DjEaricPatten

Bio

Biography
The
word “veteran” gets tossed around a lot these days, but when it comes
to DJ Earic Patten, the word barely scratches the surface. Washington,
D.C. based Patten began DJing in 1989 and quickly became one of the D.C.
area’s most important and influential DJs. With a residency at the
legendary Tracks D.C. nightclub, Patten played for thousands every
Thursday and Friday night and catapulted Tracks to become one of the most popular nightclubs on the East Coast throughout the 1990s.

Most DJs would call such a stint the pinnacle of their career, but
Patten takes a humbler approach stating: “It is my career as a whole
that I relish the most…those that come to see me play and enjoy what I
do make my career my moment.”

Melding everything from house to
techno, Patten would take club goers on what he liked to call “a
journey.” Patten describes his DJ style as “the ride,” during which he
bases his mixes not on a predetermined list of songs to play, but rather
the vibe of the venue he’s playing. “I take pride in the fact that I
don't, and won't, ever pre-record or predetermine what is played. I come
prepared to play, and play in a way that the crowd dictates where they
want to go. I let THEM be the conductor, and I’m the fuel and vessel to
take them there. At times, the crowd concedes and allows me to take them
to a place they didn’t know they wanted to go until they got there!
It's ALWAYS about those in front of me on the dance floor. They are my
true inspiration and their reactions to what I am doing on the decks
give me my life!”

During his residency at Tracks D.C., Patten
introduced his crowds to new music and artists, including co-productions
of original music released on prestigious labels of house music such as
Strictly Rhythm and Dancefloor Records. He has also been credited by
many in the Music Industry for “Breaking” new genres in the United
States and by Artist for catapulting their careers to the next level.

Among the producers and DJs who have influenced Patten over the years
are Maurice Joshua, Todd Terry, Junior Vasquez, David Morales, Oscar G,
Sam “The Man” Burns, BT, Dubfire, Victor Imbres, Hex Hector and Armin
Van Buuren.

Personal and family commitments prompted Patten to
step away from DJing and the music industry in general in 1998, but he
is now staging his return, and has been making waves throughout 2013,
playing key venues and festivals. Patten readily admits that the dance
music scene has changed significantly thanks to a combination of radio
embracing electronic dance music and making it ubiquitous. Recognizing
that a lot of nightclubs have replaced dance floors with plush sofas,
lost focus of the importance of the connection of the light show, and
adding bottle service presented with sparklers. “Once this happened,
nightlife shifted from true club goers DANCING and FEELING the music to
people standing or sitting around, more concerned with being SEEN and
buried in their smartphones,” Patten says.

Patten adds that he
is encouraged how dance music has evolved against this backdrop because
of how many subgroups of dance music have be created allowing him to
once again take people on “the ride.” “I love a lot of what's out there
and I am also happy that dance music is now considered a radio format,”
he said. “I enjoy playing festival style music at EDM events just as
much as I do house music in an intimate club environment. It is because
of the evolution that electronic dance music has made over the years
that I am able to play so many different kinds of events without
pigeonholing myself into being a certain kind of DJ. This is what I
love most, this is what music is all about, all styles of music reaching
everyone, regardless of color, race, sexual orientation or economic
status. With music we are all able to come together, even if it’s just
for that moment…..free of any judgment, to feel the vibe”

2014
will mark Patten’s return Washington, D.C., a “homecoming” of sorts and
where he will do his part to restore order in D.C.'s nightlife and
return it to its former glory. If history repeats itself, great things
are in store for the lovers of music and seekers of an “experience” when
going out at night.

Washington DC United States

Member since: 26 Dec 2013