Q&A: Palms resident DJ Pauly D

By Aida Ahmed

Saturday, June 25, 2011 | 2 a.m.

The Sun sat down with Palms resident DJ Pauly D and talked about everything from how he got into the DJ scene to his new MTV show that will be filming in Las Vegas. Here’s what the “Jersey Shore” star had to say:

Las Vegas Sun: How long have you been a DJ?

Pauly D: Since I was 14 years old; I had my first real DJ gig.

LVS: How many nights were you performing as a DJ in Rhode Island before Jersey Shore?

P: It was six nights a week that I was DJ’ing in Rhode Island — all different lounges and clubs over there.

LVS: Is it true that there will be a new MTV show that follows you around as a DJ, and if so, will you be filming at the Palms?

P: Yes, it’s very true and they are coming to the Palms. Signed, sealed and delivered. MTV signed off on it, and I’m happy about that.

LVS: Why do you say the Palms is the perfect place for you?

P: Obviously, the show picked up my DJ career but I had to show them what I could do, and this is always where I wanted to end up. DJ AM was always a mentor of mine and he passed away while I was filming Season 1 of Jersey Shore. So a dream of mine was to DJ at the Palms at Rain. They gave me that one shot to try it out and they liked it and they gave me the residency.

LVS: What are you trying to accomplish with this Palms residency?

P: Just that you don’t have to be labeled as one type of DJ. I’m not just a dance DJ. I’m not just a hip-hop DJ. I’m open format. I want to be known as the body rocker. When you leave my club, you had a good time and you remember it.

LVS: As far as your career, where do you feel you are?

P: This is where I want to be; this is where I’m happy. Later down the line, I want to do some producing and work with other artists.

LVS: What’s your favorite part of the Palms?

P: The pool! And Rain. Rain is crazy!

LVS: How big is your music library and what kind of equipment do you use?

P: I stick with vinyl. I like the art form, so I always have two turntables. I use a computer with Serato. My library is over two terabytes of music right now.

LVS: Are you bringing the Jersey Shore fist-pump music to Las Vegas?

P: I’m known to get the fist pump in, so I play a lot of dance music. That’s hot right now. And I’m throwing in some hip-hop and rock as well.

LVS: What are the five songs you have to have in your mix every night?

P: “Beat dat Beat.” That’s my track, I have to play it. “Give Me Everything” by Pitbull, Rihanna’s “What’s My Name,” “Take Over Control” by Afrojack, and my other go-to song is old-school Usher: “Yeah!”