Better known as The Carry Nation, Will Automagic and Nita Aviance first joined forces right as the dark days of New York City’s Giuliani-era club scene were coming to a close. Both had already made their mark separately within the city’s party circuit, with Automagic playing disco while Aviance veered towards hip-hop. Together, the two host some of New York’s best nights out, spinning infectious house music at legendary venues like the Good Room and Bossa Nova Civic Club. And this weekend, The Carry Nation will bring a little piece of NYC’s club scene to Berlin as they play the third annual YO! Sissy Fest.
We caught up with the DJ duo upon their arrival in Germany’s capital to chat about the differences between partying in Berlin versus New York, what it takes to create the perfect gay party and their favourite tracks for the summer.
This will be your first time playing YO! SISSY. What does it mean to perform at a festival that focuses first and foremost on female and trans-identifying artists?
Nita: For us, it’s really important that we’re inclusive in every single way. A lot of our bills in New York reflect this belief and it’s an honour to be involved.
Will: Part of our involvement came out of our collaboration with Viva Ruiz. She appeared on our very first single that was signed in Europe [“The Bitch is Alive“]. With Viva and a lot of our club connections, they don’t just run within New York’s gay male club scene. Our party was born at a fully queer space called The Spectrum and it’s all there in the name: “The Spectrum”.
How does the energy in Berlin compare with New York? What are your favourite aspects of playing in each city?
Will: It’s like two brothers who are about as different as can be but get along really, really well. I absolutely love the energy here. It seems to flow in geometric shapes, whereas the energy in New York comes in waves – but both ways of being are exciting.
What is the recipe for the perfect gay party?
Nita: For us it has always been about placing music first, which I think might be a little separated from a lot of other events. We’ve always focused on having a wide variety of people attending our parties, so we try to program in the same respect.
Will: The best gay party is a party you throw without having to say it’s gay. You provide good music and a space that’s welcoming and the rest happens naturally.
You both create music separately in addition to working together, and have described The Carry Nation as an open relationship. What’s your favourite part about working together that cannot be replicated elsewhere?
Nita: The sense of not knowing what comes next. We never discuss anything too much before a gig, and we just put a lot of trust into the fact that we love what one another does.
Will: We plan very little. Even before a big gig, we might plan two songs to use as bookends but that’s about it. There’s this adrenaline that comes with constantly challenging one another. And while that can be exhausting, it’s exciting. As much as we love our solo gigs we definitely miss one another when we’re apart.
What are your favourite tracks for the summer?
Nita: “Who Was Driving?” by Love Letters
Will: “Full Length Mirror” by Michael Magnan
YO! SISSY Music Festival takes place at Festsaal Kreuzberg from 28 until 29 July 2017