My journey into the abyss started when I was about twenty years old. I term it as abyss for the sole reason that I had no clue as to what was expected or what was my objective even. All I knew was that I wanted to learn. I got introduced to DJ Sara at that time by my former employer at Stage 4. He told me that I can learn a lot from someone like Sara and that I should stick with him and observe how he works. Taking his words like it was from the bible, I engaged in moving closely with Sara.
Before I knew Sara, all I ever knew what to do at the console was to switch from song to song without leaving a moment’s of silence in between. I would track the end time of the last song and play the next one just in time before the previous song ends. Seems a little idiot proof when it is articulated in words but I had to charge a great deal of brain cells to learn that technique, shorting some along the way. I used to head to Club A almost every day at that time. I can’t quite remember if it was before I entered army or after. My memory lets me down on many occasions. But nevertheless, the gist of this is that I was turning up at Club A almost every day of my life. Regardless of whether it was a Monday or a dull Thursday, Club A was my cradle and I had to return to it after work or school. I would observe what he did. I would take mental notes of how he does and how he keeps the crowd going. Notes about how song selections play the most important role in keeping or losing the crowd. I would carve these notes on my brain so that I may never forget his words. He was patient, kind and above all a guru who taught me how to be better. He showed me more than what I asked and he trusted me with knowledge. Soon enough, I grew better at spinning. I would be able to handle mobile disco events confidently and be rewarded with applause from the crowd at the end of the event. A simple guerdon for the silent DJ behind the console. I was made to spin at cruises and places such as the American Club when I was merely twenty or younger. I remember entering the American Club with a flight case filled with CDs and a CD pouch. I felt small in that huge lobby. Someone came up to me, escorted me into the lift, followed me to the console and left me there. I felt like royalty. Did they know that I was shivering under my clothes? I would guess not. Cruises are the best. I have recollection of how even granny’s clad in the traditional Saris were moving to songs like ‘Ride with me’ and ‘Country Grammer’. To think about it, they didn’t have any choice because they were in a ship surrounded by water. Where would they go to? Either they stay and enjoy or start their swim back to the nearest land. I would not forget one of such cruises that I did. But that memory serves for a different purpose.
I remember my first time going solo at Club A. Sara called me up and said he was very sick. I could sense it in his voice that he was down with flu or something. He asked me to take him over at Club A for that night. Goodness, it was a Saturday night. If you remember well, about years ago Saturdays were the hottest nights at Club A. Well, it was the hottest nights for clubbers in any case. I was dumbstruck. Clearly I wasn’t touted a virtuoso in that line of work. I was still learning and I hadn’t built so much of confidence to run the deck on my own. Not given any other option I agreed. Hence I took it on. I was waiting outside the club even before the cleaner was there to open it. The moment he came, I started writing the songs for the night, splitting them up into three sets for the night. I wrote and mixed the songs before hand to make sure I got everything right. The BPM, the tempos, the cue points and everything else that I needed to reaffirm before Showtime. Club opened and sprawled in the crowd bit by bit. The first set is always the easiest. The crowd size would be fairly small and busy kick starting their objective to get high, or drunk for that matter. The second set was when the jitters came in. My fingers were trembling. I couldn’t think. All I could do was to recap what I practiced earlier and execute it. Along the way of the second set, there were songs that did not hit the BPMs. The beats would crash and burn but I somehow managed to get the songs going. To my surprise, the crowd was enjoying the songs. It was almost as if they didn’t know it was someone else at the console. Did someone notice that I screwed the mixes for some songs? I don’t know and it doesn’t matter now. But from way up there where the console was, I could see shadows and throngs of peoples gyrating away. Third set was just as awesome. The mixes went about sequacious and I kept the mood going. That was the time when the song ‘Jenny from the Block’ and ‘I wanna take you home’ were blasting radio waves. Taking the easy way out, I played all those numbers that I know will be loved. Mainstream numbers that gave me some itch of confidence that would not fail me. It wasn’t all that bad after all. I was high on the sense of accomplishment. Not even the bar or the waiters had any complains. Not that I was proud and had my head high above the clouds but I was just glad that I did not let Sara down. My first day spinning solo at the hottest Indian club was when I was an amateur.
Along the way I gained more insights to the art and I slowly got the hang of speaking over the microphone. Till date I never cultivated the habit of speaking over the microphone. I only speak when necessary and that was an attribute handed down by Sara. I learnt how to be aggressive with my song choice and mixes rather than using my vocals much. But every DJ has to be able to work a microphone. Hence I picked it up. I remember how my boss at Stage 4 used to praise me and would give me the look of appreciation when I used to do mobile events after that. He noticed a vast change in the way I played my music and he was clearly happy if not impressed with the accomplishment. My friends noticed, people noticed and I was glad. But don’t get me wrong here because I am not blowing my trumpet but merely sharing my personal experiences in the art of Disc Jockeying. It was great fun working with Vishnu as well. A friend, and a colleague after some point. He would give me such pressure with his introductions upon the opening of the dance floor. Dharmesh would be around handling the lights and smoking up the place. Soon enough you’d barely be able to see past a metre with the amount of fog he releases. He had such fascination over the smoke machine and the lights. The fun we three used to have at these events was amazing. Not many are gifted to see that many weddings and birthdays within the span of the eight decades they live. But we had that honour and privilege.
