Daily Inspiration: Meet Kerry Simester

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Simester.

Hi Kerry, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love affair with music started pretty early, probably when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I grew up listening to rock radio with my brother, and then one day a friend of his introduced me to Earth, Wind & Fire when I was about 12. That opened up a whole new world of music for me, and I was hooked! From there, I started exploring R&B, soul, funk, disco, and eventually house music.

I began collecting vinyl and making mixtapes, something I continued doing all through college. I was always that person who wanted to share whatever new music I’d discovered. Even after moving to Los Angeles, I was still recording songs off the radio and putting together mixtapes.

Living in LA, I started going out to clubs regularly and became really inspired by the DJs I was hearing. I remember thinking, “Hey, maybe I could do that too!” So eventually, I decided to give DJing a try. What started as a lifelong obsession with music turned into something I could actually share with people on a dance floor.

Before The Basement came along, I was already throwing parties. I threw some of them in my loft, but when that lease did not get renewed, I manifested of finding something similar. When I came across an unfinished basement in Boyle Heights, I immediately saw its potential. It wasn’t much to look at back then, but I could already picture what it could become. And that’s how The Basement was born!

What started as a vision has grown into an underground monthly dance party that’s now approaching its 9th year! Over the years, we’ve built an incredible community of music lovers, DJs, artists, and friends. What I’m most proud of is that we’ve managed to keep that intimate, underground spirit alive while welcoming some amazing DJs from around the world.

Along the way, we’ve launched The Basement Radio Show on dublab and released our first vinyl record, The Basement Edits. I also DJ independently and as one half of Still Rollin’ with Stacy Christine, which has given me the opportunity to play in some pretty incredible places, both here and abroad.

I never really had a grand plan for any of this. I’ve just followed my love of music, stayed curious, and surrounded myself with good people who share that same passion. And after all these years, I still get just as excited finding a great record as I did when I was a kid!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part, it’s actually been a pretty smooth road! Of course, running an underground party in a residential neighborhood comes with its challenges, and we’ve definitely had a few run-ins with the neighbors over the years.

I’ll never forget one neighbor complaining, “You have this place looking like Hollywood Blvd!” I had to laugh at that one. Between the noise complaints and the occasional unhappy neighbor, there were a couple of times when we came pretty close to getting shut down.

Fortunately, I’ve always maintained a good relationship with my landlord, and since he also happened to be the landlord of one of the neighbors who was complaining, he was able to step in and smooth things over. That neighbor actually ended up apologizing to me!

We’ve learned a lot along the way, especially about being mindful of our surroundings and respecting the neighborhood. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to bring people together through music, not disrupt anyone’s peace.

So yes, a few bumps in the road, but overall, I’d say we’ve been pretty lucky. Almost nine years later, we’re still here, still dancing, and hopefully keeping Hollywood Blvd out of Boyle Heights! Haha!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve always been drawn to creative work, whether it’s through music or visual storytelling. Before focusing on DJing and The Basement, I spent many years working as a video editor, primarily in television. Editing was something I really enjoyed, and it also helped pay the bills while I was getting The Basement off the ground.

It’s funny because editing and DJing actually have quite a bit in common. Both are about timing, rhythm, storytelling, and knowing how to take different elements and put them together in a way that connects with people.

Musically, I’d say I specialize in rare disco, rare house, and a little bit of tech, although I’ve never liked putting myself into one particular box. I’m a bit of a musical digger and love finding obscure records, forgotten gems, and unexpected tracks that somehow work together. For me, DJing is about learning, whether I’m teaching or I’m the student, you never know what you might like.

These days, much of my creative energy goes into curating The Basement, from selecting the DJs and shaping the musical direction to making sure the overall experience feels right. I love bringing together artists with different sounds and backgrounds and giving them a space to express themselves.

What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve created. There’s something really special about seeing people who may have arrived as strangers become friends through a shared love of music. We’ve had some incredible talent come through our doors, but it’s the people, the connections, and the energy on the dance floor that make it all worthwhile.

As for what sets me apart, I think it’s my curiosity and willingness to trust my own taste rather than follow trends. I’ve never been interested in doing something just because everyone else is doing it. Whether I’m putting together a DJ set, booking an artist, or planning an event, I try to stay true to what excites me.

At the end of the day, I just love sharing music and creating experiences that bring people together. If people leave with a smile, a new favorite record, or a new friend, then I feel like I’ve done something right.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think we’re starting to see some interesting shifts in nightlife, and honestly, I’m pretty excited about some of them!

One trend I’ve noticed is the rise of hi-fi listening bars and smaller, more intimate spaces. Not everyone wants to spend their night in a massive nightclub anymore, especially as we get older. I think people are looking for places where they can actually enjoy the music, have a conversation, and connect with others. There’s a growing appreciation for going out specifically to listen to music rather than just going out to be seen or to catch the latest DJ or catch that cute man or girl.

Along with that, I’m seeing more venues and promoters investing in proper sound systems, whether it’s a listening bar, nightclub, or underground warehouse party. People are becoming more educated about sound simply by experiencing what a really good system can do. Once you’ve heard music on a properly tuned sound system, it’s hard to go back! I think that appreciation is catching on, and I’m all for it.

Another trend I’m really happy to see is fewer DJs on lineups and longer sets. Rather than squeezing five or six DJs into one night, more promoters seem to be giving artists the time to really explore their collections and take the crowd on a musical journey. That’s actually something we’ve always believed in at The Basement. We typically book just an opener and a headliner, giving our headliners a good three and a half to four hours to stretch out and tell their story. To me, that’s when the magic really happens.

Of course, one of the biggest challenges facing nightlife is the rising cost of just about everything. Between venue expenses, production costs, artist fees, and ticket prices, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for independent promoters and smaller parties to survive. And for the people going out, a night on the town can get pretty expensive! I hope we find ways to keep nightlife accessible without sacrificing the quality of the experience or the people who make it happen.

Technology and AI will undoubtedly continue to change how music is made and discovered, but I think there’s also a growing desire for something more human and authentic. At the end of the day, no algorithm can replace the feeling of hearing an incredible record on a great sound system, surrounded by people who are just as excited about it as you are.

If anything, I hope the next decade brings us more intimate spaces, better sound, longer DJ sets, and a renewed appreciation for the music itself. Less hype, more listening, and plenty of dancing, of course!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://labasement.com
• Instagram: me.djkerry
• Facebook: djk.kerry
• Soundcloud: djkerry
• Other: https://bandcamp.com/djkerry

Image Credits
Credit all photos to Fara Sosa or @farahstop on IG except for the third-to-last photo (me at the dublab studio)