Posted on April 16, 2007
What do you get when you mix an English-born marketer with a strapping young DJ from Amsterdam? The most dynamic, entertaining and overall “balla” show from here to Timbuktu.
Richard Kelsey and Robert De Laat (more popularly known as DJ Clecious,) have been entertaining JMU students and local residents for the past few weeks at the new hookah bar in town, Isis, with their sensational show “We’ll Meet Again.”
“Robert can take a familiar song, one that is border-line played out, and turn it into something brand new with a few effects and his uncanny touch,” said sophomore Chris Ceccotti, who has not missed a performance since the shows began.
De Laat has been deejaying for the last two years in Amsterdam, finding inspiration from his two older brothers who both DJ and work in the music industry.
“One day I saw DJ Tiësto on TV and I was so fascinated by what he did, how he played the crowd, his skills, but most of all his music,” De Latt said. “From then on I started working, and at the age of 16 I bought my first turntables. A couple months later I made it to the finals of a regional DJ contest in the Netherlands, and from then on the ball started rolling.”
The ball has indeed been rolling for DJ Clecious, however, the American audience has provided a challenge for this overseas musical guru.
“Deejaying here in the States is much harder,” De Laat said. “Back home when I deejayed I had to convert people to my style. Here I have to convert people to a whole genre. That’s why I play a lot of remixes here of famous tracks.”
“His musical selection is out of this world,” junior Ryan Link said. “He takes a wide variety music, mixes it up and the dance floor becomes more packed than a U.P.S. truck during the holiday season,” junior Ryan Link said.
De Laat has a remix of Fergie’s “London Bridge,” which he likes to call his dance floor destroyer.
What originally started off as a one-night stand at Isis has now become a weekly smash hit.
“The audience really enjoyed what they saw,” De Laat said. “Management approached me [and asked] if I wanted to host my own show on Wednesday nights.”
With the success of his show, and the community’s overwhelming response, Kelsey and De Laat decided to form a partnership and create Definitive Entertainment.
“We’re a promotions and entertainment company,” Kelsey said. “Definitive Entertainment organizes and promotes a weekly show at Isis which Robert DJs for.”
Along with De Laat, Definitive Entertainment also introduces other musical guests and special performers including drummers, professional saxophonist, and of course other DJs.
“People should come to the event every Wednesday at Isis ready to party,” Kelsey said. “Isis has a unique atmosphere [which is a] mix between a relaxing hookah bar and an all out dance party.”
Isis is always packed with energetic fans that are anxious to enjoy themselves and the music.
“It’s that laidback energetic vibe we want to create every week,” De Laat said. [We] just want to give people a good time.”
If you want a sneak preview of what to expect you can check out De Laat’s own radio show “We’ll Meet Again” from 12-1 a.m. Monday nights on JMU’s student run radio station WXJM Harrisonburg 88.7 FM.
The show at Isis costs two dollars and runs from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
