Questions for Andrea "SuperDre" Wallace, DJ/producer.

Electronic music seems to be blowing up nationally and, here's a surprise, even here in West Michigan. What started your interest in the genre?

Every time someone asks me that, I'm never really sure how to answer. I've got a lot of family in Detroit, and I don't know if you know the history of electronic music in Detroit, but that's where it kind of all started — like the techno scene in the late ‘80s. So I've always known about it, but I can't say that I've honestly cared that much about it until I was in high school. And I'd listen to it, but it's a lot different listening to it versus making it, and then DJing it out is very different. But that kind of how I got used to it.

When you started creating music and playing in front of audiences, what was the most intimidating factor?

As much as I hate to admit it, was being a girl. Because there aren't very many of us, and sometimes when you look around, it would be nice to see someone ... who looked like you. I always tell people it's a double-edged sword. It's cool in the sense that you tend to be noticed more because you do stand out, but at the same time you're also held to a lot more scrutiny. We can't half-ass things. If we're going to come, we're going to come with it all the way and be better than the average guy, because people are already like, ‘Oh, she's a girl.'

For those unfamiliar with electronic music, how do you create your music?

A variety of ways. I sample a lot of drum sounds, sometimes I'll sample stuff from hip-hop — especially bass tones ... I kind of pick and choose from a bunch of different things. Sometimes I'll hear a bass line from a hip-hop song and go, ‘Oh, I can use that.' I may not use that, but I may use what the pattern is, I might make something completely different. I'd love to be able to explain it, but it's really hard to explain. You just have to pick bits and pieces from different things.

Describe what one of your average shows is like.

It kind of depends on the show. I guess an ideal show is where we have complete creative freedom — sometimes that isn't always the case. Usually, for the most part, especially for out of town gigs — they book you because they like you and they like your stuff, so they're not going to tell you ‘no' ... An ideal gig has great sound ... halfway decent equipment when you get there, and just a crowd that cares. And every crowd is different, every place I've ever DJed at has their own little feel.

Where is your favorite place to perform?

It's a tossup. I love doing outdoor festivals, but as far as a venue, probably The Works in Detroit ... I think it's because the Detroit scene is very different from everywhere else.

What's your goal as a musician?

I would like my music to be heard worldwide is what it all comes down to. I just really like music and I make a lot of music and I just want it to be heard. It's fun to watch people actually enjoy themselves ... That's basically what our job is; to make people have a good time.

Your hair is huge! How do you get your hair to be so amazing?

I get questions on this daily. I wish I could say I did something spectacular, but I really don't. I pretty much wake up every day and it just looks like this. I have a little regimen after I wash it — put products in it and everything — but it does this on its own.

For more on SuperDre and electronic music in West Michigan, check out REVUE's electronic music feature here.

Photo by Tim Motley