Sara T.
interview and introduction by Bree Davies
Sara Thurston and I met in 2001 at "Karaoke Breakdown," an evening she hosted at Armida's in Denver (the notorious local karaoke bar with a stage that faces a panoramic window onto the busy Lincoln Avenue) in Denver. I was a sheepish 21-year-old working at a make-up counter, just learning to navigate the of-age scene where every DJ night/dance party/venue/bar was exciting to me. But Sara's events were always bigger, different and positively better and I soon learned about Danceotron, her regular No Bullshit Dance Party that at the time, ocurred monthly at the now defunct Hipster Youth Halfway House.
Eventually, Sara and I would be in my first functioning band together, The Hot House. Our first show an epic one with The Thermals, and Sara would go on to teach me and the other Hot Housers a lot about booking shows, getting paid, and commanding respect from our peers. Here is more from my friend, former bandmate, Denver cheerleader and the mouth of the Mother of Danceotron, which happens this Saturday, April 18th, at the Hi-Dive!:
What's the story behind Danceotron? Who/What/Where, etc?
Who: I started Danceotron when my friend Moses Montalvo asked if I wanted to throw an event in his space the Hipster Youth Halfway House. I came up with the name for Danceotron that day and ended up sticking with it. Over 100 people showed up that first time & I did it there one or two times more til I realized it needed a new home.
What: I wanted a party that involved less illusions and more fun. I kept it simple with good music & a good space. That formula seemed to work.
Where: Danceotron started at a warehouse, moved to the Climax Lounge for a few years with stop-offs at Benders, Cervantes & an all-ages one at the Marquis Theater . Danceotron has been at the Hi Dive for two years now. We get along really well and I love them.
Danceotron is known as "Denver's No Bullshit Dance Party." What does that mean to you?
I began the party with that name in mind because I was tired of going to places and feeling like I didn't belong. I found that the atmosphere of judgment and boundaries being put up by the promoters/djs/musicians and then trickle down effect to the attendees made going out and dancing an affair of just outfits & bitchiness. To be clear, I love an over-the-top outfit and a fierce stance...but if a party isn't all embracing, why go? I still know a lot promoters now-a-days who only like a certain looking-type of crowd to show up. I'm psyched when the 40-plus-year-old mesh-top guy shows up with his glow sticks, who is a huge house music lover. Those are my people. They all are.
If the numbers began to dwindle then maybe I would begin to rethink things! Actually, the opposite has happened and those kids who wanted to come are turning 21 and more people are hearing about it. This is my baby! Why would I want to leave it behind? I created it, I don't see any reason to let it go. Busy-ness doesn't keep me away from things I love. As for the future, I just take things one month at a time...considering I can't really control what happens next.
How do you choose what you're going to play for each party?
Flying with records (Thurston resides in Los Angeles these days) now since I still play vinyl, definitely has tightened my set. I keep a pretty steady current rotation of what I think will get people dancing. I just trust my gut and go for it, and adjust each time (what works, what doesn't.)
I know you care very much about keeping the vibe positive at your parties. How do you choose your DJ partners for each event?
The essential question I ask (if people are being referred to me) is "Are they nice...?" It's so unoriginal to me to put up another big-assed egoic dj in front of people while they wave some magical wand over "their" masses. The music is not ours. The people dancing are not ours. I prefer humble people with talent who have a heartfelt passion to share what they do. Naturally I can't control this, but I try and invite "nice" people in. It's worked so far. And when it doesn't...well. Then things change.
What are you listening to right now?
I'm listening to a lot of doom metal & sludge along with some late 70's/early 80's era boogie.
Who/What inspires you as an artist/entreprenuer/musician/DJ?
Lynda Barry, Vivienne Westwood, Yoko Ono, Dolly Parton, Mae West, Little Lulu & quite a few more.
Being a DJ is still a fairly male-dominated existence. How do you persevere? Any advice for other female DJs?
I would say it's been important for me to not sacrifice the female side to me. I see a lot of women "harden up" and try and become male to deal with this. I feel there is a lot of power in being a woman (way beyond just our sexuality) and being in this industry has really forced me to find my center and to also setup very strong boundaries and just be MYSELF. My advice is to learn as you go, don't feel you have to be THE BEST, but realize that you deserve to be wherever you want to be and no one (NO ONE) has a right to push you out of the way. This, however, applies to anyone.
Can you talk a little about your move to LA? Why leave Denver, a place you obviously have a lot of love for?
I have a strong love for Denver and the other 9 states I've lived in as well, which is why I can still be on the road and visit those other places for different reasons. I have a relationship with all of the places I've lived...and those relationships and love continues. I didn't break-up with Denver, I just found myself attracted to a new partner who cared for me differently and noticed when I bought new stockings.
A long-running party like Danceotron attracts new people each event. What is it you hope each person takes away from a Danceotron?
An authentic experience where they were able to feel alive & supported for who they truly are. Or to be drained of every ounce of sweat in their bodies...either/or I'm flexible.
You have always been very attuned to what people around you are feeling, and how people/experiences make you feel. Is there a big difference in the Denver vibe and the LA vibe?
Definitely! I find Denver has a lot alcoholics who aren't interested in recovery. Los Angeles houses one of the largest Alcoholics Anonymous communities in the United States...if not the largest. Colorado also houses and raised some of the most awesome women in my life and men I love. That's a fact, you can look it up. Often I find a lot of cities are what you make of them...if you want an eternal pit of stench surrounding you, you can find that anywhere. If anything, I would say things move faster in Los Angeles, so if you're phony as ever you'll be magnetized ten-fold to attract that back. But if you're as real as you can be...well...you get the idea.
