Team DoD had the chance to sit down with Detroit native techno producer and Vision Quest Label co-founder, Lee Curtiss to talk about music, life and BBQ.
Curtiss first landed his music on labels including Spectral, Get Physical, Supplement Facts, and Wolf & Lamb before joining forces with Seth Troxler, Shaun Reeves, and Ryan Crosson to create their label, Vision Quest.
Holding club residencies at Circo Loco, DC10, Fabric London and playing festivals such as Glastonbury, Time Warp and Creamfields, Lee Curtiss is an incredibly accomplished DJ/Producer who we believe has only scratched the surface of his potential.
Enjoy our chit chat on music, life and what he has in store for us in the future.
DOD – From where do you draw inspiration for your production style?
Curtiss: I haven’t stopped listening to music since I was able to operate my dad’s hi fi stereo system and rifle through his music collection. I was also fortunate to learn his paragraphic EQ and develop the ability to adjust the levels of the music from the stereo to better fit the room it was in. From there, it’s been a blur.
DOD – Currently, was is your go-to instrument (software or hardware) that you’re are enjoying?
Curtiss – I’ve spent a serious amount of time to amass the best of I want from studio gear. I definitely still use my computer as a mainframe, but it’s a bit impossible to name what my ‘go to’ is. If we’re speaking software, everything starts in ableton, then moves to pro tools. If we’re talking hardware, it’s just a financial wormhole of love and devotion, possibly addiction. If you’re asking me for advice on gear buy, start by buying a good sound card, then research and buy all the analogue synths and drum machines you can. Once you’ve spent all your money, look into good preamps, EQs and effects. It’s endless.
DOD – What’s your favorite thing to do when you are not touring or in the studio?
Curtiss – I think I do the same thing most people do. BBQ, Read, walk my dog, hang out with my wife, go skinny skiing, watch a bullfight on acid.
DOD – What artists would you like to work with in the future?
Curtiss – Quincy Jones, Peter Gabriel, Mike D, Method Man. Timbaland, McGoo, the whole crew.
DOD – What is your solid input for any artists starting out?
Curtiss – Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Keep working on your music. If they don’t ‘get it’ straight away, then please, keep working on it. There may be a point where your talent and sound becomes undeniable. However, if you fall short of that, then at least you’ve improved yourself as a musician/ producer/ songwriter, that can be useful in your future. Working in music is never a sure thing. If you’re born to do it, you don’t have a lot of options.
DOD – Describe to us the moment you knew you were going to be part of dance music.
Curtiss – I was dancing to ‘Footloose’ By Kenny Loggins, when my dad came in, and told me dancing was illegal in our small town, and smashed my walkman. Bewildered, I had no response, but I knew that someday, I would understand why the dance burned inside me. Either that, or Daft Punk “Homework”. ; )
DOD – How long has it been now since that moment?
Curtiss – I’ve been playing and making music since I was 15. So….. 24 years? I can’t count the musical influences that came and went throughout that time, but the greats always stand out and are all unforgettable. I was able to DJ, produce and write professionally at 27. It has been a strange and wonderful journey since.
DOD – What’s your favorite city to travel to or perform in?
Curtiss – I don’t have one, but I can say I’ve had some of the best shows in: Detroit, Chicago, Berlin, London, Marcy Hotel NYC, Ibiza. I never really think of it when I’m there, I always enjoy being part of the party and I’m there to provide the music. It’s a privilege. It’s insane to try to pinpoint one over well over a decade because at certain moments, I believe that maybe they were the best party on earth in that space and time.
DOD – What can we expect from your set on the 28th?
Curtiss – Some Detroit, Some Chicago, and a lotta love. I will also be playing a lot of my new material.
DOD – What do you know about Houston, Texas?
Curtiss – Texas has some of the best BBQ on earth, and I’m incredibly interested to see how Houston does it. I’ve been to Houston a couple times (outside of the Airport) and quite honestly, I’m looking forward to seeing more of it. I’m looking forward to reuniting with one of my best friends and great DJ from Chicago, Mr. Nick ‘Rage Cage’ Bassett who just moved there, and is currently loving the pants off your fair city. He’s opening for me on Saturday, and I assume I’ll get the full Houston experience. More importantly, I’ve always known Texans to welcome a Detroiter with the same Southern Hospitality we Michigan folk offer.
Chris Zane is a DOD contributor and DJ, who has held club residencies at Rich's, Fbar and renowned techno club, Gravity . Zane also hosts the house & Techno Podcast "The Zephyr Lounge" which you can catch on The Department of Dance Radio, Friday's at 2pm.
