Star69 Records' DJ/Remixer Hector Fonseca plans an 'Epic' Saturday night

Living in the cultural shadow of New York City, we Bostonians can be a bit territorial about our arts and music scene ("We don't care how they do it in New York," as the T-shirt says.) That's just fine with hot New York-based DJ Hector Fonseca, who returns to Boston this weekend to spin at EPIC atThe Roxy.

"The New York sound is very distinctive," says Fonseca. "I feel like Boston has more of an international flavor going on. It's more mixed than New York. So I'm bringing the New York sound, but with that European flair."

It almost sounds like this maven of New York's cutting edge club scene thinks Boston might be on to something. "In the gay scene, there's a big push for music with an international flavor," he continues. "Music from Israel, Brazil, all over the world. So I'm coming to represent New York's take on that."

Bridging different sounds is Fonseca's specialty. He's known for his unique blend of electro and tribal house, a sound he calls Electribal.

"When I first started DJing, I was playing smaller rooms," he explains. "So I tended to play stuff that was not so big and circuit-y. As my career got bigger and I started playing bigger rooms, I started mixing in that tribal circuit sound with the electro. I love both genres, and I think they go well together, making each other sound fresher."

Arriving on the scene when most DJs were sticking to a more unified sound, Fonseca's novel approach cemented his rep. Since his remix of Jahkey B's "Heartattack" put him on the map, Fonseca has had a string of club hits and played everywhere from Pride Festivals in the US and Canada to Carnival in Brazil. Once a professional model, Fonseca has bridged the gap between careers spinning at NY fashion shows. In addition to his home base at New York's Work, Foncesca has added residencies in Miami, Montreal and Toronto.

And let's not forget his work in the studio. Fonseca's first full length compilation, New York Anthems Volume 2, tore up dance floors around the world. And he's hard at work on Volume 3, when he's not touring to promote the current disc. It sounds like a dizzying amount of work, but you don't stay on top by standing still. Fonseca makes it his business to know where house music is at and where it's headed.

"Music is getting bigger and brighter," he says. "Some people says music is getting darker, but I don't think it's as simple as that. Even in pop music, some hits have an edge that could be considered dark. That edge is about finding the balance between underground appeal and commercial success.

"You can't listen to high-energy, happy music all the time, any more than you can listen to dark, thought provoking music all the time. That's where my sound is headed, anyway, bigger and more energy but maintaining that underground edge."

With his ever growing list of credits, it doesn't sound like Fonseca has to worry about the "commercial success" side of the equation anytime soon. He's doubly glad that his success brings him to Boston, because his father lives in the area.

"I hear the party at EPIC is doing amazingly well, so I'm excited to be on board for that." He adds with a laugh, "Besides, whenever I'm touring, my dad says 'You better come through here!.' So I will definitely be back!"

DJ Hector Fonseca spins Sat., Dec. 15 at EPIC at The Roxy Nightclub, 279 Tremont St., Boston. Doors open at 8 p.m. for the Toy Drive with DJ Richie LaDue spinning until 11 p.m. Fonseca spins from 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. 21+, $10.

For more: DJ Hector Fonseca.