A Sweeping Curve of Sound

Quote of the day:

“People dance to music because it moves them, physically, emotionally, and sometimes even, spiritually. If you’ve ever actually DJ’d for people — or better yet, have ever been to a wedding — you would know that people are most willing to dance to music that they feel connected to, and music that makes them feel connected to the people around them. When you start decreeing what people should or should not be dancing to, you just sound like a prick: People are going to dance to whatever they enjoy, and anyone who begrudges their pleasure in doing so is nothing more than an uptight snob.” - Matthew Perpetua

At its most basic level, DJing is a populist enterprise, not an elitist one. In my years working as a DJ in a variety of settings I have run into those who felt their job was to “challenge” their audiences or to only play for those who “get it” (ie. people who like the same music they do) . There is a kernel of truth hidden within the elitist mandate, good DJs should introduce new music, and help break deserving underground acts, but people also want to imbibe the drink of their choice, hang out with friends, and dance to the songs they know. If that entails playing a club favorite for the umpteenth time, so be it. All DJs (or music journalists for that matter) should remember the wisdom of legendary radio DJ John Peel.

“[DJ’ing is] like being the editor of a newspaper - you don’t claim credit for the news.” - John Peel

To which I can only say, amen.