Each week, Billboard is polling club DJs, with venues shuttered due to the coronavirus.
With clubs closed across the country and Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart on hiatus, we’re asking reporting club DJs what they’ve been listening to lately, while at home, of course.
This week, we spoke with New England-based DJ Danny Diggz; Chicago’s Timmy Loop; and Houston’s Joe Ross.
Danny Diggz
Danny Diggz (real name Daniel Wilcox) has been enjoying Ship Wrek’s “Energy.” “It’s just so good,” Diggz tells Billboard. “It’s actually having a resurgence lately to the extent a bootleg I did has even made it to the sets of bigger DJs like Skrillex and The Chainsmokers!”
The Connecticut-native Diggz, who misses spinning at his nightclub residencies at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. and at Down in Boston, also shines a light on Kids In America’s “Summer Of Love,” featuring The Griswolds (Max Styler remix). The DJ raves, “Max’s production is top notch all around, and he’s been a favorite of mine since his 2018 jam ‘Feel it.’ This remix is right up there with his best work, featuring tons of energy and an incredibly memorable piano riff!”
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Diggz, who mixes up bootlegs on his ‘Then and Now Show,’ heard on the first Friday of each month at 9 p.m. ET on SiriusXM’s Diplo’s Revolution channel, has also been into 4Korners, Ashton Adams and Kyngs’ “Tell Me.” “Brand new tune from my friend 4Korners and it’s a vibey one! Instantly heard the sultry R&B-reminiscent vocals and baseline, and knew I’d be listening to this one nonstop,” Diggz dishes.
Timmy Loop
Timmy Loop (real name Tim Skruch) has been loving Ron Carroll and Alex Kosoglaz’s “Don’t You Worry” (Full Intention remix). “Ron delivers a stellar vocal throughout this soulful concoction,” Loop tells Billboard. “The song’s message about not worrying will truly inspire along its journey to believe in love. Veteran remix team Full Intention (Michael Gray and Jon Pearn) brings its signature soulful disco-esque style and features a rich and lush bassline that wraps around a catchy beat and funky melody. Full Intention’s muscle groove along with Ron’s vocals and Alex’s production will keep you groovin’ and put a smile on your face.”
Loop, who was accustomed to DJing at his longtime residency, Atmosphere, in the Andersonville area of Chicago, among other local venues, has also been into Doja Cat’s “Like That,” featuring Gucci Mane (timothy.charles remix). The DJ explains, “Timothy’s remix takes the original and flips it on its head, bringing a deep house synth vibe to the table and giving Doja’s voice an almost haunting feel. It’s the perfect mix for a late-night twirl in your living room, or anywhere.”
“Like” leaps to new peaks on the current Rhythmic Songs (8-7) and Pop Songs (22-19) charts.
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Additionally, Loop, who remixes under his own name and his Nitemover alias (including Aki Starr’s “Treasure of My Heart”), extols the virtues of Troye Sivan’s “Easy.” “Troye dives in full force with his story of heartbreak and how others seem to get by easy. The ‘80s style synth-pop sound and sharp snare drums really bring out this slick production, and Troye’s vocals bring emotion in all the right places,” Loop says.
Joe Ross
Joe Ross relates that FISHER’s “Freaks” has commanded his attention lately. “FISHER’s production quality is so crisp and punchy,” Ross tells Billboard. “I really enjoy all of his work. His ‘Losing It’ was such a defining moment in dance music and really solidified his name for clubgoers. If clubs were open currently I’d be playing ‘Freaks’ in all of my sets.”
In April, “Freaks” found its way to No. 22 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and to No. 12 on Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales. “Losing It” lead Dance Club Songs in December 2018.
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Ross, who would normally be playing at Houston nightclubs Rebar, Rosemont and The Eagle, also shares that Mark Knight and Tuff London’s “Don’t Give Up,” featuring Cagney & Lacey (extended mix) is one of his favorite new tracks. The DJ reports, “Everything that Mark Knight’s name is on is gold to me. I’m also a really big fan of Tuff London. This is quite simply just a great house track.”
Additionally, Ross reveals that he’s been into Basement Jaxx’s “Red Alert” (The Cube Guys remix). “The Cube guys did such a great job with this Classic,” Ross relays. “’Red Alert’ was originally released in 1999. I occasionally would play the original in my sets but now that The Cube Guys have remixed it I will be playing theirs.”
Indeed, the original “Alert” was the first of four leaders for Basement Jaxx, topping Dance Club Songs just about 21 years ago, on August 14, 1999.