DJ/producer Corey Craig continues to redefine the current sound of house music and electrify the club scene. Just recently, he brought his award-winning signature mix of Commercial, Progressive Dance, and modern classics to a residency at XL. Here at GuySpy, we had a chance to speak to the artist about his career, his background, and what’s next!

Tell us about your new CD, Pride 12. 

Pride 12 marks my second mix in the series. I wanted it to tell the story about the pride we should have within ourselves. Imagine a relationship ending, your friends dragging you out to take your mind off the drama, and, as the night continues, you realize that you will be fine. Your pride hasn’t been hurt even if your heart has.

LGBT relationships are just as emotional, relevant and complicated as our straight counterparts. This Pride mix is about respecting all the elements of a relationship, romantic or otherwise, ending and realizing that we have the strength to continue and maybe even find something better around the corner.

I selected certain tracks because they remind me of people we all know that are good at helping us “snap out of it” and remember to live. “Night of Your Life,” “Give Your Heart a Break,” and “Good Girl” are prime examples. Other tracks like “Where Have You Been,” “Brokenhearted,” and “Stop Me Now” are great examples of pushing towards the future and recognizing our own strength. I ended the mix with a tribute to Donna Summer and a nod to two tracks that give the listener optimism about new relationships to come.

I want to give special thanks to Tom Geiss, Eric G, and Max C for giving the mix a spiritual element. Marc JB, Bimbo Jones, and Inaya Day get kudos for the special sound “Every Breath” gives the compilation.  Cosmic Dawn, you are amazing, and I hope more people get to hear your official remix work from this point forward.

What is your favorite thing about being a DJ?

Creating an environment that allows people to just relax and have fun. I love watching and controlling the mood of a dance floor and making people realize it’s okay to let loose and live!

How did you get your start?

While filming my audition video to DJ for Ellen Degeneres, I met a ton of influential New Yorkers who agreed to be in my video. I gave each of them a copy of my newest CD, and they all loved it. Couple that with Food/Bar playing all my early work and there you have it!  (Pier Dance 2009 cemented everything.)

Tell us about one of your favorite moments from traveling around the world to DJ.

It is a tie between Purple Party, Dallas, where my whole family was in the DJ booth with me for the first time as I spun for my gay crowd, and Sydney Mardi Gras, Oxford Hotel, where the entire crowd was singing along and grabbing whomever was closest. We bonded!

What is the song to look out for this summer?

“Noisettes—Winner” is on my fast track as a late Summer Anthem!

But Scissor Sisters’ “Let’s Have a KiKi” is still on fire. They performed the song last week at my XL residency Fornabaio and Voss’ “Rockit. It was marvelous!

Who is your favorite artist and favorite remixer and why?

Artist:  Right now I am feeling Emeli Sande. Her voice is amazing

Remixer:  Right now, I am feeling Seamus Haji, and the new Freemasons stuff coming up is going to blow you guys away!

Any new project you are working on and a few quotes about it (besides Pride 12)?

Reuniting with Saul Ruiz and creating hot remixes in the fall as R2C2; the new sound we are pursuing is a slick ‘90s house feel with updated instruments and melodies.

What is your current Top 10 List?

Scissor Sisters – Let’s Have a KiKi

Noisettes – Winner (Westfunk and Steve Smart)

LORENA – EUPHORIA (Wawa Remix)

Florence and the Machine – Spectrum (Calvin Harris)

USHER – SCREAM (SEAMUS HAJI CLUB MIX)

RITA ORA – HOW WE DO (PAPERCHA$ER)

MAROON 5 – PAYPHONE (CUTMORE)

KARMIN – BROKENHEARTED (RAZOR & GUIDO)

GOSSIP – Move in the Right Direction (Seamus Haji)

Azealea Banks – 212

What club appearances do you have coming up?

Sand Blast Riptide Pool Party | Sunday, July 22nd

Rockit @ XL  (NYC RESIDENCY)   JULY 27 + August 24, 31

Atlanta Pride Kickoff | Georgia Aquarium | OCTOBER 12th

Halloweens in New Orleans | House Of Blues | OCTOBER 26th

For more on Corey Craig, check out the following:

http://soundcloud.com/djcoreycraig/angel-stoxx-vs-sweet-brown-1

https://www.facebook.com/pages/DJ-COREY-CRAIG/11368493301

http://soundcloud.com/djcoreycraig

TWITTER @DJCoreyCraig

iTunes  http://bit.ly/bcdkSx

 Photo: Bradford Rogne