Anyone NOT a DJ Here?

[Baron von Case]

I am a massive fan of Live. It's much more intuitive than, say, Sonar (which I used previously), and it does all the stuff I need it to do.

However, this place seems to be overflowing with DJs and dance music. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Some of my favorite music is from this genre. There are few better listening experiences than some of Infected Mushroom's material, in my opinion.

To non-DJs: What kind of music do you do?

Personally, I consider myself electronica's equivalent of a singer/songwriter. I like my share of beats and loops (though usually intricate and undanceable), but my songs tend to take a traditional chorus/verse structure. I am a better singer than keyboardist, so as much as I love instrumental music, I do some singing. Lyrics are definitely secondary to music, always. Also, I'm not a performance artist, as the creativity is what counts to me, so I put all my value in writing and almost none in being a pianistic virtuoso.

So tell me about yourselves!

[pepezabala]

I am not a DJ. I am oscillating between improvised electronica, songwriting and popmusic, and with our project Institut FATIMA we do some experimental live-shows with strange controllers (reacTIVision, wiimote, live video ... ). I also do music for theatre and dance. And did some commercial stuff as well.

I would like to do more live-ambient stuff at odd places like museums, gardens, townhalls ...

I also have ideas for an installation-piece with spoken words for next year that I will probably produce with live.

[amigo]

Personally, I consider myself electronica's equivalent of a singer/songwriter

Have you any songs online?

[Noel]

I'm not a DJ.

I'm an old hippy, playing old hippy music with my old hippy friends.

I use Live mainly as a container for VSTs - so that I can have a the equivalent of a grand piano, electric/electronic pianos, organs, Mellotron, and stack of analogue and digital synths, etc without needing a pantechnican full of equipment.

Also use it provide a percussion track and to capture manipulate and loop audio in real time.

Sometimes just use it like a multi-track tape recorder / mixing desk.

Not to mention the occasional bit of experimental composition.

[Low Frequency Obstinator]

DJ's are everywhere.

Even God's a DJ (combine that with his omni-presence and there is no escape).

[lola]

Not a dj.

[LeifonMars]

Generally I hate DJs. I've met a few who weren't complete pricks, though.

[ubermnd]

I love getting shitfaced and playing tunes, I can just about beatmix but I can't DJ to save my life.

I did a 3 hour set at a festival this year and went from ambient soundscapes right through everything all the way up to minimal techno just slapping on tunes and using effects in ableton to make interesting transitions/mashups etc, had the whole place jumping by the end of it. I am no Dj.

I'd rather listen to awesome music mixed badly or basically than listen to a perfectly mixed set of pretentious bollocks.

Besides, I CANT FUCKING STAND Dj politics. The posturing and whinging about who's on the rig next, Djs who get up and destroy the vibe by playing totally inappropriate music just cos they think its wikid. No Dj is bigger than the party. The good one's know this.

[Angstrom]

I'm not a DJ, never have been.
I have never owned a set of decks, I do not own any 12" vinyl with thumpin beats on, I have not got a 909, 808 or a 303, nor a desire to get one.

[amigo]

I love getting shitfaced and playing tunes, I can just about beatmix but I can't DJ to save my life.

I did a 3 hour set at a festival this year and went from ambient soundscapes right through everything all the way up to minimal techno just slapping on tunes and using effects in ableton to make interesting transitions/mashups etc, had the whole place jumping by the end of it. I am no Dj.

You sound like a DJ to me.

[Newecho]

I am a massive fan of Live. It's much more intuitive than, say, Sonar (which I used previously), and it does all the stuff I need it to do.

To non-DJs: What kind of music do you do?

I'm not a DJ. I too used to use Sonar and switched to Live.

While I have a day job, I have had a parallel career as a professional musican, composer, and sound designer for quite some time.

- Keyboardist for Head Full of Zombies: I gigged in this band for 13 years http://www.hfoz.com - retired in 2003.
- Soundtracks & Sound Design: For a few years I did custom composition for TV commercials. I now prefer licensing tracks. For example I licensed one of my tracks into the extra features and soundtrack of the film "One Six Right". I also have done sound design work for live theatrical productions. I posted a small sampling here http://www.markmoshermusic.com/soundtracks.htm
- Electronica/Experimental Music: This is where I spend almost all my time these days. Composing, writing custom presets and such. http://www.markmoshermusic.com/electronica.htm
- Blogging on digital music production: http://www.modulatethis.com. My way of giving back. Stop by, comment, subscribe :^).

[ubermnd]

@Amigo,

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. I wouldn't define what I was doing as Djing because DJs usually craft some sort of set whereas what I was doing was more like a human iTunes player. With echos.

[nebulae]

I'm a producer and a performer, not really a DJ

[Aequitas123]

I'm definitely not a DJ. I use ableton as a DAW.

I also never really fully understood the point of DJing. However i do like some of the original music composed by DJs. DP and Justice are two that come to mind.

[andrewbrewer]

half-assed experimental pop/hip-hop/dance with too many vocal effects:

http://www.myspace.com/ossicandyboy