Comments on: Bio (or Manifesto?)

By: kelly dallen

kelly dallen — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 05:24:14 +0000

The Iio remix is out, and has been for a while – it’s been pretty well received, but not really as well as I would have expected.. That’s not to say it wasn’t well-received, but I thought it’d get more attention perhaps.. People that are into an underground sound have all seemed to like it, but I wish I could get around to doing a dub because I know a lot of people would want the vocals to be more sparse..
As far as digital dj-ing, I believe in using any technology that allows someone to be more creative and unique. Some people get hung up on the programs that can somewhat mix for you, but creating a mix in these programs (like Ableton) takes a different kind of talent. It allows you to truly do live remixing, to take pre-recorded music and twist it into something different (and more personal). It can make old school (Technics 1200-style) mixing sort of unimportant, but it makes a whole slew of different skills more important, and at the top of the list is creativity. With something like Ableton, a DJ set can truly become more of a live performance rather than just a playing-back of pre-recorded music. Most DJs that suck on 1200s are gonna suck on Ableton or Traktor too – their ‘suck-i-tude’ usually emits from a lack of understanding of emotion and anticipation rather than any technique issues. But if someone can’t mix for crap on 1200s because they can’t beat-match to save their ass, and then they take up Ableton and create something unique, unparalleled, and personal that totally blows me away, I’ll be glad to have heard them, and couldn’t care less if they could mix on 1200s or not..

By: Adam (Music Junkie)

Adam (Music Junkie) — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 19:28:32 +0000

Hey, I stumbled upon your site today and read through alot of it and your bio is how I feel about the industry right now. Since I’m at work so I have not been able to listen to some of the audio here but I will be listening tonight when I get home. You have a very solid attitude in how you want to DJ, I find that very admirable in a scene where even the most respected DJ’s are changing styles over and over to please their pockets. I’ve always wanted to be a DJ but with limited funds and the belief that I could never compare to the legends I listen to in my car driving to work, you give me new hope in “just doing it & not caring.” On another note I was wondering what your view is of “laptop djs?” Do you think it’s cheating or just another way to play some good tunes? Also I hope your remix for Iio goes well and I will probably be buying given your review, “For such a well-known group like Iio I tried to pay special attention to giving my mix a true ‘street-cred’ attitude – in other words, I feel I didn’t try to make it more commercial…” That is the attitude every producer should have. Rock on man and keep playing tunes, I know I will.

By: Odis

Odis — Wed, 02 Mar 2005 00:15:21 +0000

I didnt finish reading but it seems you do know what it takes and what it takes for others….i have always wanted to Dj and am currently in school searching for information on the all around basics of how to compose beats and mix music…I am stumped because other than what i read i am clueless….i guess im hoping you WILL READ THIS and maybe help me find info on this topic…i need this paper to graduate and would like to persue this and hopefully be able to DJ MY SCHOOL PROM…THX