READ ALAN'S T COOLJUNKIE INTERVIEW
Persona: Alan T
May 22, 2008 10:33 PM
by chipi [email]
Working the door is a forgotten art amongst the youngin's of the social Miami scene. This new crop of baby socialites have hardly more to do than text message a promoter inside their club of choice to come outside and grab them. If it sounds cheap and dirty, that's because it is.
This week CoolJunkie takes a moment to celebrate the real men who stand gaurd at the VIP sections and behind the velvet ropes of your favorite night clubs - and no better man to shine a light on than the queen himself, Alan T. The aforementioned renaissance character is more than just a megaphone and a few heartbreaking pearls of wisdom that send fashion victims back to the end of line. Alan T is a legend not only in Miami, but an International Dance music celebrity - branding the same raspy, sharp tongue he uses at the door to record hits like....well, "The Door".
A formally trained and practicing Architect, Musician and pinnacle of Ferocity - Alan T has been there, done that and made it better. There's really no question you can't ask the man - hence the mixed bag to follow.
Name: Alan T
Age: 43
Occupation: Everything...but the girl. No, I'm just kidding (laughs). I'm a Renaissance Man.
Where do you come from? I was born in Johnson & Wales in North Miami which was the previous home of North Miami General Hospital. My birth certificate is on my website.
What's your favorite place in Miami? The water.
What do you wish Miami had more of? Danny Tenaglia (laughs) and Vietnamese Restaurants.
Less of? Construction sites.
Where do you run away to? My house.
What's your favorite party or night in Miami? I really love Space on Sundays. I think it's very mature. There are a lot of gays, a lot of diversity. All of the feelings that people have about that place are so wrong. Either that or it's evolved itself as a group of people.
What party do you miss? The Local Celebrity party. It had a nucleus of people - staples, and I haven't seen any of them since. They've all dispersed.
What is musically exciting to you right now? Danny (Tenaglia)'s new CD. It's cryptically correct - it's just very strange. It's super sophisticated. It cuts through all of the genres, gets to the heart of the specific ones that it touches upon and it's the best of them. That's never been done before. It's breaking through all boundaries and allowing him to be an editor of sorts, which is what the DJ is for. They are the selectors of the culture. So why even try and test things out? It's about knowing what's going to work.
How did you get your start working in music? From an answering machine. I left a message on Mike Mucci's machine after he came to my house for dinner and left me a message thanking me for the invitation. He incorporated my voice from the recording into one of his tracks called "Come and Get it".
How did you get your start working the door? I would work the door for Danny but really it was Michelle Leshem. She was the first person that pretty much got me on to it. I was with Diego (Martinelli) and we were at Pawn Shop for Tracy Young's birthday and Michelle Leshem was the Marketing Director at the time - her first tenure and she asked me to work it. I went from being my best friends bitch at the door to having her remember that I'd done that and working to bring me back up. Strange right? Things happen for a reason.
Do you have a faovrite megaphone? I do, she died! It died at Boris WMC'08. It died at the Dubfire party. Then it became a hair dryer (simulates dead bullhorn noise), it was like a foreign object - and useless at that. Everybody was going crazy over it, asking me for the megaphone. I had to tell them over and over that it died.
..
What is a pet peeve of yours when you're working the door? Anyone who expects that the financial runnings of a club are like a flying lizard - free. Everyone is there for the comps and great show, don't overcommit to something that could be a problem. People want to act like FP&L isn't gonna be knocking on our doors either. They all want comps and undeservedly so for the most part. That's definitely a pet peeve of mine, people who expect to be let in for free. Flip-flops are also really bad. Flip-flops at the wrong party, with the wrong vibe - they can be really bad. Cornrows I can't stand, they are the worst. Especially on white people.Where do you get your clothes from? Dolce & Gabbana and John Galiano.
