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An interview with Justine Delaney, AKA Justine D
Professional DJ/Promoter
by Andy Shaw

I met Justine thirteen years ago at a ska show at Wetlands. She was sincere, stylish and a damn fine little rude girl. Since then, we've worked together, went to college together, and have been to scooter rallies, concerts and parties together. (Not to mention camping out overnight on the streets for Morrisey tickets.) Through it all we became great friends. I have watched her become a high profile DJ and a lovable and well-respected party promoter.

The first party Justine promoted for was ON! @ Life. Within a few months, she was managing the event. As a young scenester it was the perfect job for her. Her DJ career started as an accident. Justine had been a vinyl collector for years but five years ago at age 22, a friend asked Justine to spin with her. She very quickly became the resident DJ at Sway on Monday nights and had been spinning professionally ever since.

Andy Shaw: What do you love about NY?

Justine D: I love everything about NY. Excluding the yellow and grey snow we've had lately.

AS: You are a native New Yorker, which is rare. How do you feel about the NYC music and the party scene?

JD: I love NY as a whole and would never leave it for too long. We've been fortunate the past 2 years with the renaissance of bands in the NY Indy scene. However, the cops and venues are usually working against the promoters, making it a difficult task to have a smooth event. I wonder if it's like that around the world.

AS: As a promoter and party-goer myself, I see all different kinds of crowds coming and going. What's it like from a DJ / promoter's point of view? Obviously, you depend upon the crowds as much as I do.

JD: The crowd is eternally changing, there's a new crowd every 8-14 months., that keeps it fresh and usually exciting. Not to mention, young. It also seems hard drug use is down since a few years ago. I remember, kids snorting heroin 6 or 7 years ago at Make-Up shows. Kind of scary.

AS: How do you feel about Grass Roots street promo teams, ya know, the ones that are out there hustling?

JD: In terms of "street promo teams". A good one is hard to find. I've had lots of bad experiences with people never meeting up to promises or really just doing their job. Hopefully, with your company, that will all change. Shaw promotions is the most positive experience I've had with a promo team. Oh and a company named "Direction", a guy named Todd Kasten, he's amazing!


AS: Why are you in this business?

JD: I do what I do because it's the closest way I can be around music without being in a band. I'm not a musician but since I was 12, music has ruled my life. It's good to be in and create an environment based around musicÄmost satisfying and challenging. You can catch Justine's parties at Aktion at Lit on Friday nights, Tiswas (www.tiswasnyc.com) at Don Hills on Saturday nights and the infamous Motherfucker (www.motherfuckernyc.com) parties, plus many other side gigs.