20 Questions for D.J. K-Tell

November 18, 10:57 AMPhiladelphia Nightlife ExaminerNatalie Hope McDonald

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Photo courtesy of John Donges

Philly’s own D.J. K-Tell (also known by day as Ricky Paul) has been a fixture on the local music scene for nearly two decades. Cutting his teeth at a tender age at some of the city’s most decadent nightclubs, K-Tell and his partners in musical crime have been tearing up the scene ever since. Exclusive to Examiner readers, K-Tell talks about the art of the Philly house party, his foray into comedy and the best place to sing karaoke that doesn't suck.

Natalie Hope McDonald: What was your first introduction to Philly nightlife?

D.J. K-Tell: My first introduction to Philly's nightlife scene was as a 17-year-old, underage, and standing in line at Key West (207 S. Juniper St., 215-545-1578) listening to "Sweet Dreams" by Eurythmics and wishing I was inside dancing.

NHM: Over the years, what have been some of your favorite clubs that have come and gone?

DJKT: My fav Philly spots include Kurt's, a fantastic gay disco with a huge fish tank that broke house and rap in Philly gay clubs in the 80s. And Revival, a seminal New Wave club turned house/drag scene by the late 80s. Revival was the first Bob and Barbara's (1509 South St., 215-545-4511) in that all types of folks were welcome: gay, straight, black, white, bikers, drags, hardcore. It was a very cool place and great space to dance in. My other favs: Vagabond traveling night club, Trocadero (1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888) Saturday nights with Robbie Tronco, Fluid (613 S. Fourth St., 215-629-3686) and, of course, Bob and Barbara's!

NHM: How would you describe today's scene?

DJKT: Ummm....everything's relative, right? Okay, that's a nice way of saying it sucks. Sorry, okay, being positive. Club Lyfestyles parties at The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave., 215-634-7400) and beyond are fantastic and DJ Robert Drake and his monthly "Sex Dwarf" party still supplies the New Wave goodness.

NHM: Where can we hear you spin?

DJKT: DJ K-Tell can be heard at The Dumpsta Players events at Bob and Barbara's and various one- off VIP events or fundraisers. Also, Baby Loves Disco is in its fifth year of disco pumpin' baby- safe tuneage at Shampoo (417 N. Eighth St., 215-922-7500) every first Sunday afternoon of the month. The babies really love my playlist.

NHM: Some people might know you more for your comedy group than DJ. What's that all about?

DJKT: Dumpsta Players have been dumping pleasure into your life since 1997. It’s a cross between The Cockettes and Cookie Monster. I formed this theatre troupe after friends insisted on showing up in drag at my DJ K-Tell retro night at Bob and Barbara's. We organized (somewhat) and 130 shows later we're still thumping out theatrical madness.

NHM: When you're not busy working, do you have any favorite bars or clubs?

DJKT: When I'm not gigging in Philly and New York, I unwind with a little karaoke at Sara Sherr's “Karaoke That Doesn't Suck” at The Khyber (56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888) on Monday nights. I prefer monthly parties like "Sex Dwarf" at Fluid or Lisa Lisa's Drag Show at Bob and Barbara's every Thursday to club nights.

NHM: For someone who may be new to Philly, where's a good place to start going out?

DJKT: Bob and Barbara's and its sister bar across the street, Tritone (1508 South St., 215-545-0475), are great places to meet a real mix of folks. Bump (1234 Locust St., 215-732-1800) has an awesome happy hour ($3 martinis). If you like the underage art school set, check out Wednesday nights at Shampoo for "Nocturne." I usually hang in DJ Kathy Fadigan's retro room.

NHM: Compared to other cities, how does Philly's nightlife stack up?

DJKT: I just got back from spending the last six weekends in Manhattan rehearsing and performing a new show. If standing in long lines and paying $8 for a beer is where you're at, then head up to New York. Philly is a down to earth city, gritty and full of realness. I have the most fun in cheap dive bars, and Philly's got plenty of those.

NHM: Where do you go to see live music?