Tell me about your father's piano and organ Store. Well it's right down the street from your haunt - Sweat Records (laughs). We still have to go by the way. My Father is one of the founders of Little Haiti. It's like this forteza, nine floors of pianos and organs. It's like my personality on display with all of these pianos and organs. You can see every type, every shape, every color - all in one place. He's a Yale music person so he's very passionate about it.
What buildings have you designed in Miami? I did Fashion Arena (on Lincoln), a lot of residences - but commercially I haven't really worked in Miami a great deal. Fashion Arena was my most prominent commercial endeavor. I had this ideal German guy as a client. He was this German thief that embezzled something like $40 million. I have a before and after...amazing. People would stop and stare and pay homage to this building. It was like a little jewel of a Greek island in the middle of Lincoln Road.
Who is your favorite Miami based DJ? Probably Patrick M. Patrick is such a nice guy, Argentinian. Cedric as well - I go so far back with him. Cedric's grandparents are my best friends, I love them. They are so funky!
Name a goal of yours that you've achieved recently. I've pretty much accomplished all of my goals and dreams. But ever since American Gigolo I've always wanted a Mercedez Benz 560SL '87. I finally decided to dive into it and I went hunting, my first and foremost place for searching was e-bay. It's baby blue and in mint condition. Whatever she has done to one side she has to have done to the other. She's very symmetrical. She's my bitch.
What's on the horizon for Alan T? I would say an album, which is gonna be a lot of work. I'd like to work with Danny, Oscar and Ralph, Guy Gerber...they're all old friends of mine so it's very exciting.
Click here to hear and read more about Alan T and catch him working the door every week at Space on Saturday Nights.
VINYL DISCOGRAPHY
'ATIVA/ PASIVA'
Adam Freemer Featuring Alan T .
A. Adam's Freight Elevator- Main Mix
B. Frank Maurel Remix
Lajja Records, Portugal
"Bring It" - Wowie Zowie (2xLP vinyl)
Superchumbo (a.k.a. Tom Stephan) Featuring Alan T. and Gay Joy
A1. "Some' (featuring: Sylvia Mason-James) audio sample
A2. 'Revolution" (featuring: Victoria Wilson-James & Miguel Mateo) audio sample
B1.'Bring It" (featuring: Gay Joy & Alan T) audio sample
B2."U Know I Love It" (featuring: Bashiyra) audio sample
C1."Dirtyfilthy' (featuring: Celeda) audio sample
C2. Wowie Zowie (featuring: Edgy) audio sample
D1. 'Sugar' (featuring: Samantha Fox) audio sample
D2. 'Out There' (featuring: the Base Boys) audio sample
Superchumbo - "BringIt" (extended LP mix) (MP3)
Superchumbo - "BringIt" Featuring Alan T. and Gay Joy (MP3)
Twisted America, USA
'Come And Get It" ("12" Vinyl)
Circuit Boy
A1. 'Come And Get It'- (Tina Alan Diva Mix) (7:08)-Includes Alan T vocal
A2.-"Tina Takes A Break"-(5:50)
B1.' The Ride Mix- (7:03)
B2. Circuit Mix -(6:35)
SFP Records, USA
'Darker and Deeper" ("12" Vinyl)
Cedric Gervais And Paul Harris Present Mialond Featuring Alan T.
A1. This Side- Darker Mix
A2. Logo Side-Deeper Mix
Sleaze Industries, USA
'Deep In The Soul"
Armand Pena Featuring Alan T.
