Doug and Derek Perry are one of the hottest DJ acts on the circuit. These good looking and incredibly talented identical twins have created a brand that has taken them around the world, including many visits to Canada. GayCalgary Magazine caught up with the dynamic duo earlier this fall.

The pair perform at many different Pride events, and discussed what pride means to them, especially based in the US where there are still many challenges.

Derek: "It is so different in the US with gay marriage not being legal in the majority of places and so many people are against it. It is nice that you can show your pride together and celebrate being unique and one."

Doug: "Like with the Chick-Fil-A thing in Hollywood and people supporting on both sides. It is 2012 why can’t we get over it? We are really lucky with our parents being so supportive, they taught us to be proud of ourselves and to be ourselves."

That said they do see a lot of positive changes at events they perform at.

Doug: "It seems like it is a lot of younger people that come out and it is more accepting which is awesome."

Derek: "I feel like we have been seeing more of a mix of gay and straight supporters."

Doug: "When we first started doing pride events it was primarily gay people but now there are more straight people coming out."

Derek: "With everything that is going on it seems like people are more passionate about it and there is a bigger energy compared to the late 90’s when gay rights weren’t as hot of a topic."

The circuit has gotten smaller as more gay clubs close their doors around the world. We asked how this has affected them.

Doug: "It is cool how it is becoming more mixed. The Abbey in West Hollywood almost seemed to be being taken over by straight people. Then they banned bridal showers from the bar because they didn’t want too much of it and wanted it evened up. In West Hollywood it is the cool thing for straight people to go to gay clubs."

Derek: "We DJ all over the place and there are lots of clubs that are still thriving and there is lots of action. But lots are closing down. Clubs for awhile were getting smaller, more like bars and lounges, but now with dance music being more popular on the radio more people are going out and people are out there again. I saw it declining but it is picking up again. Like with most DJ’s with clubs closing there are less jobs to go around. There are a lot more people DJing and younger people are getting into it. I think it is great but there are DJ’s around that are losing jobs to newer people that don’t like it."

Doug: "It is forcing promoters to be more creative and unique - things like beach parties or parties at theme parks, making it more of a visual spectacle."

Aside from being twins, Doug and Derek incorporate choreography and other elements into their performance. It isn’t just a DJ hunched over with headphones on; they feed off the energy in the room.

Doug: "We used to dance a lot when we were younger and in college started a dance troupe. We always loved moving to the music and did backup dancing for different artists. When we started DJing together it seemed natural."

Derek: "We want to see a DJ excited and enjoying themselves, not just looking down, it is more fun. So we tried to incorporate that, and the music speaks to us and makes us dance anyways, we can’t stand still."

The boys had an amazing opportunity when they met Kylie Minogue recently on a TV show.

Derek: "It wasn’t shown in Canada but a show called Watch What Happens Live, we were on her episode. She was so sweet and fun, I loved her. We have been fans for years and it was cool to meet her. It is weird that she isn’t as big in the US as she is in other places. We play her all the time but her only big hits in the US were Locomotion and Can’t Get You Out of My Head. We are huge fans."

Doug: "We were originally supposed to do another episode but when we found out she was doing a show we got psyched for it. She was very down to earth."

Kylie isn’t the only celebrity they have worked with. Some have a special connection to the Perry twins.

Doug: "One person we are working with - we wrote a song for Rhona Bennett who was on Mickey Mouse Club in En Vogue. We are doing an R&B ballad and a dance anthem with her."

Derek: "A lot of times we will DJ and they will bring in an artist. We were on Fire Island and Neon Hitch played. We have done a lot of shows with Winter Gordon."

Doug: "Cindy Lauper performed a set with us in New York. She was the first concert our parents took us to in 1984. It was crazy to be DJing and there she was. Our mom is really into pop culture and celebrities, so whenever we run into someone we have to take a picture and send it to our Mom, she gets so excited. She is living vicariously through us and it makes us happy to make her happy. She was very excited when we met Cindy. I dressed up as Cindy Lauper as a kid one Halloween. Our parents are so supportive and awesome and come to see us at gigs."

The boys have many things on the go, and plans for the future.

Derek: "We are always writing and producing music, but we haven’t released anything lately. It takes a lot to release music but we have been working on stuff that is coming out. We are in meetings about different TV things, we have a lot of cool things planned for the future."

Doug: "Music wise, because dance music is so popular now I feel like our DJing style has changed a little, we play to the crowd and what they want to hear and they react to it more. When they give us energy that gives us more energy to be more creative and have more fun."