Acclaimed DJ’s, Anthony Vitale and Michael Gentile, began their careers as young teenagers and were true to the art.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Vitale and Gentile were passionate about DJing and found their career path at a young age. At just 12 years old, Vitale was quickly introduced into the party scene, spinning at night clubs across New York. He continued to grow and with more and more popularity he started spinning across the globe at some of the hottest spots in New York, Miami, Tokyo and Paris. Meanwhile, his soon-to-be counterpart, Gentile was 14, starting his career in the nightlife scene that would bring him to start a private events company. He was doing it all and was the “go-to” for private events across the tri-state.
After years of DJing, being a part of the New York nightlife scene and running private events-- Vitale and Gentile decided to combine their skills and open. THE FUNKTION HOUSE The two took a warehouse space in Brooklyn and created a studio where DJ’s stories would be told.
Before Facebook Live and the many streaming services we have today, Vitale and Gentile kicked off a show that featured veteran DJ’s along with up-and-comers to provide them with a platform to share their experiences. Being DJ’s themselves, Vitale and Gentile know the work that goes into it and are on a mission to keep the art of DJing alive.
With their series, DJ’s of all caliber shared their story, providing DJs with inspiration and advice. The series has given DJ’s the chance to tell their story, how they entered the industry, what they love about it and more. Now, with over 100 episodes under their belt, Vitale and Gentile are taking it to the next level.
Currently, the entrepreneurial DJ’s are creating a new platform that is going to make a major impact for DJ’s across the globe.
“If You Treat Djing Like A Hobby You Will Never Be Paid Like A Business “ 5 Insider Tips With Anthony Vitale
“I was hired to DJ in Brazil. I arrived early so I decided to go to hotel and then the beach. My hotel phone rang and it was the club promoter. He told me he was coming to my hotel and to not leave the room. He shows up and tells me I need to go back to São Paulo there has been a “little problem”. The drug lords in the favelas shot down a police helicopter and to get the police out of the favelas the drug lords sent people to the streets to burn the city buses. I was in and out of Rio within 5 hours. I liked how he identified it as a “little problem“”
I had the pleasure to interview Anthony Vitale of THE FUNKTION HOUSE. Anthony Vitale and Michael Gentile, began their careers as young teenagers and were true to the art. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Vitale and Gentile were passionate about DJing and found their career path at a young age. At just 12 years old, Vitale was quickly introduced into the party scene, spinning at night clubs across New York. He continued to grow and with more and more popularity he started spinning across the globe at some of the hottest spots in New York, Miami, Tokyo and Paris. Meanwhile, his soon-to-be counterpart, Gentile was 14, starting his career in the nightlife scene that would bring him to start a private events company. He was doing it all and was the “go-to” for private events across the tri-state. After years of DJing, being a part of the New York nightlife scene and running private events — Vitale and Gentile decided to combine their skills and opened THE FUNKTION HOUSE. The two took a warehouse space in Brooklyn and created a studio where DJ’s stories would be told. Before Facebook Live and the many streaming services we have today, Vitale and Gentile kicked off a show that featured veteran DJ’s along with up-and-comers to provide them with a platform to share their experiences. Being DJ’s themselves, Vitale and Gentile know the work that goes into it and are on a mission to keep the art of DJing alive. With their series, DJ’s of all caliber share their story, providing inspiration and advice. The series has given DJ’s the chance to discuss how they entered the industry, what they love about it and more. Now, with over 100 episodes under their belt, Vitale and Gentile are taking it to the next level. Currently, the entrepreneurial DJ’s are creating a new platform that is going to make a major impact for DJ’s across the globe.
What is your “backstory”
I was born and raised in Carrol Gardens Brooklyn. I come from a middle-class Italian family. My mom Angie, my dad Sal and my brother Sal are the reasons I became a DJ. My brother who is two years older would collect cassette tapes. He has an in depth knowledge of music. Being around him introduced me to nightclubs and parties a young age. This is what led me to get involved in DJing early on.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your music career?
Funniest story, I was doing a private party at 1oak on a Monday night for Jay Z and his friends. Kanye West shows up and walks into the DJ booth. Standing directly behind me with his arms folded, bopping his head, he says hello and asked me if I got his “new shit”. His album had dropped that night at midnight and he wanted to hear his tracks but I didn’t have them yet. He then told me go download them, so I pulled up LimeWire on my computer screen. Kanye turns and says “don’t download my shit go buy my shit” and stormed out of the booth pissed. One of his boys then handed me an iPod with his new album on it. I played it off that.