(Main Club Mix)
The Rhythm Freak Records, USA, Avail Beatport
"The Door" (12" Vinyl)
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A1. The Door- (Circuit Mix) (9:01)
B1. The Door- (Swingshift Remix) (7:14)
B2. The Door- (Circuit Dub) (5:22)
SFP Records, USA, (1996)
"The Door"("12" Vinyl)
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A1. The Door- (Mr. Sam at NOVA Mix) (6:20)
A2. The Door- (Acapella) (1:32)
B. The Door- (Swingshift Remix) (7:15)
Diki Records, Belgium-1998
'The Door"
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A1. The Door -(Danny Tenaglia (Planet Tweak Mix) (10:37)
B1. The Door- (Danny Tenaglia Quarter Flash Dub) (9:23)
B2. The Door- (Tweakapella) (1:35)
Black & Blue, Neo Records,UK
'The Door"
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A. The Door- (Tenaglia's Planet Tweak Mix) (10:40)
B. The Door- (Tenaglia's Quarter Flash Dub) (9:22)
House Tempo, Spain -2001
'The Door"(The Second Coming Remixes)
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A1."The Door"- (Corvin Dalek, Mark Reeder-Cr..me De La Face Remix)
A2. "The Door'- (Corvin Dalek's Full Facial Acapella Remix)
B. "The Door"- (Danny Tenaglia's Quarter Flash Dub Remix)
Flesh Records , Germany (2001)
'The Door"
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A."The Door"- (Planet Tweak Mix)
B. "The Door"- (Mr. Sam At Nova Mix)
Flesh Records , Germany (2001)
"The Door"- Danny Tenaglia Remixes (12" Vinyl)
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A .'The Door'- (Tenaglia Planet Tweak Mix)
B. "The Door'-(Tenaglia Quarter Flash Dub) Funkt..stica(Kaos) Records , Portugal
"The Door"- (Remixes) ("12" Vinyl)
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A . 'The Door'- (Mr. Sam's Definitive Deep & Dark Session Remix) (10:46)
B1.'The Door'- (Corvin Dalek's Creme De La Face Remix) (6:20)
B2. 'The Door"- (Danny Tenaglia's Planet Tweak Remix) (7:12)
Diki Records, Belgium (2001)
"The Door"- (Remixes) (2x"12" Vinyl)
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A1. "The Door'- ( Danny Tenaglia Planet Tweak Mix)
B1. " The Door"- (Mike Da Mooch Nu Circuit Mix)
B2. "The Door"- (Acappella)
C1. " The Door"- (Danny Tenaglia Quarter Flash Dub)
D1. "The Door' -( Ivano Bellini & Stan Kolev Space Afterhours Mix)
D2. 'The Door" - (Mr. Sam Nova Mix)
SFP Records, USA (2001)
'Drums' ('12" Vinyl)
Angelo Kortez Presents Protribe Featuring Alan T.
A. "Drums" (Angelo Kortez Protribe Mix)
B. "Drums" ( Shaun Rudnick's Ritual Mix)
Sound Ritual Records, USA-Voice of the Underground, Italy (2003)
"Drums"
Angelo Kortez Presents Protribe Featuring Alan T.
Tribal Spain Recordings, Spain
A. "Drums"- (Jesse Garcia Remixed Edit)
B. "Drums"- (Angelo Kortez Protribe Mix)
Tribal Spain Recordings, Spain (2004)
"Ferosh" ("12" Vinyl")
Tracy Young featuring Alan T.
Voice of the Underground Records, Sublabel- Sheeva Records, Italy
A 1. 'Ferosh' (Friburn & Urik Remix)
B 1. 'Ferosh" (Evolved Hidden Mic Dub)
Voice of the Underground Records, - Sheeva Records, Italy
"Fierceness" ("12" Vinyl)
Love Powder People Present Alan T.
A. "Fierceness' (This Mix)
B. 'Fierceness' (That Mix)
Junior , UK (2002)
The Land Of Voodoo -"15 (FIfteen) Minutes "("12" Vinyl)
Kobbe and Austin Leeds Featuring Alan T.
A. " 15 Minutes" (Original Mix)
B." 15 Minutes" (Tribal Dub Mix)
PressLab Records, Italy (2005)
"Give Me Soul" ("12" Vinyl)
Dirty German Vs. Bassheads Presents Alan T.
Thunder Drummer EP
A1. 'Start It Up'
B. 'Give Me Soul" (Dubbed)
Harlem Tracks Records, UK (2005)
"Go" ! "("12" Vinyl)
Guy Williams
A1. 'Go" (Featuring Vocals by Alan T.
