If you were one of the lucky partiers who made it through the massive lineup outside and into the Pint for HoneyPot Production’s first foray into Calgary, then you likely found yourself dancing the night away to the delicious beats of San Diego’s own DJ Shane Stiel. Stiel was here for the Wild Pride event that took place last August, Not one to jump on the current mainstream EDM bandwagon, Stiel took time out from his hectic touring schedule to express his thoughts on what is currently missing from the electronic dance scene and its musical offerings, his future plans – including relocating and stepping away from the decks and into the studio – and his time spent in Calgary.

GC: Can you tell us a little bit about your past and your upbringing?

SS: Ever since I came out of my mothers’ womb I knew I was destined to be a DJ! Just kidding. I was born in Colorado in June of 1980. My upbringing was one of a lot of love, and I was continuously surrounded by music. My parents were not rich but not poor either. They worked extremely hard to provide the best for my sister and I. A lot of [my] hard work and determination I learned from my parents. My mother has shared stories with me that they had to do the most odd jobs in order to send us to school and have a happy life. My mother worked so hard at the bank that she went from a position as a teller to a vice president position without ever receiving a college degree. My dad was a car salesman and extremely good at it. He worked numerous hours in order to make sure we had food on our plates every night at dinner. Now that is hard work! I was the typical kid: played baseball and soccer, played the trumpet and French horn, and also sang in choir. I loved music so much and it showed. I just wish I still had that Michael Jackson record player that I used to listen to 45s with! As a teenager I enjoyed hanging with friends, learning to drive, and also attending raves, which my mom called "boom boom music". All in all I had a wonderful upbringing full of love, respect and learning how to become the man I am today.

GC: Where were all the places you moved around to growing up? What made you finally decide to choose San Diego as your home base?

SS: We moved around a lot as I grew up until we finally settled in Lakewood, Colorado in 1991. I lived there for about 11 years until my family decided they wanted to live in a very small town called Lewellen, Nebraska. This was a town with a population of only 280 people. This was a huge change for me, but an extremely good lesson to completely appreciate the things I had, and the lessons I learned as a child. I moved there because I had to take a break from the rave scene and figure out my life as an adult. I chose to join the Navy and clean my life up a bit. Once I joined I successfully graduated from boot camp with high honours and proved to my parents, as well as myself, that the lessons I learned from them really sunk in. I was then shipped off to the beautiful city of San Diego, California as an aviation electrician at a helicopter squadron and attached to the U.S.S. Lincoln aircraft carrier. I was honourably discharged in 2008 and moved back to Denver for a short time before returning to San Diego after an extremely cold and snowy winter. Now I am planning on moving from San Diego to Los Angeles.

GC: I understand you first got into electronic music going to raves in Denver at the age of 15. What was it about the rave scene that first drew you into it, and how did you handle yourself being around a somewhat older crowd?

SS: Yes I got into the rave scene at 15 years of age, which some might think is quite young. However I always associated myself with an older demographic, but there were also kids my age as well. What drew me in was the sense of love and unity that you experienced at these parties. Everyone knew each other and everyone cared about each other just the same. Peace, love, unity and respect – or PLUR – was what we were all about. Being [that] my astrological sign [is] Cancer, I found the community and energy around me matched what I believed in. I believe that a lot of that good energy is lost in the events these days, which is quite sad to see. It wasn’t about being commercial or trying to be the hottest person there; it was about having a good time to music that we all shared a special bond with. I would give anything to go back to those days and live them once again.

GC: Do you ever spin at parties now and see 15-year-olds dancing to your music?

SS: I don’t really see many of the younger generation at my events, as they are mostly 21 and up events. I go to the occasional "massive" and see the young kids and think to myself, when I see the girls, did their parents approve of the way they look?. It has turned into who-looks-the-skankiest and Jersey Shore fist pumping. The uniqueness is lost, but when I find that rare dancer that is popping and liquid dancing I give him or her much props on keeping it real.

GC: You were dating a woman for a long time before you came out and became a DJ. When did you come out, and did you find it hard to come out while you were still serving in the US Navy?

SS: I was dating a few women before I came out – poor girls! LOL! Although I did not fully come out until I came to San Diego and sought it out. My first club I went to, as an out gay man, was Rich’s in San Diego. Boy was that a time in my life I would never forget. I was so nervous, and immediately ran up to the closest bartender to get a drink. His name is Kekoa, if that is how you spell it. He was so sweet and had the biggest smile on his face. I immediately was drawn to him and he introduced me to a lot of people I still call friends today. At first I was afraid to be out and in the Navy but I quickly found a large amount of gays in San Diego who were also in the military that I could relate to. I never actually came out to my commands but they knew and didn’t care in the slightest. I did my job and did it well so they never said anything. In fact, over time, many of them joined me at the gay bars and enjoyed being part of my lifestyle.

GC: Do you think the American military has come a long way since the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell? Or is it still, in your opinion, often a very homophobic institution?

SS: It is hard to answer this question as I was already out of the Navy once that ridiculous law was abolished. As I stated before, I never had any issues, however I know many people whom were either discharged for being gay or used being gay to get out of the Navy themselves. I think that the military is somewhat still homophobic, but not based on a written standard, but in the mindset of many of the military members who do not agree with our lifestyle. Although I think this younger generation is growing up to be more comfortable with the gay lifestyle, and that should help to change the way things are currently in the military.

GC: For those who may not have heard you play before, tell us a little bit about your sound. People might be surprised to learn that you’re not the biggest fan of the current EDM that has become so mainstream.

