The Rapture makes spazz-dance songs out of fast- driving basslines and wayward, erratic guitars, howling vocals and the occasional cowbell or sax solo.
The New York four-piece plays rock shows that double as dance parties, and so it makes sense that two of the group’s members — singer/bassist Mattie Safer and sax/keys/cowbell man Gabriel Andruzzi — are also regular DJs on the indie dance circuit.
Safer and Andruzzi will DJ at Beta tonight as part of the LoDo club’s Noise Fridays — a solid indie dance night that has brought some impressive shows to Denver in recent months, including Flosstradamus, A-Trak, Tommie Sunshine and others. We interviewed Safer via e-mail about the difference between a band set and a DJ set, some of his favorite current records and his DJ philosophy.
Q: What do you get out of DJing a show that you don’t get playing a gig?
A: They’re two very similar experiences. I don’t do one to get something I can’t get out of the other. The two go hand in hand. On tour, we often DJ after our shows to keep that exhilaration going. I guess you could say DJing is the methadone to the heroin that is live performance.
Q:Would you say your play- list reflects some of your influences as a musician and songwriter?
A: Without a doubt.
Q: So what are some of those influences that might come out in your set?
A: We play the music we’re excited about. The music we’re excited about influences what we do. It’s not so specific as what you’re asking, but we live in a world of music. We take it in, and we put it out, and it’s fluid.
Q: Can you give us a few examples of the records we might hear on Friday?
A: “AA 2 4/7,” Dance Area. “Everyone’s Got To Make A Living,” Dances With White Girls. “Crack-El,” Worthy. “Tunisia Bambaata,” DJ Mehdi. “Playing With Knives,” Bizarre Inc.
Q: Will we hear any unreleased — or familiar, even — Rapture tracks?
A: Ya gotta go to know.
Q: When you DJ, are you beat-matching? Or is it looser than that?
A: A little of column A, a little of column B.
Q: Are you spinning actual vinyl or MP3s?
A: MP3s.
Q: Since you do rock MP3s, how do you defend that to the vinyl elitists out there?
A: I wouldn’t even bother.
Q:And since you do spin MP3s, I’m guessing you can travel pretty light on these DJ outings. Give me an idea of what you might pack for a weekender DJ outing such as this weekend’s trip to Denver. And are you a Mac or PC guy?
A: Mac all the way. I bring a change of clothes, a toothbrush and a book. Right now I’m reading “FDR.”
Q:You live in New York, and I’m curious if you DJ somewhat regularly out there? At clubs or friends’ parties?
A: Clubs, friends’ houses, warehouses — we do it all in NYC.
Q:Can you talk about the construction of your song list as a DJ? Is it something you think about in advance, or do you manage it all on the fly?
A: You got to take it as it comes.
Q:Is there a song in your collection that could be considered a guilty pleasure — like a Madonna mash-up or a old Tone Loc B-side?
A: Can’t lock yourself up with guilt in this life. You only got one, so just enjoy yourself.
Ricardo Baca: 303-954-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com