AA1. 'Dreaming' (Science Friction Remix)
AA2. 'The Dancefloor'
DTPM Records, UK (2003)
'H2O" ("12" Vinyl) Adam Freemer Featuring Alan T. A1. "H2O" B. "The 13th Tribe" Twisted America Records , USA (2002)
'The Hook" (12" Vinyl)
Geoff Gaines
A1. "The Hook" (Original mix) (audio sample)
A2. "The Hook" ("Bring it on Down to Dubassline"- Lorant Duzgun Mix) (audio sample)
B1. "Sonik" (Roman S Elektrosila mix) (audio sample)
Twisted America Records, USA ( 2004)
'House Muzik"' ("12" Vinyl)
Angelo Kortez Featuring Alan T.
A1. "House Muzik' (Pro Tribe Mix)
B. "House Muzik" (Airmale Dub:Remix)
Star 69 Records, USA (2002)
"Jonesing" ("12" Vinyl )
Circuit Boy featuring Alan T.
A. "Jonesing"-' (Nu Circuit Vocal Mix) (8:58)
B1. 'Jonesing"-'(Oscar G. Space MiamiRemix) (7:06)
B2. 'Jonesing- (Nu Circuit Dub Mix) (6:59)
Groovilicious/Strictly Rhythm Records, USA
"Jungle Juice'' ("12" Vinyl)
Midnight Society (Curtis Atchinson /Erik Reyes) featuring Alan T.
A. Jungle Juice- (Midnight Society's Tropical Trilogy Mix)
B. Jungle Juice -(Curtis Atchinson's Superjuicy Bungledub) Anodyne Records, UK (2003)
'La-Tina Tweek"' ("12" Vinyl)
Tina Tuna (Alberta Camara / Frank Oba Lords) VS. Alan T.
A." La-Tina Tweek'- ( Main Mix)
B1.La-Tina Tweek -( Mass Suave Dub)
B2.La-Tina Tweek-( NO Elian Dub)
Harlequin Records, USA
"Like This" ("12" Vinyl)
Circuit Boy featuring Alan T.
A!.'Like This' (Circuit Mix) (8:57)
A2.'Like This' (Acapella) (2:12)
B1."Like This" (Mike Da Mooch Dub Remix ) (6:51)
B2.Like This" (Circuit Dub) (6:43)
Kiki Records, USA (1999)
'Power" -(2X"12"Vinyl)
Protribe and Angelo Kortez Presents Alan T .
Peter Rauhofer Live @ Roxy.
A."Power"-Protribe- (Angelo Kortez Tribal Mix)
B. Who's Your Papi?-Aubrey Richards (Original Mix)
C. Sex Bomb- Magic Cucumbers (Peter Rauhofer Edit)
D. Give Me Fierce- UDG (RPO Tek Mix)
Star 69 Records, USA (2002)
"Rewind" ("12" Vinyl)
Circuit Boy Featuring Alan T.
A1."Rewind Extended Mix-8:04
A2.Rewind Dub Mix-6:46
B1. Rewind Aca
B2. Jonesing Acapella
B3. Door ACAPELLA
B4.Like This Acapella
Groovilicious/Strictly Rhythm Records, USA
R U Ready?
Armand Pena Featuring Alan T.
The Rhythm Freak Records, USA
Rock To The Beat ("12"Vinyl)
Panic Attackers (Cedric Gervais/ Maurizio Ruggiero) Featuring Alan T.
A1. Original Club Mix
Star 69 Records, ( USA), Tanga Records ( Spain)
'Sinner Man"' ("12" Vinyl)
Ani Phearce Present's Iagos Rule
A."Sinner Man" - (Phearce Macabra Vox)
B."Sinner Man'- ( Phearce Macabra Dub)
Phearcemusica Records, USA
'Space Jam" (NASA R U Ready?) "(12" Vinyl)
Midnight Society Featuring Alan T.
