Michael Cignarale: 爱的时光机
美杜莎刚开始的时候有哪些挑战？
Shanghai doesn’t have a lot of pretense- no houses, or big established points of references; until recently. I’ve always appreciated the sense of community that really backs up every club, party and person; I really value that.
How did it shape your music?
No pretense, so everyone gets a fair shot here. I had no one to please but myselfand hoped I could convince everyone this music is dancefloor worthy.
What inspired Medusa?
Before we did Medusa you more or less had to choose between going to a club that had fierce gays and lesbians to another club to hear and dance to good music. Medusa was Mau Mau and I’s solution to putting all that in one place at one time.
What were some challenges getting Medusa started?
Sadly the gay community can be a little stubborn, so it took a lot of convincing that Medusa was a gay experience; but once the word got around, it started to take more shape.
What are some challenges when running it?
The biggest challenge we have today is scheduling. The queer community is only so big, and personally I would like every queer party here to have their own time, space, and identity. So preventing overlap is really important but impossible. And of course as with anything that becomes popular, making sure the room is filled with responsible, and respectful party goers. I said it early, community is vital to this city’s scene, so finding ways to integrate new party people into the ethos is a challenge; but we love the challenge; they probably need to be educated by these queens more than we do; just for the love of god do not snatch their wigs (that happened, and yes it’s a sure way to be banned).
How has Shanghai’s queer scene changed over the years? How/do you see Medusa being part of this change?
Integration- nightlife is supposed to be queer, it’s supposed to be an opportunity to get a whole lot of different people in a room together and do something together. Medusa was a great party for queer people to meet; it was a birthplace for a lot of baby drags, and so many coming outs have started at Medusa; I’ll blame that on the music. Shanghai since I have been here has always been a headliner city, big touring, RA famous acts really were the way to get big crowds to a party, but I think that’s changed a lot, people want to spend money on some of the local talent.
Are there any changes with Medusa now that it has arrived at a new home?
We have a lot more space to decorate, does anyone want to help us?? Seriously we need more people to help us decorate all the extra space. Please contact us.
What was the wildest thing that has happened in Medusa?
Hmmmm, you’ll have to ask them.
What has been the most memorable connection you have made through Medusa? And in your knowledge, what has been the most memorable connection Medusa has allowed people to make?
Chris Cruse, The Carry Nation, and Eris Drew & Octo Octa were three really meaningful connections we’ve made through the party - We generally try to book DJs that also organize queer parties in their respected part of the world,…this was one of a few queer stops DJs would make when they came over here. So we’ve had the privilege of showing them china for the first time.
Can you let us in on some inspirations or mood board when developing Medusa’s visual branding?
90’s club posters, pink, glitter, more pink, silk screening and cartoonish hand drawings….use the same colors and xtube, they’ll give you some ideas.
What do you do during the day?
I'm a graphic designer.
What other creative outlets do you practice besides music?
Grindr.
How did your other creative outlet shape your music in anyway?
You can guess how…
Who do you respect or look up to in the local music community? Who are your favorite artists right now in China?
My girl Huan Huan aka Diamond Lil, just crushes it…she’s very shy about her production; idk why, she’s the star to watch out for. She opens for us a lot, and really knows how to suck everyone into a big gay time machine destined for 1986. Oooh a gay time machine, that sound like a fun party idea; she’ll have to play that one. Alsoooo the House of Kawakubo; such talented dancers!
What was your most memorable night in Shanghai behind the decks, and on the other side of the booth as a dancer?
All the Balls we’ve done with The House of Kawakubo have been on another level, for one they were living and breathing, community driven balls; they were real; the stakes from the competitors felt real. And with all that energy; I just fed on it as a DJ later that night. As for dancing- hmmmmmm….when Mau Mau DJ’s I will take over the whole front of the dancefloor; and just werk it boo boo.
How and why did you start a residency at Elevator?
Elevator saw my point about mixing dance music, a historically gay genre, with some gay people; which I explained earlier had been missing in the city. After a few planning meetings and some glitter testings Medusa was kind of out into the world; Mau Mau and I DJ together and tbh its very hard to separate Medusa from Elevator, it just doesn’t work as well.… Obviously we had to grow as DJ’s because as the party grew we needed to feed the beast new music, but also before Medusa we didn’t have such a big, gay, fabulous crowds to play such big, gay, fabulous anthems for, so we didn’t realize how impactful tracks by Junior Vasquez, Size Queen, and Kevin Aviance were; we heard about their legend status but never really knew what to do with them until Medusa. It’s crazy to even think about my set without them now.
How did you decide to use your actual name as a DJ alias?
Oddly the party name Medusa came pretty quickly to Mau Mau and I, I’m pretty poor at coming up with compelling names….I’ve tried a few aliases as a DJ, but they all sucked at the end of the day. Sooo I just use my real name. everyone has their own pronunciation of it which I kind of like. And usually the longest name on a poster…
How do you prepare for your gigs spiritually?
