Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Spence.
Danny, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Austin during the 90’s, a very different time in the city’s history. Its “weirdness” was a palpable reality and not just a saying. Hippy culture was dominant and local music was integral. As a kid, my mom played a lot of Motown around the house. 90’s Hip Hop/R&B raised me. I played trombone mandatorily but didn’t find my instrument until I was introduced to the turntable in high school.
In 2003, 15 year old me started DJing and never stopped. During college, I cut my teeth playing local clubs and doing radio in Lawrence, KS. I returned home to Austin and founded a DJ collective in 2011: Austin Boogie Crew (ABC), comprised of members DJCG (Chicken George), Chorizo Funk, Danbone, Cyrus D, and Spence (myself). The birth of ABC coincided with the launch of “The Boogie,” an 80’s funk dance party still going strong in both Austin (at Nickel City) and Los Angeles.
We expanded ABC into a Modern Funk record label in 2014. Since then, we’ve released 12 singles, five albums/EPs, and moved over 10,000 vinyl records on a completely independent basis. I’m proud to be CEO of a Black owned business in a music industry shaped by the artistic contributions and influence of our community where only 7.5% of music executives are Black.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nowadays, boogie/disco influence is EVERYWHERE in pop music again. Look at Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Dua Lipa. However, when we started playing 80’s funk in 2011 Austin, that sound was not popular at all. Most folks didn’t get it and our early nights were almost comedically under attended. We got booted from 3 different venues until we found a consistent home at Plush (R.I.P.). From there, we gradually built a following and people opened up to the sound.
From a record label standpoint, our first couple of releases sold out, which was incredible, but also fooled us into believing that would happen with all of them going forward. Learning how to correctly gauge the right amount of records to press for a given release is a process.
Early in my time as CEO, I had difficulty not micro-managing everything. It was rooted in grief (the loss of my mom at age 23) and the desire to have control over something tangible. I learned that it’s an ineffective and off-putting leadership style. I had to learn the value of working collectively and how much energy that adds to anything creative. I also made the mistake of being too nice and not assertive enough. In some situations, the line between professionalism and friendship got mixed up and I over-extended myself/made compromises I wish I hadn’t.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Behind the turntables I have a smooth, mix-oriented approach with a splash of turntablism. I’m pretty genre fluid as long as it’s got soul: 80’s Boogie, Modern Funk, Disco, R&B, UK Street Soul, City Pop, Synth Pop, New Wave, New Jack, Hip Hop. 99% of the time, I spin vinyl over Serato. Not because of antiquated old man-ness, but because I love records and have been collecting them most of my life.
I also produce and write songs. As a rapper, I draw strong influence from Southern acts like UGK and Outkast. I’ve released numerous solo efforts and collaborative projects, touring in Japan and the States in the process. Since 2015 I’ve been happy to call L.A. home. I operate a branch of The Boogie here with DJ Ghost.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Sharing the music I love, bringing people together, dancing with abandon, making memories collectively, uplifting others, leaving behind a musical legacy for future generations to scrounge up in record bins and nerd out to.
Contact Info:
- Email: austinboogiecrew@gmail.com
- Website: https://austinboogiecrewrecords.bandcamp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinboogiecrew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinboogiecrew
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AustinBoogie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AustinBoogieCrew
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/austinboogiecrew
