The Standard

Everybody Loves The Sunshine

Sep 14 2011

This Sunday at Le Bain, ETE D’AMOUR celebrates the Indian Summer with Das Moth from Tokyo, Carlos & Mateo from Low Pitch Orchestra and the New York icon Tommie Sunshine. Born and raised in Chicago, Tommie has been through two decades of Dance Music History from the Rave to the Clash. We love the Sunshine, let’s warm up to the Standard Q&A with Tommie.

(Tommie Sunshine and his muse dancing at Le Bain - Photo by Charles Roussel)

The Standard: What were the earthquakes - we mean huge and violent changes - that hit your life in music? Hearing a 303 for the first time in a nightclub, hearing Derrick Carter for the first time, hearing Underground Resistance play live, hearing Primal Scream on the Screamadelica tour, people deciding not to buy music anymore.

You have been through three decades of dance music, as a raver, DJ, producer and taste maker. What is the most exciting dance music trend you find inspiring these days?

I have never found trends interesting nor inspiring. I do however find particular artists incredibly exciting such as David Heartbreak, Gesaffelstein, Brodinski and RipTidE.

(The last video of French sensation Gesaffelstein “Viol” on Turbo Recordings)

Your music references go from AC/DC to Kraftwerk and Derrick Carter - to make it short. And you are completely into the pop culture. If you had to pick only one of those French bands, who would it be: Justice, Daft Punk or… David Guetta?

Justice for the POWER, Daft Punk for the legacy & Guetta for the good time every time.

If you had the power to change something in the dance music scene?

No cocaine. it is a disgusting drug that makes people do disgusting things and it simply fucks up the dance floor. That being said, MDMA should be legal and given away at the door.

You have been yourself sober for years. It is the best way to enjoy the nightlife, music and dance?

I believe everyone has to follow their own trip in life and that everyone should have the freedom to do so no matter what anyone says to the contrary. Personally, as long as you are having fun and whatever you are taking doesn’t stop you from dancing, that is the best place you can be: on the dance floor.

(Photo by Charles Roussel)

We remember seeing you dancing all night at Le Bain, when Dimitri from Paris was playing. It was kind of a surprise, to see you enjoying the disco so much. Is it a new love for you?

Disco is the best music ever made. I am the youngest of 4 kids and my oldest sister went to Discos in the 70’s. The slower Italo stuff and Cosmic was introduced to me by Chris Brick and Alex Gloor at a store in Manhattan called Smylonylon in the mid-90’s. Alex is now one half of In Flagranti. My life was never the same after hearing those tapes. God bless those two men.

You probably know that Ete d’Amour, our Sunday Summer party at Le Bain, is inspired by the Balearic culture. What would be your own definition of “Balearic”?

Freedom, plain and simply.

Where is the best place you like enjoying sunshine?

If you have never seen the sun set in Venice I suggest you do so. When you do, you’ll then know why.

Are you more into sunset or sunrise?

Well I am a much bigger fan of beginnings than endings so I would always say sunrise. Plus I believe there are only a select few in this world who understand the power and beauty of staying out all night dancing. The rest of the poor saps in this world have no idea what they are missing.

You are from Chicago and live in Brooklyn. Can you let us know what is your favorite movie taking place in Chicago? And in Brooklyn? Also if you had to chose a Chicagoan hero, who would that be? And in Brooklyn?