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The Duff connection

Joe Bermudez, DJ to the stars
By DAVID DAY  |  September 12, 2007

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“I really haven’t had to deal with any crazy paparazzi, since we usually keep a low profile and sneak in the back door of places,” says local DJ and producer JOEBERMUDEZ, referring to his friend Hilary Duff. “When they do realize she is out and about, she has some rather large bouncers that are pretty effective at making sure they keep their distance.” “Up All Day” caught up with Bermudez before he headed out to Duff’s show at Bank of America Pavilion. The Brighton resident and regular Rumor DJ has remixed two tracks for Duff, “Stranger” and “With Love.” “We are going talk about what single I should remix next. Then probably hit up Revolution Rock Bar later on tonight.”

As regular house DJs go, Bermudez is probably the biggest success story in New England. He’s shared the production bed with Pink, Kelly Clarkson, and Sharika as well as the Duffmeister. His work has led to DJ gigs in Mexico City and Hollywood and a memorable New Year’s in Australia. “It was awesome to kick off 2007 19 hours before any of my friends,” he writes via e-mail. “The party was great. We started at 10 pm and went until 2 pm the next day. The club ended up shutting down, not because it was dead — there was a full dance floor and people were still trying to get in — but because the staff was so exhausted from partying all weekend and just couldn’t function anymore!”

Bermudez got started in his home state of Maine but then moved to Brighton. “As much as I loved it up there, I needed to be closer to some sort of nightlife scene and a major airport. I ended up moving in with one of my good friends and absolutely love it. I have a hot tub, off-street parking, and I can be at Logan within 10 minutes.”

He’s been using that route quite a bit. Since getting started, Bermudez has learned something many DJs take years to grasp. “There seems to be a lot of insecurity with DJs, which quickly leads to negativity. My advice is to just hang in there.”

That attitude has taken him all the way to Nervous Records, a label most DJs know well. Next month, he’ll releases a mix CD for the well-known imprint called, of all things, “Mass Movement.” The disc will offer his remix of Duff in addition to heavy hitters like Gabriel & Dresden and Martijn Ten Velden.

“When I started, I was repeatedly told I would never amount to anything as a DJ, and now I have a new CD coming out. And am off to tour Russia and France, while those same DJs who tried to discourage me don’t play anywhere outside their bedroom.” Snap!

In addition to the production work and the DJ gigs, Bermudez has a successful radio show on the XM Satellite network and is currently ranked 18th among US DJs by DJ Times. “I feel like I am just beginning. There is still quite a bit I want to accomplish.”

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Related: Finding dignity, Busdriver | Jhelli Beam, Material Girls, More more >
  Topics: New England Music News , Celebrity News, Entertainment, Kelly Clarkson,  More more >
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Comments
The Duff connection
I've known Joe for years and yes he has come along way and in my opinion is very talented and the best DJ out there. Keep up the good work.
By Music Lover on 09/15/2007 at 2:58:44
The Duff connection
I'm so proud of you joey!!!! Keep up the good work. Love Ya!!!! Michelle
By Joe's Sis on 09/16/2007 at 3:17:15
The Duff connection
Certainly is a long way away from those awful Saturday nights on Kiss FM in Maine doing "Kiss Club Night" isn;t it Joe? I was fortunate enough to work with Joe for about a year at a rat hole of a radio station in Auburn, Maine. Joe's talent was very underappreciated back in the day when he ran the board and mixed the music for my show. His talent cannot be overstated. Taking some of the crap that came out back then and making it danceable was nothing short of amazing. I knew he would make it far in the business, but having a record deal, playing in Australia, regular show on BPM (XM Radio)... Not bad for a "Mainah"! You deserve all the accolades you get Joe! Cheers!
By Jim Casey on 09/19/2007 at 10:58:36

[ 10/08 ]   Junior Mance  @ Church of the Covenant
[ 10/08 ]   R. Kelly  @ MGM Grand @ Foxwoods
[ 10/08 ]   White Lies + Flying Machines  @ Lansdowne
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ARTICLES BY DAVID DAY
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  •   DAY BY DAY BY DAY  |  September 18, 2007
    Two years ago, the Phoenix asked me to write a weekly column about Boston’s growing electronic music and DJ scene.
  •   THE DUFF CONNECTION  |  September 12, 2007
    “I really haven’t had to deal with any crazy paparazzi, since we usually keep a low profile and sneak in the back door of places.”
  •   BASSTOWN NIGHTS  |  September 12, 2007
    If 2006 was the year Boston germinated, 2007 is the year it grows up.
  •   PARTY PROS  |  September 06, 2007
    Weekend Warriors, or WKND WRYRZ, is the Sunday-night lounge party at ZuZu in Central Square.
  •   CITIZENS OF BASSTOWN  |  August 29, 2007
    The proliferation of dance parties in Boston has led not only to a rise in the number of DJs but also to a growth in the ranks of dancers.

 See all articles by: DAVID DAY

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