Digging Into the Soul of the Bay: A Conversation With Brown Amy.

April 27, 2020

By Dundee Maghen

Brown Amy has been producing events in the Bay Area for nearly a decade. She is mostly known for her involvement with the Latino/ Womxn collective Chulita Vinyl Club and for the SF Sunday queer party Hard French. With an impressive collection of 45s records of Soul Music, Brown Amy has been spinning Old Vintage Soul tracks on many of San Francisco's dance floors.

The Bay Area has a rich history of Soul Music with a legacy that goes back to Sly & The Family Stone, Tower of Power, The Pointer Sisters, and the local legendary singer Sylvester who is known for infusing Soul signing into disco music. To this day, the local heritage of Soul music continues to grow; whether you listen to old and new soul songs played by local radio stations such as KBLX & KRBQ; or you dance to it during an underground party or on a weekly line at some local bar.

In San Francisco, in particular, the people behind the monthly party Hard French are known for bringing the sound of Soul to the queer community (but not only) for more than a decade now. Hard French is notorious for its outdoor parties at El Rio’s patio that include special productions during San Francisco Pride.

What’s started as an attempt to bring a new sound to the SF party scene, has evolved into massive events. Hard French was awarded “Best Monthly Party” from the California Music and Culture Association and “Best in SF” from the SF Bay Guardian, SF Weekly, and Asterisk Magazine. The crew consists of producer Devon Devine, art directors Jorge P. and Tim T., and DJs Brown Amy and Carnita.

After they had to cancel their Winter Ball 10-year Anniversary last March due to the area's lockdown, this Saturday Hard French is coming back for a special live stream. The stream will turn into a 70's Digital Discotheque with DJ sets by local favs Brown Amy and Vin Sol and a special appearance by Bezier streaming all the way from Berlin! For this special occasion, we had the pleasure to chat with DJ Brown Amy about her musical journey, her record collection, the SF dance music community, and how the queer community features in all of this.

Interview

1. When did you start collecting music? What first drew you to collect records and what motivates you to continue to play vinyl after all these years? Tell us a little bit of your musical journey, what genres did you first start playing, when did you start collecting 45s and how did you become a Soul music collector and a DJ?

BA: I started collecting records when I was about 16, I started by collecting punk records which eventually led me to 60s garage records then eventually soul. I love the challenge of playing records and the fact that each record has a history, that some of the records I play were played on other dance floors. I like to believe that I’m playing some records that were played at Paradise Garage.

I started about 10 years ago playing all soul 45s, I did that for about 5 years until I realized I needed to take my djing to the next level and learn how to mix, that opened up a whole new world for me and got me where I am today.

2. You’re known for your 45s collection and as for being a vinyl DJ. Can you tell us about your mixes, your music selection, and process when you look for new music; are you looking for things to play on the dance-floor? How do you organize your collection? And what story are you trying to tell as a DJ in your mixes?

BA: I think I use to get really caught up on what others wanted me to play or what I thought I had to play. Now I play whatever I think sounds good, my best sets and mixes come from when I trust my intuition. I’m always looking for new music to play on the dance floor, and I find tracks every way possible.

3. Can you tell us about the records you inherit or the ones that come with a memorable story? How often do you play them and how do you manage to incorporate them into your mixes?

BA: I would say my most meaningful records are my oldies records. There is a lot of nostalgia in them, they carry memories and stories for me. That being said I’m not the type of collector that gets records and never plays them, I believe records are meant to be played and kept alive.

4. When did you move to San Francisco, what drown you to live here, and how would you say the city has changed and shaped you musically and culturally?

BA: I’ve been in and out of San Francisco from 2002 to now. I originally moved here because I wanted to move to the queerest place possible and in my mind, San Francisco was that. I had no idea I was gonna become a DJ and have the opportunity, meet the people and create the spaces I have. For that, I will forever love and appreciate SF. Yes, it has changed a lot and at times really disappointments me but I don’t want to forget all the artists and locals who are still here and fighting to keep the heart of the city alive.

5. How would you describe Soul Music; what was it that drew you to collect Soul music?

BA: What attracted me to soul music is the rawness and vulnerability of it. That being said it’s important for me to acknowledge that it’s not music made from my people so I try to be aware of how much space I take up and acknowledge the black people that created this music and to be real music as a whole.

6. What do you think about San Francisco’s club life and parties nowadays? Are there specific places you like to play at, does the city change the way people party these days? What do you think makes this city special compare to other cities when it comes down to partying in SF?

BA: I think we have some really dope DJs and musicians in the Bay, and I love the way we support each other. I like what’s going on at Public Works right now, I feel like Nonsuit and all the homies there are doing some incredible bookings. The Stud is classic and you can always catch something interesting there. Obviously El Rio, it’s where I got started and I’ll forever love them. Like I said before my favorite thing about the Bay is that we lift each other up and show support.

8. Despite the fact that there are many women and non-binary DJs out there, it’s hard to ignore how male-dominated the electronic music scene still is. Can you share a little bit about your experience, and do you have any personal tips and lessons for emerging artists entering the business?

BA: I’ve always tried staying true to myself and my intuition. When I get caught up in what everyone else is doing I start to lose myself. So I say find your path and go with it, it’s more authentic and genuine that way.

9. In honor of International Women’s Day that took place last month, can you share with us any woman or a non-binary figure from the Bay Area that inspires you and why?

BA: I love what We are the ones are doing and how they are keeping the underground alive. New World disorder will forever be the shit. And I always gotta give a shout out to my homies from Chulita Vinyl Club.

Check out Hard French: Get Ready for the Future live stream this Saturday.

Hard French on Fault Radio