Do you want to hear something twisted? Get the latest on Jon Stagger who is bringing on that twisted house sound that everyone loves to the next level. READ MORE...
FERNTV
![Sometimes in life you just have to take a chance and Clint Stewart definitely took one when he decided to remain in San Francisco. This proved to be beneficial for the Florida born DJ and producer who went on to sign with Auralism Records and hasn’t looked back since. Despite being in a city where there is an amazing pool of DJs, artists and world renowned labels, Clint Stewart continues to hold his head up high and let his profound work ethic do the talking in his musical career. Auralism Records could not be more happier than to have Clint to represent their label and vision during the upcoming WMC madness. Look no further as Clint is the man to set any night off on the right tone. He is one of only a handful in the industry who is a raider of a lost art. That art being setting up the next DJ and warming up the dance floor. Do you smell what Clint Stewart is cooking? Name That Track had to definitely find out...
NTT: What told you inside that you had to stay in San Francisco and not take your return flight after that gig?
Clint: I had been living in Hawaii at the time for about 3 years basically taking a break from anything involved with DJing, production or music in general until about the last year I was there, which is when I started visiting SF regularly. During that time I played some really good parties and got to experience the tight knit community SF is known for, indulging in some of the most memorable afterparties and outdoor events that still to this day, are at the top of my list. I had also been working on the launch of our Auralism label with Jason Short and Marc Smith of Coalition of the Killing, back when we all lived in Miami together years earlier. They both were now living in SF and had begun to get the gears moving with the label and things were taking off. The last time I made the trip from Hawaii to SF, I came to SF on April 27, 2007 for the second Auralism Showcase at The Compound which was absolutely stellar! The following week I started to really put a lot of effort into the label and could really see the potential for growth and most importantly an outlet for our music and ideas, as well as the possibilities to grow as a DJ and producer with the communal setting in SF. In the end it was really an opportunity to make a 'leap of faith" and just put everything I had into a make or break situation and that really inspired me to stay in SF and go for it.
NTT: Give us a little update on what the scene is like in SF and your take on it?
Clint: The SF scene is without a doubt, eclectic. This city was rooted in deep and soulful house from the beginning but also boasters a huge array of talented musicians from every genre, so there is every type of electronic scene here. We have a huge pool of amazing DJ's, producers and promoters here who play on the international level and some of the best club nights in the US including [KONTROL] and the legendary Sunset / Stompy parties that span the most amazing indoor and outdoor spots in the Bay Area. Venues like 222 Hyde, The Compound and the Endup are constantly bringing the best talent from around the world, as well as a long list of undergrounds, and the crowd likes to party long and hard, haha. SF also has a history with some of the pioneers in minimal with guys like Sutekh, Kit Clayton, Kid 606 and Twerk to name a few. The fact is, SF is a small city. It has a population of just over 700,000 and is only 7x7 square miles, so its a fairly small tight knit community of familiar faces. Being a part of the community here is really amazing and there is nowhere else that I would think of living anytime soon.
NTT: What is the vision of Auralism Records and how does this fit your sound?
Clint: The vision of Auralism has always been a platform to release new and unheard of artists to the international level along with some well known artists. All while concentrating on maintaining a vast and progressive dynamic. This concept is really just an extension of my own personal traits, or anyone that is trying to push the envelope. Whenever I do something, whether DJing or production, or building a house, I want to be an innovator and have the most progressive and unique product in the end. At Auralism, we really love all kinds of EDM from hard techno to IDM and deep house to ambient, so we are open to releasing anything we think is new and pushing the limits no matter what the style, and this in turn mirrors my style because I can never pick one sound to stick to and I play all over so I'm always ready for anything. And you need a long eclectic playlist to cover that type of ground.
NTT: Of course for a lot of us, when we think of SF we think of Claude Von Stroke's label Dirtybird Records. So is it really competitive out there locally or is there enough room for everyone to maneuver?
Clint: I think that for most people in the dance scene, Dirtybird comes to mind first when you think of SF. I mean they're huge, it would be hard not to think of them as top dog out here, but there are a lot of other really amazing labels out here. Auralism, Nightlight Music, Tigerbeat 6, Om, and Anabatic are just a few of the SF record labels doing big things both on local and international levels and I think its due to the competitiveness here. San Francisco has a really positive community here and everyone is very competitive in a really encouraging way. Everyone here is always at each others events and gigs and is listening for the newest thing and really vibing off it. And that in turn sparks them to make something or do something to top that person, and the cycle goes on and on...

NTT: Of course you are no stranger to WMC or the state itself, but what are you going to bring different to the tables this year?
Clint: Well, as of now the gig that I am really concentrating on is the Blue Collar Showcase at Electric Pickle. The lineup is stacked with the best that Blue Collar has to offer and Im opening the night in the main room. Im really excited because although it is an opening set, I feel like that is when I can showcase myself the best. Opening sets are really almost a lost art these days with stacked lineups of 1 or 2 hour sets so its hard to see a DJ really take the room from zero to the perfect vibe, so I want to really show my range and understanding of environment and setting and building a room and I think this is the perfect opportunity.
NTT: You say that you go "100 miles per hour, all day, everyday..." can you explain to the up and comers that this is definitely a 24-7 type of career?
Clint: Hahaha, well first off I think that I have an infinite amount of learning left to do and that I would still consider myself an up and comer, but in general, it just describes my personality and work ethic. I just want to be on top of my game as consistently as possible. Whether its searching for tracks for DJing or spending time in the studio or staying in contact with people I've met traveling and exchanging ideas, its all about being consistent and not letting time slip by for me. I fell like I’ve lost years when I slacked off for a week or two and I hate that feeling! And really, I think it all comes down to how much you love it. As cliche as that may be, you either do or you don’t, and if you do, then going 100 mph all day everyday isn’t really a chore, its a privilege!
NTT: What is a track that you like to play that everyone wants you to name?
Clint: Damn, thats a hard one. There are so many tracks I could choose from, but I think the one I’ve gotten the most trainspottings on recently is Telefon Tel Aviv - Immolate Yourself (Ben Klock Jack Mix). It is more gangster than gangster rap could ever be and the crash cymbols light the place up. Definitely as fun to play as it is to watch the reaction on the floor.
www.myspace.com/clintstewartsounds.com](Clint_Stewart_files/shapeimage_9.png)
Clint Stewart will be playing at the Blue Collar Entertainment Showcase...
Thursday March 25th, 2010. He is playing at The Electric Pickle (2826 N. Miami Avenue) at 10pm.
Don’t miss it...
