When the legendary club, Avalon, and the rest of Lansdowne Street closed in Boston last year to make way for a gigantic House of Blues, queer New Englanders went into a kind of party mourning. Enter promoter Chris Harris, known for revitalizing the Providence scene, who swooped into town and presented several club nights. Nothing was “mega,” but it turned out to be just a warm up for what would be the greatest show yet–landing the gay night at the behemoth House of Blues, thereby bringing gay nightlife in Boston back to its roots, dragging the party boys out from their hiding places not of their own making.
Brett Henrichsen, Paolo, David Knapp, Abel have already dazzled the night. But the coup de gras comes Saturday, Nov. 28, when Boston goes international. Spanish DJ tag team CHUS + Ceballos of Madrid will be at the decks at HOB, spinning what is typically only heard in a larger metropolis or A-list vacation mecca.
In preparation for their brief landing near where it all began, Plymouth Rock, the duo took some time to chat with GayCities New England editor, Tony Giampetruzzi.
GC: You’ve played Boston and Providence a number of times now. How do these conservative little cities compare to the huge international parties you play?
CHUS + Ceballos: In these little cities they supply the massive and sometimes personal crowd that you don’t get in the big capitals, so there’s extra of hospitality and gratitude. Sometimes you have amazing nights in unexpected places!
GC: What’s your favorite city to play in right now, during these tough economic times?
CHUS + Ceballos: New York, Miami, Montreal, Tokyo and any city in Bulgaria are our favorite spots right now. It is so difficult to pick just one. 🙂
GC: Bulgaria? Definitely off the grid for most New Englanders. What’s your most memorable gig ever?
CHUS + Ceballos: Monegros Dessert Festival in Spain, Space of Sound in Madrid on the 5th Stereo Anniversary, and amazing nights at Stereo in Montreal. Again, is difficult to pick one.
GC: If you had the time to go to a club and not have to worry about spinning … just having a good time… what would it be?
CHUS + Ceballos: After working at clubs every weekend, in our free time, it’s not usual to go to clubs. If we go out, it will be to a nice lounge with music not so loud and quality music (are we getting old?); Cielo in NY is that type of club.
GC: Thanksgiving weekend at the new House of Blues should be off the hook – guys will be coming over the rivers and through the woods from gramma’s house. What do you have prepared for your fans?
CHUS + Ceballos: We know that is a special weekend so we will say ‘thanks’ to them in the best way we know–with our music and beats.
GC: What are your thoughts on the state of dance music today?
CHUS + Ceballos: Technology has changed so much the way we buy, we listen, and we play music. Piracy is killing the business of the labels and distribution companies. On the other side, music is getting to more people, making it easier for producers. So the creativity and the number of new talents are rising.
GC: In your opinion, how has the bad economy affected the scene?
CHUS + Ceballos: Nowadays we all need to forget the crisis and spend our precious time having fun and being positive–the faster we forget, the faster the crisis will disappear from our lives. 🙂
GC: Mind over reality – I like that. Pop music is dead to so many: who are the rising stars right now who can save the genre?
CHUS + Ceballos: We think that DJs and electronica is the next big thing. The fusion with this music and the new Indie talents will save the genre.
GC: Speaking of Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for?
CHUS + Ceballos: All our fans. Without them, we wouldn’t be having this interview.
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Photos courtesy CHUS + Ceballos
