RED LETTER

EVENTS

ROCKIN THE PLAYBOY MANSION

By Jim Tremayne, Editor

DJ Times Magazine

Ever wonder what its like to DJ a party at an iconic venue like L.A.'s Playboy Mansion?

Well, Denvers DJ Cinful recently returned to her Rocky Mountain home with that experience marked off her professional-things-to-do list. And, as she told us in an interview conducted immediately afterward, it certainly lived up to the hype. With her DJ booth stationed above the grotto the Mansions regulation Naughty Zone the Hawaiian themed gig was a blast and the feedback from the partygoers had her glowing for weeks.

The married mother of two had only been DJing for a short time before getting the gig, but with her rock-band background, she took to beatmixing quickly. Now she plays local Denver venues like The Church and private events not mitzvahs and weddings, but more adult fare like parties for couples and single ladies. Cinful's musical club favor is hypnotic prog-house of the Deep Dish variety, but she can also spin a mean erotic lounge set when the occasion calls. (Expect the sexy chill tunes at DJ Cinful's afterhours set August 16th during the International DJ Expo.) So how did this Denver DJ rock the Mansion?

Read on....

UPCOMING

GIGS

Jan 28, 2006

DJ Cinful Record Release Party @ The Venue Scottsdale, AZ

Feb 10, 2006

DJ Cinful Record Release Party in Hollywood!

Hollywood, CA

Feb 17, 2006

DJ Cinful Record Release Party @Monarch

Denver, CO

Feb 25, 2006

Imagination, San Diego, CA

Apr 29 2006

Interlude, Orlando, FL

Jun 15, 2006

The Venue, New Orleans, LA

Jun 16, 2006

Ampersand, New Orleans, LA

E

NEWSLETTER

DJ TIMES:

You're married with children. What do your husband & kids think of mommy's DJing?

 

CINFUL:

My husband has been extremely supportive, 100%. He thought this was the perfect fit for me with my musical background and has encouraged me every step of the way. It doesn't hurt him either that all the girls at the clubs thinks he is super cool for being married to the DJ.

We have two gorgeous girls, ages six and eleven. They love to come up to my DJ room, the Lounge, as we all call it and dance the night away as I'm listening to new records or working on mixes. Sometimes, they'll fall asleep in the comfy bed up there with the beats just pounding away at maximum volume.

The girls brag me up big at school. I'm so glad they don't look at me like a Mini-Van driving Soccer Mom. They think I'm pretty cool. In fact, they've brought my press packet and demos to school before. My older daughter asks for demos to give to her friends AND their parents and when the girls have sleepovers, I always spin for them, so they can dance and enjoy music; it's a very large part of our daily life.

DJ TIMES:

What got you inspired to DJ?

CINFULl:

My brilliant friend DJ Sante taught me last November. I picked it up quickly, easily beatmatching the records the first time I tried. I bought my equipment and my first two gigs were at prominent Clubs here in Denver, one month later.

I've been forever in love with music and Ive been a huge clubber over the last five years, rockin it VIP style in all the hottest clubs in the nation, listening to the cream of the crop of A-list DJs. But, I have to say that DJ L Jaunt truly inspired me at a Vegas after-party. His brand of house music was incredibly sexy and melodic and moved me deeply. Listening to him planted a seed in my mind of someday stepping up to the decks myself and having the power to move people as deeply as he moved me.

DJ Times:

How would you describe your DJing approach?

CINFUL:

I love sexy, erotic music that is circular and hypnotic music that makes people feel free and open. But I would technically label my genre as sexy, hypnotic house and dark, progressive house.

DJ Times:

Which DJ's impress you the most & why?

CINFUL:

I'm a huge Deep Dish fan and they impress me beyond measure. Their music is extremely hypnotic and ultra-sexy at the same time. They really put the finger on what moves me. The progressive beats are masterfully executed and there is a sensuality and freedom that permeates my being every time I listen to them.

DJ TIMES:

What gear is in your perfect DJ booth? (Mixer, CD, turntables, effects, etc.)

CINFUL:

My perfect booth is what I have at home, two technics, twenty four carat gold-plated Limited Edition SL 1200's, two pioneer CDJ1000s, a pioneer DJM 600 and my Mackie Monitors. Swwweet. I love the effects on the mixer, the flanger is my favorite.

