Interview With Steve Fernino

[Paul Smith 0]

We travel to the USA for this indepth probe into the DJing world of Steve Fernino. Feel free to ask any further questions or make comments after reading .....

 

1. What is your DJU Forum Alias?

No alias. Just me... Steve Fernino

 

2. What is your Real Name, Age, Location & Marital Status?

My real name is Armand Van Helden... No wait, my mistake. It's the same as my alias... Steve Fernino.

I am 32 years old and have been married for... um.... TOO LONG... oops wife walked in... 8 wonderful years, Honey!

 

3. What is the Name of your Disco?

Music In Motion Entertainment based out of Seymour, Connecticut, US of A

 

4. How long have you been a DJ?

Officially I have been DJing since 1989... so 18 years now. Unofficially, I started in 1986.

 

5. What inspired you to become a DJ?

Well, that's kind of an interesting story... and a long one. I hope you have the bandwidth!

 

I can't really tell you about me, without first setting it up by telling you about my family.

 

You could say that I have been around the DJ and music industry all of my life. My father was a well-known music educator and many of my family are also accomplished musicians. In the early 1980s my brother, Mike decided that he wanted to be a DJ. I bet you can guess that my father was not too happy with that decision.

 

A little time passed and my parents decided to throw a 16th birthday party for my brother. They had his friends (who coincidentally got him into wanting to DJ - but never letting him spin) to DJ the party for him. As the ultimate birthday gift (or really cause they hooked up at the party) they offered to let Mike spin his own party! Needless to say, he was thrilled and had the time of his life.

 

At the end of his party, a friend of his asked him to DJ their school dance. The rest is history, so they say. My father assisted my brother in renting the gear and setting up for the dance. He was so pleased with the performance that he gave Mike his blessing and they started Music In Motion Entertainment together in 1984.

 

My father who had also performed in many wedding bands envisioned the eventual fall of the band's dominance over the private party market and knew that DJing was the future of entertainment. So he took his music and formality knowledge and coached Mike at every turn... What to play, when to play, and how to read the crowd.

 

It was during this time period that I was exposed to DJing. In fact, from 1983 - 1989 I assisted my father in building and designing my brother's DJ & lighting systems, which were like portable DJ booths (before the advent of the DJ "coffin.") This time with my father really inspired me, as I have long since been a gear head and audio junkie. Then from 1986-1989, I assited as a setup person and tech on many of the non-formal events like school dances and even did a little spinning here and there. I just loved it, pure and simple. I loved music, gear, and all the attention I was getting from girls my age at the dances!

 

Did I expect to do this for a living though? No.

Then tragedy struck. My father got ill and could not to continue going on gigs with Mike, so I had no choice but to step in as Mike's fulltime assistant during the summer of 1989.

 

In late 1989, my father, Michael Fernino Sr., passed away. At this point, we had closed up one family business - the music school. So I dove in with both feet to our other family businesss... DJing.

 

So basically, while I was inspired a bit... I never chose DJing... DJing kind of chose me.

 

6. Are you a Full/Part Time DJ? If part time what else do you do?

I am a Full Time DJ. Even when I had "other jobs" in the past, DJing was always my Full Time gig and everything else was Part Time (regardless of the hours). In recent years, all of my "side work" also revolved around DJing - working as the DJ Specialist at the local Sam Ash Music and working as a Clinician for Denon DJ. Now I only DJ, while doing many DJ-related (but non-income) projects. I do, though, hope to go back to work with Denon DJ shortly.

 

7. What is your favourite type of function now? (eg: Wedding, 18th Birthday party, etc)

It used to be clubs and high school/college dances. As I grew older I began to appreciate Weddings and Corporate events more. While I currently do all kinds of events, I could care less of I never did anything else but Weddings from here on out. That and maybe the occasional club gig with my format of choice.

 

8. What's the worst/most embarrassing thing you've done in front of an audience?

Why??! What did you find out??? oops er....

It was not my fault! The Bride that day insisted on being introduced to the Theme from the American game show, "The Price Is Right" while making me announce, like the show "Come On Down!" I was horrified, but the crowd got into it so I guess it wasn't all that bad. I guess with enough experience you can make even the worst ideas work if you have to.

 

9. If you could go back to the beginning of your DJ career is there anything that you'd do differently? (eg: The gear that you bought, the way you promoted/advertised yourself)

Yes. I wouldn't work for family... ;)

But seriously, Mike & I are a fantastic team, but sometimes it does put a strain on our relationship personally and professionally. However, neither of us would be where we are today without the other.

