My Cousin Vinny

Mike Diamond and My Cousin Vinny are resident mood-setters at Sacramento’s newest rooftop lounge, Revival at The Sawyer. The DJ duo talked to DOCO about their musical style, and what it’s like to be a part of the changing atmosphere of Downtown Sacramento.

(Check out upcoming events at Revival here!)



DOCO: Tell us about your previous experience as a DJ and how it led you to Revival.



My Cousin Vinny: I started DJ-ing when I was 13 and have always been really into music. I’ve been playing around town for the last 9-10 years or so.

I was discovered via social media by the people at Revival. Me and Mike have a great connection and partnership and I am grateful I get to do something I enjoy with my friend.

Mike Diamond: Since I was young I have had an electronic music influence from my mom and aunt. I started DJ-ing in high school and I’ve been DJ-ing for about 10 years all over midtown and downtown. The position at Revival really just fell into place; they reached out to us and wanted to hear us play at our other residency. They came out and really liked us.

DOCO: How do you go about setting the tone throughout the evening while DJ-ing?



My Cousin Vinny: There are a lot of factors. I think a part of it is understanding and knowing Revival’s vision at that spot, then complementing what is already going on. It’s all part of an experience.

Mike Diamond: Trying to play music that is appealing to people, but also with the vibe of the atmosphere at Revival.

DOCO: What is your favorite part about working at Revival?



My Cousin Vinny: I think being a part of something new from the get-go is the most exciting part about Revival. I like how everything is put together – the music, the view, and the vibe. Another thing I really like is the demographics; there are very diverse groups of people that all equal Sacramento vibing to music, which reaffirms why I love what I do.

Mike Diamond: The people. The music will always be there but Revival is bringing out the people that might not necessarily all be together in one place. I really like the crowd and the diversity. It takes a new venue to do that in Sacramento.

DOCO: Can you tell us about any fun events coming up you’ll be DJ-ing at?



My Cousin Vinny: We play here every Friday except the first Friday of the month, and then every Saturday Mike and I play at Golden Bear which is really fun and a different vibe.

Mike Diamond: New Years Eve – I’m sure we will be doing something fun!

DOCO: How does it feel being a part of Sacramento’s first rooftop bar?



My Cousin Vinny: It feels really exciting! I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and the fact that they reached out to me is very humbling. The fact that I was brought on board for what I do is very important, Revival understands creative vision which makes it a great relationship.

Mike Diamond: It feels great; we are really excited to be a part of it.

DOCO: What makes you excited about the expansion of DOCO and the downtown Sacramento area?



My Cousin Vinny: It is really cool to see all the new faces, people, life in the downtown area. The DOCO area is creating a new vibe and life in the middle of downtown.

Mike Diamond: It is needed. It is new, vibrant, and fresh – a good change for Sacramento.

DOCO: Describe your musical style in three words.



My Cousin Vinny: Smooth, Energetic and Melodic.

Mike Diamond: Fun, Sexy, and New.

DOCO: Who are your favorite artists of all time?



My Cousin Vinny: Michael Jackson, Prince and Daft Punk.

Mike Diamond: Felix the House Cat.



CONNECT + LISTEN:

Mike Diamond

Instagram: @mikediamond

Twitter: @mikedmnd

SoundCloud: mikediamond



My Cousin Vinny

Instagram: @my_cousin_vinny

Twitter: @my_cousin_vinny

SoundCloud: MyCousinVinny - DOCO Sacramento

“It’s all about feel-good vibes and having a good time.” That’s how local DJ My Cousin Vinny describes his brand new dance night “Family Jewels” at Chaise Lounge (1330 H Street, the old Bulls location). The third installment of Family Jewels just passed last weekend, but Vinny and his fellow resident DJ AJ Sachs are planning on bringing the party back twice in November (first and third Saturdays) so mark your calendars if you like to groove and want to check out a fledgling dance night that has the potential to be the next big thing. Be the cool guy/girl and get in on the ground floor, then bring your friends and they’ll be like, “You know about all of the cool stuff happening in town!” Check out Soundcloud.com/mycousinvinny and Soundcloud.com/ajsachs to check out recent mixes. Family Jewels is free, 21-and-over only, and the party runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. - Submerge Magazine

It could be said that music is the backdrop of our lives, and songs intertwine to form the fabric of our days. As a DJ, My Cousin Vinny mixes and blends one song with the next to create his own genre of house music. A Sacramento native, Vincent Miranda plays events such as Family Jewels and Higher Sound at Kasbah Lounge, as well as a weekly gig at Faces Nightclub.

Miranda, who is 27, began DJ-ing at 13 when he received a pair of turn-tables for Christmas. He would later host events with another local, DJ Mike Diamond, across the state, frequenting Los Angeles, where he would open for Big Sean. His roots, however, are firmly planted in Sacramento, where he has opened twice for international DJ Steve Aoki and thinks the emerging music scene here has a unique presence.

“What sets Sacramento apart is that it’s more close-knit,” says Miranda. “There’s a subculture brewing here where everybody is connected.”

Miranda will play June 10 at Concert in the Park at Cesar Chavez Plaza from 5–9 p.m. It will be Miranda’s first time performing at the event, and he plans to bring a mix of house music and digital cumbia (electronic meets contemporary Latin). “It’ll be a good chance to really showcase the different tastes that I’m into,” Miranda says, - Sacramento Magazine