I'm a very slow, gradual, step-by-step learner. It's taken me 4 seasons to learn to snowboard because I have to do each step over and over [and rolled and rolled ... sorry, Bubble quote] and over until I get it. In snowboarding, that's a lot of time on the bunny slope. So learning to DJ was a long slow process for me. Kevin and Mitch just hopped up there the first night and were mixin' it up right away. It took me about 2 1/2 months [practicing once a week] to get my first real mix. Before I could figure it out, though, I looked on the web and found a website that taught me the step by step "First you...then you...and next". However!!! The Hitgirls have just released a DVD about how to DJ that is totally rockin'. I finally got to sit down and check it out this week and it's way kewl. It shows the first things step by step, but also goes into more Intermediate beatmatching and mixing, and way kewl stuff that I don't even do yet like scratching and other turntable techniques, Equipment selection [which really comes in handy because a lot of private parties force you to quickly become an audio expert and equipment mover...I finally bought some turntable cases that I really needed], way kewl stuff about Laptop battling and Final Scratch, and [something you don't really think of but is actually VERY true] Dancefloor Psychology. In fact, I should have a separate blog entry for Dancefloor Psychology, as it's something that I'm totally learning right now since I just started really playing out in clubs. I tend to have a more mellow style and have had to consiously buy more peak hour stuff in order to keep the dance floor alive. Plus think about having 'hooks', tracks that people will recognize in order to get them out on the dance floor. It's really hard to DJ to people who aren't already House heads. My friends used to tease me and call it the 'thump thump' music. But I'm in the process of turning them. :)
For tonight, I suggest heading to the Contour. DJ Chronus is there and Eva starts afterhours at 2am. BTW, Chronus has an awesome site and he's an exceptional DJ. I first saw him at Last Supper Club opening for Satoshi Tomeiie. Kevin, Sarah, and I all headed to Noc Noc afterwards and who walked in but Satoshi Tomeiie himself. Sarah went to talk to him and asked him what he thought of Seattle. He said he was a bit dissapointed in the city because there wasn't a whole lot of afterhours at that time. I have to say that Seattle has definately picked up in both in afterhours and regular hours since then. But Satoshi's show at LSC was definately one of the best I'd seen and he said he enjoyed it there. Noc Noc was pretty dead that night, but the three of us were entertained by a wonderful display of public sex by a couple in a dark corner. They smiled and let us enjoy. Perhaps Satoshi underestimated Seattle. We still got the good stuff, it's just a little more hidden.
And Eva just is awesome.
Tomorrow night is Derrick Carter at Premier. If you aren't into paying a $15 entry fee, you should go see another great House night at Last Supper Club. Hitgirl's LA Kendall and Julie Herrera are doing their monthly at Last Supper Club for only $10, which includes entry into all the Pioneer Square circuit clubs. But hit up LSC by at least midnight cuz that's when the floor starts to get caarazzzy.