SS: I originally started playing progressive trance and eventually developed into house. Currently I spin a variation of styles, from house to tribal to circuit to tech house. I like to keep it unique and interesting so that everyone can enjoy himself or herself. I am not a fan of EDM and I have been involved in many debates about this. The acronym EDM spelled out is electronic dance music. There are many genres of electronic dance music, and I believe a lot of those genres have been lost once this EDM culture came about. I have found it quite sad that many of the DJs and producers I once loved before have sold out of their original styles to play this form of music in order to play the big events and to make the big money. Now I know that I said that my sound transitioned from trance to house, but those are two separate forms of electronic dance music. Also when you go to these EDM events, as I said before, it’s nothing but a bunch of fist pumping, and I believe it has lost the whole feel of dance. I say this because, quite honestly, you cannot even dance to it at all. It’s just a bunch of shit noise that is way overproduced. I am a true house head at heart and I plan to remain loyal to my sound.

GC: Where would you like to see electronic sounds go moving forward? What do you think the future of electronic music will look like?

SS: Honestly it is hard to say where electronic music will go. Computers do everything digitally, so I suppose the sky is the limit. However I would like to see dance music come back to its roots. I would like to see the kids these days get a real experience [of] what the scene was like 15 plus years ago. Many of them have no understanding or respect for where this lifestyle was created from, and that would be a great education for them all.

GC: The progression from disco to house was a very important step in electronic music. House built upon disco but definitely took that sound in a novel direction. Do you find that the current genres of electronic music haven’t really evolved, or haven’t been as innovative? That trap and glitch and EDM are really just a slight variant of techno, dub, garage, breakbeat and house?

SS: I would say you are exactly right on that point. I can give you an example of an experience I had with this. There was once this amazing jungle DJ named Dieselboy that I once loved to see every time. Now jungle wasn’t my first choice in dance music, but I loved the way he used to throw down those records and create some of the most amazing sounds I have ever heard. A group of friends and I caught wind that he was performing here in San Diego recently at a venue called 4th and B. We were so excited and decided to go check it out. I was so excited to hear him and dance like I used to while listening to his sets. [But] the night was disappointing. He played nothing but dubstep to the fist pumpers that were in front of him. I was so pissed that we had to leave so I didn’t have to listen to that noise any longer. I give credit to Skrillex for creating a different sound but for Dieselboy to sell out to it was utterly disgusting. Disappointed!

GC: You have spoken before about moving from the DJ side of the industry into the production side. Can you give us an update on how that’s going and when/where we might be able to hear some Shane Stiel originals?

SS: Yes, I have been DJing for 16 years now and it is time for me to take it to the next level. This is why I am moving to Los Angeles, so that I can engulf myself around musicians, and really expand the creative genius that lives inside of me. I have a great deal of support as well from names such as Paulo, Abel and especially Alyson Calagna. I was going to attend a school to get some more education on it, but I have found someone that is going to teach me one-on-one. I’d rather spend $17,000 on an amazing studio than have to pay that off the rest of my life. I am planning on having my own original mixes out some time next year, so be on the lookout for my label, STIEL REKORDZ!

GC: Any artists you would really love to work with or remix, and why?

SS: Oh man that is a hard question. There are so many artists I would really love to work with. A few are Chus and Ceballos, Jerome Robins, Deko-ze, Hazzaro, Hot Since 82, Mark Knight and DJ PP. There are also a few singers I would love to work with including Lisa Shaw, Samantha James, Jes from Motorcycle, and my dear friend Luciana. I am looking forward to so much more in the future!

GC: As one of the most sought after DJs for gay parties and festivals right now, you have done a lot of traveling. Is that something you enjoy as opposed to a residency? Any places or parties you consider as favourite?

SS: I have been so very blessed with the travels and experiences I have had. I thoroughly enjoy the travel and getting to see friends in other cities, as well as spreading my love for music around the world. Although I travel a lot I still hold residency in a few clubs in the states including Beatbox in San Francisco, Hydrate in Chicago, and Heretic in Atlanta. I also loved being part of the legendary White Party in Palm Springs, One Mighty Weekend in Orlando, WILD in Vancouver, Lazy Bear, and the one and only gay and lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, Australia – to name a few. I have some huge announcements to make coming up for NYE and 2015, so people can keep their eyes open for that on my website and Facebook page.

GC: Did you enjoy playing Wild Pride? Any particular experiences or recollections from Calgary you remember most?

SS: Are you kidding me? I think you know that I had a blast that weekend. Gingerbear Todd and the HoneyPot Productions crew are some of my favourite people in the world and have become some of my best friends and supporters. Calgary was such a fun city, and the people there were quite lovely! I think my best experience there was the Friday night at The Pint for Wild Pride. Todd put together that event in only three weeks and it went off extremely successfully. I had such a fun time spinning that room and I sure hope everyone else did as well.

GC: For anyone who wants to check out your mixes and sets, where can they find you, both online and live, at upcoming gigs? If we ask nicely, would you consider coming back to Alberta again?

SS: Anyone who wants to hear me can go to my website at http://www.shanestiel.com as well as my SoundCloud page at http://soundcloud.com/djshanestiel. 2014 is wrapping up in Atlanta for HAUS OF STIEL with my wifey, the one and only beautiful bearded bitch Grace Towers! As far as my upcoming gigs for NYE, you will have to keep an eye on my site for 2015 to be announced! Let’s just say my future is looking quite like a Purple Pit Bull!

Thanks for having me Farley. BIG LOVE to all my Alberta haus hedz! Keep haus’n!