MAKE LOVE IN THE DJ BOOTH

by Stuart Bevan

We’ve all been there. You’re putting heart and soul into it. Making great selections, mixing like a demon and firing up the dance floor. Hours of digging and preparation are paying off. Heads are bobbing, feet are tapping, shapes are being cut and whoops are being whooped. You’re in the zone and feeling the flow. Then you lean your ear over to the dark loitering shadow and hear the inevitable words “What else have you got?” “What are you going to play next?” and every DJ’s favourite “Can you play something we can dance to?”

Now we all know to just nod and smile but no matter how thick our skin has grown, these comments are always a gut punch. Not only can they put us off our stride but in extreme cases, they can cause us to lose faith in ourselves and question why we bother at all. The bad news is that short of cattle prods and booth blockers (thank you to all my friends who have taken on this invaluable role for me in the past!) there is little we can do to stop these neigh sayers from spewing out their inner misery. The good news is that there might just be a way to invite some positive interactions to the booth and thus restore some faith in our life choices.

Some of the most enjoyable conversations I’ve had with people when DJing have been whilst playing records in a pub. These gigs are often a bit more laid back so you have time to exchange a few words with punters and if a boozer wants a vinyl DJ then it’s a fair assumption that the staff and patrons will be reasonably discerning. Playing vinyl has and always will be a mark of distinction. It commands respect and projects authenticity. The records act as a members card to a mutual admiration society welcoming like minds to make themselves known. Any music head or vinyl junkie won’t be able to resist getting their geek on with you when hearing a record they know or love!

One of the greatest joys of DJing is connecting through a shared love of music. By playing records, I have made very real and meaningful connections with people through laughter, passion and information exchange. In my experience when playing with vinyl people come to the booth as strangers and leave as friends. It is always these encounters that warm my cockles and leave me with a big post gig smile. Playing with vinyl is most definitely valuable food for the DJ soul. So if you’re feeling fed up after taking drunken nonsense from a messy weekend bridge and tunnel dance floor, dust off those records and book a gig down your local. Order a pint of ale, play your favourite records, display the sleeves and get ready to dish out some fist bumps and high fives to people on their way to the bar.