She Spins It
Quick Stats:
Name: Nicole Rose Stillings aka DJ Rosé
Occupation: DJ
Number of years in NY: Six
Originally from: St. Louis
Current neighborhood: Chelsea
Occupation: DJ
Number of years in NY: Six
Originally from: St. Louis
Current neighborhood: Chelsea
When did you first start DJ'ing?
I started disturbing the peace about 4 years ago in my quiet studio in the West Village. Now, I've been playing professionally full time for a year.
What did you do before that?
Why did you decide to become a DJ?
Who is your favorite emerging artist?
Probably Banks at the moment.
How would you describe your DJ style of music?
Sexy, chic and energetic. A mix between disco, dance and deep house, sprinkled with current hits and craved throwbacks.
What kind of equipment do you use?
Serato is my lifeline. Turntables are a nice accoutrement.
How long does it take you to prepare for a set?
However long it takes me to set the mood.
What do you think about when preparing for each set?
I put myself in the crowd and I think about what I would want to hear/see/feel when attending that event.
Who is your favorite rap artist?
Does Iggy Azalea count? Teasing ;) I don't play rap too much but when I do, I'll throw down a little Kayne, Drake and some Ricky Rozay- because clearly we have a lot in common. Oh and Bobby Shmurda is pretty "hot" right now.
What's been your favorite gig so far?
Super hard to say- I've been fortunate to play some really bossy events with great people lately. Most recently, Halloween in the Bahamas would have to take the cake.
Do you drink when you play? If so, what?
Rosé, of course.
How does your social media play a role in your career?
I try to hit all the sites but Instagram is my personal fave and arguably the most influential right now. Just in the music scene, SoundCloud is very important.
What makes a good throwback track?
It's all in the remix. My current fave is an almost tribal house remix of Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour.
What do you think of EDM in general?
It's an ever evolving and expanding genre that's become rather hard to define/describe. In general, music should take you on a journey and make you feel something. I tend to stick to lots of instruments and strong vocals and some of the new music in this genre feels more conducive to headaches than emotions.
Fashion and music can go hand in hand. Who's your favorite designer?
It's a tie between Chanel and Louboutin. Although, they've had to take a backseat to launching my business. Fancy taste on a start up budget ain't easy.
How would you describe your personal style?
Crop tops, kimonos, lace, leather.... Sexy. But (hopefully) sophisticated.
What's your favorite place to shop?
Internationally. I like one of a kind pieces. But if I'm in New York, Intermix or my secret vintage weapon shops.
What's your favorite place to eat?
Probably Momoya, based purely on how much I go there, it's in my hood.
Do you work out?
I try to yoga as much as possible and I'm a fan of the "walk out." Works brilliantly in a beautiful city like New York.
What's your schedule like?
Different. Always. We have a love hate relationship. I want structure today and I want to be free and creative tomorrow. I should create a song for this mood.
What's next for you?
Hopefully more traveling for different gigs and more dance parties! At the end of the day, girls just wanna have fun ;)...
What did you do before that?
A better question might be what didn't I do? Digital marketing, fashion social media, partnered in a nightclub, became a professional "champagner" and probably more I'm forgetting. Especially if it was during my champagning days...
Why did you decide to become a DJ?
Hovering around the event, marketing and nightlife space for a while, I finally realized my true passion lies in music. After checking out the New York scene, I finally got the courage to give it a "spin."
What is the common reaction you get when you tell people what you do?
Quite varied actually. Ranges from shocked or judgmental to instant groupie status. Coming from a family of two brain doctors and a sister in medical school, my family occasionally refers to me as the "doctor" of music. But you can imagine that pedigree is probably not the most conducive to my creative lifestyle...
Did you have to give anything up to become a DJ?
What is the common reaction you get when you tell people what you do?
Quite varied actually. Ranges from shocked or judgmental to instant groupie status. Coming from a family of two brain doctors and a sister in medical school, my family occasionally refers to me as the "doctor" of music. But you can imagine that pedigree is probably not the most conducive to my creative lifestyle...
