The next level
Sitting down with local electronic/dance DJ Danny Kurz
Greetings, dear readers! I am writing this column from Amsterdam in anticipation of this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event – a weeklong conference and party dedicated to all things dance music (think “house” and “techno”). Artists, producers, DJs and industry leaders all converge after the tourists have left to host talks, network and, of course, dance.
Like communities all over the world, Durango has certainly hosted its fair share of dance music artists/events over the last 30 years, especially thanks to Eugene Salaz at the Animas City Theatre. Shout-outs to local artists include Brian Ess, Spark Madden, Posh Josh and BabyDel. However, there’s always been plenty of space for other entrepreneurial-minded dance music lovers to take things to the next level.
Enter Danny Kurz, one half of the killer DJ duo “RED.” I sat down with Kurz, a talented yet humble DJ in his own right, who is keen to throw the best parties in Durango. Be sure to catch RED and BabyDel at the Animas City Theatre on Oct. 31 for the town’s biggest Hallow’s Eve party.
SS: Give us a quick bio overview – where did you grow up?
DK: I grew up in Indianapolis, went to Indiana University and studied finance. I was a pledge in a fraternity, and I did not want to do pledge-driving or work the bar, so I became the DJ.
SS: How did you find your way to Durango?
DK: I came to Durango to visit friends and was only supposed to be here for a weekend. But, my friends and I threw a rave out in Gooseneck State Park in Utah … that was kind of my first experience throwing an event. I ended up staying after my landlord invited me to his place to watch Billy Strings. My landlord’s 68 years old. His wife is 70, and we’re watching Billy Strings up on a big screen. And I was like, “I love this place.”
SS: What have been some of the more notable events you’ve curated in Durango?
DK: On July 1 of last year, my buddy, Ryan, had just moved to town. We decided to do a rooftop party at my condo. We threw this party, and my landlord was there, having a great time, he and his wife. We had probably 80 to 100 people on my roof right here on Main Ave. in Durango. We met so many people from that event, and we’ve just kind of continued down this path … including our first profitable event, The Baked Boogie at Tico Time this last April.
SS: As an artist and event organizer, what are your dreams?
DK: I see a huge market down here, a niche that needs for music, especially electronic music. I have a vision for it … I want to see people from all backgrounds wanting to come and feel safe at our events. Making a huge profit isn’t my primary goal. I have a full-time job. My goal is to keep curating these events and grow this community. And long-term goals would be to have a festival that goes year after year that I can say I was a part of starting.
SS: Tell us about working with Thomas Biaggi at the Black Heron Lounge in Durango. This is a new club space, located behind Hermosa Coffee Co., and the first sound system you’ve developed for a brick and mortar location.
DK: I lived right above his business, and so we came to know each other. I heard he was opening the Black Heron Lounge, and we met and talked. We need a community space here in Durango to throw awesome events, and we found a way to do it for a great deal. We have probably the best sound system in Durango outside of the ACT. I think we have the best lighting system of any bar. Emerson Smith deserves all the work in the world. That kid works his behind off.
SS: Before you go, plug your upcoming show!
DK: We will be playing at the ACT, opening for BabyDel. It’ll be pretty sweet – a bit of a mix between Space and Dune.
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