Hot Wax is the TV show dedicated exclusively to DJ’ing, electronic music and the club culture in general. I want to accomplish several things with the show:
1. To showcase new and upcoming DJ’s, electronic and alternative bands. The scene seems intent on glorifying the same 30 or so "name" DJ’s, all the while ignoring the contributions of lesser known acts.
2. To feature actual performances, not talk. We’re betting that people want to see performances, not just talking. We’re pushing the idea of the DJ as performer, like any other artist or band.
3. To bring the underground club culture to the masses. Hot Wax reaches over 3 million people in Chicagoland, plus fans in Los Angeles and New York, New York. Despite all of our fascination with the whole scene, this movement is still quite underground. It’s time to take it above ground.
4. To encourage live performances of electronic music, not just DJ’s spinning other people’s records night after night. On Hot Wax, you’ll see live PA by The Debacle, MabLab and other live electronic/acoustic groups.
5. To add some depth to the scene. To me, the scene seems a bit shallow, feeding up safe, conservative sets by heavily promoted acts who think inside the same tight little box. Why has hip-hop risen to such heights, joining rock at the top, while dance music has languished on the sidelines, even though dance music has an irresistible beat? Hip-hop artists work together while the Chicago dance scene has long been known for its back-stabbing and petty in-fighting.
6. To dispel the image of Chicago as the "second city" of music. We tend to ignore our own talent here in Chicago in favor of acts brought in from overseas and elsewhere. Acts from Europe regularly tour the US playing American records (Chicago House) and take that money back to their homeland. What’s up with that?
7. To counter the gritty urban reality of the commercial rap music scene with some real hip-hop and visions of a better world. I, for one, am sick and tired of seeing a bunch of droopy pants, semi-literate clowns going unchallenged in the world of ideas.
8. To instigate something. Anything is better than the current state of affairs. I’m sure I’ll ruffle some feathers with some of my comments.
Chris Devins
Producer, Hot Wax