Steve Porter Interview
Author: Jonty Skrufff
Monday, February 25, 2008
Touring the world alongside the likes of Sasha and Chris Fortier, as well as pushing his own 'Porterhouse' style of progressive tech-type house relentlessly, Steve Porter admits he's cautious concerning the 'on-the-road' opportunities his global success has already brought him.
'It's complicated getting involved with groupies, it seems,' the 20-something, Boston-raised DJ concedes.
'I've seen some groupies really latch on to other DJs after they hook up, so then every time that DJ comes back into town he's gotta' deal with his demons, if you know what I mean. Sometimes I meet a girl who I can tell is head over heels in love, but her boyfriend is standing right there next to her and it seems like she's totally forgotten he's there.
'So to deal with it, I just divert my attention to her boyfriend and basically ignore her. Ya' gotta' take the high road in situations like that,' he laughs.
Refreshingly candid, he described feeling stressed and 'a bitch to the industry' in a memorable interview with DJ magazine last year and today he's more than happy to clarify what he meant.
'My comment about being a bitch to the industry was more or less about how a DJ's job is to evolve with the times and you're always under pressure somewhat to play what's hip. My point of view is that the music industry moves on with or without you, so, periodically, you need to suck it up, take it in the butt, and evolve with what's going on,' says Steve.
'Geographically the world is a quirky place too. Some regions like techno, some like hipster electro, and I make it part of my job to recognise those quirks and morph my sound the best I can,' he adds.
It's a philosophy that's served him well and brought him to the point of launching his own label, PH Recordings, designed to release his own music and that of friends and colleagues from his hometown of Boston and beyond. With compilations, single releases and international tour plans already on the cards, PH is a high-profile, large-scale project with serious plans, which Steve's taking as seriously as he hopes the label will be considered,
'It was about six months ago when I decided it was time to start a label, and I think mostly it was because I had a team in place finally to start up a proper business,' he says.
'I've always wanted to have a platform of my own to put out my music. As an artist, I like knowing that I'll have an outlet for whatever experimentations may come out of the studio. It's a luxury in that sense. I think a label is also a great tool to stay connected with other artists and producers in the industry, especially when I'm touring 24/7 - it's nice to be able to offer a home and support another artist's work.'
Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): What's made you decide to focus on Boston in particular; what edge does it have over New York City/ Chicago/ Detroit or LA-
'Well the Boston area is where I'm originally from although I spent the last 7 years in New York City. I have a deep appreciation for the northeast for sure, and most importantly my family, friends, and crew reside there and those are the people who drive me. I'm proud of the scene I've helped cultivate in Boston and New York City, musically I feel like I'm surrounded by a great group of people in those cities. Don't get me wrong though, if I was born in Chicago, LA, Denver, San Francisco, Miami etc, I would certainly love to call those cities home too.'
Back in the 70s, Boston was the city where the infamous Disco Sucks rally took place, how much hostility does there remain to dance music in Boston-
'Boston's still a very prude city that doesn Tags