Review:
"How to DJ Right" by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton
December 2004
How to DJ
Right
by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton is the best how-to-DJ book
on the market today. This month's tip will show why it is essential
reading for both new and experienced DJ's.
It should be
noted that this book is brought to us by the same authors of
Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey,
which has become the preeminent source on the history of the
disc jockey since its publication in 1999.
To begin, the
authors are experienced DJ's. In an industry filled with
gimmicks, press releases and crafty marketing, it's clear that
this book's information derives from years of time-tested and
proven theories and techniques. Anyone who has made a living
as a DJ would easily relate to the experiences conveyed in How
to DJ Right. This includes advice from many of the world's
biggest DJ's: Paul Oakenfold, Kool Herc, Little Louie Vega, Richie
Hawtin, Danny Tenaglia, Paul van Dyk, Grandmaster Flash, DXT,
Q-Bert, John Digweed, Sasha, DJ Rap, and many more.
Unlike other
how-to-DJ books, How to DJ Right covers every facet of
our profession: turntablism, mixing, programming, soliciting
employment, and much more. Because there's advanced information
that could enhance a DJ's knowledge, experienced DJ's would also
benefit from this book.
How to DJ
Right
is divided into four major segments: The Bedroom. The Dancefloor,
The Masterclass, and The Industry.
The "bedroom"
section is geared towards the beginning DJ. It addresses topics
such as "how to buy equipment," "how to beatmatch,"
"how to match phrases," "how to mix CD's,"
etc.
The "dancefloor"
portion clearly reflects Brewster's and Broughton's experience.
This is evidenced by their explanation on how to warm-up, read
a crowd, choose the next record, and pace the night.
The "masterclass"
section addresses many of the advanced techniques employed by
the world's biggest DJ's. From scratching and beat juggling to
"hot mixing" and harmonic mixing, this section alone
is worth the price of the book. The masterclass section also
covers material that's rarely covered in other books, such as
adding effects (FX), "what DJ's do wrong," "improving
your sound," "building a collection," and some
music theory.
The "industry"
section addresses vital background information about the DJ profession.
From graduating from the bedroom, getting free records, and mobile
DJ work to learning how to play bigger gigs, re-editing tracks,
and the best way to get known as a DJ, the authors give well-grounded
advice on how to succeed in the DJ industry.
Brewster and
Broughton are also very clear at the beginning that DJing isn't
for everyone:
You need to know
that DJing isn't really about celebrity, or money, or pulling
power, it's about music. Music is what motivates the finest
DJ's: they love it, they live for it (p. 16).
If you are serious
about the DJ profession, then Disc Jockey 101 highly recommends
this book.
How To DJ
Right
is published by Grove Press © 2002 (New York). Cover photo
courtesy Grove Press.
|
Industry News
* Live-Performance
Disc Jockey Techniques (MUC 135) is enrolling students for the Spring
2005 semester. This two-credit course is held on Tuesday evenings
starting on January 18, 2005. To enroll, contact SCC at 480-423-6000.
It should be noted that -- at the time of this writing -- five
seats remain available (of 18 total). It should also be noted
that How to DJ Right (reviewed above) is required reading
for this course and is available in the SCC bookstore.
* Winter
Music Conference (WMC) has begun early registration for its March 22-26,
2005 convention. This year's WMC will be held at the Wyndham
Resort in Miami Beach, Florida and includes workshops, nightclub
showcases, poolside performances/DJ sets, legal issues/advice
panels, and much more. WMC closes with the Ultra Music Festival
(UMF), which will take place on March 26, 2005 and is expected
to draw as many as 40,000 spectators.
|
London
MoS resident DJ
Eddie Amador
was a guest speaker at Scottsdale Community College's Live-Performance
DJ Technique's class during the Fall 2004 semester.
|
* The Mobile
Beat DJ Show and Conference will be held February 21-24, 2005. All events
will take place at the Stardust Conference Center in Las Vegas,
Nevada. Passes are available at www.mobilebeat.com, which offers early
registration discounts.
* INFUSION launch
record label POLAROID RECORDINGS, score an ARIA and storm across
Europe
The overwhelming demand for INFUSION's dancefloor singles has
prompted them to launch their own vinyl imprint POLAROID RECORDINGS.
They inaugurate the new label with "Better World";
the second single from their major label debut album Six Feet
Above Yesterday (BMG). The "Better World"
vinyl pack is the follow-up to the stunning 'Girls Can Be
Cruel' 12", the recent recipient of a 2004 ARIA Award.
The name POLAROID RECORDINGS is based on the idea that vinyl
can be a temporary snapshot, linked to a particular time in the
clubs. Borne of a love for club music, the intent of the label
is simply to provide good "music for vinyl." The label
debuts with the "Better World" vinyl pack with contributing
remixes by Infusion and electronic music impresarios Josh Wink
(Ovum) and Adam Freeland (Marine Parade). The incisive chorus,
"you push us down on the way to make a better world"
implies a political diatribe on current world affairs, but when
asked Jamie Stevens reflects on other meanings, "it can
be viewed in direct relation to Iraq and the way the US stepped
over an entire country. However, that's only one interpretation.
The way some people step over others on a smaller level is just
as relevant. We like our lyrics to be open for interpretation,
like our music."
The "Better World" Infusion remix is a new iteration
of the unmistakable Infusion main room sound. The Josh Wink Interpretation
is a chunky funk fueled electro-house, acid redux mix that has
already found favor on dancefloors worldwide and is slated for
inclusion on John Digweed's forthcoming compilation for UK's
finest club Fabric. Adam Freeland adds his signature break beat
Midas touch, infused with cowbells and rock-guitar mayhem to
his own remix. Another new single from the album, "Love
& Imitation" is a transcendent, dancefloor filler
that will invoke faint memories of New Order replete with loping
basslines, big riffs and big synths.
CONGRATULATIONS! Adding to their accolades, Infusion recently
won the 2004 ARIA Award (the Australian equivalent of a GRAMMY)
for 'Best Dance Release' for their smashing hit "Girls
Can Be Cruel." On the global front, Infusion continue
to mesmerize the masses with a host of upcoming dates across
Asia & Europe with a New Year's Eve gig marking their debut
in Seoul, South Korea. Afterwards, they'll return to Australia
for a series of dates on the BIG DAY OUT TOUR 2005 with the addition
of two band members who contributed to the album and stunning
visuals.
Infusion International Tour Dates
October 31 Ministry of Sound, Taipei TAIWAN
November 2 Womb, Tokyo JAPAN
November 6 Chibuku,@ The Masque, Liverpool - UK
November 12 - Melkweg, Amsterdam THE NETHERLANDS
November 13 - Technique @ Mint Club, Leeds UK
November 19 - Club Rohstofflager, Zurich - SWITZERLAND
November 20 - Butan Club, Wuppertal - GERMANY
November 26 - Tribal Sessions @ Sankey's, Manchester UK
November 27 Focused @ Viking Line, Stockholm SWEDEN
December 03 - Venue, Thessaloniki - GREECE
December 04 - Plasmatic, Athens - GREECE
December 10 - Fabric, London - UK
December 11 - Rust, Copenhagen - DENMARK
December 31 Hullabaloo @ M2, Seoul SOUTH KOREA
The Polaroid Recordings website is coming soon: www.musicforvinyl.com.
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Tip of the Month