Did you have to give anything up to become a DJ?
I've had to make sacrifices but many amazing things have happened as well, so I try to view it in a positive light. Mostly, it's getting used to different hours, different schedules than your friends and dating clearly takes a backseat. I've always said, music is my boyfriend (if only he could take me out for dinner).
When did you first realize you had a deep passion for music?
When did you first realize you had a deep passion for music?
It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment, it's been an evolving process since childhood. I'd like to say all those years of piano and voice lessons influenced my passion, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case...sorry mom!
At some point during my teenage years, I realized I could use music to set the mood. Driving to school? Explicit rap please. Kegger in the backyard? Throw in the serious dance tracks. Maybe music attracts me so much because I'm moody ;)
At some point during my teenage years, I realized I could use music to set the mood. Driving to school? Explicit rap please. Kegger in the backyard? Throw in the serious dance tracks. Maybe music attracts me so much because I'm moody ;)
Who is your favorite emerging artist?
Probably Banks at the moment.
How would you describe your DJ style of music?
Sexy, chic and energetic. A mix between disco, dance and deep house, sprinkled with current hits and craved throwbacks.
What kind of equipment do you use?
Serato is my lifeline. Turntables are a nice accoutrement.
How long does it take you to prepare for a set?
However long it takes me to set the mood.
What do you think about when preparing for each set?
I put myself in the crowd and I think about what I would want to hear/see/feel when attending that event.
Who is your favorite rap artist?
Does Iggy Azalea count? Teasing ;) I don't play rap too much but when I do, I'll throw down a little Kayne, Drake and some Ricky Rozay- because clearly we have a lot in common. Oh and Bobby Shmurda is pretty "hot" right now.
What's been your favorite gig so far?
Super hard to say- I've been fortunate to play some really bossy events with great people lately. Most recently, Halloween in the Bahamas would have to take the cake.
Do you drink when you play? If so, what?
Rosé, of course.
How does your social media play a role in your career?
I try to hit all the sites but Instagram is my personal fave and arguably the most influential right now. Just in the music scene, SoundCloud is very important.
What makes a good throwback track?
It's all in the remix. My current fave is an almost tribal house remix of Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour.
What do you think of EDM in general?
It's an ever evolving and expanding genre that's become rather hard to define/describe. In general, music should take you on a journey and make you feel something. I tend to stick to lots of instruments and strong vocals and some of the new music in this genre feels more conducive to headaches than emotions.
Fashion and music can go hand in hand. Who's your favorite designer?
It's a tie between Chanel and Louboutin. Although, they've had to take a backseat to launching my business. Fancy taste on a start up budget ain't easy.
How would you describe your personal style?
Crop tops, kimonos, lace, leather.... Sexy. But (hopefully) sophisticated.
What's your favorite place to shop?
Internationally. I like one of a kind pieces. But if I'm in New York, Intermix or my secret vintage weapon shops.
What's your favorite place to eat?
Probably Momoya, based purely on how much I go there, it's in my hood.
Do you work out?
I try to yoga as much as possible and I'm a fan of the "walk out." Works brilliantly in a beautiful city like New York.
What's your schedule like?
Different. Always. We have a love hate relationship. I want structure today and I want to be free and creative tomorrow. I should create a song for this mood.
What's next for you?
Hopefully more traveling for different gigs and more dance parties! At the end of the day, girls just wanna have fun ;)...
Catch DJ Rosé spinning next at Arthur in the Meatpacking district this Saturday night. You can also listen on SoundCloud for some of the funky, glamy, glitzy, energetic mixes she's whipped up. I'm getting nostalgia listening to the I'm a 90's bitch mix, because I'm one too.
She's not only a 90's bitch, she's also a very nice person.
insta: @NicoleStillings
twitter: @NicoleStillings
- Fabiola Conrado #dj #nydj #djrose #momoyanyc #arthurmeatpacking #nynightlife
