What is a DJ?

[regretfullySaid]

Great Shadow set

[knotkranky]

and this is a fucking DJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ArSb3lCc28

Hell yeah, that's a fucking DJ.

[H20nly]

^ no doubt.

that's different. that's a DJ.

train wreck and all.

[beats me]

My coworker went to see Kaskade DJ this weekend at a 7,000 capacity venue. He showed me some video. I have no idea how he was serving up the tunes but the light and video show was top notch and the place was going nuts. I don’t think anybody in that audience would be more interested in seeing a guy behind decks with a white spotlight on him and close-up video of his technical performance. I know I wouldn’t.

Kind of reminds me of the few hip hop shows I’ve seen where the entire show consisted of a DJ both on a huge show with 19 hype men pacing the stage. Silliness.

In certain situations I think the visuals and sound are far more important than the artist’s performance.

[starving student]

My coworker went to see Kaskade DJ this weekend at a 7,000 capacity venue. He showed me some video. I have no idea how he was serving up the tunes but the light and video show was top notch and the place was going nuts. I don’t think anybody in that audience would be more interested in seeing a guy behind decks with a white spotlight on him and close-up video of his technical performance. I know I wouldn’t.

Kind of reminds me of the few hip hop shows I’ve seen where the entire show consisted of a DJ both on a huge show with 19 hype men pacing the stage. Silliness.

In certain situations I think the visuals and sound are far more important than the artist’s performance.

bet those shows didn't have a dj, i bet those mofos were using an instant replay or just letting an instrumental play while the 19 guys walked around trying to keep their pants up, that shit is poo poo (see what I did there)

as far as the kaskade show though I'm sure that the 7, 000 heads would have been equally estatic with out all of that stuff and just having shadow do just what he did in the vid, that's what kaskade probably could not pull off so well.
you know lights and video and all that stuff has been part of all kinds of musical performances for a long time now but it's only now that electronic music artist have turned the lights and video into the whole show so now you're not even going to a show with lights and video to spice it up you're going to a lights and video show with some music playing in the background

[smutek]

The music was tops, everyone was there for that and little else. DJs reacting to the crowd and all that...

That's it man, people make shit so fucking complicated but that's really all it boils down to. A party, a dj playing music, people dancing, fun.

It's not supposed to be - correction - it doesn't have to be high art. Play good music, if people are dancing and having a blast then fuck yeah. Everything else is extra.

[beats me]

you're going to a lights and video show with some music playing in the background

I wouldn't disagree with that, but until lighting and video people start getting the name recognition that producers, DJs, and musicians get there will still have to be some kind of music figure head that will draw the crowds. Technically these visually stunning shows could be pulled off without any kind of music related person on stage that would still be a great experience.

This is going into different territory, but I look forward to a time when visual artists' work can stand on their own without a "performer" needing to be the face of what they do. As you insinuated the performer is becoming almost a background set piece. So take them out of it altogether. Just great music and visuals. Of course I'm not saying DJing and live music will just disappear. I'm saying this will become another type of show to experience. I think what is being experimented with in 3D space is the next great creative frontier and we shouldn't need Katy Perry to bring it to the people.

[cpyatak]

I'm going to throw my two cents in here as someone who has never successfully matched a beat (on turntables) in my life, and do NOT consider myself a DJ.

DJ Shadow IS a musician. Is he drawing off other people's prerecorded material? Yes. Is he actively plucking a string? No. But what he does, call it DJing, call it turntablism, call it what you will -- that is musicianship. His instrument(s) are the turntables, his effects boxes, etc.

That shit is real. And it's so great that he's still at it and still appreciated. At least by the people who care. Something tells me he doesn't want (and never wanted) to be Tiesto.

Cheers, thanks for sharing the Boiler Room clip!

Chris.

[starving student]

you're going to a lights and video show with some music playing in the background

I wouldn't disagree with that, but until lighting and video people start getting the name recognition that producers, DJs, and musicians get there will still have to be some kind of music figure head that will draw the crowds. Technically these visually stunning shows could be pulled off without any kind of music related person on stage that would still be a great experience.

This is going into different territory, but I look forward to a time when visual artists' work can stand on their own without a "performer" needing to be the face of what they do. As you insinuated the performer is becoming almost a background set piece. So take them out of it altogether. Just great music and visuals. Of course I'm not saying DJing and live music will just disappear. I'm saying this will become another type of show to experience. I think what is being experimented with in 3D space is the next great creative frontier and we shouldn't need Katy Perry to bring it to the people.

^^ this exactly … allot of those visual artist are talented as fuck and installation folk should get their do it's about time, ffs so many of these music artist wouldn't be anything without them!!!!
I'd rather see them on their own as well.

[starving student]

I'm going to throw my two cents in here as someone who has never successfully matched a beat (on turntables) in my life, and do NOT consider myself a DJ.

DJ Shadow IS a musician. Is he drawing off other people's prerecorded material? Yes. Is he actively plucking a string? No. But what he does, call it DJing, call it turntablism, call it what you will -- that is musicianship. His instrument(s) are the turntables, his effects boxes, etc.

That shit is real. And it's so great that he's still at it and still appreciated. At least by the people who care. Something tells me he doesn't want (and never wanted) to be Tiesto.

Cheers, thanks for sharing the Boiler Room clip!

Chris.

yes he definitely is a musician as well, just wanted to pull the curtains back for those who forget what the sun looks like during this time of muddy blurry perception plaguing electronic music these days.

[knotkranky]

^ no doubt.

that's different. that's a DJ.

train wreck and all.

Right, that's the difference. The train wreck is all important in performing. If there's no danger in that, there's nada. If a DJ, any musician or even an athlete doesn't risk pushing past the comfort zone, you ain't tryin. Check the Olympics and watch all them pros falling on their asses. And they're the best ffs. If a 'DJ artist' isn't pushing for immediacy and creative feel, I'm sorry, but that DJ is not a musician. That's why I like DJ's to lean on their turntables. Turntables are dangerous, especially when used dangerously. It's the coolest thing you DJ's have going.

[simmerdown]

even real djs need help sometimes

[H20nly]

so how is Paris helping him?

[andydes]

As amazing a turntablist DJ shadow is, he's not the man to see if you want to dance continuously. Never seen anyone talk as much between tracks as when I saw him.

Very different thing to DJing a continuous mix.

[cpyatak]

As amazing a turntablist DJ shadow is, he's not the man to see if you want to dance continuously. Never seen anyone talk as much between tracks as when I saw him.

Very different thing to DJing a continuous mix.

Fair enough. (Although I have seen him live and keeping a dance floor moving continuously!) I was commenting on the freshness of his approach to music and his skill at using his decks et al as instruments.

Chris