I've had a busy few months, no time for mixes, no time for blogs. But classes are done and exams start next week for me. So I finally have some time to sit down and write out these ideas that have been flowing through my head and make a mix for your listening pleasure. Oh and study of course.
So first things first. Y AFTERHOURS FINALIST WOOOOOOOOO!!!! Hahaha fuck yeah. Quarterfinals were some fun half hour sets in the basement. 3 weeks later, semi-finals against DJ Goober in the main room. I went with an emotional start and it was amazing. The vibe in that room was something I've never felt before. I was in a little zone in the booth about 3 songs in and realized what was going on. I looked up and saw almost everyone with a hand on their heart with their eyes closed. A mixture of pain and energy and just raw emotional power that you could tell everyone was feeling. Simply amazing. I won't talk much more about it because it's gone and done and you should have been there if you wanted to know.
Next week, Friday the 19th, are the finals. I'm not going to talk about my opponent or my strategy, only what this all means to me. It hit me right after I played in the semi-finals what this spot actually means to me specifically. I felt like I rocked that room with my ideas, and music that I think is good. I talked before about going into a zone and translating instincts to actions. Crowd reaction is important, but I can trust that my skills and ideas will do the job without searching for approval. When I started this journey I looked for that approval, I sent a mix to Nestor Delano and asked him what he thought of it. One night we were hanging out and he asked me why I wanted to know and I didn't have an answer. Because his approval makes it good?
He told me if I think it is good that is all that matters... Then he told me he wanted me to join Connected.
If you think it is good and are really passionate about it, people will see your passion and believe in you because that's what people do. People want something to believe in. People are followers and the leaders are the ones that stand out. Leaders are the ones that set trends and break rules. Why be normal? Why be someone that blends in to the crowd and doesn't do exactly what they want, when they want. There is nothing wrong with not being a leader, it doesn't necessarily mean you are a follower, but the lesson lies in being true to yourself in every moment. Not punishing yourself or others for anything that has happened in the past, not worrying about anything in the future, just doing and being your best at every single moment. This is a lesson that I have understood my whole life but never truly been able to live. This competition has taught me so much not only about Djing and playing a crowd, but about myself and who I want to be.
I honestly think Nestor never listened to that first mix, or has ever even heard me play.
8 months ago I was dancing at the Y and was watching Seelo and Nestor play in the main room, I told myself I wanted to play up there one day. I didn't put a time limit on it, just set a goal and went after it. I needed 2 things, specific skills and a status. Nestor gave me the opportunity for a status and recognition on the scene and learning the skills was up to me. Every show I go to, every time I play, I learn. Learning new tricks as well as becoming more confident in my instincts. Taking things from every DJ I've heard and putting my own twist on it. Making it my own so that I can put my name on it and not just be a copy cat.
I'm an intelectual person. I observe, analyze, and react accordingly, thinking too much and over-analyzing is something I know I do and hate that I do it. But it is what it is and I'm fixing it the only way I know how. For whatever reason my brain is able to override my feelings and instincts. I think that is why DJing is so important to me. It is literally the first thing in my life that I have been able to fall in love with, with no outside influence. No one suggested it to me, no one forced me to do it when I was young. It doesn't matter to me what people think of it, if no one wanted to hear me I would still sit in my basement and play to myself. People are giving me recognition and I'm accepting it, but that isn't why I'm doing what I'm doing.
I'm honoured to be playing in the finals in the competition, win or lose it doesn't matter I'm happy to be there. In my opinion the Y has the best DJ's in the city. And if they don't currently, then there is no doubt that at some point in time, all of the best in the city have played there. Clubs open and close but the Y has been around for 10 years. Go there on a weekend after the clubs close down and you're sure to see at least one of the most influential people in the city. It is the only Afterhours club in the capital city of EDMonton. People have said to me that "oh it's the only one it's not a big deal". But that is exactly why it's a big deal.
I'm not saying I'm going to win. But right now I'm trusting my instincts and skills like I never have before and I believe I'm going to give people a name to remember. I'm not learning anything new in the next week. My opponent, DJ Eff, has been around for 10 years against my 2 1/2 years of experience. I'm going to go in as Tyrone Powell and truly come out as Jermaine Still; the emotional, cocky, silly, sarcastic, arrogant, strong, caring man that I've created and want to be for the rest of my life. Learning to trust myself through DJing is something I need to apply to my whole life. Entering a zone in the booth and never doubting myself again. In reality, this is all just the beginning.
Best of luck to you DJ Eff.
-Remain Still.