Yes, the day of, I have to manage my feelings and energy otherwise I’m going to overcook this bird. Also I get into a pink sparkly costume and on most nights, spend 1-2 hours applying glitter to my entire face- nothing will get you more into a party mood then the anticipation of playing music in lady’s clothing with sparkles on your face, its pretty spiritual, I think; or at least transformative…its committing. Think about it, there are no people hunched over, eating soup with glitter on their face binging Netflix; ain’t gonna happen; you’re committed to a least being seen. But like everything there are going to be nights when the glitter looks a little off, the booty shorts are ridding up your crack; and so, I look to spiritual guidance….I look at the booth and ask, What Would Alyssa Edwards Do. Miss thing she would point to where she is going to stand and with a delusional level of confidence prance over there, like she just bought the whole DJ booth cash.. and so I do, as she does, and then I probably will put on “100% Pure Love” by Crystal Waters, it will become completely transparent to everyone, that we are doing this gig tonight like a queen. Also champagne helps.
What would you put on your magic hospitality rider where every wish can be granted?
Champagne; see previous question.
Michael Cignarale Slaying as Usual
只有这样的香槟才配得上这样的你
Could you pick 3 tracks that gives us a sense of your preference in music over the years?
My music has come full circle but Murk, Danny Tenaglia, and old school NY house and the big gay disco anthems a la Sylvester and Donna Summer have always been with me…of course playing it in a way that people enjoyed was a big challenge early on in my career. “Tumbe” by Murk or “Do You Want to Funk” by Sylvester or even “Free” by Ultra Nate was in every set. As Medusa came into full swing and I channeled 90’s club icons, like Junior Vasquez, DJ Duke, Angel Moraes and Peter Rauhoffer I had more house to work with so I didn’t have to rely on the anthem we all knew to make my point. I think this took my sets to another dimension because it played with the history of gay nightlife and gave us some specific moments in time to jump from. A great example would be “Blow Your Whistle” by DJ Duke.. So New York; or any bitch track， “Get Your Hands Off of My Man” by Junior is a good example. Also figuring how to play gospel house in a way that suited the room….but it’s become signature to Medusa if you stay towards the end “Lift Me Up” by Junior and Connie Harvey has been heard many of times at Medusa….Currently I’m trying to mix it up a little; maybe play music made in this decade.. “Alive” by The Carry Nation, is my favorite party starter, it has a lot of the same 90’s house references condensed into 6 mins. The hook is This Bitch is Alive…Damn right she is. Also I’m grabbing from Detroit these days, the sound is so raw… “Bounce Your Body” from Kevin Saunderson is amazing. Whoops that’s more than three.
Where do you like to scout to add new music to your collection?
I collect some specific labels, Tribal America, Nervous, Twisted, etc…I love compilations; there is soo much undiscovered music there… and of course listening to archived DJ sets and reading the comments to figure out what song they play at 35:50…
What were the biggest challenges you faced on your musical journey?
Subtlety….in the sense that people want to stay for 4,5,6 hours, you can’t burn them out with an extremely demanding performance. I have confidence that I can get people committed to the music, but keeping them for hours has been something I have had to learn.
If you could time travel and give yourself two pieces of advice when you were just starting out, what would they be?
Come out. The music is better. And don’t use glue, use makeup.
问题太多了所以我们拿出手机休息一下
Grindr intermission bc 2 many Qs
When and why did you decide to get into production?
Damn these are a lot of questions….I was in production before DJing, that’s how I got into this mess…I’m a classically trained singer so music has always been in my life, and I just wanted to make music to dance to…it was very innocent.
How do you decide when your productions are considered finished?
Mau Mau decides for me….because I can’t. Actually though, when I can feel it being played in a set.. its pretty much ready for the real world
What was the most difficult thing you have to overcome when it comes to production?
Confidence…there are a million reason why it’s not good enough, but also a million reasons why it’s good…don’t relish on the negative it slows you down.
Do you have a favorite piece in your tool kit? (hardware or digital)
My M1 is my favorite gear I own, if you haven’t figured out my now I’m a 90’s queen and that machine is it’s queen maker.
How did your music taste evolve over the years? What does the music you like right now mean to you?
I’m more a song person you could say, so my structure has had to grow more into a track structure because I want the tracks I make to have more sustained pleasure.
Where would you like to see yourself as an artist in 5 years?
Not burnt out lol, the next level for Medusa professionally speaking is touring regularly…
Where would you like to see Medusa in 5 years?
Let’s get some other fantasies in the room from Shanghai; let’s make sure medusa is a stop on everyone’s tour.
Words/advice for people who want to get involved in this scene?
Work hard, plan, and respect all of your guest and performers; yea have fun but this is a job, people are working to make the party come together, respect them and that concept.
Best advice you've received as a DJ or producer?
Work and put stuff out regardless.
What is one thing only your mom knows, and one thing you'll never tell her?
My mom thought I used the word Cunty too much in my live set, and she was right…my mom probably doesn’t know the extent of damage I do to my skin with all the glitter….she’s a beauty guru and that would keep her up at night. On the subject of family, my dad does not think my outfits are revealing enough, and heels not high enough…so stage dad anyone.
How do we find you in the digital world?
Soundcloud.com/Cignarale or Instagram Medusa.Realness or M_Cignarale or wechat.
美杜莎回来了