Each week, Billboard is polling club DJs, with venues shuttered due to the coronavirus.
With clubs closed across the country and Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart on hiatus, we’re asking reporting club DJs what they’ve been listening to lately, while at home, of course.
This week, we spoke with Jersey Shore DJ James Anthony; Pittsburgh’s John Hohman; and St. Louis’ Danny Morris.
James Anthony
James Anthony has been enjoying Tiesto and Becky Hill’s “Nothing Really Matters.” “Tiesto continues a long tradition of polished, danceable commercial tracks,” Anthony tells Billboard. “Becky Hill’s vocals are a force to be reckoned with. If there’s a dance track with top 40 crossover potential this summer, this is it.”
“Nothing” notched a No. 24 peak on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and reached No. 38 on Dance/Mix Show Airplay in May.
Anthony, resident DJ at Shep Pettibone’s venerable nightclub Paradise in Asbury Park, New Jersey, as well as a nationwide resident with the DILF party brand, has also been liking Lady Gaga and BLACKPINK’s “Sour Candy” (Dark Intensity mix). The DJ calls it “a standout track from the Chromatica album. Dark Intensity turns up the energy and makes this one a real floor-stomper. I foresee many drag shows featuring this song in the future.”
Shortly after Chromatica‘s release, “Sour Candy” excelled on Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (No. 2, June), as well as on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs (No. 3, also June). The track currently ranks at No. 7 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs.
Additionally, Staten Island, New York, resident Anthony, an executive producer in the talk programming department at SiriusXM by day, is into Connor Bvrns’ “Innocence.” “It’s such a great summer jam,” Anthony says. “His previous single with Bonn, ‘Anthem,’ was a favorite of mine, so this one caught my ear immediately. This is the song I want to hear while I’m on the beach with my friends, socially distanced, of course, enjoying a White Claw.”
“Anthem” advanced 10-6 on the Dance Club Songs chart dated March 28, the most recent edition before the list’s coronavirus-induced break.
John Hohman
John Hohman has been enjoying The Shapeshifters’ latest, “Finally Ready” (extended mix), featuring Billy Porter. “I love everything about this song,” Hohman gushes to Billboard. “The disco production from The Shapeshifters, live horns, string feel and Billy Porter’s smooth vocals … they all fit together like a glove.”
The Pittsburgh-based Hohman, who would normally be DJing at Rivers Casino and The PA Market, among other venues, has also been savoring Melanie Pfirrman, Pitbull and IAmChino’s “Suda” (Klubjumpers remix). “It has a great Latin feel and just makes you wanna move,” he beams. “It’s such a fun summertime record, and I love the synth horns and percussion. Nice remix, Klubjumpers!”
Hohman, a prolific remixer and founder of MetroMix, also touts one of his newest productions, Rob Moore’s “Turn Me Loose,” featuring Kiva (John Hohman MetroMix extended remix). The DJ shares, “I had a great time working on this remix. If you are looking for a club rock-style banger, check this one out. Thanks to rock guitar player Xander Demos for turning it loose.”
Danny Morris
Danny Morris is feeling Bright Light Bright Light’s “Sensation,” featuring Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, calling it “one of my favorite new songs this summer. I hope it will catch on with people. Beautiful lyrics and melody, everything a pop song should be, with Shears adding some amazing harmonies.”
Morris, who would typically be playing several times a week at Just John’s in St. Louis, also shouts out Sia’s “Together,” from the upcoming movie Music, for which Sia wrote 10 new songs. She also directed the film. “I am hoping eventually dance mixes come out,” Morris says. “It is an amazing song with dance floor potential. A great song with a great message, what we really need right now.”
So far, the poppy, original “Together” has hit Digital Song Sales (No. 32, June) and is the leading debut on the latest, July 11-dated Adult Pop Songs airplay chart (No. 33).
Additionally, Morris, who has been livestreaming on Friday and Saturday nights during the pandemic, is vibing to BlissBliss’ new cover of Marvin Gaye’s iconic “What’s Going On.” “This has a very relevant message that was strong in 1971 and is even more relevant now,” Morris muses. “Band members, as well as husband and wife team of Lang and Renee Bliss, did an amazing cover and dance mixes to this timeless classic.” Morris also admits a little bias: he created the video remix for the song.
Gaye’s original classic topped Best Selling Soul Singles (now Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs) for five frames and reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971.
