Deysn Masiello says, “Scott (Carrelli) is the best DJ I have heard from the United States." Big words from one of the scene’s rising stars about one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets.

For those who have traveled to the city by the Bay, they will have most likely been to an event where Scott has played, be it for Looq, Spundae or one of his own intimate SatelliteSF gatherings. Although few may know his name, they will soon enough as he returns for a second helping of the San Francisco Love Parade.

We checked in with the Mid-Western-turned-San-Franciscan to find out his thoughts on the importance of dance culture and why the city is the perfect spot to continue the legacy that Berlin started 15 years ago.

You’re playing on the ANU float that’s presented by ElectroCelt but you’re also a resident at Qool alongside Jondi & Spesh, who also have a float again this year. How did that work out?

The first thing was that being a resident at Qool and ANU, I was like “What float am I playing at?”. Jondi and Spesh were on tour and they wanted me to handle the Qool float, so I figured next year (which is this year) I would do the ANU float.

How excited are all the DJs you know about North America’s version of the Love Parade?

I haven’t talked to many people about it; talked with Desyn, and he’s really excited. I was excited to see more big names this year. Last year was more local which was cool, but Love Parade to me is a celebration of electronic music, and it’s good to have representation of the people that was there in the beginning and the big names.

Have you’ve been to any of the different Love Parade’s around the world?

I have not. I’ve heard about them. I hear it’s insane. Most recent thing I heard, was that it was cancelled again for the second year. In my own opinion, I think that will help boost it here (in San Francisco). The less it’s happening somewhere else, and it’s happening here, I think people will say “Hey it’s still happening somewhere else.”

What are your thoughts on last year’s parade in San Francisco?

I was really surprised and really concerned when the whole Love Parade thing started happening. I didn’t see any promotions or flyers – nothing, and I was like “This thing is going to tank” because no one knew about it.
But I remember on the day of the parade itself, I was playing what was the main drag, and to see all the people, it was amazing. It was really cool and it came through, but I don’t know how they (the people) found out about it.

The Love Parade and Woodstock have the same essence, same vibe; two events that bring love and peace; colorful and open-minded people together in one location, with a massive party and some of the most popular entertainers of their time. Do you see any correlations between this and Woodstock?

It’s a good fit for SF. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s because people here are so passionate about the music, or understand it, or snobs about it, but it’s just the right city.

You’re talking about the original Woodstock though (laughs)? Yeah, maybe it’s because I make the connection with SF, it is, to me there’s a celebration of diversity and people are free to be who they want to be and do what they want to do, and that’s hand-in-hand with electronic music; that’s how I feel about those events, but then I’m sure the drug culture has something to do with that.

You said you were surprised by the response from last year because of the lack of promotions and PR from the organizers. How many people do you think will be here this year with the campaign they have now?

I’m sure it’ll at least double, I’ll say triple. I mean, this year they have their shit together and there’s a lot of promotion, and they’re generating money this year with the website. I’m almost positive it’ll at least double.

" I don’t really foresee it breaking into the mainstream, and I think that’s good about it. It says underground. "

- Scott Carrelli on Dance Music

Do you think the parade will open or has opened the eyes of those that haven’t paid attention to dance culture?

I think in dance music, there’s always going to be an ebb and flow to it; it’s always going to have its up and downs. There’s always going to be die hard people like Disco (had), but I feel there’s going to be a backlash like Disco had before, people will push back with Rock n’ Roll again, but there’s going to be a core group of people like here in town, and I don’t really foresee it breaking into the mainstream, and I think that’s good about it. It says underground. Obviously, ever since Paul Oakenfold’s Tranceport went into the mind, we finally have a radio station here (devoted to dance music in the San Francisco Bay Area), but its mainstream Trance music from years ago, but the fact that we have it is cool.

Do you think this event will eventually revitalize the presence of dance music in the mainstream culture in America?

I think so. I was happy to see (LP) was going to be here and I feel it is important to the city and it will bring awareness, but it won’t bring it screaming to the mainstream.

My only thing with this town is that I see all these people putting their effort into Burning Man and stuff, and it’s one of the things I don’t understand, and I wish people would put that much passion into the city and this (LP). It’s here, it’s on our front steps, there’s a lot of carry over because of Burning Man, because of the dance music, and that’s all they talk about, year round. It’s finally over now, and people will talk about it, and afterwards, they’ll be waiting for next year.

I wish that kind of passion would happen here, and I think it was part of the lack of organization, but the parade is organized this year – it’s going to be bigger and better. I mean there’s so many Before and After parties this year, and I hear how excited everyone is about it. There’s definitely more energy based around it than previous years.

You’re the only person I know of that brings in A-talent for free or essentially free for your SatelliteSF parties. It’s another reason why SF is one of the best party cities in the world. Do you feel a sense of pride of “giving back” to the community with free nights or a sense of accomplishment to be able to do this in an age where club goers have to shell out $20-$50 just to get in to see and hear DJs?

It’s funny, people still bitch about $5 dollars. I’m like “This covers their airfares.” It’s really about it. They’re doing this particularly out of the goodness of their heart, and they like it. The first person that did it was Sean Cusick and he came out and had a blast and was like “we gotto get everyone in here, it’s really cool.”

I have SatelliteSF every Wednesday night, 3 weeks of locals, then 1 a month of Saturday unplugged, someone who usually plays in big clubs, but will do an intimate show here. It’s nice too because they play different than at the big clubs. Doesn’t have to be big and bangin’, can be more melodic and sexier.

Finally, can you give RA a heads-up on anything to keep an ear out for, or anything else towards the end of 2005?

Will be working on production, trying to find an engineer to work with, and getting gigs out of town more.