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L.A Only - Josh Abrams chats to RA
Welcome to L.A Only, a new series of feature interviews on RA where we’ll be introducing you to the very best DJing talent Los Angeles has to offer. Some of you may have lost it on the dance floor to some of the DJs featured here, and some of them you may be meeting for the first time. Either way, don that Members Only jacket, slap on those mirrored aviator shades, and get yourself educated! I know you ain’t too cool for this school.
Josh Abrams has been flying the progressive house banner high in Los Angeles for over five years now. He’s the resident DJ for Pure @ Sugar every Saturday night, hosts his own show on Proton Radio, and brings to the DJ booth his discerning ear for what makes the feet move on the floor. Meet Josh Abrams…
Pure at Sugar has become somewhat of a Los Angeles dance institution, along the lines of the Bud Brothers’ Monday Night Social. What were your objectives when you joined Pure? Do you feel you’ve been successful in your endeavors?
Pure was always an in-house night that I became a part of about six months into the club’s life, and have been fortunate enough to be a part of for over five years now. Once I did take the night over as resident DJ and eventually as the booker, I just wanted the night to be a place where people could come out, be themselves, and be exposed to the absolute best in house music – whether they knew it or not! Pure has never been about anything other than the music, and I take a great amount of pride knowing that I’ve been able to make peoples’ nights memorable and most importantly fun.
What stands out in particular over these four years of Pure? What have your greatest accomplishments been?
There have been a lot of amazing nights at Pure, so choosing some of the most memorable is always difficult, but I’d have to say playing with Kasey Taylor (three times now!), and having Evolution do their album release party at Pure would definitely be up there! As far as the things that stand out the most from Pure, I’d have to say the friendships I’ve made along the way are the most valuable. Those friendships are the things I will take with me long after I am done DJing / producing.
My greatest accomplishment has been the ability to keep a quality weekly night going for over 5 years, and giving people I respect the chance to play (sometimes for the first time) in front of a great crowd.
Who would you consider to be the best guest DJ at Pure in its history?
Wow that’s a loaded question! Ha ha ha!!! There have been so many amazing performances at Pure; many a night I have gone mad on the dance floor because someone was doing for me what I always strive to do to them: really connect musically. So to be honest I’d have to say that they have all been great!
 Way to answer safely, Josh. How do you feel Pure has allowed you to grow as a DJ?
Pure has obviously been instrumental in my growth as a DJ and an entertainer. The opportunity to play in front of a live crowd, week in and week out, is a learning tool that not many people are fortunate enough to have and use. I’ve been able to take chances while playing, really watching for how the things I do make people react out there, and keeping (all these lessons) stored for future use.
How did your relationship with Proton Radio begin? Where does the name “Elysium” come from?
I did my first Elysium show a little over a year ago. I originally pitched the show to Sam Packer (Proton’s head honcho) with the help of my then-manager Jennifer Fader to be a taste of Los Angeles’ progressive house scene, and since I knew so many great local DJs it was received with great excitement. I have since showcased quite a few local and international DJs, as well as myself to thousands of avid music fans.
I got the name “Elysium” from watching the movie Gladiator. I am a huge fan of that movie and that historical period, so when I was looking for a show name, “Elysium” - which translated, is the place where gladiators go when they die - seemed perfect. A little corny, maybe, but I still love it!
How do you feel about the current state of progressive house? As we’ve discussed many times before, it’s not quite what it used to be, but you always seem to find good records, and are including a liberal amount of breaks in your sets. Is record shopping harder for you these days?
 Progressive is what you make it. People sit around waiting for the next big thing to sweep them off their feet when really it’s mostly right between their feet, or right outside their ears! I feel it’s true that a lot of the music made today doesn’t hold up to the stuff made 4 or 5 years ago, but some of it is leaps and bounds beyond the old favorites. It is harder now for me to find good music, but it’s because my tastes have been refined and I know what tools I need to do my job. That being said it’s still worth the extra work to find the best music around. I have also been blessed by having a great number of friends and labels that produce and share their music with me, sometimes giving me a very exclusive sound.
What are the best things about the local Los Angeles DJ / clubbing scene today?
The best thing about the L.A. scene is still the people. Good or bad they still come out and support their love of music and friends. Los Angeles is also chock full of some of the best local DJs in the world. In fact I’d put us up against just about any group of DJs in the world. Guys like Troy Roberts, John Do, Kazell, Daniel Djang, and a ton more are all world-class artists.
What are the worst things about it?
There are some down sides to the scene, but to be honest none of them are worth mentioning. As long as people don’t have to pay $40 to go dancing to their favorite DJ and that DJ isn’t demanding a ridiculous amount of money to play then everything will be just fine.
When was the last time you fucked up a mix?
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Name your top five tracks?
EVER? Whoa… OK, but this usually will change by the minute…
In no order:
Stoneproof – Everything’s Not You
Albion - Air
Coldplay – The Scientist
Ray Charles – Busted
Metallica – Ride the Lightning
Honorable mention to Orbital – Halcyon
and
Beastie Boys – Check Your Head
Name the most embarrassing record you own? No lying.
Eiffel 65 – Blue
Haahahahahaaahahahahaaahaha! I hate you now.
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Published / Thursday, 15 July 2004
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