It was 1999 or so, when I was playing records in the chill-out room at Metro Club. Monolake was on. Some girl approched me asking whether it was Chain Reaction record. I was positively surprised - yes, it was! (I know, I know, this is a kind of stereotypical attitude from my part, but, girls, perceive this as a compliment.)
Some weeks ago I was behind the decks in Pulkvedis, when I noticed a blond, high-heeled, rather main-stream looking girl leaning towards the booth with a request on her lips. My first thought was that in the best case she would ask for some Depeche Mode’s song. I was wrong! Actually she asked for Audion. When I couldn’t catch what she was saying because of a near standing speaker, she told something like: c’mon, don’t you have anything from Matthew Dear? I had to shamely admit that my copy of Mouth to Mouth staid at home. Then some other similiar artists were mentioned.
I talked to her later after the gig. It turned out that she used to be into more traditional house music, but then had got really hooked on deep/minimal and all that shit. So seriously that she was ready to go to Berlin for getting some records and start learning DJing. On the other hand, she was sort of doubtful about her skills etc. I tried to encourage her, telling that the most important thing is a good taste and that practicing can do miracles.
A while before that, going for a piss, I accidently met Moro there – one of Riga’s very first vinyl DJs. He certainly was one of those people who influenced me a lot when I was still a youngster (the mid 90s). Unfortunately, he quit spinning many years ago, but in a way it was with his help why I got into records and DJing. And then there was that girl willing but not entirely daring to become a DJ. I noticed Moro again and took the girl to him, introducing him to her as one of my „teachers” and briefly telling Moro what the problem was. Naturally he also tried to convince her to fulfil her wish... Probably, all this sounds a bit pathetic, but what I wanted to say is that no matter that people come and go, ideas or dedication to certain things or whatever you’d call these things – they stay, they live on through communication.
4 comments:
hej! what a nice story!
I had in a way a bit similar experience lately. Been talking to some girl in Casablanca, and suddenly she said that she likes my mix a lot, being one of her favourite even. I've been logically surprised, as i dont have any mixes recorded. So its turned out that she's talking about the mix, that i performed on Radio Rigai about 10 yars ago. I remember that i had very few records at that time, like, 6-7?
And playing the radioshow, in an empty studio is always a tricky stuff for me, as you dont see your audience, and it feels like playing for nobody. And than you meet one satisfied listener 10 years after. :)
So.. yeah.. this information..
z
yeah, Z. friend, these kind of grateful surprises make you feel that DJing is the thing worth spending your time, energy and maybe even health.
Do you have that mix from RR? From that show I still have a great atmospheric d&b mix by Varka Crew, recorded on a mixtape with ads cut out :)
But as we discussed it earlier with you Z., DJing is not a solely technical thing, it's more about communication and exchange of energy. Sometimes it works better, sometimes not so well, there are many factors. Ok, keep grooving!
really nice story, H! in no way i find it pathetic! at times i think DJs are a bit too sceptical towards anyone approaching them for a quick chat about special records.
i put my two coins in a hat that DJing is worth spending time! keep on doing what you are supposed to do!
i also wish more people were reading your blog.
best wishes!
-selffi
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