DJKT: I see live music in all sorts of venues: World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400), Tritone and various larger facilities. In 2008, I was lucky enough to snag tickets to see legendary New Wavers Yaz (Vince Clark of Erasure and Alison Moyet) in New York City and Human League/Belinda Carlisle in Trenton. I also support local acts, such as The Tights, Beretta 76, Ken and Sargeant Sass (who often play at Tritone). Many of these are presented by Sara Sherr as part of Sugar Town, a monthly event dedicated to women musicians. I also love the Latvian Society (531 N. Seventh St., 215-922-9798). It’s a great bar with actual Latvian being spoken. Love to Laris!

NHM: What artists or bands are in your heavy rotation these days?

DJKT: I split my listening time between retro and new music 50/50. Love the Black Kids single, The Ting Tings, Georgie James, Sufjan Stevens, Keane and Goldfrapp. Retro listens include: Billy Squier, Carpenters, Cardigans, Eurythmics, Donna Summer, and K-Tel compilations.

NHM: What does your ultimate playlist include?

DJKT: My ultimate playlist must include spacey, sexy acts like Air and Portishead. Busy people value their down time and I'm no exception. It's nice to turn the party off and get down to business.

NHM: What's been your biggest influence?

DJKT: I could answer with cliches like Madonna or John Waters; just watch The Dumpsta Players perform and their influence is obvious. No, I'll go with Wayland Flowers and Madam, a freakish ventriloquist act from the 70s with a really gay man and an overbearing whore-puppet. They did the talk show and game show circuit and ended up with their own sitcom. I can't imagine my childhood without them.

NHM: Did you know Madame is making a comeback? You betcha! To celebrate, what’s the best nightclub in Philly?

DJKT: I'll take a good wherehouse party over a nightclub any time. Club Lyfstyles recently did a killer Kensington party. That was sinfully delicious.

NHM: Where else can a person go dancing in this town?

DJKT: I prefer monthly parties to overall clubs. It's not where, but with who. If I'm with my Dumpstas, you can have a party anywhere, even at the literary debut of The Passion of The Christ right there at the Rittenhouse Square Barnes & Noble (1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716), when Dumpsta performer Divine Ms. Jimmi suddenly started yelling, "Who wants to get Anti-Semitic for Easter?" We nearly got ejected from the store for pointing out what a pig Mel Gibson is.

NHM: Dare I ask how else you spend your free time in Philly?

DJKT: What free time? I just edited 26 episodes of "Dumpsta Players Present" for DUTV-54, which airs every Thursday at 11 p.m. Ok, I guess I do have some free time...just hitting all my friends events and supporting them.

NHM: Are there any out-of-the-way spots you like to visit outside of Center City?

DJKT: For fun, I like to go thrifting in Germantown and points North. There's a store out there where everything's 50 cents. It's called Bargain Thrift Center (5261 Germantown Ave., 215-849-3225).

NHM: What neighborhood would you suggest for the ultimate bar crawl?

DJKT: My fav bar crawl has to be Camac Street in the Gayborhood. Not only are there great little bars like Tavern On Camac (243 S. Camac St., 215-545-0900) with a dance floor and piano bar, but you also get the added excitement in the dead of the hot summer of hookers, trannies and Johns trying to pickup. Always fun to stick a young cute friend out there and pretend she's a "working girl.” This is my favorite place to "stoop.”

NHM: Besides Philly’s finest working “girls,” what local performers do you think embody Philly style?

DJKT: Drag diva and supastar Britanny Lynn and Miss Lisa Thompson from Bob and Barbara's. Ms. Lynn is a helluva gifted stand up comedian and always brings the "Great Northeast" to any party (and a bucket of chicken). Miss Lisa Lisa is a stunning, ageless beauty and gives realness new meaning. She needs to be seen to be believed.

NHM: Tell me about your ideal date night.

DJKT: My ideal date night includes embraces by the water and some Finlandia vodka to loosen things up.

NHM: Finally, anything new you’re working on that we must check out?

DJKT: The Dumpsta Players present a new holiday show at Bob and Barbara's on Wednesday, December 17, at 11 p.m.