I often forget Dereloid’s name. Is it Darryl or Darrell Tapley? 🤷🏼♀️
To most, we know MR. DERELOID as a skilled veteran DJ, loyal friend, and talented graphic artist.
Portland, Maine, is damn lucky to have him.
If Dereloid is not making you dance your ass off, he’s presumably making you laugh your ass off. Dereloid hosts Foundation Friday (8 years and counting) at Flask Lounge. What makes the Portland EDM scene so unique? What chaps his ass? Is substance, in fact, greater than hype? Advice to upcoming DJs, these answers, and more to some “massive questions!”
Mr. Dereloid No Hype,
Just Substance
How do you describe Foundation Friday to a stranger?
When I describe my night to people, it usually sounds like this: I say I play underground dance music. No radio stuff. House, techno, and all tasty sub-genres within. If they don’t know what I mean, I say it feels like a disco for robots. I do play actual disco and nu-disco, electro, breakbeat, afrobeat, synth wave, acid house, acid techno, and on and on. I also tell them the crowd is a nice mix of young, older, open-minded people of all genders and orientations. It is a safe space. Dance culture has always had roots in a welcoming and safe community.
In your opinion, how does the Portland, Maine electronic dance music (EDM) scene compare to cities like New York, Chicago, LA?
Having a long history with this subculture and being involved in it here in Maine since the ’90s, many answers come to mind. I will try to keep this brief to avoid writing a novella. The culture/scene has mutated into a strange tainted animal in large markets, and even here on some levels.
Up until recently, DJ’s were not viewed as rock stars on bright stages like they are now. One had to look around to find the DJ booth. People would get down on the dancefloor and experience the DJ’s sermon on their terms, dancing with other people and alone. Since the internet and social media have infiltrated everything in our society, changes have occurred. People are gazing at the DJ booth and dancing way less or not at all.
Also, It is VERY hard to find success in terms of touring and earning a living from having worthy DJ skills. If one doesn’t get attention from making music, being a producer, and releasing it on labels that get national/international hype, it is EXTREMELY rare to be able to live off being a great DJ.
The most special aspect of Portland’s underground scene to me is people come out and truly get down without being influenced by razzle-dazzle big-name hyped-up headliner events. We haven’t had large budgets or large venues, enabling us to be able to do large scale pricey events. Our loyal followers and community are the real deal Grassroot UNDERGROUND. There are people influenced by the hype over substance approach. But, for the most part, Substance > Hype is the way of the walk here. In large markets, you see locals struggling to fill rooms. You see people coming to events late for the big-name guest and missing the hard-working locals that play early sets. Our followers and community trust that we care about curating quality for them. I value that IMMENSELY. So, if you’re reading this and attend my events. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
All our lives are continually changing and evolving. Over the past few years, what are some significant changes you have experienced as a human and longtime DJ?
Geeeeez. This is a massive question. I won’t attempt to tackle the part of the changes I have experienced as a human outside of how that relates to djing. YIKES. I can say I no longer take gigs of which I am not fully interested. I realized the fest/rave hybrid scene isn’t for me. I stick to places with walls where I can control the vibe with people who genuinely want my product. A late bloomer, but I no longer get drunk when I DJ. Ha. I don’t book guest DJs out of pressure. I am strict on curating musical experiences through the guests I select.
Tell us what burns your tail feathers?
One thing quickly comes to mind. The 1 am end time here in Maine chaps my ass for sure. It is almost 2020 for crap’s sake. We can handle 2 am, at least. People want it. I am confident businesses wish to have the extra hour of sales too. Many people (who are working!) don’t make it out till 11-11:30 and even midnight. Poof, it’s done. LAME. After hour spots pop up here and there and vanish. I would love to join forces with a group of people to start a petition. Maybe the city would listen.
When Is Last Call in all 50 States?
https://www.thrillist.com/culture/when-last-call-every-state
“According to stateliquorlaws.com, Maine, Delaware and Utah were the only states listed there that had a strict, statewide cutoff time of 1 a.m when bars must stop serving alcohol.”
-via News Center Maine 2016 Article
Do you foresee yourself ever producing an album?
Yes. I have periodically focused on studio productions over the last decade or more. I am always collaborating with long-time friend, Highkoo. New original works are part of my winter plan. Overdue. We have had music releases on different labels over the years without really trying to develop our sound. This needs to change.
What’s one track guaranteed to light up any dance floor?
Again, a massive question. The overwhelming amount of music I have and continue to get makes it hard to give an easy answer. Here are a few sure shots for me lately.
- States Of Mind – Elements of Tone (Richie’s Dream Mix) this is from 1990. Ha
- Frits Wentink – Space Babe from this year
- Jensen Interceptor – The Fontainebleau – Original_Mix from 4 yrs ago?
- And this slow, playful sugary thing – Look Like – B.A.B.E.
Who is your dream B2B partner? What dream venue?
Hmmmmmm. Dream B2B partner(s) Derrick Carter out of Chicago. He dwells in the housier side of the styles I love — any venue but preferably in his town of CHI-TOWN. Then I would say UK og, Paul Woolford, aka Special Request. Again, any venue. He plays Detroit electro style music I love. Both DJ’s are TRUE SCHOOL badasses in the booth. No hype. No laziness. Raw energy. This style is my approach.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of DJs?
NO half-assing it when it comes to the art of djing with emphasis on beatmatching, creative mixing, and use of the eq knobs. Create something new as opposed to lazy transitions to the next songs. And DIG for music. There is so much meh music easily found online. So, AT LEAST DIG DEEP THRU THE CRAP to find the hidden magic out there. Trust me. It is worth it. And lose the hype machine aspect. Let your product and aesthetic and talent do the talking. Also. Don’t be a jerk.
What is the best way people can connect with you?
Reach out to me through my Foundation group page on Facebook. It is where I do all event promo.
I make sure to be approachable while out at events, and at my own. I am just a person. I care about relationships. Community is a crucial part of this scene and life in general. Say HI if you see me. xoxox
What are your upcoming gigs?
- My Foundation Party is every second Friday at the underground temple, Flask. The next one is on November 8th.
- Flask’s 12 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY, November 9th.
- I am djing an all-night, old school styled warehouse event in Providence, R.I., on Friday, November 29th.
- Saturday, November 30th, in Boston, MA. An all-night event featuring old school DJ veteran Jason Hodges out of Toronto with other New England vets.
Let’s do this thing y’all. Thanks for the continued love and support.
It takes a village.
