And now for something completely different. This short mix is nothing like my past work; I hope you enjoy it for a relaxing listen. Grab those headphones and close your eyes. Track selection includes multiple samples from the Freesound Project, poetry by Shel Silverstein (which I actually sampled from Bassnectar’s “Beatfreak Bohemia”) as well as Creative Commons Licensed material from the likes of Richard Devine, DigiTube, Julien Mier, Dustmotes, and others. There is quite a lot going on in those 22 minutes. Let me know what you think! I have made the WAV available for download.
 

We’re Dj’s!

… but I still don’t actually know how to mix music.

Well… perhaps this video is a bit crass but its meant to make a point. A lot of examples are made of the stereotypical disc jockey, and a lot of it I have really seen in the Dj world (including using an iPod Shuffle on stage). Unfortunately Dj’s who don’t take the time to really mix, can give us other Dj’s a bad name. This goes for Dj’s in the service industry as well. Mobile Djs need to “wear many hats” and be the planner, the MC, and be the performing disc jockey and mix music whenever possible. Ironically I think it’s that last one that can be forgotten in the mobile disc jockey world.

Why mix?

When you hire a Dj, I think there is an expectation that you are hiring them as a musical talent. We mix not only because we absolutely enjoy it, but because we want to meet or beat your expectations, be worth your dime, and never be replaced by iPods or crossfading software. Below is just one fairly simple example of mixing. You’ll hear the beat from “Song 2″ by Blur and and “Whoomp! There it is” by Tag Team, mixed into “Hi Friend” by Deadmau5.

Whoomp! Blurry Mice! by Dj Lucid