a local branch of a national group – but they don’t want the all-female angle to overshadow their skills behind the decks.
“People like us for our music and not the novelty of being female DJs,” said MLE. Each DJ has her own stylistic niche, but they all agree that they don’t play “anything fluffy or frilly,” avoiding vocal tracks and pop remixes in favor of darker, more underground sounds.
By trading off every three or four songs during their group sets, they can offer crowds a unique experience, mixing MLE’s funky breaks with Etain’s house and techno, Kent’s dark tech house style and Miss Vicious’ drum and bass.
“The cool thing about us is that we all play such different styles of music,” MLE said. “So you’re not getting breaks for an hour, then techno. People really love it, and it keeps them dancing.”
On Saturday night, three members of the Angelic crew will team up with seven other female DJs from the Sister Mile High collective for “Deck the Halls,” a holiday toy drive and party at the Foxhole Lounge (2936 Fox St.). Bring a new unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots for free admission, or pay the $5 cover. Check out MLE, Etain, Kent, plus DigitalGRL, Evenflo, Fina, Jackalope, Jazzmin T., Kasia Star and Luna.
As for the Angelics themselves, catch their monthly residency at Vinyl (1082 Broadway) every second Friday of the month. On Dec. 9, the theme is “Manufactured Superstars Circus,” with the debut of special guest DJ B-Rad (a.k.a. Vinyl booking agent Brad Roulier) spinning in a bear costume. Get into the circus spirit and dress in an animal costume for free entry.
Abella heads all-female LILT fest
Another group of women will gather onstage this weekend at Bender’s Tavern (314 E. 13th Ave.). One of Denver’s popular local songbirds returns when Mary Beth Abella performs Saturday for a special LILT showcase. LILT stands for Live Infusion of Local Talent, an annual outdoor music festival that focuses on female artists and has become a summertime staple for showcasing talented singer-songwriters.
Saturday’s cold-weather version of the fest includes Jen Korte, Melissa Ivey and Melanie Susuras, along with Abella, who left Denver more than a year ago to pursue the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle on the road. Abella just hit Seattle’s ROCKRGRL Magazine music conference and festival in November before heading back through Denver for this Saturday’s show. Tickets are $8 at the door.
Kat Valentine writes about night life Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-820-1568.
