Oh Nathan Howdeshell! Or shall I say Brace Paine? Or rather make reference to Nightschool? Actually, none of the preceding. When is comes to the Gossip guitarist behind the decks, he now answers to the name the Chain. The name change became public this summer while he was back in town during a brief hiatus from tour. In-between back to back tours he finds the time to spin the latest electronically-leaning remixes, in addition to some Akon and of course some Smiths, at several of his local stomping grounds. Just look for gaps in the Gossip’s tour schedule and you’ll be able to bank on DJing appearances at Tube, Dunes, and some other secret discos.

How did you decide on your DJ name?
“The Chain” is my favorite Fleetwood Mac song. Those lyrics will eternally bring tears to my eyes.

Why the switch from Nightschool to the Chain?
I thought Nightschool became to obvious of a DJ, so I had to switch him up.

As the Rapture say, “People don’t dance no more, they just stand there like this” - how often do you encounter this?
Not too often, unless I’m playing my favorite John Cage records.

Ideal crowd?
Humans.

How do you feel about requests?
Requests are for parties at the Dixie Tavern.
Someone once asked me to play Michael Jackson. I said “I have never heard of him.” I recieved two consecutive slaps in the face.

What do you do outside of DJing?
I play bass/guitar in The Gossip and that is my 9-5. I am currently working on a Chain 12″ featuring our already-huge-in-France single “Who’s hand is that (touching my hand)”.

What do you do outside of the Gossip?
Draw/write/listen to records/watch Rock of Love on VH1.

Where can we find you when DJing?
I sometimes spin at “NO NO NO DISCO” (Tuesday nights at Tube) and jump in from time to time at Dunes.

How’d you get your current main gig?
I started “Suicide Club” at Dunes and ‘NO NO NO DISCO’ at Tube. Both of which have been successful nights and I just kept going.

How long have you been spinning?
I have been inflicted with a horrible case of the spins since last night after drinking an entire bottle of vodka with Uffie.

What songs will we find ourselves dancing to with you?

Grauzone, “Film 2″
Chromatics, “Mask”
Mr. Flagio, “Take a Chance”
Sally Shapiro, “I’ll be by yr side (rude 606 remix)”
Grinderman, “No Pussy Blues”

Links:
The Chain-space
Tube
Dunes
Rock of Love
Deep Red Jail’s Cut of the Day

Photo by Nilina Mason-Campbell