Deejay Interview Question:
1) What
was the first opportunity that came along for you, to
remix and actually get into a studio and do a track?
also what was that first opportunity like?
…
a few years ago .. a popular (American) DJ and producer
was a guest at a large desi wedding reception, that
I was spinning at … I was mixing live - bhangra,
hindi, filmi & pop music .. the guests seemed to
be having a good time on the dance floor (at least 30%
were not desi .. since the bride was an American) …
my DJ friend was impressed with both, the melody of
desi music, and my passion for beat-mixing it non-stop
........ later, he invited me to his studio and introduced
me to the art of “remixing” … my first
desi remixed track was completely produced in his studio
… though today, I plan, engineer, create and produce
my remixes in my own studio .. !
….
though I don’t know him personally, but I’m
pretty sure I felt the way Neil Armstrong did on July
21st, 1969 … !!!
2) What
are some of the hardest lessons you've had to learn
on your road to becoming a successful deejay?
… there are many … but here’s
some that I’d never want to ‘unlearn’:
· like in any other business, ‘under-promise’
and ‘over-deliver’
· prepare, prepare & prepare - punctuality,
back-up equipment, proper attire, reliable transport,
maintenance/service of DJ equipment, your physical health,
PR w/ venue owners/managers, etc – are all lessons
learned
· being meticulous – no shortcuts &
quick-fixes, whether setting up for a private party
or working on that unusual beat for your new remix –
it pays to take the time and to do it right, or vice
versa will happen !
· audience is always the most important factor
… knowing the audience and adapting your music
to them, is more important than your own likes and dislikes
of music … if a majority is not on the dance floor
– it doesn’t matter how good you are –
you’re not delivering the services that you’re
being paid for
· it’s not enough to be a good DJ …
you’ve got to think like an entertainer …
almost like a conductor … use the mike .. motivate
the audience … desi’s are shy by nature
… break the ice – warm it up … their
‘reaction’ (at a party) is based entirely
on your ‘action’ … !
· fancy and expensive equipment is impressive
… but a sense of good music to keep a crowd on
their feet, can only come from the ‘heart’
.. listen to your heart !
· do not believe more than 20% in the adage,
“..you cannot please everyone all the time..”
… it’s the fastest downfall of a DJ …
practice, attention and hard work has brought my personal
ratio down to probably less than 20% … (I think
.. !!?)
· they told me that the way to get better, is
to practice …. what they didn’t tell me
is that practice requires a lot of patience !
· it’s hard to accept this, … but
competition is actually good for your growth ..!
3) When
did you really decide to take on this hobby/ profession
seriously despite the fierce competition and unpredictable
industry?
.. that’s easy … as soon
as I realized that armed with, a passion & talent
for music,a burning desire to innovate and a marketing
degree, I could offer a little bit more, (if not a whole
lot more) than what I saw and heard at several desi
parties & concerts …. in terms of audio-visual
entertainment
4) What
keeps you motivated to do this stuff every weekend or
even every night? Is it the $ or something else?
… to me, DJ’ing
is creative work ….it’s “great”,
to release your creative energy in a way that entertains
and affects a lot of people in a positive and a memorable
way ……… but it is, “ecstatic”
when you also get paid for it ..!!!! … kind of
like the movie stars – getting paid ‘high’
dollars for a ‘high’ level performance is
good … but winning the ‘Oscar’, for
that same performance is “goooder” .. !!!
5) How
many events have you performed in thus far? And what
type of impact did you have on the event?
…
in the last 8 years …. probably over 400 parties
/ events / concerts … mostly in the Southeast
and some in Northeast USA … also, gigs in downtown
Atlanta clubs / parks … one of my most memorable
party was last year .. for a group of desi senior citizens
(120+ people) … all I played was remixes from
the 50’s and the 60’s … I’ve
never seen so much energy generated on a dance floor
by “dadaji-dadiji’s & nanaji-naniji’s
… ?!!!
…. there is no such thing
as an “ok DJ” … either you’re
a good entertainer who commands a good fee and is the
main reason to make the party a discussion for ‘posterity’
by the clients, or, you’re not ..! … fortunately,
I haven’t been told much of the latter, …
though, I have been told … !!
6) What
sort of advise would you give a person trying to find
the perfect deejay for their big event?
…
think, re-think, plan, research, picturize and prioritize
… what do you want your guests to remember, after
they leave the party, … the venue, the food, the
waiters (I mean the service), the décor or maybe,
good entertainment (who provided the entertainment…
!!?) ... which one will create a lasting impression
in your guest’s memories …… ? …
how would your guests really participate in celebrating
the occasion .. ? … what %age of your total budget
are you willing to allocate to each one … cause
you know it, for all of the above – ‘you
get what you pay for’ … !
7) Your
advice to aspiring Deejays?
….. if, one third or more
of your business is not because of word-of-mouth or
referrals, read #2 above …… very slowly
…. !
8) How
did you get involved with this talent?
… if you have a talent,
sooner or later one is likely to recognize and get involved
with it …. to me what really matters is not the
talent, but what you do with it …. how you work
on developing it !! …. my fascination for music
started at age eight and everyday I learn something
new … and love it !
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