Michael DiCarlo, fetish promoter
by Scarlet Apron*

‘180 degrees’ defines Michael DiCarlo, the creative fuel behind two of Boston’s hottest monthly club events: fetish fete Sin-O-matic, and Shelter, a DJ-centric, industrial/goth minded gathering. At night, you’ll find him setting the place on fire with excitement.  But by day, he’s busy putting out rogue infernos as good guy firefighter. Smolderingly handsome, fit and with boundless energy, the 34-year-old, North Shore native has been stoking alternative venues on both coasts, making it look easy.You’ll find DiCarlo, well-done in black PVC and eyeliner, in the back office of Machine, working out the kinks of keeping local lifestyle enthusiasts entertained. That’s where we caught up with him for a few questions on just how hot is it?

What was it like growing up?
I had a stereotypical background of a white picket fence. My dad was a firefighter. My mom worked at the telephone company in Revere. I went to Malden Catholic High School.

Any early indications you’d be managing A-list freaks in edgy outfits?
I guess it was always a dream growing up. In my early twenties, I started going to Manray and it was great. I saw what was going on, absorbed it all, then I moved to LA for a while. There was a place out there called “Sinematic,” a spoof on cinema since it was LA.  I got a little background in club life, came back here, walked into Manray and said, ‘Hey, I’d like to run a night.’ They said, “Come back with a proposal.”  So I wrote up one for a night called “Flesh.” A little over a year after, I split from Manray.  Before it closed, I went to all the different clubs in Boston and I found the best, nicest club that had the slowest business, and I started the VI Fetish Party and then transformed into Sin-O-matic.   felt the scene really needed more than one night. It was Manray on Friday or you just wouldn’t go out in fetish wear.

What was the concept behind Flesh?
I wanted to create a player-friendly environment where there was more crowd interaction and entertainment.  A place we could call home.

Best and worst part of the job?
It’s a lot of work.  It’s a lot of hours, a lot of stress and pressure.  You have to constantly reach a certain point and if you have a bad night, everyone will tell you what you’re doing wrong and how to do it right, even if they’ve never run a night before.  But when you have a great night, everything is great!

How has the club scene changed in even ten years?
People’s mindset was Manray Manray Manray: That was the only way to do anything.  I try to do something a little bit different here. I loved Manray and I have great memories, but I wanted to change it up, give it a different presentation. Manray had been around for a long, long time.  Our nights took some time to build; we had to start from nothing.  It was very difficult.   

Describe Shelter?
Shelter is an animal of a different color. Shelter is an industrial-themed music night where we import a different DJ each month from all over New England.  We have one resident DJ, Punketta and she alternates split shifts with the imported DJ each month. There is no dress code for this event, although the crowds from Sin-O-matic overlap and most people choose to still dress extravagantly (but there is no mandatory dress code for Shelter).

What does it take to make a great fetish night?
Two things: First, dress code.  We do not allow people, on a fetish night, that are not at least in all black.  There’s a quote I love (I wish I could remember who said it), “It doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you have, you are only judged here by how you dress.”  It makes people feel very comfortable and very safe.  Second thing is building a tight-knit community.  Having a place that feels like family -a dysfunctional family- but a family.

Upcoming attractions?
We’re running a large fetish event, the 3rd Annual Variant Ball, September 20th, 2008.  It’ll be headlined by Angela Ryan, a fantastic fetish personality, as well as an outstanding burlesque performer.  We’re putting together a venue to knock socks off. There will be several performances and we are importing some great DJs for the night, like DJ Curse Mackey, formerly of Thrill Kill Kult, Pigface and Evil Mothers, as well as DJ Xris Smack, the promoter of Smack, a yearly fetish event in New York City.  Plus, lots of local talented personalities.  We have a great thriving scene in Boston full of amazing people.

Tell us about your day job?
I’m a fire fighter by trade. My father was a firefighter.  My uncle was a firefighter.  It’s a great career.  I work two days a week, twenty-four hour shifts.  I just juggle back and forth running the night club.  I spend lots of time at the gym.  As a firefighter, you have to be in peak physical condition.  It’s very tenacious work being in a fire or rescue situation, so I try to stay very physically fit.

What do you think of the TV show “Rescue Me”?
It’s very entertaining, it’s slightly factual.

Animals in your life?
I have three ferrets, Ezra, Mongo and Sophie.  I’ve had them a long time.

Drink of choice?
Vitamin Water.

CD in your CD player?
Combichrist.

Favorite toy?
My Mac.

Heroes?
My dad.

Food you can be seduced with?
Ice cream.

Find out more about Sin-O-matic at www. sinomatic. net and Shelter at www. bostonshelter. net.

*Contact Scarlet Apron at scarletapron@yahoo.com or myspace.com/scarletapron with fetish news and events.