There are plenty of talented DJ’s out there, but can you think of any that team up to do choreography during their sets, are openly gay… and twins? I think it’s safe to say that Doug and Derek, the Perry Twins, are one of a kind.
Originally from Rhode Island, the LA based duo grew up with parents in a band, so their love for music blossomed as they grew.
“Our parents had a rock band and would be practicing in our basement every Thursday night. Seeing them perform really got us into it as kids. Other kids parents were telling them to turn the music down and our parents were always turning it up. They taught us about different instruments, performing, stage presence Watching MTV and seeing Janet Jackson and Madonna, we would try and copy their movements from watching their videos. We started in talent shows in school and that is what started it,” Derek said. “We first started dancing in classes as kids. We always gravitated towards dancing, and started our own dance troop in college, choreographing and performing in nightclubs. At the same time we started DJing at our College radio station and then at nightclubs. We were doing things separately and really into the mixing and DJing.”
The two then decided to team up, Derek explained.
“A couple of years ago we decided to DJ together. They had started putting DJs on stage more and we started moving around and it seemed like people would get into it and we would get more energy from the crowd. So we started doing choreographed dance routines and noticed it got an even more positive reaction. A lot of DJs just stand there with the headphones on looking down, but I like seeing the DJ clapping and getting into it. People think it is a novelty thing, but sometimes we won’t be on stage so they can hear the music but not see the show and we get positive feedback from that. It is about the music, it is not just a gimmick, people enjoy the music too.”
“It is really cool that we get to work together,” adds brother Doug. “We have a lot of fun and work so well together. That encourages us to really get into the DJing and incorporate the choreography and other elements. It helps that there are two of us. There are a couple of other twin DJ acts but not any dancing and adding other things. It is fun to do something different and unique and helps us stand out. It is a tough job, there are only so many gigs to book and everyone wants to book them. It is cool that it helps us stand out and we are lucky to share the same interests. We are very similar and compliment each other.”
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine chatted with the boys separately, but the amusing thing about interviewing twins is they tend to say the same things! We asked if the bond of being twins was made stronger by both being gay.
“I had assumed that everyone kind of knew when I was growing up and that whatever I was my brother was the same way. We never really talked about it. When he came out of the closet, he had just assumed I was too. We were lucky in that our parents were very supportive and loving and accepting, which not everybody gets to have,” Derek recalled. “We were lucky to have each other, to go through it with someone else who was going through the same thing and we could talk about it. A lot of people go through it alone.”
“We do have a special bond. He is my best friend as corny as that is. We spend so much time working together, it is good that we get along so well,” added Doug. “It always helps to have someone going through the same thing. We are so fortunate to have each other and have experienced so many of the same things through our lives. With coming out, we are the lucky people that our friends and family didn’t make it a major issue. I had always thought that people knew we were gay anyway, I was surprised when people said they didn’t know.”
Being out and proud has its pros and cons, but both feel the good outweighs the bad.
“I am not sure if it has been a negative except that maybe there are…closed-minded straight people or closeted people who don’t want to go to a gay club. Positive, we get to connect and play the music that we are really into, and the gay audiences are so much more fun and awesome. Straight audiences are too but we are lucky that being gay we can immerse ourselves in that culture and enjoy it to the fullest,” Doug said. “We love doing pride festivals. The support is great. Sometimes you will hear things like ‘gay people are so competitive’ and don’t want to support other gay people. Some people can be catty but for the most part everyone is so happy, especially at pride festivals. The energy, it is a big celebration and so much fun. We love doing that. If we were straight, most straight DJ’s don’t get the opportunity to do that kind of thing. It is good to have a variety of different DJ’s or entertainers but when I go to a pride festival or gay club I really enjoy seeing an openly gay performer or DJ. I think that people appreciate it. …One thing that does bug me in the entertainment world is when I see people who are closeted and aren’t supportive, but they will take the money from gay audiences and jobs away from openly gay artists.”
Derek agreed, adding that the support of the gay community is vital.
“We couldn’t do this without the gay community. We appreciate it so much. It is a lot of things, that is where dance music comes from and gets well known, in the gay clubs and spreads out from there. People like Lady Gaga started doing things like the White Party and the New York club scene and it blew up from there. The LGBT community knows what is going on, especially with dance music and that type of thing. They always find that the gay crowds give so much energy and are so into it and dancing, having so much fun. So Pride festivals and gay clubs are places we like to perform.”
I know what you are thinking. Here is a couple of talented, very good looking gay guys who happen to be twins. Well, you aren’t alone in your dirty thoughts, although both twins said that it is rare that anyone ever actually says anything of that nature to them. The pair had the exact same response (it’s a twin thing!) when asked about indecent proposals.
“People don’t really come up to us and ask for things, after a gig we will find out that people will ask our friends things. We don’t do what they are asking for! …Our parents come to a lot of gigs and I guess people don’t always know its our Dad and will say things to him. He just lets it fly off his back because he is open minded and has a good sense of humor so things don’t phase him. People have come up with some interesting propositions which we have never acted on. I don’t understand it, I say to people ‘would you do something with your brother or sister?’ probably not, but I guess twins are different. We say no to twincest,” said Derek.
”That is true, we don’t. I know with twins it is something you hear a lot about that people are interested in,” agreed Doug. “I have heard of twins who do that sort of thing but we don’t. It probably would have been beneficial for our careers if we did, who knows?!”
The Perry Twins current single Bad Bad Boy is on the billboard charts. The pair had Canadian dates scheduled this summer, visit their website for details.
The Perry Twins, www.perrytwinsmusic.com
