Jesse Walker
http://ncm.newcitymovement.com/
Gavin: Hey Jesse. First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Jesse: Well,
I'm a graphic designer by day and DJ by night. I've been obsessively into music
since I was very young and got into designing when I had to make my own flyers
for concerts and dance parties I organized in high school growing up in
Gavin: For
those who don't know, what is New City Movement?
Jesse: It
started as the name of my first party at the old Manhattan Club. The idea
behind it was us trying to imagine and then enable a kind of 'futurist' version
of
Gavin: What
were some of your early influences from music and art?
Jesse: Oh
boy. I guess I got introduced to dance and electronic music through pop culture
and the radio like the
Gavin: In your teen years you started making an impact on the
Jesse: My
high school band The Kirkyards put together a few Alternative Music Festivals
in
Gavin: What
made you want to come to
Jesse: It's
the Crossroads of the West! Actually, it was like my second city having grown
up in a Mormon family coming to church conference and visiting relatives here
so it felt quite natural. It always had a hint of the 'big city' but retained a
sense of community... oh, and values, I'm big on values. Plus the weather here
was ten degrees warmer all year round.
Gavin: You've
played a number of events as a DJ here. How did you get involved with
Sundance's Opening Night Galas?
Jesse: I was
asked the first time by my friend Gary Vlasic, an amazing event planner and
local artist who was handling the event. Different people from the organizing
board contacted me in the years following that. I got to meet Todd Oldham last
time in
Gavin: You also performed for the 2002 Olympics. How did that
opportunity come about?
Jesse: Again,
wonderful people who knew me and and liked my music pushed for me. It was a
great opportunity, and a cold one.
Gavin: You also participate in a lot of local events like Gay Pride and
the Utah Arts Festival. How do you keep up with all the events that come
though?
Jesse: Ha! My
close friends know how stressed out I get when I have more than three things
going at once. But I guess I feed off the excitement and the challenge of
making things come out just right. I love exposing people to the music I love.
Gavin: How
did it feel winning the Best DJ award from City Weekly this year?
Jesse: I felt
like going to
Gavin: How do you decide what you're going to write and post about?
Jesse: It has
to be something that I really want to share with people and 'pass on' if you
will. The website revolves around my love for music, design, art and fashion,
but I try to stray away from the predictable. I also love to highlight things
that are making
Gavin: Has it
been a struggle to keep it going over the years?
Jesse: I
wouldn't call it a struggle. I lose interest for short periods - like with
anything. Also, XMission stepped in a few years back to provide hosting for
which I'm eternally grateful. Buy XMission services today!
Gavin: You
hit the ten year marker this year, which is impressive how most sites like
yours don't make it past five. Why do you think it's remained so popular over
the years?
Jesse: I
guess I just stuck it out somehow. Because I'm a giver. I give and then I give
some more.
Gavin: Were
you ever tempted to quit on it, or was there always a drive to keep it running?
Jesse: Yes,
but this is the world we live in. Interwebs are the future and NCM is all about
that.
Gavin: Now that you've hit this milestone, are there any plans to add or
change what you normally do with it, or keep doing what works for you?
Jesse: Who
knows? Maybe I'll get off my butt and learn to program again but I doubt it.
Gavin: What
can we expect from you this next year?
Jesse: I'm
going to be working on some music with my friend and music producer Dan Morris
soon. And at New City Movement will keep promoting the music we love for people
who want to hear it. House music will never die!
Gavin: Is
there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
Jesse: Our NiteLite parties at W. Lounge are on the 3rd Saturdays of
every month. If you haven't been you betta axe someone. Joe DiPadova from