Tomorrow's SIREN Guest DJ RAD Gives Us Madge Realness

SIREN is elated to welcome DJ RAD to the booth for 10 HAIL MARYS, on Friday.  The only other DJ I know whose stage moniker is also his initials, Ryan Adam Duncan has been a friend and fellow music-obsessed DJ/promoter colleague for almost 5 years.  Soon after I produced SHIFT, he developed the monthly party Pink Sock at Wonderland in Columbia Heights, at which I was able to guest DJ (March 2010).  

Here's an example of his style (aside from Madonna): 


One of my favorite parties, Pink Sock went into hibernation for a couple years until recently rewoven into the programming of Number 9 - one of the best bars in DC.  Ryan has also guest DJ'd with me on multiple occasions for (a party which shall never be replaced) SHIFT, which still owns many records for attendance, liquor sales, questionable makeout dancing, and confetti-stained footwear - especially when he was able to share the stage.

To say RAD is a massive fan of Madonna is a gargantuan understatement.  When pondering who I wanted to have guest DJ, it was easy (in addition to SIREN favorite Charlie Kordes).  The first time I met him, he was wearing a torn Like a Virgin-era t-shirt, True Blue-era top hat, and an array of her signature necklaces/rosaries.  He almost always drops an old school Madge track in his sets, with flawless execution.  His adoration for the Queen of Pop, especially her Bedtime Stories/Erotica era, will be a perfect balance to my True Blue/Ray of Light, as we destroy the floor Friday night.  

It also helps that he's a hell of a fucking human being and one of the nice, most genuine people you'll ever meet.  

RAD's TOP 10 MADONNA VIDEOS

1. Express Yourself "Blonde Ambition Tour"

2. Vogue - MTV Awards 1990

3. Hung Up

4. Open Your Heart

5. Everybody

6. Lucky Star

7. Papa Don't Preach

8. Fever, Girlie Show Tour

9. Beautiful Stranger

10. Human Nature

In his own words:

"Madonna is my biggest role model. Hands down. Her entire life has basically been a text book documentary on how to be a flawless human being. The first time I remember hearing Madonna on the radio, I was driving in a car with my Mom...

...and "Erotica" started to play. It was so different than anything else I'd ever heard at the time. I was like, WHAT IS THIS?! My Mom's reaction was, "Turn this filth off! That slut!"...

...which only made me more intrigued. I figured out who she was and was immediately obsessed. She was perfect. I did some research. Became even more obsessed with earlier Madonna. I feel like I've been studying everything Madonna since then. I'm basically like Maureen McFarland. Her best friend from her youth. I taught Madonna how to insert a tampon! I couldn't have asked for a better role model. She moved to NYC with nothing but her ambitions, her talent, her beauty, and $20 in her pocket and became MADONNA. She is also the ULTIMATE shameless slut $ucce$$ story (wear a condom)!!! She broke through societal barriers, social norms, and confronted sexism and homophobia, all while looking flawless, grabbing her crotch, and giving anyone who had a problem with it the middle finger. And she's still making us dance! And I hope she never stops."

Additionally, for your enjoyment, here's a video of the two of us (along with many others) dancing on a booze bus on the way to see Robyn.