HEADS KNOW TAPE 004: Bodegaparty
An interview and mix with the Brooklyn-born DJ.
Photo: Josue Caraballo
HEADS KNOW TAPES is our mix and interview series, curated to introduce you to the most exciting innovators, selectors, and artists from New York City and beyond.
Get it straight to your inbox by subscribing on Substack.
Csyan Russell, also known as Bodegaparty, is an expert at reading the room. Her sets are unpredictably satisfying–she’ll bounce from techno to drill and electro to ‘90s R&B in 15 minutes if you’ll let her. Somehow, they deliver exactly what you’re craving at that very moment. Despite her undeniable skill as a selector, Russell doesn’t take herself too seriously. But that’s what makes her so much fun.
While genre-defying club sets aren’t unique to Bodegaparty, New York City or even the greater dance music scene, what makes them special is their deep care for the community. If you don’t see Csyan either behind the decks (which would be a rare case) or throwing a party themself, you can probably find them at another event supporting their friends.
One of my fondest memories last year was around my birthday. Bodegaparty caught me sadposting on Twitter for three days straight and dragged me out of my house to party with them. While I ended up sneaking back home within the hour, she still managed to get me to three different clubs. It’s not a thing I’d do for just anyone.
Get a taste of a Bodegaparty live set with our latest tape, which was recorded earlier this month at Nowadays, and read on for our silly little conversation below.
You don’t stop talking about your dog, Spazz. What’s the one thing you two have in common?
BODEGAPARTY: We both enjoy cuddling and napping and snacks!
Tell me how you got into DJing. How your career has progressed since you started?
I definitely didn’t always know I wanted to be a DJ! You know, it starts off the same—doctor, lawyer, astronaut, filmmaker, painter, etc… then you work a dead job and the only thing you have is your perfectly curated Spotify playlists. I leaned into that, started messing around on my phone with a DJ app and then it spiraled.
During lockdown, I barely DJed. I cried about not being one a lot though. After a bad breakup and life crisis later, I ended up doing a summer-long series called Moderna Mondays, where I DJ’d off an XDJ every single Monday for a few months. My name just got out there locally and I started getting booked. Now I’m here :)
Say a new DJ is booked for an event. Do you have any tips on what they can do to improve quickly? (Asking for a friend who is me.)
Gotta keep practicing! The more you do it the more it just clicks. And don’t be afraid to watch and learn from other DJs too.
If the dancefloor clears, what's the song you use to bring everyone back?
Sexyy Red - Sexyy Walk
DJ C-Him - Gawd Damn
Or whatever is a popular Drake song I can think of at the moment.
In your opinion, what makes a good tastemaker?
Strong curation and novelty (underground artists/producers) don’t hurt.
If the music, the people and the sound system make a party good, what makes a party great?
Free stuff, performance art, drag, dancers, disco ball, video games…it’s subjective but if a party has something to experience beyond music, people and sound system then the party is outstanding in my opinion.
What's the worst NYC venue and why?
I wouldn’t know, I only play at the best of the best ;)
If you had to get rid of stop going to bodegas or parties for the rest of your life, which one would you give up?
Maybe bodegas…I can always go to the supermarket.
What's something you're proud of accomplishing in 2023 and one thing you hope to achieve in 2024?
I’m so proud I landed my first paid partnership and managed to DJ consistently in 2023. Now I hope to do it again but outside of my hometown and with a little more stability in 2024.
What can we expect from this mix?
This mix really shows my true open-format side and that I’m capable of blending and mixing genres smoothly. The mix is actually from my Nowadays set on January 18th so I was working a crowd in real time. I’m proud of it and had a lot of fun with it and think y’all will too.
Is there anything I haven't asked you that you want to talk about? Anything you want to promote?
I’m looking to travel more and play out of New York so if anyone is interested and find me cool hmu <3
Support Bodegaparty on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and SoundCloud, plus follow their tour dates on Resident Advisor.
TRACKLIST
Ciagara & DJ Heartstring - 1,2 Step
Whitney Houston & DJ Heartstring - Dancing with Somebody
Kylie Minogue - Sexcercise (Narciss International House Edit)
Yelle - A Cause Des Garçcons (Raumm Édit)
Sarah Fina - Get It Girl
Pink Pantheress - Nice To Meet You (feat. Central Cee—Florentino Edit)
Evelyn - Wellness Program
Sleaford Mods - Fuck Off I’m Going Home (Dave The Drummer Unofficial Bootleg)
Time In Lieu - Bape (Tool)
DJ Urlab & Anina - Brr Shawty
Amadeezy - The G Code
Tyla - Water (Mnroe Versace Vogue Edit)
El Blanco Nino - Coco Tao Bom
Tah & BASSBEAR!- Break It Up
DJ Eurovox - In The Club
Tokisha, Haraca Kiko, El Chery Scom - Tukuntazo (Gio Lucca Edit)
LSDXOXO - Took the Porra
Sketchy - Out of my Mind
DJ SWISHA & BASSBEAR!! - Shake N Bounce
Toondaproducer - Ay Bay Bay (Jersey Club Rmx)
Sdot Go, Lutcha Nova & Joshwa - Missin (Deluxe)
Heaven - Mirror
Stunna Girl - Rotation
PTAF & Nicki Minaj - Boss Ass Bitch
Nicki Minaj - Stupid Hoe
Sizzle - Biggidy Bounce It - HA
Drank In My Cyp Kirko Bangz (Bounce Mix)
