Hello everybody! Returning to Substack for a bit and rejoicing over their video function that allows musical folks to upload their content without getting demonetized or banned due to copyrights issue. As a beginner DJ I am learning ways to distribute work and finding new ways to build a community.
I thought maybe I could use Substack as a way to document the process and verbalize my process. Does that sound good to you or is that something you would be interested in? Every Sunday I record a living room mix of hour-long music mixes — an eclectic mix of neo-soul, disco, classic house, deep house, and indie dance. Before the actual recording session, I spend Tuesday to Fridays scouting new music and new tracks to play. A tool that I found particularly useful is the NTS Radio App — available both on desktop and iOS. I am able to tune into whatever station and get some inspiration going.
From Friday to Saturday, I then consolidate the tracks and place “bookmarks” on each track on the Rekordbox application and line up the tracks in a way that “makes sense” — constructing an easy listening experience (transitioning from soul and work in deep house) meanwhile looking at the overall arc during the hour recording session.
Contrary to a commercial DJ where I am required to play hours non-stop and hundreds of tracks, artists DJ curate dedicated thematic or topical playlists for general and repeatable listening. A friend asked me if DJs are just pretending to press buttons and twist knobs that seemingly do nothing which I honestly do not blame that assumption (because she might be right!).
The way I can describe it (given my 2.5 months exposure, I won’t call it experience even) are you giving your friends a tour of your house. You start by giving them a peripheral description of the house: what it looks like, the neighborhood that it is located, and the things you would expect living in the corner — and then guide them through room by room. I am showcasing you this room (new house track incoming): look at the color combination and the various shapes and sizes. Djing is more curatorial and expository in a way that it intends to pique interest and prompt questions about personal taste and what lies beneath/beyond.
I want to write more reflections in future mixes! Drop me any questions or music recommendations and I would love to chat in the comments! Anyhow, this is the track IDs for this living room mix numero deux, enjoy!
Listen on SoundCloud:
Montego Bay Spleen - St. Germain
Money Wonder - Mystic Jungle
Hot Sauce - Nicole Willis, The Soul Investigators
Stuff - Mr. K Edit
Peace - Little Dragon, Stefan Sandberg
Don’t Leave Me (I’m With You) - Natural Experience ft. Kayo
So Where Are You (Hashish Dub Mix) - Corporation of One
Feeling Good - Pressure Drop
North Pole Cafe - Chaos in the CBD
Red Light - Ben Sun
Provision 8216 - Mogwaa
Love Fantasy (Vocal) - Tracer
Psychic - Soul of Hex
Moving - Dan Kye
Antera - Jarren
輕輕嘆 - 葉德嫻
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