DJ-ing, the memories

I've been DJing on and off for a few years...the number of times actually wouldn't add up to a year's worth. I do it so..sporadically. Here's the deal. I know I'm not nearly as good at beat matching, mixing and scratching as other DJs who have been well-trained in the vinyl trade.  So, I don't have a mix-tape, and I don't really DJ unless I'm asked to (a rare but huge honor).

I bought my first record in 2002 (still have the receipt). Turntables and mixer came after. No (non-homey) sound system. I'm car-less and too poor to purchase the type of equipment that gets people out to dance.  Regardless, I've been blessed enough to only need to bring my vinyl when co-DJing with people I respect and place in high regard.

I can safely say I've only did a solo DJing gig hmmm...three times. Five if you count DJing at a public radio station. Loved the radio station vibes, also loved the down-tempo vibes found at coffee shops, lounge-type establishments, and house gatherings.

My favorite thing to do when I was 'getting my feet wet' was be in line to DJ at 'Whammy-Wednesdays' the main open-turntable night that happened at various homes in Spokane. The atmosphere was so chill and relaxed (even if I was naive as to why). The people that came through were so supportive.  No drunks ever accidentally bumped the tables.

Same goes with other non-bar/club settings. It wasn't people hooking up so much as getting together, rapping, and enjoying eachothers company (or doing some sort of work, but still).

DJing at bars is nice, but my least favorite environment, based on the unpredictability alone. That and chances of heckling and making requests goes up ten-fold. There's a good chance I don't have what you're asking for. Although someone did ask about Earth Wind and Fire's "September." I have that.

Speaking of which. Time to close with a story. The person who made the EWF request at the end of the night did so over a year ago, when I was asked to DJ at this ex-biker bar on Sunset Boulevard (no, not in CA). The bar was not abuzz, and that was okay by me. However, there was a drunk guy that constantly wanted to get on the mike, and try and heckle me into playing something with higher bpms (beats per minute). He eventually went away...and started talking with some woman he found attractive...who so happened to be with someone. Long story shortened, a fight broke out over their increasingly heated exchange, drunk dude gets kicked out of the bar.

At the end of the night, come to find out that most of the cars in the parking lot had all their tires slashed...except mine. Good old 89 Mazda 323! Figures that the beater gets spared. Everyone else was pissed though and had to call for rides, get cars towed and so on. So my wheels of steel came in handy in dropping a few people off. I was so grateful, it was the least I could do.

When I was going away to Arizona a year ago (one day over a year ago), I got featured on The Som Show. Consider this close-out the only plug I have to work with to describe myself. Peace