by Malcolm Montgomery
There should be no doubt that DJ Havana Brown remains focused on her career. The Australian spinner has already gained worldwide attention in the past few years while working with many of America’s top musical talent. In 2010, she served as the exclusive support act for Britney Spear’s European Circus tour upon the request of the pop diva’s people. Havana’s other support acts include Lady Gaga, the Pussycat Dolls and Rihanna. She has also found success with the release of her debut single “We Run the Night” in April 2011. Fenuxe caught up with Australia’s No. 1 female DJ, and here’s what she had to say:
Fenuxe: How was the Super Bowl?
Havana: It was pretty cool. It was my first time going to the Super Bowl. So, I got pretty cool tickets where we had a pre-party event sort of thing and afterwards you get to walk on the field, which is pretty amazing.
Fenuxe: What did you think of Madonna?
Havana: I thought she was great. I looked at it again on YouTube and thought it was good. Then I went back and looked at Janet Jackson’s performance, and I thought that was amazing.
Fenuxe: How did you get your start in the music industry?
Havana: I started DJing about five or six years ago, and I was doing a lot of club shows and touring around quite a bit. Then I started doing supports for people like the Pussycat Dolls around Australia for their international tour. From there the manager suggested me to the Britney Spears camp, and I scored the Britney Spears support around Europe, as well as Australia. I think that was really great because I was exposed to a wider audience than I had been previously. I think that was really when things started to take off, and now I have toured with Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Enrique and Pitbull. I’ve got radio shows and compilations, and now I’m putting out my music. It’s all about getting out there and working and trying to expose yourself to as many people as you can.
Fenuxe: Your song “We Run The Night” was just added to the z100 playlist. How does that feel?
Havana: I’m pretty excited about that one because I’ve been told it’s the biggest radio network in the U.S.
Fenuxe: With all of the success of “We Run The Night” how do you plan to out-do yourself?
Havana: Ha ha, I know! That’s always a challenge, isn’t it? I’m just continuing working on tracks and just trying to make music that makes me happy and that I like and that is a representation of me as an artist. I am pretty fortunate to be working with some pretty amazing people at the moment. I’ve got Pitbull on the track now, and with my other stuff I am going to be working with RedOne. We have done an insane amount of tracks together, and I’m pretty excited to put my other music out. I think it’s on par or could be bigger than “We Run the Night.” I just have to aim high and hopefully at least match the success. But I want it to be better.
Fenuxe: What’s the state of your debut album?
Havana: I’ve got a whole heap of amazing songs. We are really just fine-tuning, and I am still working on other songs as well with different producers. But yes, it’s in the works right now.
Fenuxe: Do you have a release date?
Havana: Well you know, being a DJ, I feel like I have a little bit more freedom with that type of thing. I don’t feel like I need to be releasing an album straight away. We can kind of play with things a little more, and it can be a little more free and not so rigid. But as far as the album, it will definitely be this year. I’ve been thinking of ways to make it different, and I am hoping I can do that. It may not be just your normal stock standard album format.
Fenuxe: After working with Pitbull and RedOne, who are the other people in the industry that you would dream to work with?
Havana: I’d love to work with the Cataracs. I really love their production. I think they are insane and creative. My opinion of them is that they are the future of hip hop, and I think they are definitely right on track. I just really like their sounds and the way they produce. But as far as an artist, I think the one artist I have been inspired by my whole life would be Janet Jackson. It would be amazing to do something with her. But you know I may have missed the boat on that one; I don’t know if she is ever going to come out with another record, but, you know, that would be amazing.
Fenuxe: Do other DJs inspire you?
Havana: Absolutely. When I first started I was inspired by DJAM. I used to watch him all the time, even YouTube him and watch footage of him. I just love the way he was able to play anything and everything, from hip hop, dustup, house, to old classic rock tunes, to old hip hop tunes. I like how he was able to play it all and keep the crowd shocked, and I love that. He was a big inspiration for me and definitely changed the way that I played. When I started being inspired by him was when I grew and became a better DJ. I owe a lot to him. His passing was really upsetting to me. I just thought we had lost such a great talent.
Fenuxe: Do you feel any pressure from all of the women that are dominating the charts these day?
Havana: I don’t know if I feel pressure, because obviously I have the pressure I have on myself to put out good music and be the best that I can be and stay true to myself. That has absolutely nothing to do with any other acts. They are all doing their own things and have their own paths and missions, and I have my own as well. I think it would be all too much if I took that pressure on as well. But I can only concentrate on myself.
Fenuxe: What sets you apart?
Havana: I think DJing definitely sets me apart from all of the other acts, and I am very involved with production and writing. I know a lot of acts do that, but I see it from a different point of view because I basically live in the clubs. I see what is out there; I see what’s going on. I’m always researching. I have to stay on top of my game. I think what sets me apart is my style, which is kind of a new concept because I am out there all night DJing and then I sing my songs while I am DJing. Not many DJs sing on their own tracks.
Fenuxe: If you could only choose to be a vocalist or a DJ, which one would you want to choose?
Havana: Ah, don’t put that on me. I honestly believe they go hand in hand. I think a lot of DJs are producing and writing and putting music out there. I think that it’s a natural progression once you get to a certain point you want to push yourself more and challenge yourself to produce something of your own and play it in the clubs and have people respond positively to that. To tell you the truth, I really could not choose because the artist that I am now is because of my DJing.
Fenuxe: Who are your favorite artists of the moment?
Havana: I am obsessed with Drake’s album. To tell you the truth I’ve gone back a little bit, and I have started listening to a lot of Aliyah. I think when I am not looking for music to play in the clubs those are the kind of things I like to listen to. They are a little more soul and chill and not so energetic and a bit more urban. I like when an album is comprehensive and you feel like listening to a certain type of music. The whole album is that type of music; it’s not like rock on one song and pop on the next and then hip hop. I like that type of album artist who sticks to what they do best.
Fenuxe: So what do you like to do that doesn’t involve music?
Havana: Well I am consumed by my music, even in my time off. There’s not a time when something doesn’t make me think of music or a new idea. I guess what I like to do with my time off is visit my friends and family and have a good movie night—a movie night where I just switch off and get involved in someone else’s story.
Traveling around the world isn’t a foreign concept for Michael Murry and partners Price Kimmel and Bristol Correa. All three are flight attendants based out of Hartsfield-Jackson, so the College Park resident and Midtown couple have spent their fair share of packing for trips. Fenuxe asked them if they had any wisdom to impart on maintaining your regular “beauty” regimen as best as you can while away from home. 
