Few moments are more sacred than the reprieve Saturday night provides from the daily grind of school and work. Its importance is meant to be emphasized, and thus, a feature dedicated to “doing the night right” was born. Saturday Night Sessions are set around energizing mixes meant to get the party started. New or old, each episode has one cornerstone thing in similarity: they serve as the perfect backdrop for the weekend pregame.

Some fans of DJ Pauly D are already aware that the Rhode Island native truly thrives behind the DJ booth in front of a roaring crowd. Those who might only have vague memories of his penchant for expert party soundtracking from “DJ Board” cameos during his infamous Jersey Shore run ought to educate themselves. Think the best of DJ Pauly D is on TV? Think again, because few live performances captivate quite like his. The reality star knows his way around a mix, choosing the ever-traditional vinyl as his medium — a skill few current commercial DJs have the skillset to do.

DJ Pauly D, whose real name is Paul DelVecchio, is a different breed of DJ than most in that he does not claim to specialize in a certain type of electronic music. In fact, he doesn’t even box himself into any musical category at all — electronic included. Being an open-format DJ means he plays everything from hip-hop to Spanish music to electronic music, even going so far as to slip in a few punk rock songs into his sets from time to time. Though DelVecchio is known best for his DJing, he’s also released singles of his own, including hit collaboration with Jay Sean, “Back To Love.” In fact, he has a new single on the horizon, which he’s remaining mum about. Whether or not it will skew toward hip-hop as past releases have remains to be seen, but the guessing game has been a fun one thus far.

DA enlisted DJ Pauly D to kick off Saturday Night Sessions the right way, and he spoke with us about everything from his hidden talents (he is a professional stunt bike rider) to his most embarrassing tour story in recent history. His mix takes the listener through a diverse sonic journey, venturing from Calvin Harris, to Latin grooves, to trap drops perfect for any early night shenanigans. In DJ Pauly D’s words, it is a “true mood enhancer” to kick off Saturday night on a proper note.

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You’re an open format DJ, and you are the first to say that your sets have something for everyone. What kind of music gets YOU going?

Good question!!! Many different types of music get me going! For instance I like dance music in the gym because it helps my workout, high BPMs to sweat it out and push that extra rep. In my car I like hip-hop and trap to channel my inner gangster…. when I feel like dancing, I listen to Spanish music like some good Reggeaton. With that music it is impossible to stay still!!! When I am DJ’ing I play to the crowd and that takes me on the nights journey, so when it is for myself I let the activity dictate what I am going to play…

Your touring schedule is one of the most packed I’ve seen. You are doing 3-4 shows in the span of 36 hours sometimes, and now you are filming Jersey Shore on top of this. How do you do all of this? How do you maintain balance?

Yes, in a weird way I’m at peace the busier I am. I truly love what I do, and being able to tour the world djing is me living my dream, and that is my fuel for it all. My music puts smiles on a lot of peoples faces and that makes me smile and drives me to keep going. The filming is cool too it puts me in front of the biggest audience I could have ever imagined…..180 countries!!!!!

Do you ever feel like you are burning out?
No, I don’t feel burnt out at all. Keeping it going is actually what keeps me going. I’ve always been driven, and now I am able to do what I love to do, so I don’t ever want to stop.

You tweeted on October 26 that there may be a new DJ Pauly D original record… please tell us more!
Yes!! In between Touring and filming I’ve also been working on new music, and I am really excited about my next single that is about to drop very soon. I can’t wait for you all to hear it!

Do you have either a dream collaborator for a track or separately, someone you would really like to perform for who you have not gotten a chance to?
I would love to jump on a collab with Diplo because he is really talented, and I love his sound. He is also a really good dude. I think a Pauly D Diplo record could make some real noise in the club!

Is Jersey Shore Pauly D the same as DJ Pauly D? Or are these different parts of yourself and what you’re about?

I get asked this a lot, and when people meet me they can see I am just me. Whats really great about my TV stuff is it is reality, and I am not an actor. I am able to be myself on TV. My friends always say “ watching you on the show you say all the same things you say to us,” and I am like, “I know I am just me.” I love being able to DJ while filming the TV show because then people who aren’t able to make it to my shows can experience a Pauly D Show in the comfort of their own living room….so cool, and they didn’t even have to buy a ticket lol!

Do you have any particularly awkward/embarrassing tour stories?
OMG..too many to mention. One that comes to mind was about a year ago when i was dj’ing in Virginia for their Annual Beach Bash. I am outside about an hour into my set and the party was wild,  the sun was shining, and there were thousands of people partying on the beach to my music. It was epic, and then all of a sudden out of nowhere a huge cloud came in, and I turn around to check it out and see what turned off the sun, and boom a hugeee gust of wind came through, and blew my records clean off the turntables. I slammed my laptop down, and it started downpouring. Needless to say it was an abrupt ending to a great party thanks to mother nature. I do that party every year and we still talk about it…..

What is one thing your fans probably don’t know about you?
I am a professional Stunt Bike Rider, I have been riding bikes since I was very young and its another passion of mine. I have over 20 motorcycles.

Most importantly, what kind of Saturday night is your mix going to get our listeners ready for? Are we staying in and having a party? Are we going to the club? Where does this mix take us?

So my mix is the definition of positive vibes, and positive vibes you can literally take with you anywhere. This mix will help you wake up in the AM, get you through a work out, or get you in the mood to go out. It can always be played while you are out, and it is a true mood enhancer. ENJOY!

 

 

Tags: diplo, dj pauly d, feature, interview, jay sean, Jersey Shore, Saturday Night Session

Categories: Features, Music