The magician behind the booth is always able to bring you under their spell no matter when and where they are playing. There’s endless amounts of effort put into running a crowd of thousands, but have you ever taken a second to actually analyze them and notice more than their gestures, moves and mixes on stage?
Ever notice their smile?
Many say that someone’s smile has the biggest impression on others (right next to their persona). A bright smile usually means a bright personality, no? Well Dr. Shawn Sadri proved to be the epitome of that theory as his character was just as bright as his smile during a recent interview with thatDROP’s corespondent. Having been referred to as the “Superstar Dentist“, the 33 year old New Yorker is responsible for giving many world renown DJs that extra sparkle on stage.
After accomplishing his residency at Cornell University, Dr. Sadri has dedicated nearly a decade of his life to beautifying some of the EDM scene’s most recognized names.
This was omething that he hoped to be able to do as a child when he discovered his passion for dance music and dentistry almost simultaneously.
“[…] Growing up I was always good in sciences and I thought to myself, ‘let me follow a career in which I can make a decent living’. I knew I definitely didn’t want to be a physician and at the time my aunt and cousin were dentists so I went to observe them and that’s when I realized not only that I could do this, but I wanted to do this…but I’m not going to lie, ever since I was 16 I’ve always wanted to be a DJ […]” said Sadri with a chuckle.
Although Dr. Sadri now has a prestigious reputation in his industry as well as a parallel one in the music scene, his career was not built over night, as he tells us in a recent Q&A that took place in his Manhattan office.
Q&A with Dr. Sadri
How did you tie dentistry with the dance music scene?
“Well when I was 16 EDM wasn’t as big here as it was in Europe. At the time, I had some cousin’s out in Germany who invited me over to check out some of the clubs there. When I came back here at the age of 17 I started going to these big name clubs such as Tunnel & Soundfactory. I used to see guys like Carl Cox there on Friday nights. At the age of 18 I went to Ibiza for the first time and thats kind of how I fell in love with house music. Then the big club scene died after September 11.
I kept in touch with it but dedicated more time to becoming a dentist. I also kept in touch with a friend of mine who owns Provocateur NYC. They’re the guys that started bringing all those big name DJs like Kaskade, Deadmau5 and Laidback Luke into New York (seen above).
So how I got started was when I saw Laidback Luke just sitting there and I said, ‘Hey Luke, I’m a dentist, you should come in’ and he said, ‘yeah, I will’. At the time he was dating his now wife, Gina Turner and they both decided to come in. Basically he was the first DJ that I treated. So we kept in touch and became friends. He would invite me to all of his events backstage.
Through that I would really network. I would see Hardwell and hand him my card. Did the same with all these up and coming DJs who are now headlining events. I would give my card out to every single DJ. Same thing with Nick Afrojack. Now they contact me.”
How do you feel about being referred to as “The Superstar EDM dentist”?
“It’s awesome! I’m 33 now and EDM is something that I’ve loved since I was 16. I’m a true fan and I’m happy that this has exploded in the US because I’ve been waiting for so long! It’s also nice to be involved with these guys and going to these fun events. Also, I’m treating them. I am happy to know that I’m their doctor because that means that I’m helping them out as well.”
Who do you see at your office more often?
“I see Laidback Luke and Afrojack more often. Luke is based out of New york and Nick is always flying between here, Vegas and Miami. So if it’s a stop over I’ll go say hello at one of their events. “
Besides DJs, have you worked with any other celebrities?
” Yes. We have a good amount of models, actors, reality TV stars that have been here. Jose Canseco was just recently here. I have also treated Olympic Gold Medalist’s Gabrielle Douglas, Apollo Ohno and NFL star Anthony Davis.”
How has the EDM scene evolved in the US, from Dr. Sadri’s eyes?
“Well I would definitely say the crowd is much younger. It’s a different crowd from when I was growing up. As a 33 year old I cannot be in the crowd anymore (laughs). It’s great to see that though. I wish I had this when I was growing up! I’m glad I kind of caught onto the scene before I got too old.”
Favorite songs of all time?
“I’ll give you some old school songs- ‘;Ms. Jane It’s a fine day’ and I am going to go with ‘Ayla’. Those are true old school songs that I grew up with. I connect a lot with that. There are so many awesome songs now, that it’s hard to pick a favorite modern one. It’s just banger after banger!”
Has any DJ inspired you or said something to you that touched you in a certain way?
“Yeah actually I was at a party once and all these people were coming up to Laidback Luke asking him for his autograph and to take pictures with him. He turns to me and says, ‘Do you see how these people look to me? That’s how I look up to you.’ That was pretty cool…we’ve built a bond.”
Besides hanging out with all of these superstars, what is your favorite part about having this connection with them?
“It’s the fact that this the scene has finally grown in the US. When I’m backstage and I look out into the crowd and I see all these happy people listening to this happy music. After all, it really is happy music, everyone is having a blast. It also makes me happy that I am in a way part of it because I’m providing beautiful teeth to these superstars who are now the ‘rockstars of America’.”
What’s your next event?
“I’m going to Ibiza in June, so that’ll be fun. Maybe Memorial Day Weekend, we’ll stop by EDC New York or Mysteryland. We’ll see.”
Who would you like to treat at your office that you haven’t yet?
“Let’s go with a legend. Let’s go with Carl Cox”
Beautiful Smiles, Beautiful People
There you have it beat lovers; the wonderful world of dance music through the eyes of a master at his own craft. Dr. Sadri’s business slogan consists of two components: “Beautiful Smiles, Beautiful People”
If the magical world of dance music could be summed up into four words, they would match those of the doctor’s himself. Loving the sounds that bring us together while smiling with one another is something that this superstar dentist of EDM legends stressed throughout the interview. We have all awoken with a dream of becoming something in life that we love.
Sadri once dreamt of becoming a DJ, as many of his 16 year old peers at the time, but life had different plans in store for him. Little did he, at that tender age know, that destiny would have him live his dreams and follow his fire driven passions in different ways.
