Day 4
In the five day corporate world work week, Wednesday's hump day. I started my work week a day early this week and will end it a day later, so it's my hump day today as well. I got my set together a few days ago because I've never spun a full set of reggae music before, let alone to a fully reggae crowd. Today, I counted my records that were put aside for my set and realized I had WAY TOO many, so I went in and cut them in half. Better to get a concise set of everything you REALLY wanna play at this sort of thing than bring more and end up playing the wrong songs and running out of time.
What was a little awkward was that I promoted my set to be '70s Dub and Roots because that's some of my favorite stuff, but then realized from going last week that by midnight, the crowd likes to dance to a lot of mid '80s to early '90s dancehall stuff. I don't wanna come to a weekly themed night and throw the vibe off that much, even though everyone is being a good sport at what I'm doing.
So today I decided to play a little of every style of reggae–from the '60s til now. I came to the club confident that I'd be happy with my selections, regardless of technical problems.
Let me start by saying Dub Club is a great thing. The times that I went made me think to myself, “Why haven't they released an album of this stuff?” They got a huge crowd (biggest of any of the nights I chose for my 7 days) and yet, they really haven't gotten into the recording world. I know people would support their record. The DJs know the music really well and they have a bunch of talented vocalists throughout the night. My main regret from my set is that I didn't play more instrumentals to let them shine more.
I got to meet all the DJs for the first time and they all treated me really well. They weren't trying to kick me off during my set, even though an hour is an eternity for one person to spin at Dub Club, with so many DJs on stage and so many in the audience. They normally go back and forth every 20 minutes or so between the DJs and I can't remember them ever having a guest DJ before. There's no need for it. They got it covered on their own.
So when I first got there at around 10:30, I went on stage and a guy in the audience yells “Chris, what's up?” I walk up to him and notice that it's someone I know, but can't remember who he is. I look confused and he says, “I'm your neighbor, I live across the street from you. What are you doing here?” I tell him I'm spinning and long story short, he goes to Dub Club every week, but had no idea that I was a playing there or that I was doing a 7 day LA tour (or probably even that I was a DJ).
My battery is now at 5%, so I'll cut the rest of this short. I had a good time once again, to the point where I'd like to do this again sometime in another city (Maybe NYC). Just gotta find a way to get all the records out there.
I got to spend some time with Scientist (who just mixed the Guilty Simpson single for us) and he and I brainstormed about some more projects with him. My homey Ross, who filmed the Stones Throw Singers music video (among others), came out as well. Rhett was there again and that makes him 4 for 4. I'm grateful.
Just dozed off. Better finish this tomorrow.
Leave A Comment!