One Mix at a Time: An Interview with DJ Terry Urban

Richie Adomako / June 12, 2009

Upon discovering Terry Urban’s Southerngold, The Hifi Cartel tapped him on the shoulder for Santigold’s afterparty at Greenhouse immediately following her performance at Terminal 5.  Terry kept the crowd at Greenhouse moving well into the night by curating the soundtrack for a great party with an engaging mix of tracks and technique.

Southerngold’s release has been met with the same inception in likeness to the Grey Album. We caught up with terry with some questions to find out more about him and the mix.

Read the interview after the jump.

Where are you from?
Born and raised in Cleveland but I now live in Brooklyn.

How did you get into DJ-ing?
I saw the Excutioners (DJ Crew) live in Vancouver BC and knew after the show that’s exactly what I wanted to do. I was 19 and started by making horrible mixtapes with my tape decks and CD player.

What DJs do you look up to?
Diplo, A-Trak, Vice, Mick Boogie, Jazzy Jeff…I look up to everyone for influence.

What is your DJ background and what type of sounds are you going for?
I grew up listening to all types of music from punk to soul. I try and bring that into my sound today.

What equipment and software do you use?
I use whatever I can get my hands on for my pc and mac.

What was your process and approach for Southerngold?  How did the mix come about?
Originally the idea was “Southern Justice” where I blended southern rappers with the group Justice. The BPM’s didn’t work together, so I scrapped the project. Later, I read an article about Santi and her top 5 songs which included Project Pat’s “Chicken Head.” That’s when the idea popped in my head. So I tried using all southern rappers and their hit songs over Santi’ beats.

Why Santigold?
I love her album and her influences. Plus, not to mention, Drake, Jay Z, and others have remixed her songs.

There were some legal hurdles for you in releasing this mix, how did  you handle the situation?
I was ordered a cease & desist by Downtown Records the night I was about to release the album. I told my best friend Mick Boogie about the situation and he helped me write a letter to the public on what I should do about the cease & desist. The letter got a lot of press.

I didn’t want to offend Santi or Downtown Records, so I didn’t release the record. But, the album leaked anyway due to some people already having it.

What inspired Southerngold and how long did it take to create?
I made the songs in about a 3 month period. I would make a song and then chill for a week. I would then make another song and get stuck for another week on what acapella to use. It was a very stressful but  fun project.

Since Dangermouse’s Grey Album, there hasn’t been this much excitement  over a mix. How do you feel about that?
It’s a good feeling. I’m so stoked that people actually like what I remix. Mick Boogie and I made “Viva La Hova” and that got a lot of press as well. Jay and Chris loved the project.

At Hifi Cartel’s Santigold afterparty you played an eclectic mix to keep the crowd moving. What is your approach to live performances in comparison to making a mix?
In the club I try to keep the people dancing as much as possible. Crowd participation is a must. I like to cut out the music and let people sing along. As far as mixes, I try to keep people happy when they are riding the train or driving in their car.

Do you have any  mixes you are currently working on?
I always have a bunch of stuff to work on. Music is basically my life. I have a live DJ set CD coming out soon. I’ve recorded a bunch of live sets from around the world ranging from hip hop, electro to metal and I’m mashing them all together.

What should we expect from Terry Urban in the future?
I’ve been really working hard on my live DJ sets. I want promoters and crowds to get what they pay for, so expect an insane set when you book me.

What advice would you give to younger DJs looking for their big break?
Jazzy Jeff told me this once, don’t look for a big break just keep making music and spreading your virus. Eventually the respect will come after you’ve proved yourself.