The Standard

This Friday, Le Bain celebrates the release of “The Wurst Music Ever” the first full-length release of the New York label, Wurst with a stellar line-up: the “new kids on the block” soho808, Pink Stallone, Ulysses and Beg to Differ . We met Roy Dank, the dance music and fashion fanatic behind Wurst, for a Standard Q&A in a sliced bun.

Roy Dank (Photo by Timothy Saccenti)

The Standard: “The Wurst Music Ever” gathers exclusive tracks from different producers you have been working with. Was were your criteria in the track selection?

Roy Dank: Personality is at the heart of all of the music on The Wurst Music Ever, regardless of tempo and genre. Same goes for the label in general. I’m hoping we’ll surprise some folks with the album as well as our upcoming releases.

What would be the best place to listen to the album?

Anywhere with a nice warm soundsystem. These songs will no doubt rock any dancefloor, but they’re also great to listen to on road trips, by the beach, on a plane, the list goes on…

If the “Wurst Music Ever” was a soundtrack, what would be the movie?

I’d love soundtrack to Woody Allen’s “Sleeper” with The Wurst Music Ever. Alternately, Paul Verhoeven’s Total Recall. I’m envisioning three-breasted mutant prostitutes gyrating to Pink Stallone’s “Help Yourself” in particular.

Your label Wurst is also involved in fashion, with your own Wurst menswear items, which brings Wurst into the “Lifestyle” industry. How would you define the Wurst lifestyle?

Never take yourself too seriously.

You say you are inspired by the “heritage of classic American manufacturing” in both your music and fashion productions. Who do you think is the greatest icon of it?

Ralph Lauren is the man.

What music labels inspired you when you created Wurst?

Creation, Warp, Environ, Y Records, Dischord (through the early 90s), Planet E, XL, DFA, and Output (RIP).

You are a DJ yourself. How would you pitch your style?

Asses wiggling, hands clapping and faces smiling.

What is your motto behind the desk?

Get ‘er done!

What are your earliest memories of parties as a kid?

My aunt and uncle’s wedding is a standout. Nothing like being 8-years old and breakdancing in a tux with your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins dancing and clapping along. My gramps had some serious moves.

You have a great line up for this Friday: Soho808, Pink Stallone, Beg to Differ and Ulysses. What do you think make each of those artists unique?

soho808 are the new kids on the block, so to speak, but have already mastered the art of subtlety. Pink Stallone bring the incredibly fun, low-slung funk. Ulysses can flex his muscles in so many genres, both as a producer and a DJ. When it comes to Beg to Differ (me + Nick Chacona), I’ll let the music do the talking.