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365MAG INTERVIEW: DANNY KRIVIT
Danny Krivit is an old skool vinyl junkie who has been in the game since the 70's with much support for his local scene here in New York. He has pioneered the infamous 718 Session's parties in Brooklyn, which have since moved to New York City and beyond. In addition to the recent release of his latest compilation 718 sessions he is currently working on a compilation of his own edits under his guise Mr. K which we hope to have release details on in the months to come. Continue reading for more info on Danny Krivit and if you like what you hearin this live interview come down to Santo's Party House in New York to check out one of his upcoming performances in October.
How are you doing this evening?
I am good.
Did you do anything special for Labor Day weekend?
Well let's see, I was mostly in the air. I flew to Singapore and back to play 718 Sessions on Sunday for my CD Release party. It's been a pretty hectic weekend.
Which part of the “718” do you represent?
We started this party in Brooklyn, and we named it after that. When the party moved the name kind of stuck.
How many records do you own and which one is the most rare?
Approximately eighty thousand records, it's hard to keep count. It's a bit overwhelming. As far as one favorite, it's hard to really point to one record. I would probably say this is not my most favorite record but a key record that means a lot to me. When first started DJing in 1971 I was introduced to James Brown and he gave me a label promo of “Get on the Good Foot” just before it was released along with Lyn Collins. They were kind of in advanced and wasn't the same as his record label it's usually red with his face on it but this one was white. It meant a lot to me and I still have it.
Have you played the vinyl to the point where it became damaged?
No, but it's a little worn, and I have played it. It's not in mint condition but it's still in good shape.
What do you believe are the ups and downs of living in New York?
Well it's funny, one of the things is both an up and a down, and that's the pace. The pace of New York is electrifying and wonderful, but at the same time it's overwhelming and tiring. I think certainly being around music helps me feel young and if I didn't have that young sensibility I would probably feel that New York is just too much for me. I like the energy and I am more of a night person. I like the twenty-four hour kind of availability of everything, and being able to get around to everything. A lot of things are centered here and easy to focus on a lot of things being right here. Those are the things I like.
Are you a fan of any of the local New York radio stations or do prefer Internet radio, XM, etc.? What shows do you listen to?
I'm not a big radio listener currently. The Internet stuff is just a little cross between not enough time, and not really knowing about the right things. As far as New York radio is concerned there are situations where I probably would have it on, except it is very disappointing.
I totally hear you on that one…
I know you got married recently. I would like to say congratulations on your marriage. How is married life treating you?
Good, I am very happy. It's a lot to deal with, a lot of new bills and other things. We're just working hard but we've been together seven years and we've recently been living together and it's just wonderful.
Sounds great!
What are some of your goals for the rest of this year?
Well I just released this compilation for 718 Sessions. I am working on another compilation, which is in the vein on edits from Mr. K. I have a lot of them which I am eventually looking to get out there, and just to get a little more settled this year with the marriage and everything and moving the house was a little unsettling so I just want to feel like I have my feet on the ground. May be getting into a little into production more than I have been doing.
If you had to pin point one choice in your life that lead you to where you are today could you identify what it was?
There have been so many turns in my life and I've been really lucky with the opportunities I've had throughout my life. Growing up in Greenwich Village I've been around so many music people including my parents. A lot of things are easy to point to. One of the things that lead to me DJing inadvertently was that when I was growing up one of my friends was Nile Rodgers and this was obviously before Chic, and a Black Panther and a very talented guitarist and I respected him already he kind of helped me pick out a guitar and showed me how to play some things and lead me on the path. As I was trying to learn I felt this is a lot of work and I kept looking towards records and music that was already finished and I think at that point I decided I'll leave the guitar playing to the people who know how to do it better. I'll play the records of all the people I love, and I think that was the turning point of before I even knew what a DJ was, just going to play records and I wanted to really get into that.
You have an upcoming gig at Santos party house, correct?
Yes, well I'm there a lot. I just did one this past Sunday that was the 718 sessions release party.
How was that?
It was great, it was a holiday and we just had a lot of good people in the room.
You will be returning soon I assume?
Well our next part for 718 Sessions there is October 25th, which is our 7th anniversary. Before then I am at Santos on the 7th of October for the book release of “The Disco Files” I'll be doing that there.
Do you frequent any of the dance clubs in the city when you are not performing?
I don't find them as friendly as they used to be. It's a bit of a difficult thing so I go to particular parties, and as far as club that seem more frequent would say Cielo, Apartment, Santos and occasionally Webster Hall and Pacha. I just really focus on different parties rather than the clubs
How often do you get recognized when you are casually strolling the streets of New York?
Occasionally, not in any big way, a lot of the time its really from 718 Sessions since it's local.
Do have any advice to those who look up to you as their hero?
I guess I have a few things to advise people on. I felt that it's very easy today to try to take this fast road and these easy shortcuts and I just think if you are involved in music its not a good way to go. It's a good way to go for insurance, or being a lawyer, or something else but music is a lot more rewarding to take your time with and really enjoy rather than make something too fast. The other things I would say is I really believe in vinyl. Certainly times have changed and I am open to other formats, and you have to get music wherever you can but I still think vinyl is the format that holds up after all these years and these other formats are not stable. It's out there; there are a lot of young people who are into vinyl now and want to invest in vinyl and they might think because of the economy and there is vinyl everywhere and they might think they can get it for nothing that it will just always be there, and I would tell them it's not always going to be there. It's just right now is the time to buy your collection. You can get everything you want right now the cheapest and get all this stuff while it's around then it probablym will never be around, it will be impossible to get. Anyone who is looking to start they're vinyl collection now is the right moment.
Do you have any other comments or info to share with our readers?
That pretty much cover's it, its pretty well rounded. If anyone wants more information about me you can direct them to my website.
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Monkey Say
Monkey Do
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