Droog are the new residents in one of Los Angeles biggests clubs Avaland. Droog is made up of Justin Sloe, Brett Griffin and Andrei Osyka. The music produced Droog is a distinct sound -- some say its "zvook" -- bending genre (house, minimal, techno) and time (late night into early morning) in an unhealthy pursuit of all that percolates in electronic dance music.
The friendship between these guys, was cemented by a love for music and innumerable late-night to early-morning music sessions, we were very excited to catch up with them for a chat!!
Brett Griffin = BG
Andrei Osyka = AO
Justin Sloe = JS
You all have very different backgrounds, how did you guys meet?
(BG) We have all lived in LA for roughly the same period of time. We became acquaintances through the combined effects of nerd music message boards we frequented and meeting when seeing our favourite djs here in LA. Sloe’s solo projects -- his eclectic comeuppance mixes -- definitely put us all on the same musical map as well. We became close friends the way it always happens -- late nights after an event or two (or three), a random meeting at the Coachella music festival several years ago, and of course a love for dance music, sarcastic humour and snooty taste in movies.
Where did the name Droog come from and what does it mean?
(AO) It's a Clockwork Orange reference. In the book it's one of many Russian words the characters use to communicate - it literally means "A Friend." It's also the name for the gang of futuristic miscreants of which the main protagonist is a part. We like to think of ourselves as a gang of futuristic miscreants.
Justin, Is it true you used to play for the Red Sox?
(JS) No, but I always wanted to play 2nd Base for the Red Sox. People have told me, I have an uncanny resemblance to former Red Sox All-Star, Mo Vaughn. But he played 1st Base.
Andrei and Brett: Do you have any unusual pasts we might like to hear about? What were you doing or planning to do before you pursued a career in music?
(BG) Brett: It is probably unusual that I am an attorney and minimal house/techno Dj. That means suits by day and latex/rubber by night. Music isn’t likely to be my career -- but it will always be the one thing that keeps me sane.
(AO) I come from Ukraine, the birthplace of the color orange, descending from a long tradition of lampmakers.
Who or what were you musical influences when you were growing up?
(BG) Psychedelic rock (Pink floyd), Punk (Misfits), Hip-Hop (Tribe Called Quest). “New wave” and Industrial (Front 242, Depeche Mode). Techno was an unknown in my life until 16 or so (the start of the “rave” scene across the States).
(AO) It started with The Beatles for me. Just music in general. More immediate influences stretch from the British Trip-Hop of Massive Attack and Portishead, through British "indie" rock of Radiohead and the Verve to British Electronica like Leftfield, Primal Scream and FC Kahuna.
(JS) Atari 2600 video games. Burger Time especially.
How did you gain your residency at Avaland?
(AO) Rigorous campaign of angry letter writing. Avaland finally caved in.
(BG) Luck and hard work. Passing out lots of mixes (almost 1000 copies), hanging out at lots of events, playing well at an event or two. Lots of hand jobs. Lots
How did it feel to become Avaland residents?
(BG)We felt like the king in the castle. “Given that Avaland is the premier club for electronic dance music on The West Coast, we were elated. From the perspective of Droog as a group, it happened very quickly, after a few good shows with good turnout and a great vibe. While Sloe has been DJ’ing for years, and has made quite a name for himself in LA, Andrei and I were relative new comers, and it was the kind of break a dj dreams of.
(AO) Great. Being a resident at a major club with international reputation is what DJing is all about. Every DJ wants to two things: 1) Play regularly; 2) Play in front of people (preferably not just one's friends). Avaland affords us an opportunity to play regularly in fron of people. We couldn't ask for more.
(JS) Delicious
What has been your most memorable gig to date?
(BG) Opening for Booka Shade & Mr. C as part of his Superfreq. express tour. Booka Shade killed it, and Mr. C, aside from being an impeccable dj, is a hell of a guy with a great attitude, who has been part of it all.
(AO) The first gig is always the most memorable, I think. Mine was in my hometown, Kiev, in front of three hundred people I didn't know and my mom. I was so nervous.
(JS) Playing in Panama. People were up for it, until it got weird
If you could play anywhere in the world where would it be?
(BG) Terrace at DC-10 for the Circoloco party.
(AO) DC-10 Circoloco/Fabric
(JS) 2nd base at Fenway Park
When you play out, do incorporate any additional equipment in your set?
We use decks, CDJs, and an effects unit (either through Ableton live or a stand alone unit such as a Korg Kaoss Pad)
Are you working on any new productions?
As a group, we have really decided to focus (for now) on being the best djs we can, rather than try to both produce and dj. Our goal is to really gel together when we play out, and have all three of us involved when any one of us is on the decks. While there may be room for production in the future, it is strictly about the dj’ing right now. The one exception is in making mixes, as we tend to do edits on most of the tracks we use, and integrate samples.
What Dj’s/acts have you shaking your ass on the dance floor?
(BG) - Steve Bug, Ed Banger Crew (Busy P and DJ Medhi).
(AO) Say Steve Bug just might be the coolest DJ in the world right now, and Richie Hawtin is the master. We also like Lee Burridge, DJ Three and Gilles Peterson. Well, we don't really like Gilles Peterson but I think it makes us sound more sophisticated to say that we do.
(JS) No, we really like Gilles Peterson.
Has your own personal taste in music evolved since you have become Droog?
Droog is such a blend of styles -- from jackin’ house to spacey techno -- that it is impossible to say. I think all of us have grown in appreciation of the way those styles can blend.
Will we be seeing you guys over in the UK or Europe anytime soon?
(JS) God I fucking hope so.
(BG) As the Avalon residency is so new, we are focusing on doing the right things in LA right now -- really setting up the talent that Avaland brings for LA, and cultivating the taste for the Droog sound in LA -- but we all know you haven’t “made it” until you play in the UK or Europe.
What does 2007 hold for Droog?
Big things. Many more mixes. Some choice gigs outside of LA. One too many afters
Where do you see yourselves 5 years from now?
Still friends, still playing records.
(JS) Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame? Baseball Hall of Fame? Both, probably.
Thanks you so much for you time, Good luck in the future. Club Connected x
No, thank you for enduring our cheekiness! And again thank you so much for featuring our mix – it means a great deal to us.
