Besides his moniker, Wylie also shares something else with a boob tube star. Just like George Jefferson, he's moved on up from his days at the Hidden House spinning alongside Al Page in favor of rocking the record decks at joints like the Stone Rose Lounge and Blue Martini.
Name: Noah Wylie
Club night(s): On Fridays I'm at the Stone Rose Lounge out in Scottsdale. That's a little more laidback, more of a lounge thing where I do everything from classic rock, deep house, soul music and stuff like that. I definitely try to keep that a little classy. On Saturdays, I'm at Blue Martini at City North in Scottsdale, which is the busiest night I play. I go there to dance and party and do all the electro-house remixes of classic songs everybody knows and all the new stuff coming out. And I'll be at Wicked Wednesdays at Club Red in Tempe starting on September 30.
Preferred genre(s): When I first started it was definitely more of underground hip-hop, downtempo, jazz influenced stuff, and punk. Now that I'm playing in more of the trendy clubs, I definitely prefer the electro-house remixes, the up-tempo, and anything with high energy that makes people dance.
Do you ever get shit over your name? Not really. I just get interesting reactions from people who see my name and they say, "I know you", and they think they've heard of me before. I met some guys one time who thought that I chose that as a DJ name just because it was kinda an off-the-wall thing, but I said, 'No, that's actually my name."
How did you get your start as a DJ: Back in high school I was just a music collector and started doing my high school dances. I actually got out DJing for awhile when I went to college. Then I moved out to LA and met some DJs like the Soul Science Crew, DJ Destro, Ben Diggins, and Inca One. They're pretty big out there, but no one out here has heard of them. Played with them for awhile and they turned me back on to DJing so when I came back to Phoenix it was my main goal. The Hidden House gave me my first opportunity to get back into the DJing game here, just playing there and hustling, that's really how I got to be where I'm at right now.
Which do you prefer -- spinning in a bar like the Hidden House, or in a hotel lounge at the Fairmont Princess or even an upscale chain place like Blue Martini? Personally, if money weren't an issue, I would still be at the Hidden House. Back then it was all about playing music I personally enjoy and listen to on a daily basis. It was a lot more fun, but that isn't an option for me right now. I've done the background music thing playing in lounges and restaurants and that can be fun, but it does get a little bit boring after awhile. I want to play places where people are there to dance and have a good time.
Are you more of a Scottsdale kinda guy then? Not so much, since I DJ there outta necessity really. I would definitely see myself as more of a Phoenix type of person, since I'm from there and I'm much more into that scene personally as far as the music goes. But when it comes time to work, it's really about the Scottsdale bars, that's where the money is. I've developed my sound to where its what [club owners] are looking for so that I can go there and make a living at DJing.
Ever been called a sell out: For me this is more of a career choice than a job. As thing progress, I'm maybe looking forward to doing some more things in Old Town and getting my name out there a little bit more. But really it's all about consistency, places that are willing to bring you on a long period of time and pay your bills, that is really what I am working for than anything.
What's a pet peeve you have about the local scene? One of the main problems I see in the whole Phoenix area is that people won't travel more than a few miles to go anywhere. I have a hard time bringing my friends from the Tempe area of Old Town all the way up to Blue Martini. They don't wanna drive that far because of the DUI laws and there's probably a bar that's cool right next to their house that is still there.
When I lived in LA, everything was 30 minutes away so people didn't mind driving here and there to go places, to go to bars and stuff. In Phoenix, people don't want to go out of their realm or travel too far or don't want to try new things. They like the same things, typical stuff. They would rather stay home and drink beer as opposed to going to see a cool band or DJ that's at a bar they wouldn't normally go to.
Best experience as a DJ: I definitely had some good nights at the Hidden House. The great thing about that place is that everybody there feels the vibe. It's a small room but when you've got the place packed, everybody from front to back is feeling every song you play and everyone is having a good time. It just makes you feel good.
And the worst? There's been many a time where you play at clubs and it goes completely empty. There was also a situation where my computer froze in the middle of a gig one night, which sucked. It's been pretty smooth sailing other than that.
Biggest pet peeve as a DJ: I would have to say the lack of respect people have for DJs. Everyone thinks they know what you should play so they come up and tell you what to play. And also that you don't know what you are doing, that they can do your job, your job is easy. What they don't realize is that it is a particularly difficult position to be in, that you are thinking about the masses and not just the individual. That
Last album purchased: Brownswood Bubblers Vol. 4, a compilation album put together by Giles Peterson which has more of the stuff that I like.
Track that's been stuck in your head lately: "Outta Control" by Baby Bash gets stuck in my head alot lately.
