The Secrets to Longevity Tips for Aspiring DJs – Part 1
DIGITAL MUSIC
DJ Killa-Jewel ( aka Julie Fainer ) is a full time hip-hop DJ , turntablist , and producer based out of Montreal . www . killajewel . com .
By DJ Killa-Jewel
The Secrets to Longevity Tips for Aspiring DJs – Part 1
I
remember when I first started out as a DJ . I was 17 years old , having just finished high school and 10 years of classical piano training , and a full time student in Fine Arts at Montreal ’ s Dawson College . I was a driven and passionate person , constantly looking for ways to creatively express myself . I wanted to fit in , but I also felt like I was different .
I didn ’ t like being told what to do . Most of the time I felt more like one of the boys than one of the girls , and like many teenagers , I was no stranger to the highs and lows of life . What I did know for certain was that music would always be a part of my life ; what I didn ’ t know was that sticking to my gut and following my instincts would get me to where I am today .
My Start Life teaches us that it ’ s often all about who you know . My first boyfriend , DJ Mana , happened to own a pair of Technics 1200s and a Gemini 626 . I was intrigued . I knew right away this was something I wanted to learn more about .
Mana was a fantastic teacher and a wealth of knowledge . I was so captivated by this new craft that practicing was the first thing I did when I woke up and the last thing I did when I went to bed . For the next three years , I immersed myself in it , learning how the turntable worked , what all the buttons and knobs on the mixer did , and discovering artists and musical styles I had never heard before . It was captivating .
I learned how to mix ( or beat match ) using techno , house , and drum ‘ n bass , and later discovered trip-hop , hip-hop , and the art of turntablism . Mingling with other DJs in the local scene and sharing knowledge helped me find a place where I felt accepted .
Music was my outlet . The next thing I knew , I was practicing six hours per day and inadvertently developing what was to become my signature style . Friends started asking me to play their house parties , the bar down the street asked if I could be their DJ … I never intended or even imagined I would have a career as a DJ , but somehow this hobby of mine – one that I was extremely passionate about – turned into what would become a lifelong career and creative journey .
Your Start I know how daunting it is when you ’ re first starting out . You have so many unanswered questions . Where do you even begin ? Plus , not everybody is lucky enough to find a mentor so early on to show them the basics .
As someone who ’ s been in the industry for 20 years , I ’ ve had many people ask me for advice on how to “ make it .” That can mean a lot of different things to different people , but “ making it ” for me has been ( and continues to be ) the ability to remain a DJ and an artist full time , expressing myself freely while being able to survive off of my craft , which I love .
So what are the secrets to longevity as an artist in the music industry ? Although there isn ’ t just one simple answer , I believe there is a combination of principles that I try to live by that I feel has helped get me to where I am today . Let ’ s start with a few practical tips for anyone wanting to get into DJing .
The Basics What kind of gear should I get ? You don ’ t need the most expensive equipment when you ’ re just starting out . Invest in some inexpensive gear at first to see if you even enjoy DJing and want to continue doing it seriously . These days , there are so many entry-level options to choose from , it doesn ’ t have to be a huge financial investment . Any major city will have a store that caters to DJs and producers . Let them know you ’ re just starting out and they ’ ll help point you in the right direction .
Turntables , controllers , or CDJs ? First , figure out what your needs are . There is no right or wrong way to go . My instrument of choice is the turntable because I prefer the feeling of vinyl compared to the platter of a CDJ . It ’ s more conducive to scratching and I feel is more interesting for the audience to watch . Plus , using vinyl is way cooler ! But if you see yourself needing something easier to transport , controllers and CDJs are a good option .
Vinyl , Serato , or Traktor ? When I started , digital interfaces didn ’ t exist yet , so learning how to mix was with vinyl , all by ear , and never with the visual aid of the screen . I strongly encourage anyone getting into DJing to learn how to mix using their ears first . Some DJ interfaces give you the option to automatically sync the beats for you , which completely removes any need to learn the skills required to even call yourself a real DJ !
Ask yourself what kind of DJ you want to be . Digital interfaces provide us with so many shortcuts that you can compromise the development of your skills . Use technology in creative ways only once you have mastered the basics . I ’ ve always preferred the warm sound of vinyl over that of digital interfaces like Serato or Traktor . These technologies have yet to reproduce the same kind of sound quality you get off of a real LP ; however , if travel is a concern , or you ’ re catering to an audience that wouldn ’ t know the difference , Serato or Traktor ( both good choices for amateur and professional DJs alike ) might make more sense . It ’ s a much more efficient way of carrying around your music , plus vinyl is much harder to replace if it gets damaged or lost ( or , in my case , stolen on my way to Singapore for a gig ).
Check out Part 2 for more tips on longevity as an artist .
WWW . CANADIANMUSICIAN . COM CANADIAN MUSICIAN • 31