Chances are the name Tim Sweeney rings a bell.  The prodigy DJ, who got his start spinning at the tender age of 16, and subsequently studied with pioneering turntablist Steinsk, has made a name for himself as a mixer and producer (working primarily with DFA Records) and has performed in countless overcrowded venues worldwide. 

But, if you haven’t caught the NYC-based Sweeney, 25, spinning abroad or locally at the likes of PS 1, APT, or, more recently, Studio B, and you’re not one of thousands tuning in to Beats in Space -- Sweeney’s Tuesday night WNYU radio program --  it’s about time you joined the bandwagon.  Your ears, and your booty, will thank you.

All aboard for a chat with the perpetually jetlagged DJ about the death of NYC‘s nightlife, fleeing the New Rave revolution, and the joys of studying celestial bodies: 

What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m updating the website with last week’s radio show.  I’m also working with Tim Goldsworthy from DFA as T&T on two 12”’s for a Japanese label, Mule Musiq.  We have one coming out in June – 1 side is an edit I did, and 1 side is a bootleg remix.  I’m also working on 2 original tracks for the 12” that’s coming out later in the year.  

That’s exciting.  You haven’t released much original material…
No, not too much.  I’ve worked on lots of things, but nothing that I’ve really put out.  I did the 7” with the producer Spank Rock a long time ago… back in 2000/2001.  I still have a box of them at home.  But, I want to do more of it. 

Is it a scary transition from mixing?
Yeah.  It’s a little scary, doing it all by yourself.  With DJ-ing, I can hide behind the records.  But doing my own stuff, I have to step it up.  It’s been a huge help working with Tim.  Even if I make something totally crappy, he can help produce it to make it sound good.  

I’m curious, how did you perfect your radio voice?
I hate my radio voice!  [Laughing] It’s really high-pitched.  I wish I had a much lower, sexy black man voice.  So, yeah, I didn’t work on it at all.  Except, when I first started… you end up saying ‘um’ a lot on the radio.  I worked on trying not to say ‘um’ so much.

A lot of DJ’s are going digital these days.  Have you ever thought about switching?
I’ve messed around a bit, but never switched.  It never felt that right to me… yet I guess.  Maybe in the future… 

How many records do you own?
I don’t know exactly.  I need to count them.  I probably have like 120 of these boxes filled with records.  I don’t know exactly how many each box fits.  Maybe 75?  [Around 9,000 records.]  It’s tough.  Space in NY is so limited.  The records start to take over. 

What’s your take on New Rave and all the hype it’s getting?  Is it almost over, or is this just the beginning?
[Laughs] I feel like it’s just the beginning. It’s gotten really popular, but I can’t really listen to it. It’s not my thing. I love old rave. And I just have a problem when things blow up so quickly. Maybe after all the dust has settled I can listen to it with a more open mind.  

Where is your favorite place to perform in the city?
I don’t know...  I don’t really have one.  I’ve been trying to find a smaller space where I could do my own night.  I’ve started looking around, but haven’t found anything quite right.  That’s why I’m a little frustrated. 

What do you think is lacking?
NY is really lacking in good venues to do parties.  Everything keeps getting shut down.  Everywhere is all about the bottle-service crowd.  It’s so expensive.  The owners of these places end up in so much debt getting a club going that once it’s open the only thing they care about is making money.  The art of having a good party, a good club, has been pushed away.  It’s a shame because of the history that NYC has.  I’d like to bring some of that back to New York.  

Out of anywhere in the world, what’s your favorite crowd to play for?
I love Glasgow.  I’m going there in May actually.  The Optimo guys are based there, so the people are so open-minded and knowledgeable about music.  They’ve really educated this crowd.  And the way the people respond is so great – they really get into the music.  You can’t find it in any other place. 

How do you stay fresh and innovative?
I focus on good music and not so much the latest trend.  Otherwise, people might like your stuff one year and then forget about you.  I want to keep doing this for a long time.  

What’s inspiring you right now?
Hercules and Love Affair, this group that’s coming out on DFA later this year.  It’s with Andy Butler and Antony from Antony and the Johnsons.  It just sounds so perfect right now – totally timeless.  With Antony’s voice there’s this quality of Arthur Russell meets Detroit House meets Chicago Techno meets NY 2007.  I also watch a lot of movies – a lot of John Carpenter films.  I like going out to clubs; seeing the crowds is always a huge inspiration.  David Mancuso’s The Loft party.  Every time I’ve been it’s been amazing.  It shows what NY was like back in the day.   

What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
I don’t know…  I knew really early on that I wanted to do music.  I was so set from the beginning on doing it.  Scoring films would be pretty amazing… but I guess that’s still music [laughing].  I did study astronomy for a while, hence the name of the radio show.  I loved looking at all the pictures.  But, that might be a little too nerdy…

~Alisa Gould-Simon

Hear It:
For more from Sweeney, including upcoming performances and weekly Beats In Space downloads and streams, check out www.beatsinspace.net
Catch Sweeney next at Black Disco Social Club’s party at LA’s The Mountain Bar, Friday, February 23^rd ($5 at the door – 10% will be donated to LA homeless shelter).
First Photo by Tim Soter