NietzSKY

Also, I throw a lot of top40 remix music into my set to start when not certain that my electric music may not be a big hit. Test the waters with songs like Aoki + Kid Cudi “Pursuit of Happiness” and some Guetta + Black Eyed Peas. There have been house parties that had a top 40/hip-hop feel that I’ve managed to slowly turn EDM, and usually have good feedback from people unexposed to the genre.

It’s weird, I’m much more nervous djing than I ever was performing one of my classical pieces live/giving a recital. When I’m playing piano, I’ve never worried about whether my music is going to appeal to the crowd or (only whether I had faith in my talent as a composer). I also keep trying to minimize “dj downtime” (time where I`m not touching my controller while a song is playing) without fx whoring, for I don’t want to be viewed as nothing but a human ipod.

I have my first djing gig coming up this friday at a local venue. It’s a mixer that blends punk, hip-hop, and a few other genres of music. I’ve been asked to DJ the event, and I’ve been pacing around wondering whether my EDM collection is going to have any appeal with these crowds. I’ve made it a point to throw in some music that I feel closes the gap between genres (Steve Aoki/Kid Cudi, Afrojack remixes, etc.), but I honestly have no idea what to expect when not playing in a dance setting (don’t know where to begin on how to read a non-dancing crowd).

I’ve been telling myself that it’s merely my first djing gig (I don’t count house parties as gigs), but I still feel as if my daisy-chaining skills are not where they need to be. Good to know that I’m not the only one with nerves around =)