By Charles Baran
Rio, LA, New York, Aspen, Ibiza, Las Vegas. Superstar DJ Hector Fonseca gets around. In his own estimation he’s racked up almost two million miles on American Airlines over his 20-year career bringing tribal house beats to clubs and circuit parties around the world. He’s the king of remixes, partnering with Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Beyonce, and many other major artists for official Billboard #1 remixes of which he has over 20 to date. When Hector’s spinning it’s certain to be a wild night, just ask anyone who’s experienced his sounds at The Eagle in New York where he is a resident DJ. I caught up with Hector the day before his gig at The Eagle in Wilton Manors and found out why people travel miles to party wherever he spins.
Charles Baran: Hi Hector! You sound pretty chill considering you have so much going on. Is this your first time at The Eagle in Wilton Manors?
Hector Fonseca: Hi Charles! No, this will be my fourth time back. I’m excited. It’s always a great crowd.
Charles Baran: Tech, tribal, vocal house. You blend them all in your sets. Do you prepare in advance for each gig or do you create on the fly?
Hector Fonseca: I include a lot of live remixing in my sets as I’m constantly trying out new ideas. Fifty percent of my set are things I’m going to be releasing on my label, Audio4Play. The other fifty percent are remixes I’ve done or remixes live.
Charles Baran: Tell me about your label.
Hector Fonseca: I started it in 2013 with the late, great DJ Theresa who unfortunately died in the Surfside tragedy in 2021. We started Audio4Play to showcase underrepresented LGBTQ artists and DJs that didn’t get the same platform. We had great success for years with several artists, like VIZIN, a fantastic drag artist.
Charles Baran: Was music always a part of your life?
Hector Fonseca: I grew up with a lot of music. My parents used to have vinyl listening parties in the living room of our house in Clifton, New Jersey. We would listen to Tito Puente, El Gran Combo, Donna Summer, Abba, Michael Jackson…a wide variety of music that became my foundation. I was a fashion model before I became a DJ. When we were little, my mom would dress us up. Although I used to debate her on what I wanted to wear. I often chose colors that “didn’t match.” A lot of those color combinations, I’ve used on artwork for my record label releases.
Charles Baran: When did you become a DJ?
Hector Fonseca: Twenty-five years ago, during my time as a model, I’d hang out at the clubs. Some of the DJ’s were my friends. I asked a DJ friend at the time if he could show me how to mix. After he taught me, he said I was a natural, so I felt that the fit was right and a new career was born. Shortly afterwards, I got my first big gig at the Limelight.
Charles Baran: Who are your inspirations?
Hector Fonseca: Peter Rauhofer and Junior Vasquez really inspired me in my early days. Then at clubs like Twilo and Tunnel I was hearing new forms of house music and I wanted to put my own spin on it.
Charles Baran: Is there a particular artist you love collaborating with?
Hector Fonseca: Natasha Bessez. She is an amazing artist, a super powerful vocalist that has been on Eurovision and The Voice. We work a lot together. I also love Brazilian DJ Thiago Dukky. Amazing. And last year I produced and curated Laverne Cox’s album, Summertime: A TripHopera. It’s a new mix of Pop, Hip Hop and House with Operatic vocals by Laverne.
Charles Baran: What’s coming up next?
Hector Fonseca: I’m back at the Eagle in New York on February 23 and then I’m playing Tampa Pride on March 23. Plus, I’m heading to Los Angeles and Palm Springs for gigs.
Charles Baran: Where can we hear your sets?
Hector Fonseca: My Audio4Play channel on YouTube and SoundCloud has a lot of my music. I put it out there for everyone to enjoy because that’s what it’s all about, right? Bringing joy through music and lifting people up!