Most interesting, I was hired to DJ in Brazil. I arrived early so I decided to go to hotel and then the beach. My hotel phone rang and it was the club promoter. He told me he was coming to my hotel and to not leave the room. He shows up and tells me I need to go back to São Paulo there has been a “little problem”. The drug lords in the favelas shot down a police helicopter and to get the police out of the favelas the drug lords sent people to the streets to burn the city buses. I was in and out of Rio within 5 hours. I liked how he identified it as a “little problem“
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
My partner Mike Gentile and I opened The Funktion House. It’s a broadcasting studio based in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It’s a place where a DJ can come and broadcast to the world with high quality video and audio. We are currently in the development process of a new DJ platform that should be in first release by the end of 2018. We anticipate some major waves taking place in the DJ world.
WHO ARE SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE YOU HAVE INTERACTED WITH? WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? DO YOU HAVE ANY STORIES?
I’ve crossed paths with a lot of celebrities.
I’ve curated an interesting Tuesday night in Tokyo with “Uncle Jesse“ aka John Stamos. I was introduced to him through people in NY. He was in town playing with The Beach Boys and wanted a night out on the town. I was the resident DJ at a club called Feria in Roppongi, Tokyo. I set up a dinner and very cool evening with some friends.
I DJ’d Alex Rodrigues 34th birthday with my friend Jake. When Alex got on the mic he thanked everyone for coming to his birthday. He then guaranteed to win the championship and jumped in the pool with all his clothes on, only to have the rest of the team follow. That year the team won the World Series.
It was a very high profile night in a private home in Purchase NY.
I was DJing a party in Paris for fashion week when Bruce Willis stumbled into the booth and slapped the camcorder out of my friends hand as he thought he was filming him. Lol. He was in Diehard mode.
WHICH PEOPLE IN HISTORY INSPIRE YOU THE MOST? WHY?
Elon Musk is amazing. I like how he is on the forefront of breakthrough projects. He is one person that will be spoken about long after he leaves this world.
CAN YOU SHARE 6 “NON-INTUITIVE TIPS” TO SUCCEED IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? CAN YOU EXPLAIN?
Stay motivated!
Always keep young, up and coming people around you. Listen to the kids.
Distance yourself from people who are negative.
Switch lanes when you have to.
If you feel like things are slowing down re-invent yourself.
We live in a very fast paced world with technology, one week it’s hot the next week it’s not. Stay on top of your stuff, always be learning. If you’re the smartest person in the room you’re in the wrong room.
“If you treat DJing like a hobby you will never be paid like a business “
HOW HAVE YOU USED YOUR SUCCESS TO BRING GOODNESS TO THE WORLD?
I have taken my years of experience to mentor up and coming DJs. I explain my mistakes with hopes they will actually listen. I love to see new DJs succeed it’s much harder now.
My partner Mike Gentile and I created The Funktion House to help DJs, and with focus on keeping the art of DJing alive. The craft is lost in nightlife and we are showcasing it to hopefully be a guide and inspiration to the young up and comers.
WHAT ARE YOUR “5 THINGS I WISH SOMEONE TOLD ME WHEN I FIRST STARTED” AND WHY. PLEASE SHARE A STORY OR EXAMPLE FOR EACH.
Plan for the future. ( Invest in more than just yourself )
Keep it business ( Don’t get too friendly with the people who hire you. It makes things complicated)
Be careful who you keep in your company. You meet people in this industry that just want to use you as a stepping stone. (They are social climbers ) They are not your “brothers”.
Wish someone told me to buy stock in Amazon.
I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW AND BE IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN BUSINESS, VC FUNDING, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT. IS THERE A PERSON IN THE WORLD, OR IN THE US WHOM YOU WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A PRIVATE BREAKFAST OR LUNCH WITH, AND WHY? HE OR SHE JUST MIGHT SEE THIS.
Musically, I would like to have lunch with jimmy Iovine . He grew up in the same neighborhood as I and is a key person in the music industry. I respect what he has accomplished and I think we have a lot in common.