06/06/2026
A self-disclosureโจ What you hear is just as spontaneous for you as it was for me in the moment I played it. I donโt plan ahead, pick tracks in advance, or decide which comes first, second, and so forth. I donโt set cue points, use filters, or do fancy tricks. Honestly, I donโt know how to use many of the effects or what some buttons on the DJ controller do. But I do know how to use the EQ, volume, and sometimes the pitch slider to get the sound I want. I know how to avoid redlining and rarely do.
Thatโs why I almost always get nervous before playing anywhere. Even though Iโm not playing my own tracks (not yet, but soon!) every set is improvised and in the moment- almost like playing live. I do understand music and how to create a story. But thatโs also why I sometimes f**k up. Lol! Honestly, theyโre more like โhappy accidentsโ. Iโm actually pretty good at turning what could potentially sound like a mistake into something that ends up working well!
In the early 2000s, I learned to mix with vinyl. No BPM counter, computer, software, or extra k***s. I have a stimulation/overload mental thing, so too many colors, lights, buttons, and k***s tend to overwhelm me. At least when it comes to a DJ console, and especially if I had to use a computer on top of it! Still, I know that part of being a DJ is knowing how to use the equipment and keeping up with technology. Iโd like to learn more about what all the k***s and buttons do and how to use software better, so if anyone wants to give me a crash course, Iโm down!
I donโt think Iโll ever be able to use much software and still feel comfortable or like myself, even though I see its benefits. Itโs taken time to feel confident in my style and to not feel less than, since so much is planned and seems seamless and perfect these days. Iโve learned that my genre-bending style is what makes my sound unique and that itโs also beautiful. It might not be for everyone at any given moment, and thatโs okay! Iโve realized I donโt need to, nor do I even want to, be the DJ for every moment.
I respect any DJ who truly loves music, is authentic, and plays from the heart, no matter what equipment they use.
โฆ continued in commentsโฆ
