Berlin’s buff DJ Micky Friedmann steams up Splash.
By Brandon Voss
Don’t let that pretty face and sculpted body fool you! A former professional dancer and sometime model, Micky Friedmann now shows off his well-toned talents in the DJ booths of the world’s hottest clubs. Coming in from Berlin to make his NYC debut September 7 at Splash for Mark Nelson and Ray DeForest’s Full Frontal Fridays, the out Israeli stud opens up about the perils of nightlife and the hardships of being hot.
HX: Looking forward to your big Splash debut?
Micky Friedmann: Man, it’s New York City! I feel so honored to have been given the chance to spin in New York. You know what Sinatra sings, “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere” — it’s a line I very much believe in, and I am going to give my very best for the New York party boys.
Will you have to adapt your set for American tastes, or will we hear the same Micky we’d hear in Berlin?
One of the reasons I am successful in Europe is that I bring some of that American circuit party sound to the dance floor. Berlin has a very hard underground electro sound in the clubs — very little vocal sound and melody. People in Berlin are thirsty for good melody and big voices, so I try to bring more of that melodic house sound.
You were so successful as a dancer. What happened that made you want to be a DJ?
After six seasons with the Berlin Ballet, I felt it was time for a change. Since I was a teenager growing up in Israel, I was always a party boy and loved music on the dance floors, and when I moved to Berlin 10 years ago, I bought some used DJ equipment and started spinning just for fun at home for friends, never thinking of one day making it my career. Friends always told me how vicious the nightlife world is, and I guess that made me think twice about it. But as a dancer and a model, competition was always a part of my life. I learned that the biggest bitches — dancers, models, stylists, designers — are the most insecure people one should learn to ignore. Now spinning fills me up with so much joy, just like I used to have on stage.
Didn’t Junior Vasquez specifically inspire you?
I saw Junior spin in Jerusalem five years ago and fell in love with his mix of “Love 2 Love” by Suzanne Palmer. After that, I always followed his music. I met him in Palm Springs during White Party and I asked him to play the Palmer mix for me. He did, and spotted me dancing, and later asked me if I would be interested in dancing at Spirit for his Pride Party, so we kept in touch and we later became friends. I never told him about my passion to spin because I thought he might not take me seriously. I regret that today because I know now he would be a great mentor. Well, now he knows.
Have you ever had problems being taken seriously as a DJ because of how you look?
My mother told me when I was young that being good looking may not always be an advantage. When I first started spinning in Berlin, the straight parties were fine, but gay people were a lot more skeptical. Even my boss told me after filling up the club weekend after weekend that he never thought that my pretty face would make a good DJ. A big crowd comes to hear me in Berlin, so I have the feeling they now look beyond the physical appearance.
How do you handle fans hitting on you while you’re working?
You might find it funny, but many times I just don’t see it. My best friend Roy always tells me, “Did you see that hot guy looking at you all night?” And I’m like, “No.” I am so concentrated when I spin that I hardly pay attention to these things. People tend to respect your position as a DJ and often are intimidated to approach, but I find it wonderful when guys come up and compliment me on the music.
What’s the biggest difference between playing for straight crowds and gay crowds?
I play to straight people often in Berlin, and though many German straight guys are very hot, I frankly would much rather spin for gays. I love the energy of a gay party. There is nothing more horrible than a drunk girl coming up to me asking for R&B.
Would you ever move to NYC?
I love New York, but right now my home is in Berlin. Once I make enough money, I promise to buy an apartment in New York and have friends come over to chill on the balcony after my sets!
HX, September 2007.
Photo: Kevin McDermott