Representing opposing sides of the spectrum, Kristin Sanchez (DJ, producer, engineer) and Desereé Fawn Zimmerman (drums, guitar, vocals) comprise one dynamic and diverse whole in Dance Loud. Acclaimed by Chicago Tribune and sharpened into a live force via countless shows since their 2008 formation, the pair push the full potential of this union on their 2020 independent full-length debut, The Moment.
“Duality seems to be a constant theme in our life together,” says Sanchez. “We’re each other’s creative opposite. Desereé is a total metalhead with jazz and gospel roots. I’ve always been into bouncy club music and started out as a Latin and soulful DJ. When you put us together, you get Dance Loud.”
The Chicago Tribune writes: “The tandem’s live performances are a joy to behold. Sanchez’s beats build and build on the dance floor like any good house music set, then Zimmerman joins the production, adding layers of intricate drum rhythms that both complement and contrast with the synths. The result is all of the vivacity of a live concert, with the simple euphoria of a dance floor.”
How long have you been creating your art?
I (Desereé) began playing the guitar when I was seven years old. At ten, I started playing drums in the school band all the way through college. Vocals was something I recently picked up because I knew if I wanted a future in music, I’d have to give it everything I had to give, not just a part of myself musically.
Kristin has a very different upbringing. She was more interested in electronics in general, with her dad being an electrical tech, and happened to be an audiophile. She started wiring speakers and rigging light fixtures, in the fifth grade, in her bedroom creating surround sound where she’d sit in the middle and indulge on the sonic fidelity of her favorite songs. She started sneaking out at night, during high school, to go to an underage gay club and was introduced to house music there. There is a funny story where she told the promoter “I want to DJ for the night” and the promoter said, “I didn’t know you knew how to DJ.” Kristin said “I don’t but I’ll learn!” So she did. She maxed out her credit cards on turntables and records and continued to study audio engineering in college.
Where are you from? How does that influence your art?
Kristin is from inner city Chicago and grew up loving pop, R&B, Hip-Hop and alternative rock until she was introduced to house music. House music is the first form of electronic music that was invented in Chicago. Old school DJs and producers were chopping up old disco tracks in their basements to create tracks to spin at a place called the Warehouse. That’s where house music got its name. The Warehouse was a dry, all ages club for gay and multi-racial people to go and be able to dance all night into the morning hours. House music has strong roots in the gay community!
I (Desereé) was born and raised in a small farming town in southern Illinois. My roots came from mostly rock, folk and metal. The rave scene started to develop and I was introduced to techno. I moved to Chicago for art school and that’s where I was introduced to house music and never looked back. Our music has hints of our roots in it but is mostly based around house and what house stands for! “Not everyone understands house music; it’s a spiritual thing, a body thing, a soul thing.” Song lyrics by Eddie Amador.
What are you currently working on or recently finished?
We recently finished an eight song album and are currently promoting it’s release. The album is called “The Moment” and the vinyl is coming out May 1 and will be coming out digitally on June 5.
What is your inspiration? And why?
Inspiration is all around us at all times being human. When we first planned on creating an album we wanted to create club bangers! When I started laying vocals down and Kristin was writing the lyrics, the songs quickly came from a place of emotion and frustrations living within society norms. Our album became a mirror for the world to look into in order to see the problems we as a society have created for one another.
Why is music important to the queer community?
Music is extremely powerful! It’s like magic in a way, it’s invisible but can alter an emotion within seconds. For me, with every emotion I’ve ever felt, there was a song to accompany it. Music is frequency and vibration which can heal. We are vibrational creatures, it only makes sense that music helps humans. Tone is an extension of us and our environment.
What do you hope to achieve as an artist?
We have major goals to have our music synced with film. The music business isn’t set up to be financially lucrative. If you look at major label artists, they have their investments spread among several industries. For us, we’d like to be seen as reputable engineers and producers. Two percent of the music industry is made up of women and we’d like to see more coming from a woman’s or feminine perspective.
Top 3 Major Influences.
Kaskade, Pink Floyd and Cajmere.
Finish: Art is….
An extension of reality.
How can we all support your work, talent and gift?
For any artist, the way to support is free. Sharing, liking, following socials and commenting is the way to support. Indie artists don’t have the $250,000 typical budget to promote their music like major labels, creating the algorithms. Every follow and share is the best help anyone could ask for. Word of mouth is the best marketing. If you are feeling extra supportive, our vinyl album is available on our website at https://danceloudmusic.com.
