WINSLOW PORTER, D.J.

Dec
10


YOU WERE ASKED BY OPENING CEREMONY TO CREATE THE NEW STORE MIX. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT AND WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION?

When my DJ partner Johnny Cocco (his real birthname) and I were working on a mix two summers ago, we had this captivating 30 minute chunk of all-girl alternative music from the 80’s and 90’s. We were like “why don’t we do an entire mix that is just female artists?” That mix turned into a one year-long journey of curating over 150 female artists for 4, 1 hour long mixes, each with their own vibe.

My inspiration also came from living in the room next to my older sister. My father ran a radio station in the 80’s and early 90’s so she always had the radio on or records, tapes and CD’s, blasting the current hits, many of them from the divas of the day.

After hearing the first 2 mixes, Opening Ceremony asked us to come up with a mix especially for them. We still had a 3rd mix to create for our site, so we saved the best diva jams for their mix, and its been trending pretty well in the fashion community.

WE MET YOU AT A RECENT EVENT ON THE ROOF AT THE GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL. WHERE CAN ONE MOST OFTEN FIND YOU AND WHERE DO YOU MOST WANT TO BE FOUND?
I often do special events all around the city, and often times outside. I have DJed Andre Balazs daughter’s prom party at his upstate estate. It was in such a remote location, that the GPS stopped working. I have DJed at numerous clubs and bars around the city, including Avenue, Cipriani’s Wall Street, Bowery Hotel, The Montauk Club, Anchor Bar, Santos Party House, 200 Orchard to name a few. I also work as an experiential producer for Barbarian Group, so I generally prefer special events over DJing at a club until 4:30 in the morning.

DO YOU USUALLY WORK ALONE OR DO YOU LIKE COLLABORATION?
When I DJ out I generally do it alone, although it is nice to spin with a partner, allows you to get food, meet new people and it always makes bathroom breaks less of a juggling act. However for the Chicks with Hits Mix series, I worked very closely with Johnny Cocco. We spent many many hours/days/weeks on the mix,going through dozens of iterations. Sometimes laying the groundwork for large sections of the mix only to tear it up and start all over again. Ears can often hear things differently depending on ones mood/mental state. Cocco and I recently played the mix out live at La Esquina in Williamsburg. We have also been approached to DJ the mixes across Canada. We’ll see how that unfolds.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Joy for me is a hot bath, a jazz record from the early 70’s and a pepper turkey sandwich. Perhaps also a plate of Glidden Point, Maine, oysters, but in no particular order.
Joy in a more abstract sense, is having people enjoy my mixes and music. I also produce music as well.
COMB OR BRUSH?
I generally go with the comb. When I travel I like to pack as light as possible.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
Yes I do. Winslow Turner Porter III is a pretty uncommon name. Only 3 of us so far, ha! A few people have already named their boys Winslow, after hearing my name, and it seems as though there are a few more considering it. People don’t always get it right. One place where I DJ one of the bartenders calls me Winston and the other calls me Wilson. I have learned to accept that not everyone can remember it.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: MY AGE IS…………….
A funny thing. 31 is just around the corner, but I remember when I was 9, like it was yesterday. I got my first tape cassette, Jane Child.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
Great question. Why are you making something good?
I will probably go to Maison Premier for their oyster happy hour and then head to the Meatball Shop on Bedford Ave, for some of their season lamb meatballs with a side of pesto. Pretty amazing.
Check out Winslow’s work at www.chickswithhitsmix.com