DJ Leo Blanco spins at Furball
BY Tom Olah
Leo has performed as resident DJ at Privilege (Ibiza) the world ́s biggest venue and played in a big
variety of clubs and festivals around the world as The Week (Sao Paulo), We Party (Madrid), GSP
(Los Angeles), I:M Party (Seoul),Latin american Pride (Mexico City), Purple Party (Dallas), Destination(Beijing), Score (Miami), Deja-Vu (Sydney), Theatron (Bogota), Formosa Pride (Taipei), Gibus
(Paris), Muccassasina (Rome), MEAT (New York), Beyond(London), NY Club (Munich)... and
next stop Furball in Chicago during memorial day weekend. Leo took time out of his busyschedule to sit down with Grab to answer a few questions.
Tom Olah: How did you first get into DJing? What were your first gigs like?
Leo Blanco: It’s been awhile but I first got interested in DJing from watching other DJs during my
clubbing days. I’ve always loved music and was super excited and intrigued to know how it felt to spin
in a DJ booth.
TO: Do you have a connection to Chicago? Have you spun here before? Are you excited to spin here? Any special Chicago vibe?
LB: Chicago was one of the first cities I played in US and one of my favorites. Chicago is also the home
of House Music Frankie Knuckles, Derrick Carter. So there:s that as well as being super special for me to spin during such a major weekend like IML.
TO: What type of music do you
spin? Do you spin for gay or mixed
crowds? Are they different?
LB: I have different styles depending on the crowd. When I spin for Furball, I play more House and Tech House. When I’m requested for Circuit festivals or events, I play more Circuit and when I’m in one of my monthly residences as Mantamar in Puerto Vallarta, I deliver Afro House because this is a beach club in front of the sea and a day party, so I understand the type of vibe and music for a beach
resort spot.
TO: What DJ influenced you? Who
do you like now?
LB: I have had several DJs and producers who have influenced me, most of them from House Music.
TO: Have you spun at IML before? Do you have a connection to the
leather community?
LB: Nope. This will be my first time, and I am very excited!
TO: What have been some of yourfavorite gigs?
LB: Last year, Purple Party in Dallas, Formosa Pride in Taiwan, Furball in
New York, Jungle in Sao Paulo or Mantamar Pride in Puerto Vallarta, to mention some of
them.
TO: What’s it like being a straight DJ in the gay club
world?
LB: For me, there are no difference between gay or
straight people. I play for people and make them dance
and feel happy for a couple of hours independent of their
sexual orientation.
TO: How do you see your night spinning Furball IML,
What has been your experience spinning for Furball?
LB: Always when I play for Furball, it is special for me and
a challenge because I play all night long from open to
close. So it's a journey which I really love to feel. I have
mostly spun for Furball in New York. This time, being in
Chicago during IM, I think will be different because there
will be people from all over the country. I can’t wait to be
there.
TO: Anything else?
LB: Thanks for the interview and see you all at Furball IML
edition for a real journey.
You can catch Leo at Furball on Saturday night, May
25, 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., at Metro, 3730 N. Clark, 11:30
p.m. to 5 a.m. Tickets are available at www.metrochicago.com
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