A. Space Jam" (Nasa R U Ready) (AK Tribal Drums) (8:31)
B. 'Space Jam" (Nasa R U Ready) (AK Tribal Space Mix) (8:33)
Harlequin Records, USA
'Space Jam"' (Nasa R U Ready) Remixes
A1. 'Space Jam' (MSP's Battlestar Galactica Mix) (11:10)
B. 'Space Jam' (Midnight Society's Asteroid Belt Dub) (8:49)
Anodyne Records, UK
"Still Up"
Sayra Moto and Ben Grassini feat. Alan T
A1."Still Up ( Main)
A2. Still Up (dub)
B1. &..39;idi Interface - (main B1. Midi Interface (Dub)
Tone Control Music, USA (2003)
'Strange Shades Of Light" ("12" Vinyl)
Midnight Society feat. Alan T .
A.' Strange Shades Of Light&..39;- (MSP's Original Strange Shade Mix)
B. Strange Shades Of Light'- (Shady Tribal Mix)
SFP Records, USA
"Summing Up The People" "("12" Vinyl)
Jody V. Featuring Alan T.
A1. "Summing Up The People- (Jody V's Organ Donor Mix)
A2. Summing Up The People -(Big Feet 80s Dub)
B. "Summing Up The People- (Jody V's Rock Steady Mix)
Distant Drum Recordings Records, USA (2003)
'Twisted" ('12" Orange Vinyl) Angelo Kortez Featuring Alan T.
A. 'Twisted' (A K Drum Mix)
B. "Twisted" (A K Siren Mix)
Harlequin Records, USA (2003)
CD DISCOGRAPHY
Compilations
Ageha VOL.03, Hex Hector cont. mix,..Drums..
Amnesia Ibiza 2001 (2xCD), The Door (Tenaglia Planet Tweak Mix, Tempo Music
Azuli Presents: Miami 2002 mixed by Dave Piccioni, (2xCD), Space Jam, Azuli Records
Azuli Presents: Space Ibiza 2003 mixed by Smokin Jo /Reche (2 x cd) Space Jam (AK Tribal D..), Azuli Records
BBC Danceopolis -(2 x cd),Lightening Records, 1998
Carl Cox - F.A.C.T Australia II - A Global Tour (2xCD) Jungle Juice, Warner Music (Australia)
Circuit Sessions 6 : Peak Hour Miami DJ Abel The Door, 4 Play Records
Club System 23 (CD), The Door (Corvin Dalek...N.E.W.S. - EVA BELGIUM 2002)
Cultura de Club, MINISTRY OF SOUND, Volume 2, Strange Shades of Light and Sinner Man Valle Records, Spain
Cuts: Session 002- Rewind (Ext Tweak mix) Groovilicious
Dancefloor, Razor and Guido present Dancefloor (CD), Tweek It, Groovilicious, 2000
Dangerous House Grooves (CD), Come and Get It (TINA ALAN DIVA MIX)Max Music and Entertainment Inc. (SFP)
Danny Tenaglia: Choice : A Collection of Classics - The Door Acapella
Declarations, a William Umana Mix, William Umana Featuring Alan T - The Lights The Drama (DJ Booth Mix 8:58)
E=VC2- Volume 2 (CD) Victor Calderone, The Door (Danny Tenaglia, Planet Tweak Mix) Tommy Boy Silver Label
ELECTROSPHERE 2 (2X 2CD) AFFIX RECS, 2001
Feel (CD) The Door (Mr. Sam At Nova Mix), TELEMETRIC, 2000, MFS Records
Fireball CD - (DJ ABEL Cont Mix), Centaur Records
Flash Back Fast Forward , Tracy Young cont mix, White Party 2003 (2xCD) (Ferosh)Ferosh (Evolved Hiden Mic Mix) and DRUMS, Angelo Kortez feat ALAN T
FLESH FOR FANTASY, MR SAM, TELEMETRIC RECS, 2003
Global Underground Prototype 4 Seb Fontaine (2xCD) The Door, Swingshift R. Boxed
Harlequin Club Trax 4 - Twisted, Harlequin Records
Harlequin Club Trax 5 - Latina Tweek, Harlequin Records
Harlequin Club Trax 7 - Space Jam Battlestar Galactica Mix
House Sessions - Cedric Gervais Intro, ALAN T. - Sunswept Records
Industria Lx, (2xCD) THE Door (Tenaglia..s Planet Tweak Mix) Edel Records(Germany)
In The Mix, Robbie Rivera cont mix, Filtered Records
Lights Out: Steve Lawler, (2xCD) House Muzik,(Angelo Kortez featuring Alan T), Airmale Mix - GLOBAL UNDERGROUND Boxed
Live @ Roxy: Peter Haushofer(2xCD), Power (Angelo Kortez T..., Star 69 Records
Love-Sex-Bash , (Volume 3) ,The Door (Circuit Mix),SFP Max Music & Entertainment Inc.
