KC Mackey also known by her dj name Pinko brings brings the dancing fever not only from behind the tables but on the floor itself. Spinning booty bumping positivity and conscious foot stomping, KC strives to create an environment for the survivor, the outsider and all those longing for community free of assumptions and cat-calling. KC organizes RESISTDANCE, a survivor centric, anti-prison, all ages dance space which seeks to promote local djs. All proceeds go to benefit abolition efforts.
Hey KC, what brings you to Boston?
I came for school, which was great… but I really stayed because of the various activist efforts I had been involved in. I really fell in love with the way community struggled and came together in a city which is so racist and oppressive in many subtle ways. So I made all these beautiful connections and stayed.
How did you get into dj-ing?
It had been something that I had wanted to do for a long time. I’m really into the idea of facilitating a collective dance experience and understanding people’s need to dance. When I dance, my inner dialogue shuts off and I really get into the music and that’s an experience I want to give back to people. I didn’t really have the means or the confidence, but by serendipity or something I found MMMMAVEN an DJ and Production school near my work in Central Square. I learned so much in a short amount of time and now it’s almost all I think about. I definitely think my dance move skills and my attention to changes has contributed to my taking up DJing.
What is RESISTDANCE?
Well, I can’t really talk about RESISTDANCE without talking about Black and Pink which is an amazing organization founded by a formally incarcerated queer anarchist minister Jason Lyden. But it is a prison abolition group supporting queer and trans prisoners. So we are anti capitalist, feminists, anti-racist, we demand a society without prisons.. police.. we want to address harm without causing more harm. So the first RESISTDANCE was held for my pen pal to help him buy a word processor to continue his legal work while in prison. It was originally going to be called ELECTRO QUEER TRANS RESISTDANCE but…. it is an ongoing event that basically strives to do three things, provide a safe supportive space prioritizing the needs and experiences of the marginalized, tho support local DJS, and to ABOLISH PRISONS. It is a space where people feel good and are able to embody their body without the fear of being harassed as a queer/trans person.
What is the relationship between music and social change/empowerment for you?
I think that music, dancing, and community can provide us that glimpse of liberation from these false barriers of gender and capability. It can be part of the healing process for souls in physical and mental cages in a society which prioritizes disposal.
What are tour plans for the future?
My hope is that I can devote a lot more time to RESISTDANCE. I have no idea what it will turn into but I am working on it becoming more of a collective effort… I’d also like to be identified by the genre electro-communism.
What do you think about the queer scene in Boston?
I mean there’s a lot of female electronic artists holding it down in those dude dominated spaces. There’s a thing out there where we get misguided compliments about our capabilities like “OMG ur a girl, but ur so good!” So what these guys don’t realize is that they aren’t complimenting you at all, they are commenting with a heavy does of sexism on our capabilities. BUT… I mean I’m from Texas and there is no queer scene. So for me, I just think there are so many beautiful talented people in my community who all wanna do cool shit. And I try to focus on that.
Who are some of your favorite artists and inspirations?
Well of course Leah and Bianca and all the djs who have done Zusdays. As for artists to spin I’m down with Janelle Monae, DJ Uniique (the queen of Jersey), fuckin Peaches, Crass, The Bloody Beetroots are just some that come to mind.