 

10. What do you feel you offer the public that convinces them to book you rather than "the next guy/girl"?

As far as our company goes...

We are a Full Time Multi-Operator DJ company that is also a family-oriented business. My father started the business with my brother. My mother worked as the manager for years. My wife is now the office manager and Mike's wife runs the invitation and bridal jewelry departments. I do all of the technical work behind the scenes and Mike does the administrative tasks. All this while we have 14 DJs on staff. We basically offer the service and flexibilty of a larger company with the personal touch of a mom and pop operation.

 

As far as me personally...

Mike and I still primarily work as a team even 18 years later. (So back to the family-oriented thing.) As a team we are vary polished (Should be after 18 Years!) We also customize all our events to what our client wants, however, we usually find a way to bring our own unique style to the event as well. I really don't know how to put into words what that style is, but I guess it all boils down to maintaining the quality and integrity of the team. Yes, we can both go out as 2 seperate shows and produce 2 really good shows... however, we would rather produce one fantastic performance than 2 really good ones. I really think that that makes the difference, and I also think that shows.

 

11. Have you ever bought something for your show that you wish you hadn't? and why?

Mackie powered speakers. While we really liked them when they came out, since LOUD technology has purchased them, their quality control has been awful and gets worse by the moment. It takes forever to get repaired and we have to keep sending them in for the same repairs... for ex. the amplifier sections falling off the back of the subs! ...And an even better one I am saving for question number 14!

 

12. What's your next DJ purchase likely to be?

More QSC powered speakers (replacing the Mackies), several more Denon dnhd-2500 Standalone Media Players, several dnhc-4500 controllers when they become available, more Macs, and some high end LED lighting systems.

 

13. If you could get someone to invent a new piece of disco equipment for your show, what would it be?

Groom Cam!

I have joked about this idea for years, but now we are actually close to affordably implementing this technology. We have been getting more into the video technology and are bringing out projection screens and tvs to more events. I have always wanted to strap a wireless camera on the groom (Has to be the right client for this, obviously) and show footage from the groom's perspective at strategic points during the evening... Like during the Conga train routine.

Yes, I know... I need help. I have been told this many times.

 

14. What was the worst equipment failure suffered during a gig?

We had just purchased 2 Mackie 2801 double 18" powered subs to use as the bottoms for our Mackie 1232 double 12" 3 way tops. We plugged the speaker into our voltage regulator and it burst into flames, shutting down our entire system. Not knowing what was wrong after troubleshooting, we wired up our backup system and ran the tops without the subs. We later tested everything again after the gig.

 

One of the 2801 subs was defective. When you plugged it into an outlet it would cause fire, shorts, and blown fuses. The worst part was, the sub wasn't even turned on!!! We are still waiting for Mackie to replace our voltage regulator which took the hit so that the rest of our gear would survive.

 

15. What do you think is the best thing about DJing?

When a happy client comes up to thank us at the end of the evening.

Also, the camaraderie and friendships I have made in this industry.

 

16. What do you think is the worst thing about DJing?

Rude clients who treat you like servants instead of people.

The negative public perception of what Mobile DJs really are (At least in the US... I don't know if it is a worldwide problem.)

 

People in the industry who try to further divide the DJ industry instead of trying to work together with those who are trying to make it better!

 

17. What would make you stop DJing (if anything)?

The day it became nothing more than a job. When my passion for the industry goes.

 

18. How do you think DJing will change, in the next 5 years?

I see the conversion to Computerized Performance System DJing will be finalized. Those using CDs at weddings in 5 years will be viewed similiarly to those who used vinyl at weddings in the late 90s... antiquated. This conversion will continue in the club market as it has been doing, even though vinyl and CD will stay as acceptable formats in that venue.

 

I also see a huge infusion of multi-media trickling down to the mobile market over the next 5 years. Video is already creeping in, photo montages are already popular. I also see the integration of bluetooth and textlive technologies, especially in the area of instant request and control by the DJ from anywhere in the room.

 

19. Most stupid thing anyone's ever said to you at a gig?

Tie -

"Can you play "Will You Love Me Forever?" by Meatball?"

"I would like to complain in advance about the volume!" (Before the sound system was even setup!)

 

20. Best advice you were ever given by a fellow DJ?

"If we all work together, Imagine what we can do!" - DJ Dr. Drax

 

21. And worst advice you were ever given?

"Don't ever share your "trade secrets."" - Several idiots who shall remain nameless

 

22. How do you keep up to date with music? (eg Promo monthly CDs, Downloads, Purchase from retailer)

We primarily use the weekly Top Hits USA service from Radio Programming Management (RPM) and and some extra club series stuff from Promo Only.

