For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them.

As a bassist in the band Moot back in early-’80s NYC, Bruce Tantum’s formative years were spent soaking up club culture in such hallowed halls as Mudd Club, Pyramid and Danceteria. Later in the decade, his time spent in those downtown dance dens, and those that that followed, inspired him to get step into the DJ booth — and over the ensuing years, he's played at pretty much any club willing to have him, as well as at more dingy basement parties than he can remember.

For over two decades, Bruce has served as a music journalist, toiling for Time Out NY (where he served as the longtime Clubs editor), Resident Advisor, Red Bull Music Academy, XLR8R, Mixmag and more. He currently holds it down as North American editor of DJ Mag, while still heeding the call of the decks for the occasional night of record-spinning fun.

MUSIC MENTIONS

College years listening (3:27)

Kraftwerk

Throbbing Gristle

Depeche Mode

New Order

Joy Division

Being in a band right after college (5:02)

CBGB’s

Peppermint Lounge

ESG

Optimo

10,000 Maniacs

Konk

Liquid Liquid

Dog Eat Dog

The Feelies

Pylon

Pere Ubu

Aria

Danceteria

Pyramid Club

The Ritz

Justin Strauss

Journey into starting to write about music (13:35)

Time Out New York

Adam Goldstone

Frank Broughton

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life (book)

Peter Kruder

Kruder & Dorfmeister

Autobahn (album by Kraftwerk)

Music discovery over the years (22:05)

Led Zeppelin

Yes

Foghat

David Bowie

Roxy Music

The Ramones

Iggy Pop

Hawkwind

Artists of note and currently listening to (29:06)

Memoirs of Hi-Tech Jazz (album by Wajeed)

Danny Tenaglia

David Morales

Juan MacLean

Octo Octa

Eris Drew

Frank & Tony

Francis Harris

New Northern Soul (label)

BRUX

Danny Daze

Jonny From Space

Heat Wave (album by Jonny From Space)

Nick León

Coffintexts

Homecore! Miami All-Stars (album)

Anthony Naples

Orbs (album by Anthony Naples)

Three Artists of note discovered in the last year (29:06)

Cinthy

LADYMONIX

Wajeed

Desert island discs (37:33)

Kraftwerk - Autobahn

Pylon - Gyrate

Pal Joey - Hot Music

Guest Recommendations for future FTR (43:36)

Bill Brewster

Anthony Naples

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