“That story involves a lot of drugs, a radio, a hot tub, naked people and near electrocution.” That either sounds like one helluva night, an evening of extremely bad decisions — or both. In the case of industry DJ Gabriel “Hot Tub” Mangold, it earned him a nickname that’s stuck. Though we didn’t get any more details than those provided here, one can only imagine that Gabriel’s moniker is one well earned.
ExoticDancer.com had the chance to ask this industry veteran how he got his start as a club DJ, what role he’s played in the success of the clubs where he’s worked, and why energizing the crowd is what he enjoys the most. And don’t miss his personalized Spotify playlist courtesy of Bob Chiappardi and StripJointsMusic.com!
ED: How long have you worked in this industry as a club DJ? Where did you start, when, and where are you working now?
MANGOLD: I’ve been in the industry for about 22 years; not sure of the start date as things were hazy back then. I started at Little Darlings in San Francisco, around ’98 or ‘99, and I currently work at Platinum West in Columbia, SC.
ED: What brought you to this industry initially? How have your feelings toward the industry evolved over the years?
MANGOLD: What brought me to the industry … I was working as a “musician” but really I was just partying and I wanted a legit job. After being turned down for a bunch of bouncing and bartending jobs on account of the dreadlocks that went down to my ass and my bloodshot eyes, the doorman at Little Darlings said they were all good on floor staff but “can you DJ?” I said yes. I started working that night and I instantly fell in love. I was terrible but they had no choice — the other DJs were outta town or in jail.
ED: How have your feelings toward the industry evolved over the years?
MANGOLD: I still love it but for different reasons. I still enjoy the show as much as I did as when I started.
ED: We have to ask this question: How did you get the nickname “Hot Tub” ?
MANGOLD: That story involves a lot of drugs, a radio, a hot tub, naked people and near electrocution. It started out as a joke and stuck. It applied because I used to be really fat but I was always hot.
ED: What role do you believe a DJ plays in the overall success of a club?
MANGOLD: I believe that energy = money. The DJ is in charge of doing one thing: creating energy. This is the DJ’s job, in its most basic form. The disc jockey has various tools to create energy: The sound system, the lights, the entertainers, the rotation, the music format, the staff, their body, their voice, their character, props, games, promos and most importantly their imagination.
In respect to working with other jocks, I try to find other DJs that are passionate about music and foster their interests and vision as opposed to forcing them to play what I think is the correct music selection. I learn a lot by watching and working with other jocks. As long as the energy is created, that’s being a good DJ. – Mangold
ED: How have you, personally, impacted the clubs where you’ve worked?
MANGOLD: I’ve impacted my current club by trying my best to realize the owner’s vision and the management’s strategies in a spirit of loyalty, gratitude, and service. I also am allowed a voice for creativity in the shows and promotions. I’ve trained many successful DJs. I tell a lot of dick and fart jokes. I’ve been sober for the past 12 years and I try to show people through example that sobriety can be more fun and more gratifying than partying ever was.
ED: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
MANGOLD: I enjoy the feeling of being a part of the show: the music, the excitement, the energy, the entertainers. We do a lot of games and contests; I like giving our guests something they can’t get anywhere else. I also love the people I work with. Our clubs company culture is awesome. Creating and maintaining relationships is a good 80% of the job.
ED: What are the biggest challenges you typically face?
MANGOLD: I’d say the sleep deprivation. It was easier in my 20s to hit those 12-hour shifts. Everything else is easy on a good night’s (day’s?) sleep.
ED: What’s your approach to the music you play in the club?
MANGOLD: I play the old game of trying to make managers, customers, and dancers happy. Over the years I’ve learned that if I make the dancers money then they’ll be happy regardless of what I’m playing. My first priority is always to the format set by the club. We run our show on the weekends by Richard Stanley or I walking the floor and emceeing wirelessly while our other DJ, Sean “Spaz” Williams, does music and lights. Spaz is a surgeon with reading a room and bending it to his will with music. In respect to working with other jocks, I try to find other DJs that are passionate about music and foster their interests and vision as opposed to forcing them to play what I think is the correct music selection. I learn a lot by watching and working with other jocks. As long as the energy is created, that’s being a good DJ.
ED: We do these articles in conjunction with Bob and StripJointsMusic.com, and that involves creating your own playlist. What are your favorite artists to play in the club, and what do you listen to personally when you’re not in the club?
MANGOLD: My current favorite artist to play is Major Laser. We’re an open-format club so we play a touch of everything. I always check in to StripJointsMusic.com and have for years for new breaking tracks as well as the PANDA charts by Danny and Ilan.
I listen mostly to audiobooks or podcasts when I’m not working. I comb through DJ City and Beat Source for new tracks. I listen to new music when working out or running. If I can run to it, it’s got the energy I need in the club.
ED: If you could see any concert with any artist (living or deceased), who would it be and why?
MANGOLD: Jimi Hendrix cuz Jimi is the man!
Here’s more about Gabriel “Hot Tub” Mangold!
Current Club: Platinum West, Columbia, SC
Years employed at the club: 15
Years in the industry: 22
Favorite recording artist: Difficult question. It changes from day to day but overall it’s Frank Sinatra.
Industry hero: Ken Wood
Favorite feature entertainer: Angela Sommers is my Goddess. It’s hard to pick just one! Looking forward to seeing what Reagan Reilly will be doing this year!
Favorite DJ or industry pro: Tim Rhodes, Jimmy Boucher, Ilan Fong, Danny Meyers, Jeb Jerrell, Jason Danaro, Glenn Miller, Dr. Rock, Bling Bling, there are a bunch. PANDA really opened my eyes to how good some people are at this job.
Favorite part of your work night: When I lose track of time. When I’m in the moment. And laughing. We laugh a lot at work.
Pet working peeve: Being told by an 18-year-old that I don’t know f*ck about sh*t about music.
Advice for fellow club DJs: Be kind. Everyone is trying their best. Me being a jerk won’t make anything better.
