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Meet Rafe Gomez (cultural preservation pioneer)
Rafe Gomez is a New York based and acclaimed DJ, radio personality, and business strategist, known for his innovative blend of cultural preservation and marketing expertise.
In our interview, I created a fantasy cultural year for Rafe. Expect, surprises, anecdotes, laughter, and conversational detours.
As the DJ/host/producer of Danceteria Rewind, a popular weekly two-hour Twitch livestream, which streams Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m. U.S. Central Time. Rafe brings the legendary energy of the iconic Danceteria nightclub (1979–1986) back to life.
His curated mix of early hip-hop, punk, disco, funk, and emerging EDM recreates the genre-blending music experience that defined New York City nightlife in the 1980s. With nearly 50,000 followers, Danceteria Rewind offers a “theater of the mind” for listeners seeking to relive, or discover, the eclectic sounds and artistic collaboration that shaped that era.
Beyond his role as a DJ, Rafe is a co-founder of VC Inc. Marketing, an award-winning firm that helps businesses grow through thought leadership, competitive analysis, and media strategy.
His work with clients in education, hospitality, real estate, tech, and more has been featured in top media outlets like Forbes, Fast Company, and CNBC. Rafe’s commitment to both business and culture showcases his unique ability to bridge the past and present in innovative ways.
In his engaging interview with me Rafe Gomez offers an in-depth look at the inspiration and journey behind his Twitch show Danceteria Rewind.
The conversation begins with Rafe recounting the pandemic as a period of self-reflection. Like many, he struggled with the isolation and uncertainty of those times but was struck by a realisation: despite his success as a marketing professional and DJ, he was missing a creative outlet that truly excited him. On a midnight walk, he asked the universe for guidance, which led him back to his roots in music and a desire to resurrect a formative experience in his life, the iconic Danceteria nightclub in New York City.
Rafe explains that Danceteria Rewind was born out of his fascination with the club’s eclectic music mix and the energy it fostered. Danceteria wasn’t just a nightclub; it was a cultural hub where different genres, art forms, and creative individuals collided.
He vividly recalls how, as a teenager, he was mesmerised by the diverse music that defined the club’s atmosphere, everything from emerging hip-hop and punk to Latin beats, funk, and early EDM. Danceteria's blend of styles and sounds made a lasting impression on him, inspiring him to re-create that feeling for today’s audiences.
In the interview, Rafe discusses the meticulous research process that went into crafting Danceteria Rewind. From combing through original DJ playlists to reading books like This Must Be the Place by Jesse Rifkin and Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor by Tim Lawrence, Rafe immersed himself in the history of Danceteria and the broader downtown New York scene of the late 70s and early 80s.
This deep dive not only helped him curate authentic sets but also allowed him to revive the spirit of a place that was known for bringing together art, music, and nightlife in revolutionary ways.
A key theme of the interview is the collaborative ethos of Danceteria, which Rafe emphasises was a defining characteristic of the club. Musicians, visual artists, fashion designers, and other creatives supported one another, exchanging ideas and pushing boundaries. Rafe shares anecdotes about some of the now-famous individuals who worked at the club before they became household names.
Madonna, for example, started out as a coat check girl at Danceteria, while the Beastie Boys worked as janitors, and LL Cool J was a doorman. The club’s ability to attract and nurture talent across different mediums is something Rafe aims to celebrate and preserve through his show.
Mark and Rafe also explore the role of technology in reviving and reinterpreting cultural experiences. Rafe acknowledges that the physical spaces where such vibrant scenes once thrived are becoming increasingly rare due to rising real estate costs and changing nightlife cultures.
However, platforms like Twitch offer a unique opportunity to recreate those experiences virtually, making them accessible to global audiences. With nearly 50,000 followers tuning into Danceteria Rewind, Rafe has successfully created a community that shares his love for this important cultural moment, connecting people across geographies and generations.
The interview delves further into Rafe’s vision for the future of Danceteria Rewind. He talks about his goal of not only entertaining listeners but educating them on the historical significance of the music he plays. Many of the tracks he includes in his sets have been sampled or have influenced contemporary artists, offering listeners a deeper appreciation for the roots of today’s popular music. Rafe sees his role as something of a "musical archaeologist," unearthing forgotten sounds and shining a light on their enduring impact.
Toward the end of the conversation, Mark and Rafe touch on the broader challenges of cultural preservation in a rapidly evolving digital world. Rafe reflects on how crucial it is to keep the spirit of collaboration alive, even in today’s fragmented creative industries. By blending the old with the new and inviting listeners to engage with the past in meaningful ways, Danceteria Rewind stands as a testament to the lasting power of music and art to inspire, connect, and energise.
Throughout the interview, Rafe’s infectious enthusiasm and deep commitment to preserving this unique slice of New York’s musical history shine through. His dedication to re-creating the magic of Danceteria for a new audience is not only a personal passion but a cultural mission. By bridging the gap between the past and the present, Rafe continues to breathe life into a defining era of creative expression and collaboration, ensuring that its legacy endures.
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Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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