Miami 2004: The Conference George Morel and Danny Marquez, Drums, Sound Ritual Records
Nikki Music: LATE NIGHT DANCE EDITION VOL, 2 MIXED BY ARMAND PENA,
OUTRAGEOUS: A COLLECTION OF DANCE ANTHEMS GAY CLASSICS, ALAN T INTRO
PARTY ANTHEMS VOLUME 8: Sydney Gay Mardi Gras
Party Groove: Winter Party 6, DJ Roland Belmares, Space Jam, Centaur Records
PROMO ONLY Import Club : April 1999 , The Door - Mr Sam Mix
Rocks - The Real Dance Club 3, (2xCD), The Door, (Tenaglia Planet Tweak Mix) Kaos Records
Serious Beats 29 - (2 x cd), The Door, Swingshift Mix Antler -Subway
Solid Sounds 2001 - (2 x cd), The Door - Mr Sam Mix
Star 69 Extended Mixes: Vol. 2 (CD) Rock To The Beat (Original Star 69 Records)
Star 69 Extended Mixes Vol.1 (CD) House Muzik Protibe Mix (Angelo Kortez)
Robbie Rivera - 46 beats
Space Jam (Nasa R U Ready?) - Harlequin Records
Star 69 Extended Mixes: Vol. 2 (CD) Rock To The Beat (Original Mix Star 69 Records)
Techno Trance Adventure- The Door (Mr Sam Mix)
The Circuit Party Volume 7 (Tracy Young) Ferosh - Thrillswitch & Nub ft. Alan T and Jonesing (Oscar G Mix) SPG
The Circuit Party Volume 8 - Dj Escape, Space Jam
THE DOOR - (cd single) Swingshift and MR Sam Mix
This Is Star 69, Rock To The Beat, Star 69 Records
Total Kaos 2001 - Start Engines And Dance, (2xCD),The Door (Danny Tenaglia, Kaos Records)
Trust the DJ presents Big Messy Summer, Ministry Magazine Cd Compilation, Strange Shades of Light
TWIST THIS PUSSY 2003 - Rob Destefano Cont. Mix including - H20, Twisted Records
Underground Sound Of Lisbon, DJ VIBE (2xCD), Still Up (Midi Interface) Star 69 Records
Universe Gym Paris, Strange Shades Of Light, SFP Records
Unmixed: Club Mix Collection Set (2xCD), The Door (Danny Tenaglia) Max Music & Entertainment Inc, SFP Records
Unreleased, Vol. 1(CD Single) Tracy Young, Ceevox, Alan T- Ferosh Records
Welcome To The Tribe, La Tina Tweek, One Tribe Recordings
Welcome To The Tribe - (Volume 2) Space Jam - Battlestar Galactica Mix, One Tribe Recordings
WHITEBOY - William Umana - THE LIGHTS THE DRAMA-, 2005
Party Groove - Tracy Young White Party 02 - Rock To The Beat (Panic Attack Dub) Centaur Music