Nadeem SalaamPISS-OFF! Present Visions Of A Dance Party
If you haven’t been to a PISS-OFF! event yet, you’re missing out! They’re a Brooklyn-based duo led by rapper/singer/producer Anika Trujillo and keyboardist/dj Gumball Eyeball, that have built a reputation for tearing down the house with their unapologetically brash sound and live show. Their self-styled “aggressive dance,” is really fitting with one listen–their live events sound sweaty, in your face, and fun. This Saturday you get a chance to see their curated series Visions of a Dance Party live from The Glove. (Also featuring Tim Wicked, Evelyn Dane, & Shakasis.)
The rap rave duo initially formed in 2011, but reformed more recently in 2014, beginning their introduction to the underground digital hardcore scene. They built a solid fan base by being a mainstay at the Warper Party, (which is the longest running and largest electronic music showcase in NYC.) Since, they have rocked stages including Santo’s Party House and Palisades, and have made their rounds through Brooklyn dance parties along with the underground show circuit. We spoke to the dynamic duo about this event, because like you, we wanted to know more about the electronica scene they’re a part of and the mindset behind the vision.
“We are the anti-band, our goal is to take the serious songs give em wedgies and make fun of them. We focus on dance as a vehicle to process everything out. You mad? Dance. You hungry? Dance. Dancing is the question and the answer.”
What can you tell everyone about Visions of a Dance Party, who’s involved with setting it up and if it’s a re-occuring series ect.
“Visions of a Dance Party is all about bringing together all the different sides of dance music. From the spiritual to the visceral. We want to touch every corner of what makes your body move.”
PISS-OFF is known for its “aggressive dancing” what feelings inspire your work and general mindset when you’re creating this work?
“We are the anti-band, our goal is to take the serious songs give em wedgies and make fun of them. We focus on dance as a vehicle to process everything out. You mad? Dance. You hungry? Dance. Dancing is the question and the answer.”
Roots in NYC? What are some of your stomping grounds, or grounds you walk here that inspire all the love and hate we all associate with New York?
“We both are NYC transplants, we take the good with the bad for the most part some our highlights are music, dancing on the subway, pizza at 4am. The lowlights include posers, hipsters and in general people who are too cool. Our last couple videos were basically shot in every Brooklyn neighborhood we love.”
Are you more ‘free’ in the studio or on the stage?
“Playing live is 100% adreneline – it’s so much fun, people fly across the room, stuff gets knocked over, pants get wet.”
Some of your favorite local bands?
“We’ll be playing on tour this October with our friends Wrists, Slime Mob, QQQ and Marsh Sound – we expect to melt some faces on the way. Also we got a chance to work with some amazing DJs for our remix E.P. – shout out to Alcala, DJ Shakey and Cody Ross Rex!”
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Their debut album Perfect is for Amateurs is now available on Spotify and iTunes.