Whether it was divine or subconscious reasons, Jay Crowley couldn’t get away from being a DJ. A 30-year career in the booth that started for Crowley when he was an “18-year-old kid with a refined case of stage fright” had a momentary detour in the early ’90s, when he “took a swing at working on Wall Street.”
He cold-called for a brokerage house and studied to be a stockbroker—think the beginning of the movie Wolf of Wall Street. “I missed passing my Series 7 exam [a license that entitles the holder to sell all types of securities products except commodities and futures -Ed.] by a couple of points and was back in the booth the following weekend,” says Crowley.
ED Magazine caught up with Crowley, a veteran DJ at The Gold Club in San Francisco, to pick his brain about the role a DJ plays in the success of a club, as well as what he would change about the industry (hint: it has to do with a recent court ruling in California).
ED: You DJ at a very successful club (The Gold Club) in a diverse market (San Francisco). For those who are unfamiliar with the clubs in San Fran, how would you describe the area in which you work and the clientele?
CROWLEY: One word: location. The club is half a block from the Moscone Center, San Francisco’s largest convention and exhibition complex, which earlier this year completed a $551 million expansion. After a lull in convention business during construction, the club is
poised to enjoy the benefits of their upcoming full convention schedule. Our clientele
varies. We entertain businessmen and women during the week and on weekends see
a younger, more hip crowd through our doors.
ED: As a former ED “DJ of the Year” Award Winner, what role do you feel you’ve played in the success of The Gold Club and, in general, what role do you believe a DJ plays in the overall success of a gentlemen’s club?
CROWLEY: Success is a team effort. From the door guy to the bathroom valet, waitress to manager, each staff member must be vested in the guest experience. The DJ is one of
many cogs in the wheel of said experience, but I do feel we set the overall tone and carry the responsibility of igniting and maintaining the party atmosphere.
ED: How hard is it, as a DJ, to play music to such a diverse crowd and keep everyone happy? What’s your strategy when it comes to this juggling act?
CROWLEY: My ultimate goal is to not alienate anyone in the audience. I realize it is impossible to make everyone happy with each song, so I keep it recognizable and non-abrasive. I want guests running to the bar for another drink, not running for the door.
ED: If you could change one thing about the strip club industry, what would it be?
CROWLEY: Currently I would change the labor laws in California, as the recent changes have had a dramatic effect on the industry out here. With the entertainers losing their
independent contractor status and becoming employees, it has had a negative impact
on the club, entertainers and staff.
ED: What is your favorite music to play on a busy Saturday night at the club? Conversely, when you’re not in the club, what music do you prefer to listen to?
CROWLEY: I don’t really have a favorite type of music to play; I like whatever keeps the room popping. Currently, an evening mix includes hip-hop and electronic dance music with some rock, funk, reggaeton, and classics sprinkled in. I am fortunate to have quite a bit of freedom in what I play. Outside the club, I listen to a lot of what I don’t play much of in the club. I’ll listen to classic rock, early ’90s deep house, ’90s grunge, old-school hip-hop to name a few genres. Talk radio or a podcast on the way home. Usually, by the end of the shift, I have had enough booming for one night.
ED: If you could see any concert or lineup of artists, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
CROWLEY: That’s a tough question for a DJ as I am a fan of so many different types and styles of music. In no particular order: Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Billy Joel, Junior Vasquez, Elton John, Earth Wind and Fire, Alice in Chains, Pantera, Frank Sinatra, Danny Tenaglia, Eric B and Rakim, 2 Live Crew, AC/DC, Bob Marley, Metallica, Rush, Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Santana, Nine Inch Nails, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Van Halen to name a few …
Each of these artists or DJs have helped me appreciate all different types of talent
and music. They have surely kept me in love with music and wanting to play it for half-naked ladies for as long as I can.
Success is a team effort. From the door guy to the bathroom valet, waitress to manager, each staff member must be vested in the guest experience. The DJ is one of many cogs in the wheel of said experience, but I do feel we set the overall tone and carry the responsibility of igniting and maintaining the party atmosphere. — Jay Crowley
Here’s more about Jay!
Where do you originally hail from: Upstate New York
Current Club: Gold Club San Francisco
Years employed at the club: 11
Years in the industry: 30
Favorite recording artist: Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails
Industry hero: The current and former board members of PANDA (Professional Adult
Nightclub DJ Association). They work tirelessly with no compensation to better our
industry through DJ education.
Favorite feature entertainer: I haven’t worked with a feature entertainer in over 20 years. One of my most memorable feature entertainer stories was when Bambi the Amazon was walking to her Polaroid (yeah, it was that long ago) station and a guy smacked her ass, she spun around and knocked him out and down five stairs in one swing. She was almost 7 feet tall.
Favorite DJ or industry pro: DJ Luke
Favorite part of your work night: When it clicks without effort, perfect song, perfect timing, the right girl on stage, guests are singing along, dancing in the aisles and throwing
money with reckless abandon.
Pet working peeve: Greed.
Advice for fellow club DJs: Be confident, not cocky. Check your ego at the door. Don’t
forget to enjoy the view!
So what tunes does Jay like to get down to? Don’t miss his personalized Spotify playlist right here!
