Oscar G


We chat with the legendary Miami DJ about his new album and latest gigs

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By Michael Hamersly

Veteran clubbers in Miami need no introduction to Oscar G. But for newer party people, it's pretty simple - he's the King of Miami. Whether Oscar is bringing the house down at Space with his monster tribal beats or creating explosive dance tracks like "Dark Beat" with his Murk partner Ralph Falcon, he helps provide the soundtrack to the city's infamous nightlife. Lately, you can find Oscar Wednesday nights at Hoy Como Ayer's Tropicasa party, where he spins alongside a groovy live band, or at Mansion nightclub, where he just started a monthly residency. Oscar will be spinning at Mansion Saturday, Sept. 25 at a CD-release party for his new disc, "Live From NYC." He talked to Miami.com about the CD and what we can expect from the show.
Tell us about the new record.
Well, it's a double CD, and the first CD is a set I recorded earlier this year at Pacha in New York City. We basically miked up the room and did this process we've come up with for the last couple CDs I've done, where we're really able to capture the whole feeling of the room. The second CD is all original stuff I've been working on for the last year and a half.
What kind of styles are the originals?
There's always that tribal element, but on this particular album I pushed it a little more, almost like an Afro-Cuban tip - there's a lot of live percussion and stuff like that. That kind of comes from this little Wednesday party I've been doing at Tropicasa.
Is there a big difference between New York and Miami crowds?
The thing about Miami and New York is the energy overall is huge. But in New York, there's a long history of house music in particular, so you really kind of feel that when you're there.
What can we expect from your CD release party at Mansion?
Last month was the first time I started the Mansion residency, and it was amazing, man. I was so nervous about it, but it blew my mind how good it was. So I'm just gonna build on that - I'm gonna play a lot of the new stuff, so people will be hearing that for the first time. And I'm going to incorporate a lot of these guys I've been working with, these live musicians.
So you'll have live percussion or keyboards, or what?
Well, this Wednesday thing I do, it's basically a band set-up, where we do like an hour-and-a-half set of original music. But for the Mansion thing, I incorporate pieces of that thing I do. Like the percussionist will do a little set with me, the bass player and this violinist will play with me a little while. Stuff like that.

How long will you play at Mansion?
All night [laughs].

Have you started preparing for Winter Music Conference yet?
Absolutely. It keeps getting earlier and earlier - it's almost all year round. I guess you take a break for a couple months after Conference, and then you just start planning from there.

What do you have going on so far?
I'm definitely doing my Made In Miami party Sunday at Cameo, and beyond that, who knows.

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