ON THE RECORD: DJ TED GUSHUE

Known for his dapper digs and a distinguished choice in music, Ted Gushue has cemented his name in the DJ lineups of lower Manhattan’s most sought-after revelries. Gushue, buttoned up in Ralph Lauren, mixes together a harmonious blend of music with a downtown-meets-uptown crowd when he DJs. To learn about the man behind the decks, we sit down with this prep-about-town to find out what makes him tick.

How long have you been DJing for and what made you want to start mixing?
Since ’07, good buddy of mine in college had all the gear and none of the free time – conveniently I had the opposite problem and took it off his hands at a steal. We ended up DJing together through college, got to travel a bit with RedBull parties, was pretty easily hooked.

When putting together a mix, what is the style of music you are most drawn to and why?
I generally focus on continuity over style. To pick a style limits you, so I usually start with a song I can’t get out of my head and go from there. It forces me to find connections between tracks that would otherwise never end up together.

Do you have a song that you always open or close with and which?
To open I’ve always felt a gravity towards anything that Alan Braxe has touched. Likewise, INXS is always a great way to round out a set.

Everyone knows you as a man of fashion; does this influence the way you choose music?
They aren’t that different I suppose. People tend to buy clothes in the same way they discover music – they look for something intricate yet durable, timeless yet fashionable, exciting yet versatile. I’m no different really.

Besides being a man of fashion you are also known to have some fancy DJ’ing equipment, would you mind telling us about it?
The software guys over at Ableton Live teamed up with the hardware guys at Serato and created a really interesting way to do things live. I’ve been known to control the whole thing wirelessly with an iPad as well, makes a fun parlor trick to walk onto the dance floor while controlling the music.

What are you listening to these days?
New Black Keys album is almost too easy to put on. Otherwise I’m sad to say this, but Heavy D passing away reintroduced me to his album Living Large… incredible stuff.

Favorite party other than your own?
I have a hard time not enjoying myself at one of Franco V’s parties, likewise for Julian Ungano’s. If I’m out on a night off, I’m out to be with family. These guys are like family.

Any advice for those who want to be DJs in NYC?
The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes is deceiving. Anyone who’s good at anything makes it look easy, so just remember to apply the 80/20 rule when you see a DJ doing a 2 hour set. What you see in a club is just the tip of the iceberg.

When you are not DJing, where do you like to hang up your headphones?
It’s taken me 7 apartments in NYC to find one I’m proud to call home. I’m right off Union Square with a big skylight over my bed, can’t ask for much more.

Listen to GrandLife x Ted Gushue’s winter mix:

Grandlife x Ted Gushue Fall 2011 Minimix by GrandLifeHotels