 

23. Name 3 songs that 95% of the time will fill the dance floor for you!

"Sweet Caroline" - The Sicilians

"Sexy Back" - Justin Timberlake

"Runaround Sue" - Dion

 

24. One piece of advice you'd give to someone just starting out.

Never stop learning and improving your craft. You will never know it "all."

 

25. What medium format do you mainly use eg vinyl, CD, hard-drive?

Currently CD and dabbling with Computer. Within 2 years (or sooner) it will be the other way around.

 

26. Have you embraced/adapted any ideas that you've read about on DJU - if so what?

Not yet. Still new and still poking around!

 

27. What is your best gig ever and your worst?

Best - When a bride & groom want a very interactive presentation and tell us to just "go with the flow!" These are always "WOW!" weddings.

 

Worst - Holiday "combination" parties. Many of the caterers locally offer "combo parties" around the Christmas holidays in which you have between 5 and 15 different companies all sharing one party. This is an unique challenge because there is no common thread or party host, every company wants what they want and not what the other group wants. If you play "this" one group complains... If you play "that" the other group complains. It takes a lot of patience and experience to keep walking that thin line where the majority like what you are doing the majority of the time.

 

28. Apart from 'Word of Mouth' what is your main (most successful) form of advertising your disco?

Without a doubt, the Internet.

 

29. Are you a member of a DJ Association / Union?

Yes. The American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA), The ADJA - New England Chapter [charter member], The Massachusetts Association of DJs and Mobile Entertainers (MADJAM), & The Professional Disc Jockeys of New England (PDJNE) [founder]

 

30. Add any additional comments which you would like to include here...

Thanks for asking.

I have to mention a big passion of mine - "DJ Idea Sharing"

In 2001, my brother, Mike and I helped start a non-profit movement of DJs that got together to help educate other DJs. It started as a local gathering, then grew regionally. These events have grown into the largest gathering of DJs in the Northeast United States where we all get together to learn from each other and share ideas in various forms. We have also been blessed to become a recurring seminar nationally at several US DJ conferences with the concept. Recently, I am proud to announce, we have started podcasting. This now allows us to continue education to anyone who can download the podcast. We have covered many fun and informative DJ topics, and have interviewed many DJ industry leaders of the US, as well as the legendary recording artist, Chubby Checker. And best of all - it remains free. We do it because we want to give back to this great industry that has given so much to us.

 

31. How many gigs do you do a year, how many would you like to do?

Between 100 - 120. I would like to do 150.

 

32. What is your average charge for a booking?

Right now, for a wedding (which is the majority of my work) Mike & I start as a team at $1500 - $2500 American for 5 hours.

 

33. How many tracks do you have in your music collection?

I can't count that high! About 2500 CDs and a room to the ceiling loaded with vinyl. Talk to me after I get them all transferred to the computer.... In about 10 years... ;)

 

34. Have you ever had someone try to claim off you? (eg: Public Liability Insurance or other such legal action)

No.

 

35. What is your favourite music genre?

I am very eclectic. 80s pop retro, 80s hair bands, 70s funk, late 80s - mid 90s NYC and Chicago style House, Freestyle, Latin House, early 90s Techno and house remixes of 70s, 80s, and 90s hits, Motown, jazz, and some New Age.

[Mattaious 0]

Excellent Read

 

:welcome: to DJU !

 

 

[rictic 0]

great interview, one question, where can we hear the podcasts?

[Steve Fernino 0]

great interview, one question, where can we hear the podcasts?

 

Thanks for asking rictic.

 

If you use iTunes, you can subscribe in 1-click by copying itpc://djideasharing.libsyn.com/rss into your browser. Make sure you you remove the http:// and replace it with the itpc://

(itunes protocol links don't work in this forum)

 

This will subscribe you as of the latest episode. You will have to manually download the earlier episodes by clicking on "Get Episode"

 

Or you can use our RSS feed with the podcatcher of your choice at http://djideasharing.libsyn.com/rss

 

You can also look us up on iTunes or many other podcast directories as DJ Idea Sharing.

 

If you have any questions or difficulties, feel free to PM me.

 

 

 

[Andy Westcott 0]

Interesting and well-written.

:nbow: :nbow: :nbow:

[Steve Fernino 0]

Interesting and well-written.

:nbow: :nbow: :nbow:

 

Thank you very much, Andy.

 

[Dukesy 0]

Excellent!

:Thumbup: