| Ever noticed how a change in musical culture can
sneak up and bite us roadogz on the arse; before we really know
what is happening? Well it's happening all around us…
|
|
Up until about the mid 90's rock and roll - in all it's forms -
was king. Cocksure lead guitarists and singers inspired kids from
the 50's and Elvis on, to form their own garage bands and dream
of international stardom and success. (Or should that be 'stardom
and excess?')
We poor harassed engineers had to be able to mic up real instruments
like drum kits, Marshall 'quadboxes' and bass rigs; cope with foldback
induced feedback, and generally translate the garage sound for use
in a venue. ('Like feedback through the foldback, these are the
gigs of our lives'…groan!!)
The rise and rise of Dance Music - or Techno, Electronica, call
it what you like, there are many sub-genres - has been steadily
going on since about the mid-80's. Previously it was confined to
the nightclubs and dancefloors, with those who went to see 'live'
music looking down their noses at 'Discbunnies.'
Fast forward to 2001…
For the last two years turntables have outsold guitars in the UK,
and are fast catching up in countries all over the world…
The DJs are superstars! With international 'turntablists' like
Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox and 'Sasha n Digweed' commanding huge appearance
fees and being feted like the 'rock royalty' of previous generations.
On the millennium New Years Eve some UK DJs were being helicoptered
around the country to 3 & 4 gigs on the one night, asking £100
000s for the privilege of hearing them 'spin their magic spells!!.
…
Many mainstream and rock-based acts now incorporate a DJ in their
line up and use the common DJ technique of creating 'loops' within
a song, both live and in the studio…
Vestax have introduced a Vinyl Cutter to produce custom LPs, within
the price reach of dedicated DJs and not just the major recording
companies..
There are world championships for DJs, started in 1986 by Disco
Mix Club (DMC has evolved into a Dance orientated record label).
Now internationally famous as the Technics World DJ Championship,
the comp has become a household name, and attracts entrants from
over twenty-eight countries. Recent entrants include spinners from
Argentina, the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, Finland and
even Mauritius!!
Relax & listen.
It is still common to hear punters, engineers and rockers pissed-off
at falling attendance's say, "they're not musicians, they just
play other peoples music," and the other favourite' "it
all sound the same…duff, duff, duff, da-duff !!"
I'm no saint; I said exactly the same thing until I moved into
a 'techno house'!! Let me set the seen, circa 1997, in the days
when Techno/Electronica/Urban sounds were rarely heard on 'mainstream'
radio or TV programming.
Here I am, the archetypal touring roadie - 'if it's not live and
organic it's not real' - sharing a house with two DJs. In our back
room was a full-on DJ console. It was the classic set up :
2 x Technics 1200 Turntables and a Newmark 'battle' mixer. In front
of this was bits and pieces of PA gear that I had acquired over
years of live-sound engineering and touring. The gear I added included
power amps, FOH speakers, and subs. (The neighbours loved us!!)
I got a real technical and musical education form my former housemates.
Yes, they were using pre-recorded music - vinyl LPs - but they way
that they would blend and combine different sounds and feels together,
produced a totally different creation. They were not merely reproducing,
they were creating. I could hear & see for myself the creative
process. A set of turntables and mixer are as much an instrument
as a guitar, keyboards and even drums.
Like all instruments played, the skill involved in this creativity
takes practice, dedication, time and just a crucially inspiration.
DJs, like all musos have to 'learn their chops and pay their dues.'
Finally.
As both a listener and an engineer, to truly appreciate the art-form
I had to 'retrain my ears'. Everyone since the 50's have grown up
with the sounds of 'rawk 'n' roll'. We know its form, content, and
progression. 'Dance' music is as revolutionary and subversive as
Rock was in its time. We are in a whole new way of experiencing
music, with a shift from melody based music, to rhythm based. Rather
than putting this new art-form down, lets celebrate another 'colour
in our sound palette.' ( Phew, that was poetic!)
Remember, we hear with our ears; music is music, is music!! It's
not mutually exclusive. We can get off on new music without loving
the older styles any less!! The new we are comfortable living with
such certainties.
What do you think? Send your comments to me via roadogz.com
or post your thoughts on the message
board.
Have a good one!!
Willy T.
PS. Thanks to DJ Duck and DJ Tonestar of Paddington, Australia
for the music education!!
|