I used to spin solo on more occasions at Club A after that. Strangely, I could never spin proper with Sara next to me. It is almost like writing an exam with your teacher watching you. I would fumble and stumble with him around but when he isn’t, I’d be prancing like a puppy on a grill. We used to have small competitions such that he will start with a song and I’m supposed to mix another then he goes then I go. Obviously he was better at it. But I tried keeping up. Failed miserably on many occasions but he, I tried. In my defence, he was GOOD! I would have people telling me that I did an awesome job for the night when I would go down to get a drink. My friends would pop by and listen and would tell me where I went wrong and help me make it better. It was one part of my life that holds very fond memories still. I remember that my last event spinning was at Orchid Country Club. A friend’s family’s wedding reception. After that day, I left the trade of spinning entirely.
For those of you reading this please understand a DJ’s dilemma. You can ask for any song under the stars and there are high chances that the DJ would play it. But if its an old number or one that does not go along with the mood that was set, then high chances that a DJ would not play that number. Because people sometimes fail to understand that they aren’t the only ones in the club. There are so many others who are enjoying the music and atmosphere. One song could lose the crowd and getting them back on the dance floor will be a challenge from then on. But if you find a dance floor totally empty and NO ONE is dancing, well then that is your cue to speak to the DJ to change the songs. Else, let the rest of them enjoy the music even if you aren’t. A humble request to all you nocturnal dance critters.
I remember that my last event spinning was at Orchid Country Club. A friend’s family’s wedding reception. After that day, I left the trade of spinning entirely. Dharmesh and myself were there. As usual he was lights and I was sound. I had loads of fun with that event and I do not have any regrets to how it went. The crowd enjoyed and so did I. An event apt to bow out with. The fortissimo hitting the right notes. But a huge part of misses the music, the lights and the excitement.
I cannot sum up 7 years of learning in one blog. But for all that I learnt was one man’s willingness to impart. Impart without reason, without question or doubt. He would be firm, but patient. Sara will always be a great DJ by his own rights. To have been under those wings I’ve been gifted. But now when there are more things to look forward to, I have put that part behind and moved on forth. Perhaps one day, I’ll have another opportunity to clear off the dust from my CD cases. Perhaps...
Regards,
Mugi K
Before I knew Sara, all I ever knew what to do at the console was to switch from song to song without leaving a moment’s of silence in between. I would track the end time of the last song and play the next one just in time before the previous song ends. Seems a little idiot proof when it is articulated in words but I had to charge a great deal of brain cells to learn that technique, shorting some along the way. I used to head to Club A almost every day at that time. I can’t quite remember if it was before I entered army or after. My memory lets me down on many occasions. But nevertheless, the gist of this is that I was turning up at Club A almost every day of my life. Regardless of whether it was a Monday or a dull Thursday, Club A was my cradle and I had to return to it after work or school. I would observe what he did. I would take mental notes of how he does and how he keeps the crowd going. Notes about how song selections play the most important role in keeping or losing the crowd. I would carve these notes on my brain so that I may never forget his words. He was patient, kind and above all a guru who taught me how to be better. He showed me more than what I asked and he trusted me with knowledge. Soon enough, I grew better at spinning. I would be able to handle mobile disco events confidently and be rewarded with applause from the crowd at the end of the event. A simple guerdon for the silent DJ behind the console. I was made to spin at cruises and places such as the American Club when I was merely twenty or younger. I remember entering the American Club with a flight case filled with CDs and a CD pouch. I felt small in that huge lobby. Someone came up to me, escorted me into the lift, followed me to the console and left me there. I felt like royalty. Did they know that I was shivering under my clothes? I would guess not. Cruises are the best. I have recollection of how even granny’s clad in the traditional Saris were moving to songs like ‘Ride with me’ and ‘Country Grammer’. To think about it, they didn’t have any choice because they were in a ship surrounded by water. Where would they go to? Either they stay and enjoy or start their swim back to the nearest land. I would not forget one of such cruises that I did. But that memory serves for a different purpose.
