The West Coast veteran DJ DAN has been rocking dancefloors worldwide for close to two decades. He was at the forefront of America’s electronic music movement since day one, and there isn’t any experienced partier out there who hasn’t had at least one spectacular night out, thanks to Dan’s funk-fueled DJ sets.

But with an extensive remix and production discography, dozens of mix CDs to his name, and his own successful imprint InStereo Recordings, it may come as a surprise to hear that Dan has never released his own artist album. But that’s changing soon, when Dan’s brand-new “Future Retro” album drops. A tribute to the old, mixed with plenty of the new, this is Dan’s summary of his life in dance music culture.

Dan will be hitting Sullivan Room for his third Basic NYC appearance this Saturday, December 5th. He took a few moments to talk about how the album came together, his thoughts on the US dance scene, and what it’s like remixing the likes of Lady Gaga and Janet Jackson.

You’ve been making music and Djing for ages, but “Future Retro” is your first artist album. It seems almost crazy to think that, but how is it that you’re only now making this move?

Yes, I know it’s crazy that this is my first album. I really never felt inspired to do one until now. I feel I have a really amazing concept with Future Retro and it will resonate with all my fans, younger and older.

Talk about the album concept “Future Retro”. How did you first get the idea for this and how did you start putting it together?

I decided that I wanted to celebrate my 20th year in the business with something special. One part paying tribute to many of the songs that inspired me growing up and as an artist; the other half of the record with new tracks. Basically where I see the music heading for me now.

How have your crowds been reacting to some of the “future retro” remakes you’ve been dropping?

It’s been amazing. Especially tracks like “Can You Feel It” and “Operator”. People can really relate to these classics from back in the day, and with my new twist on them, they really bring new life to these already amazing songs.

The first EP has a whole slate of talented remixers and producers involved. Who are you going to be working with on future releases, and what are some of the sounds you’ve really been feeling these days?

On the upcoming releases, there will be another one that I worked on with Hatiras, as well as Hipp-e, Uberzone and Fukkk Offf. I’ve really been digging the music that all of these guys have been making and am really excited to unleash the sounds that we have created together.

Anyone who has followed you for a while knows that your sound has evolved a long with the times, but you’re still always going to hear a “DJ Dan” set. What is it that you’re looking for in the music you play that really ties everything together for you?

For me, It’s always about the funk in the beats. I love all forms of house music but whether it’s in the bassline or the beats, a track just must have that funk I am looking for.

You just dropped a whole bunch of remixes for major label artists – Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Diddy to name a few. Do you find you approach music differently when you’re working on a project like that as opposed to a more underground type of release?

It’s interesting doing the major artist remixes because you find yourself working with a lot more vocals. I generally like instrumental based music but I love the challenge of taking my sound and combining it with the vocal tracks of these mainstream artists. I think it’s important for us underground producers to inject our own edgy sound to what is happening at the mainstream level. We want to be a part of making mainstream music better instead of complaining about it like so many of us have in the past. I think mainstream music has come a long way and I’m happy to be a part of it right now.

As far as your music goes, you just signed to the Nettwerk label. Talk about what you’ll be doing with them? Does it involve InStereo, your own label?

InStereo has always been a label to release my own original content as well as promote artists that I strongly believe in. Now that I’m signed to Nettwerk, I’ll be utilizing their label to release my artist album as well as my follow up album. Going forward for the next few years, all my original content will be released on Nettwerk, but I’ll continue to push upcoming artists that I believe in on InStereo as well as remixing most of the releases.

As someone who has played so many shows in your career, you’ve gotten a pretty unique perspective on dance music culture, especially here in America. What would be your impression on where things are at right now as far as the US scene goes?

I think we’re at a pretty exciting time. I’ve noticed how hip-hop artists are beginning to work with electronic artists and vice versa. It seems that slowly but surely electronic music is becoming more accepted by the mainstream. For all of us DJ’s and producers who have been loyal to the underground, I think we definitely want to part of shaping the music going forward.

This will be your third appearance at the Sullivan Room for Basic NYC. What’s your favorite part about playing at the venue?

I absolutely love Sullivan Room. I feel that it is the best club for me In NYC. It has an underground vibe that really brings out my true fans. Every time I play there, there are always people I have not seen in years that come out to support. I also see a lot of the Burning Man crowd. That always adds an electric element.

Finally, do you have a chart or a top 10 for us?

DJ Dan – Can You Feel It? (Zodiac Cartel Remix)
DJ Dan & Hatiras – Drop Hits (Album Mix)
Uberzone – I No You
Hatiras – Digital Doom 2010
Fukkk Offf – Lets Rock The Party (Fukkk Offf Remix)
Mike Hulme – 100mg (Stupid Fresh Remix)
Dave Spoon – Lummox (Plump DJs Remix)
Popof – Faces ‘Uch
DJ Dan – Bam (Rico Tubbs Remix)
High Caliber – Come Together (Jeff T Remix)