Green Velvet Interview

Originally Curits Jones AKA Green Velvet studied chemical engineering but ultimately chose to

follow in his father’s footsteps and get into DJing. We are all grateful he did, with memorable releases under

various names since 1991 (who can forget La La Land) and he has remixed artists such as Madonna, Orgy and

Basement Jaxx. 2006 saw a major transformation for Green Velvet, becoming a born-again Christian after an

overdose of Magic Mushrooms and Marijuana. This saw a departure from his darker electronica style, as he

claims he has found a brighter future since converting.

Green Velvet spoke to Nic Noble about his perfect night out and spreading his message to the world…

You’ve seen a lot of DJs come and go, what has allowed you to enjoy
such longevity?

I feel the key to my longevity is that I believe it’s about the
fans and it’s not about me. I continue to try and bring joy in other lives
through my music and never get trick into believing the fans are there for me.

With live shows getting bigger in terms of production, how much emphasis
do you place on the visuals to draw the crowd in?

I make sure that the emphasis is placed on my vocal performance and the musical production
because sometimes I do shows during the day. I love using visuals to help in telling a story
but obviously it only works for a night show.

What musical projects are you working on right now?

I am working on projects with Dajae, DJ Chuckie, Fedde Le Grand, Phil Kieran,
Tommie Sunshine, Felix Da Housecat, Diplo, Santiago & Bushido, and Jamie Principle to name a few.

How have you divided your creative output across your various pseudonyms?

I use the name Cajmere for my house style music and Green Velvet for the more
techno/electro sound.

Throughout the creative process what aspect brings you the most joy and why?
The one thing that brings me the most joy during the creative process is
knowing that I have fans out there rooting for me.

How has technology enhanced and/or detracted from your creative process?
Technology has enhanced my creativity in a big way. With today’s computers, I can take as
much time as necessary and not worry about a huge studio bill. Also, the musical software
available now is unbelievable and much less expensive than the hardware from back in the day.

What is one of your finest live moments so far in a very successful
music career?

The first show I ever did and playing at Grant Park here in Chicago. You always
remember your first and it was great doing a huge free outdoor event for my
hometown sponsored by the city.

You’ve worked with a lot of different people, how do you choose who to
work with and what to create?

I generally work with people who are as passionate about house/techno music as I am.

You’ve got the Friends Forever residency launch coming up, what have you
got planned for your birthday celebration?

I’ve got fun, fun and more fun planned for my birthday party. I’m having some special
guest appearances and I’m creating a very special dj set for the occasion.

Given your years of clubbing, what makes the perfect night out for Curtis
Jones?

The perfect night for me consists of being on the guest list, good music, a good sound
system and a room filled with happy dancing people.

How have you noticed the dance scene grow over your career?

The dance scene is definitely bigger now. When I started listening to the music in the 80s
it was a very underground scene. But people like Daft Punk, David Guetta, and Tiesto
have truly changed all that.

Over the years you have covered some pretty heavy topics, how much
emphasis do you place on educating and informing your audience?

I’m a entertainer and I like to inform people in an entertaining way. This allows me to
make the heavy topics feel not so heavy and I can freely talk about life as I see it.

You’ve grown into a dance music messenger, where do you see your music and
your message going in the future?

I see my message continuing to spread like wild fire… love is the message.