Pride events :: Amber Dirks and DJ JST

He's a classically trained violinist from Massachusetts who was playing with a mixing board as a third-grader. She's a former finalist for Miss Black USA, born in Holland but raised in the States, who has already toured the world with international names, including as a guest vocalist for the legendary Sister Sledge.

DJ JST (pronounced "gist") and vocalist Amber Dirks do have something in common, having worked together on two recent stomping dance tracks: "Rejoice" and "Standing Up." The dynamic duo will bring team spirit to a Boston Pride Week show at Club Caf?, and we checked in for some he said/she said Q&As

DJ JST

How does having a classical background as a violinist influence your approach to dance music? Or does it?

Great question. For me, this influence is huge. When you think back to the great composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, they were masters with eliciting human emotion through sound. In an often non-vocal forum, their works would provoke beauty, joy, suspense, fear, love, and so forth. I think that growing up, playing these works in orchestra gave me a much deeper appreciation of music. Much of today's music, especially in the pop and dance world has lost the element of feeling, which forces people to focus on what is fun, or cool, or commercial. I take my spinning and production "back to basics" and focus on the powerful journey that music can take us on. Kind of like a symphony.

Luckily, Boston fans can catch you every Sunday at 28 Degrees. How did you become the weekly resident DJ, and since it is a martini lounge, what's your favorite martini on the menu?

During their construction, they had a sign on the door looking for DJs. So I applied and got the job for the Sunday night spot during the drag show. Since it is a lounge I had to change my sound quite a bit, but I am so grateful for the experience 28 Degrees has given me. It forced me to explore a completely different style of music, deep house, which has so much soul. I've met so many great people at 28 Degrees, and love working with the staff. I think that the drinks are the best in the city. When off the clock, I go for the espresso martini, blue cheese martini, or prosciutto melon martini. Sooooo good.

This year's Boston Pride theme is, "Transforming Our Community." If you could transform any one thing about yourself, and any one thing about the gay community, what would they be?

I innately have the desire to inspire others. Over the course of my four year journey from local house party DJ to producing an official remix for the #1 Billboard Club charting track "Control Yourself" by Erin Hamilton, I have had several people come up to me and tell me that I have inspired them to work harder to achieve their goals. And, if our lifestyle is to ever reach global acceptance, then we need more hard working leaders. If I can influence larger volumes of people and drive them to have the desire and confidence to take their life to new levels then for me that is my real measure of success. It's this attitude which will "transform our community."

All right, we know it's no secret that you can rock a dance floor, but let's be honest: what's your secret to the rocking body? We wouldn't mind stealing some of your workout tips.

Haha. Thank you. Besides doing music, I was a gymnast and competed on the pommel horse for the University of Michigan Men's Gymnastics Team. I don't do gymnastics anymore, but I go to the gym when my schedule permits, and go out dancing for my cardio. Diet is important too. I and eat plenty of salad with chicken, and stay away from those evil carbs.

What else are you working on right now, and what are some of your biggest long-term goals as a DJ?

Two other projects being released this summer are "I Want That Man" from Jenn Cuneta and "The Place For My Heart" by Danielle Bollinger. Both should be strong summer club anthems. I have about a year's worth of productions ahead of me, and it's my goal that each one will land me one step closer to being able to leave my day job as an engineer in the telecom industry. Until then, I just want to continue to do my part in keeping the dance music industry alive and enjoy the ride.

Amber Dirks

Why did you decide to pursue your dreams in the music industry? Was it always a dream to be a performer?

Believe it or not, I always dreamed of becoming this huge singer ever since the very young age of 4 years old. Later in life, with the inspiration of my beloved son Quinten, and the trials and tribulations that he went through in his young life, I worked hard to make that dream a reality with the hopes that I would've been able to provide him with a comfortable life. Although he is no longer with me but in spirit, I retain his smile as I often received from him as I [sang]. Hopefully, one day I will be able to give back in his name the strength, courage and wisdom to never give hope and dreams an ounce of doubt; and that with love and faith you can pull through anything!

What are some of your favorite, most proud memories from your career so far? Could be big or small, just moments that stand out to you.

My favorite moments are when I get to see people happily grooving to my sounds and feeling what I am delivering. There is a particular moment that just grabbed my heart. During a recent performance, there was some technical difficulty with the sound and I wanted to keep the energy going to not disappoint the audience. So while conversing with the crowd, I asked "Where are my babies and who wants a hug and a kiss?" I tell you, I could not believe how many people came up on the stage to grant me a hug and kiss ... that's a moment I'll never forget. It was pure joy.

You were also a former finalist for Miss Black USA. What do you think of all the controversy surrounding the current Miss California, and her take on gay marriage?

I am just going to quote my girl Kristine W: "I think everyone should have the right to divorce." I thought to myself "That's perfect," when I heard her say that.

Since we're talking politics and music, your song "Rejoice" had an "ObamaNation" remix that spliced in speeches from the President. Are you a long-time Obama supporter?

Randy Bettis and his production partner David Boyd presented us with the "ObamaNation" mix shortly after President-elect Barack Obama won his candidacy. We felt it was beautiful and very appropriate. We also felt not only was the mix beautifully done, but it also incorporated a piece of history that was being made. It is an honor to have my music affiliated with such an important part of American history.

Tell us about shooting the video for "Rejoice." Where was it shot, and where the heck did you get a cross that big? What is this, "Like a Prayer"?

Talk about fun! While Bill [Friar, manager] was in Arizona to support my performance at Phoenix Pride we decided to take advantage of our time together and try and shoot a video for "Rejoice." We drove miles around the Phoenix area scouting for the perfect location. One day we just happened upon a church property, which had this beautiful cross on top of a mountain. We both noticed it at exactly the same time and in unison said, "Oh my God! That is perfect." With the church's blessing, we climbed the mountain and shot the video. It was a true gift from the heavens.

What else are you working on right now, and what are some of your biggest long-term goals as a singer and performer?

"Standing Up" is being released in early June, just in time for Pride. So I am very excited about that. We are also in the process of working on a full album that will hopefully be released early next spring. We are trying to decide whether the next single is going to be "Feel The Love" which is a song produced by REFLEX from the U.K. or "When I Hit" which is a song produced by RK Jackson, who is best known as the songwriter/producer of Cece Peniston's "Finally."

DJ JST & Amber Dirks will perform on Thursday, June 11 at Club Caf? (209 Columbus Avenue, Boston) For more information visit: djjst.com, amber-dirks.com, clubcafe.com. DJ JST will also perform a tag team set alongside DJ Darrin Friedman and DJ Susan Esthera on Sunday, June 14 at Machine Nightlclub (1254 Boylston Street, Boston) For more information visit: machine-boston.com