I remember my first time going solo at Club A. Sara called me up and said he was very sick. I could sense it in his voice that he was down with flu or something. He asked me to take him over at Club A for that night. Goodness, it was a Saturday night. If you remember well, about years ago Saturdays were the hottest nights at Club A. Well, it was the hottest nights for clubbers in any case. I was dumbstruck. Clearly I wasn’t touted a virtuoso in that line of work. I was still learning and I hadn’t built so much of confidence to run the deck on my own. Not given any other option I agreed. Hence I took it on. I was waiting outside the club even before the cleaner was there to open it. The moment he came, I started writing the songs for the night, splitting them up into three sets for the night. I wrote and mixed the songs before hand to make sure I got everything right. The BPM, the tempos, the cue points and everything else that I needed to reaffirm before Showtime. Club opened and sprawled in the crowd bit by bit. The first set is always the easiest. The crowd size would be fairly small and busy kick starting their objective to get high, or drunk for that matter. The second set was when the jitters came in. My fingers were trembling. I couldn’t think. All I could do was to recap what I practiced earlier and execute it. Along the way of the second set, there were songs that did not hit the BPMs. The beats would crash and burn but I somehow managed to get the songs going. To my surprise, the crowd was enjoying the songs. It was almost as if they didn’t know it was someone else at the console. Did someone notice that I screwed the mixes for some songs? I don’t know and it doesn’t matter now. But from way up there where the console was, I could see shadows and throngs of peoples gyrating away. Third set was just as awesome. The mixes went about sequacious and I kept the mood going. That was the time when the song ‘Jenny from the Block’ and ‘I wanna take you home’ were blasting radio waves. Taking the easy way out, I played all those numbers that I know will be loved. Mainstream numbers that gave me some itch of confidence that would not fail me. It wasn’t all that bad after all. I was high on the sense of accomplishment. Not even the bar or the waiters had any complains. Not that I was proud and had my head high above the clouds but I was just glad that I did not let Sara down. My first day spinning solo at the hottest Indian club was when I was an amateur.
Along the way I gained more insights to the art and I slowly got the hang of speaking over the microphone. Till date I never cultivated the habit of speaking over the microphone. I only speak when necessary and that was an attribute handed down by Sara. I learnt how to be aggressive with my song choice and mixes rather than using my vocals much. But every DJ has to be able to work a microphone. Hence I picked it up. I remember how my boss at Stage 4 used to praise me and would give me the look of appreciation when I used to do mobile events after that. He noticed a vast change in the way I played my music and he was clearly happy if not impressed with the accomplishment. My friends noticed, people noticed and I was glad. But don’t get me wrong here because I am not blowing my trumpet but merely sharing my personal experiences in the art of Disc Jockeying. It was great fun working with Vishnu as well. A friend, and a colleague after some point. He would give me such pressure with his introductions upon the opening of the dance floor. Dharmesh would be around handling the lights and smoking up the place. Soon enough you’d barely be able to see past a metre with the amount of fog he releases. He had such fascination over the smoke machine and the lights. The fun we three used to have at these events was amazing. Not many are gifted to see that many weddings and birthdays within the span of the eight decades they live. But we had that honour and privilege.
I used to spin solo on more occasions at Club A after that. Strangely, I could never spin proper with Sara next to me. It is almost like writing an exam with your teacher watching you. I would fumble and stumble with him around but when he isn’t, I’d be prancing like a puppy on a grill. We used to have small competitions such that he will start with a song and I’m supposed to mix another then he goes then I go. Obviously he was better at it. But I tried keeping up. Failed miserably on many occasions but he, I tried. In my defence, he was GOOD! I would have people telling me that I did an awesome job for the night when I would go down to get a drink. My friends would pop by and listen and would tell me where I went wrong and help me make it better. It was one part of my life that holds very fond memories still. I remember that my last event spinning was at Orchid Country Club. A friend’s family’s wedding reception. After that day, I left the trade of spinning entirely.
For those of you reading this please understand a DJ’s dilemma. You can ask for any song under the stars and there are high chances that the DJ would play it. But if its an old number or one that does not go along with the mood that was set, then high chances that a DJ would not play that number. Because people sometimes fail to understand that they aren’t the only ones in the club. There are so many others who are enjoying the music and atmosphere. One song could lose the crowd and getting them back on the dance floor will be a challenge from then on. But if you find a dance floor totally empty and NO ONE is dancing, well then that is your cue to speak to the DJ to change the songs. Else, let the rest of them enjoy the music even if you aren’t. A humble request to all you nocturnal dance critters.
I remember that my last event spinning was at Orchid Country Club. A friend’s family’s wedding reception. After that day, I left the trade of spinning entirely. Dharmesh and myself were there. As usual he was lights and I was sound. I had loads of fun with that event and I do not have any regrets to how it went. The crowd enjoyed and so did I. An event apt to bow out with. The fortissimo hitting the right notes. But a huge part of misses the music, the lights and the excitement.
I cannot sum up 7 years of learning in one blog. But for all that I learnt was one man’s willingness to impart. Impart without reason, without question or doubt. He would be firm, but patient. Sara will always be a great DJ by his own rights. To have been under those wings I’ve been gifted. But now when there are more things to look forward to, I have put that part behind and moved on forth. Perhaps one day, I’ll have another opportunity to clear off the dust from my CD cases. Perhaps...
Regards,
Mugi K
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