It's strange, but simple when you think about it. It is a regular occurrence at many multi-cultural parties I’ve attended. A club full of people discussing their frustrations at work and love lives all quickly end their conversations and rush to the dance floor. What was the catalyst that caused this? The culprit is the DJ and the weapon is either a Merengue, Salsa, Reggaeton or Cumbia song. Whatever the ratio of Latins at the club, Hector of D'marquesina best explained this phenomenon in a simple sentence in a interview with NocheLatina.com. "Latin beats have always been made for dancing."
D'marquesina is a Puerto Rican DJ duo comprised of Hector Arce-Espasas and Glorimarta "Glori" Linares. The two have been setting dance floors ablaze with the most dance-friendly Latin tunes of the past as well as their self produced remixes of the popular songs of today. Last week at Arrow D'marquesina did just that. Currently, Glori is in her tropical homeland, while Hector is holding down the fort in the concrete jungle. I got a chance to talk to Hector of D’marquesina after his set at Snique Peek Thursday at Arrow and found out that “marquesina,” or Garage, isn’t just a place where you park your car and store dusty boxes...
I know, but I want you to tell the people. Where are you from?
Hector: I was born in Puerto Rico and like 4 years ago I moved to New York City. Then I started doing parties here.
What made you want to start DJing?
Hector: Me and Glori together are D'marquesina. We started kind of random. At my art studio we wanted to throw a party and back then we didn't know how to DJ and we just played music. And then little by little, we were doing a friends birthday party and we had our iPods back then and we were just playing music like that. Then we started getting into software and mixing stuff. We didn't plan it, it just happened organically.
That’s cool, so you guys do art?
Hector: Yeah man, that’s like the main thing we do. I do art most of the time and Glori she studied art and works for an artist. Our second job is the music.
So that's what you do when you’re not DJing?
Hector: Well, that's it. When I'm not DJing, I'm in the studio making art. I do work on paintings, sculptures, photographs… When I'm not doing music, DJing or producing a track or remixing, I'm working on my art.
Speaking about that, you have some very unique remixes. I want to touch on one. You made one with Gucci Mane's "Lemonade" mixed with a Reggaeton beat which I thought was… I mean, I myself make some crazy remixes, but I heard that and was like wow, this is awesome!
Hector: Actually, that’s not Reggaeton. It’s more like a Mambo Merengue beat. That song (Lemonade) is really simple; it’s a very minimal rap song. The little tune that sounds over and over in that song sounded perfect for a guirra Merengue beat.
It came together nicely. So you have the D'marquesina parties going on…
Hector: Yeah, right now we're doing 2 Thursday nights a month at Home Sweet Home. We used to do it first of the month, now during the summer it jumps around. Sometimes it changes because we're DJing somewhere else too. During the summer we're going to be doing a lot of parties.
Hector: Man, Glori's in Puerto Rico. She's going to be there for a long time. That's why you haven't seen her at the parties. [laughs]
Yeah, I haven't seen her for a while. Is she doing D'marquesina parties in Puerto Rico?
Hector: I think she's going to do one by herself, with a friend. But yeah I miss her.
D'marquesina. How did you guys decide on that name and what does it represent for you guys?
Hector: Well D'marquesina, in English, means the garage and a “marquesina” in Puerto Rico is what they call where you park your car in the entrance of the house. Back in Puerto Rico all the parties were done in the marquesina. So when I grew up, every party thrown when I was a kid like birthday parties anything man, even weddings, they do it in the garage. So it came like that. Kind of like, take that idea from the garage party from Puerto Rico, and make a party. Then we used the “D” with the apostrophe as a joke. It was ironic to use it because in Puerto Rico when people put up a business they tend to do something like that like put a “D’” kind of like trying to be French. So, I think it was just an ironic twist to it.
[laughs] That’s pretty cool man. Well yeah, I love your parties you have a great vibe and I actually even played at one. It was a great reception and everybody was very friendly…
Hector: That was a good party. Good turn out!
It was a great vibe. So, you’re doing a lot of work with Heineken which is one of your sponsors. Do you have any other sponsors that support you?
Hector: Well, Remezcla. They’re always backing me up with every plan that I do. We’re going to release a song with Remezcla that has a music section. That’s coming out this summer its going to be free to download.
Sweet. So yeah, everybody hit up Remezcla.com and check that out. I guess that’s all I have to ask. Thanks for coming and rocking out with us.
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Check out D'marquesina's tracks on their SoundCloud!
Check out D'marquesina’s live mix at Snique Peek Thursdays at Arrow on 6.16.11!
Snique Peek Live 6.16.11 (D'marquesina & DJ Nique) by Snique Peek Live