DJ Times:

How did you get the Playboy Mansion gig? Was there a theme to the party? Which other DJs played there?

CINFUL:

I went to the Mansion the previous year and modeled in the fashion show. I am a sponsor for the event and when the date was set for this years Playboy Mansion Luau Party, I asked the Promoter if I could spin. She told me that all her DJ's work for her all year just to get a shot to play there, but she asked me to send her my press packet and demos anyway. I sent those to her and didnt hear back from her for several weeks. When I did hear from her, she apologized for not getting back with me quickly, but she had to run everything past Playboy for clearance. Based on the sexy style of my music, she and Playboy thought it was a perfect fit for the Mansion and she was excited to offer me the Headlining slot from 11PM to 1:00 AM!

DJ Times:

How would you describe your experience as a DJ playing that kind of party?

CINFUL:

Playing the mansion was a dreamit felt all hazy, just like a dream and I thought that heaven must be a little like that. I thought that I would be nervous for that gig, but I was anything but. It was such a chill atmospherea Luau party with everyone in bathing suitsa cocktail pool party. The decks were set up on top of the Grotto, overlooking the pool and all the reveling party-goers below. I was a bit in my own world, by myself, on top of the grotto. It was mystically surreal.

DJ Times:

What was your approach to playing there?

CINFUL:

I played a two-hour, sexy, progressive, female vocal house set, purr-fect for the atmosphere at the Mansion. I was given free reign artistically. They had two Technics SL 1200s, but I'm psycho about my mixer, so I brought mine to insure that I would sound the best I could.

DJ Times:

How did the evening develop?

CINFUL:

I've been to the Playboy Mansion twice and I would describe it as an extremely sexy poolside cocktail party. Its not a club-type of event by any means, so the music generally starts off extremely chill and down-tempo at the beginning of the night and I brought it up to a seductive 126-132 BPM for the latter part of the evening. They serve dinner inside the tent and have entertainment and a fashion show from 8-10PM. This year there were Tahitian Hula dancers and Brazilian dancers that were shakin it in a sultry and fabulous way. Outdoors, by the pool, there is a bar and a section for art to be displayed for the silent auction. One of the couples in our group won the bid for a signed guitar by Santana and a signed guitar by the Rolling Stones. Playmates give tours of the grounds, including the monkey cages, aviary and game room, complete with an assortment of Vintage Playboy Pinball machines and other games. Everyone seems to find the grotto with no problem, in which people are in various stages of hedonistic debauchery. It's a hotspot for photo ops, topless hotties and the occasional couple or girls getting busy.

DJ Times:

How do you know if it is a successful event for a DJ? Do people dance?

CINFUL:

People do dance, but again, its not a total club type of environment, its way more chill than that. While I played, later in the night, people were going off, dancing and having a great time. A bunch of people were jumping up and down, hands in the air, up as close to the grotto as possible. I think as a DJ, you know when youre in the zone and feeling the vibe of the crowd. For me, the Mansion gig was ONall the way and I received a ton of compliments at the party and via email afterwards, even from the Vice-President of Marketing for Playboy, Bill Farley. He sent me an email and congratulated me on my set.

DJ Times:

Did you ever run into people who gave you grief about being a female DJ?

CINFUL:

You know, I was warned by Sante that this would be a pitfall, but I really havent experienced that, at least not yet. I've made an effort, in my city and nationally to get out and meet the other DJs. I make it personal and get to know them and let them get to know me. Here in Denver, the DJ community has been nothing but supportive of me. I can go to any club and feel extremely welcome.

DJ Times:

You aren't afraid to use your sexuality to get attention. Has that either helped or hurt your career?

CINFUL:

Like the saying goes, use what yo mama gave you! Being a scorpio, I'm very sexual and its a huge part of my life and my being and my music reflects that. Music IS sexual and sexually freeing. Sexuality is a celebration of expression, just like dance and music. Dance and music are intricately interwoven with sexuality. Has it helped or hurt my career? It's what I am and I think it sets me apart from other DJs. I have a following of people who enjoy my sexual, melodic and rhythmic taste in music.