Exclusive Interview: Roger Sanchez

House music heavy weight Roger Sanchez is on his way to Chicago to party with the Afterlife crew this Saturday.  Roger Sanchez has been around the block.  He’s had a longer career than most in the music industry and much more successful.  His style has truly stood the test of time and his freshness prevails. Hailing from New York, the legend, Roger Sanchez checked in with the #Afterlife crew in anticipation for Saturday’s festivities.

 

Afterlife: What’s your favorite food?

 

Roger Sanchez: Japanese food is my favorite food, however, I also love molecular gastronomy. It’s fascinating how those chefs achieve the results with textures and flavors!

 

Afterlife: How did you get into DJing and producing?

 

Roger Sanchez: I used to be a breakdancer when I was young and had a friend who was a dj. I used to watch him and think “I would love to do that…control the crowd” He then asked me once to take over for him at a house party and from then on I was hooked. Dj’ing naturally led me into the studio where I began creating exclusive tracks to play out at my gigs.

 

Afterlife: What was the moment that you realized you could make it a career?  

 

Roger Sanchez: I realized this could be a career when I started being booked overseas and my tracks were being played by djs I admired.

 

Afterlife: Who is one of your biggest musical inspirations?

 

Roger Sanchez: QuIncy Jones has to be one of my biggest musical influences. His ability to move through different musical styles yet retain an identifiable essence impressed me and drove me to aspire to the same.

 

Afterlife: How do you think the New York music scene influenced your style?

 

Roger Sanchez: New York is a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities and sounds- all of these diverse elements have imbedded themselves in my musical lexicon and opened my mind to integrating them in my own sound.

 

Afterlife: Do you have a favorite artist that you have worked with?

 

Roger Sanchez: I enjoyed working with Kathy Sledge, Incognito and many others. It’s hard to narrow it down to one!

 

Afterlife: If you could work with any artist who would you want to work with (dead, or alive)?

 

Roger Sanchez: Bjork remains one of my all time favorite artists I would like to work with.

 

Afterlife: Many artists seem to disappear in the blink of an eye.  What’s the secret to the longevity of your career?

 

Roger Sanchez: I have a passion for what I do and I’m not averse to working hard and traveling for it. Ultimately it’s the love of music that keeps me going and fresh.

 

Afterlife: What do you do in your free time when you’re not working on music?

 

Roger Sanchez: I try to spend time with my children, work on creative, artistic projects and I love reading.

 

Afterlife: What advice would you give to an aspiring DJ?

 

Roger Sanchez: Be passionate about music, open minded and get ready to work your ass off!

 

-(@DJPharaoh)