Chicago-turned-New York DJ Honey Dijon has been infecting the metropolis clubs with a traditional Chicago House upbringing. A producer, DJ, and remixer, she sent off 2011 with her Toolroom Records single release “Until The Day,” that features classic House vocalist Dajae. The single became well-embraced within the electronic community. With multiple residencies in New York City, Honey Dijon is consistently proving herself as a respectable DJ that is gaining recognition worldwide. I caught up with her to talk about her Chicago days and the latest release.

Link: Honey Dijon Official Site

Honey Dijon Radio Show Featuring Dog and Pony Exclusive Mix

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What was it about DJs like Frankie Knuckles, Derrick Carter, and other cats in the Chicago scene that influenced you and what is it about House music that attracts you? Who are some of your favorite Chicago DJs and why? Outside of this circle, what other elements can you cite is a personal influence to your style?
I grew up in Chicago and house music is in my blood. Derrick Carter has always been a close friend and he influenced my heavily with his technical skills. When I moved to NYC and J became friends with Danny Teneglia his sense of drama and ear for new sounds also influenced me heavily. I like to say my sound was born of these two influences.

Why the move from Chicago to New York City? If it is, how are things different with the NYC club culture and how have you bettered yourself as this is really the beginnings of your DJ career.
It was a breakup and always a desire to be in NYC. I started djing in NYC because unlike Chicago where you would hear all kinds of music mixed together I found NYC linear. It’s still like this! People who like techno go here, people who like soulful house go there. In Chicago we mixed it all up as long as it fit. I still play like that!

It was Danny Tenaglia who really set the ball in motion for you. How did he become a factor in your career and how did he help? What was the experience like for you the first time getting behind the decks?
Well I met him through mutual friends and we clicked. His sets at Twilo and Vinyl are legendary. He really exposed me to the sounds coming out of Europe and it opened my ear. He was a major influence as well a Derrick in development as an artist.

On your Toolroom single “Until The Day,” you have Dajae laying down vocals. How did that come about and what was that like working with the classic house vocalist?
A dream! She is amazing and such a lovely person as well. She asked me to sing it to her how I think it should sound! Can you imagine? I can’t sing at all and hear I am trying to in front of one of the best voices in dance music. But she put me at ease and then it became fun!

How do you feel the remixes turned out? Were you surprised by anything?
I loved hearing how other people heard the song. It was a lot of fun and I love all of the mixes! They all did an excellent job!

One thing I love about the mixes you make is the progressiveness of the music while keeping this underlying smoothness with subtle nods to the a soul/disco vibe. Nowhere have I heard so far do you exploit the sound. Is this an intentional focus to what you do?
That’s how DJs in Chicago learn to play. So much talent there that you have technical skills as well as good track selection. I’m a minimalist at heart and I live be the credo less is more. What can you do with the basic elements. It’s easy to be over the top but it takes thought and a point of view to work with just a few sounds for maximum effect.

From the fashionable and sometimes risqué artfulness of your image, to what extent are you conscious of every aspect of the process. How important is it to you?
Hahaha? You think it’s risqué? I think now image is more important than ever because technology has made been a DJ/producer easier than ever before. Besides the music what else can people connect to you as an artist? Image, personality, and lifestyle is just as important now. Especially with social media!

With many of your songs, you start out with something accessible and add depth to it. It’s subtle but the results are powerful. When do you feel it’s best to crank up the levels of intensity in a mix?
At the end of the mix. That’s where people lest expect it and it’s an element of surprise. Quentin Harris is the master of that! I learned that from him.

You are working on some remixes, what all are you working on? How do you look at a song remix versus a song constructed for a mix?
I just take elements I like or feel are the most exciting parts of the track and go from there. Alot of remixing is editing and creating a new environment for the song!

What all do you have coming up for the rest of the year and into next?
I have some original work coming out with my studio partner Sebastian Manuel and some remixes for Jessica 6 and REM. I’m also excited about getting into the studio with the art band Salem. That will be really interesting!