An Interview With DJ SKYLER GILMORE On Electro-Swing Music, The DJ World Today and His Favorite DJ Experiences So Far!

Enjoy our All Access interview with Electro-Swing DJ, DJ Skyler Gilmore!

When did you first get started DJing? 

I first started djing in 1990, in the early rave scene. Playing drums was my ultimate passion but after playing in a bunch of label bands I got sick of it and invested in a nightclub (DNA Lounge SF, and there I would hire a multitude of djs and one time my Friday night dj didn’t show up so I had to jump on and I actually loved it. From there it was on!

Can you explain what exactly Electro Swing Social music is all about? Would you love to go back in time to the period of this music?

The ELECTRO SWING SOCIAL is a speakeasy event fusion of the late 20’s to 40’s big band jazz, Swing and Blues mixed with basselines of Electro house/Dubstep/Trap and HipHop.  I throw upscale parties in Los Angeles and Las Vegas called Dames & Daggers, Swingtronic, Electro Swing Club & Electro Swing Social.

My residency at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas contains a whole 4 hour Vaudeville show entertaining audiences with Burlesque, Tapdancers, LindyHop, Balboa, Charleston and classic Swing Dancing. We’ll also have live jazz and Electro Swing bands perform. Swing Dancing on the rocks topped off with Burlesque and a shot of Lindy Hop create the perfect Speakeasy vibe. Electro Swing is one of the coolest contraptions to appear in the world of dance music in the last few years.

And yes, I would totally go back in time

Who are some of your favorite electro-swing artists today?

Some of my fave electro swing artists are Jamie berry, Smokey Joe and the Kid, C@ in the h@, Howla, Warp9, Parov Stelar, Bart n Baker… just to name a few.

What has been some of your favorite shows?

The monthlys are fired up right now and ready for the summer smashing. My fave gig was the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas opening for Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. My fave venue is Red Rocks in Colorado.

Why do you think this lifestyle fits your life right now? 

I am a gypsy at heart and fully nomadic in most ways so being on the road suits me fine- hotels, vans, airplane pillow faces are my new look these days.

Can you describe the absolute perfect event to dj at? 

The perfect event would electro swing social in Paris or anywhere across the pond. (Laughter)

Can you offer any advice to someone who is just getting started at djing?

Advice…. Hmm.. Don’t become a dj leave it to us pros! (Laughter)

Where do you see yourself in 10-20 years? 

Hopefully if we keep up the hard work, Electro Swing will be more recognized as a legit genre and not a gimmick, or a funny track in someones set. I mean you cant find it on Pandora, its not an Amoeba section yet so keep on supporting your local electro swing scene and dj’s and we will pioneer this thing together.