Bouncing colour blobs, pulsating music and carefree dancing – these pretty much sum up the nightlife scene. But what truly keeps Vizag nights buzzing are the DJs who kick the music to life.
Though these confident and stylish DJs spinning the console might appear glamourous to partygoers, they will tell you how difficult it can be to keep high-spirited night-owls entertained for hours non-stop in what can be, to quote The Beatles, a ‘Hard Day’s Night’.
And yet, the trend of remixing tracks is fast catching on among youngsters in the city, who are fancying a career as a DJ. Some of the more established DJs have now taken to holding classes and passing on the musical art to aspiring artistes. “Most of them are drawn to it because of the glamour factor. But being a DJ is a totally different ballgame. Today’s DJ really needs to know his music be it retro, reggae, hip-hop or EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and its sub-genres,” says Bobsy, DJ at Sky Lounge and Club.
Bobsy has been behind the console since 1996, observing the changing musical preferences of the city’s partygoers. “Back then there were just a couple of pubs in the city and private party scene was almost non-existent. DJs used to play specific musical genres – mostly Bollywood with a bit of rock. And the crowd would love what we played. Now a lot of musical genres have come up, but strangely clubs and pubs haven’t evolved into genre-based ones yet. The nightlife still revolves around events or pubs that draw crowds rather than the kind of music they play,” says DJ Bobsy. But what has changed over these years, says Bobsy, is the number of youngsters keen to learn the art of mixing tracks and mastering the tricks of becoming a successful DJ. “With private parties, pubs and music festivals increasing over the years, many youngsters want to try their luck at being a DJ. In fact, there are some names from the city who have made it big in the DJ world in India,” says Bobsy, who has been conducting DJ workshops and courses since 2006. His workshops typically span over an eight-week course and has seen youngsters not only from the city but also from places like Vizianagaram and Guntur coming down.
However, it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Ask the seasoned DJs and they will share the secrets of what make them click. Much of the DJ’s art rides on assiduous homework and sound mixing talent. “Understanding the crowd and playing the right track are the key elements,” says Rahul Kedia, DJ at Vue Bar, Hotel Novotel. Rahul, who has been in the scene for over a decade, has started his summer DJ workshops. “My workshops are interactive and informal where I play with music and creativity while mixing tracks. But there is a lot more that you can do than just this. You can create songs if you want to – what’s called music production,” he says. The students get to play with him in live shows for a better understanding of their connect with the crowd. Rahul also has tie-ups with music production houses and turntablism, for those interested to get advanced training. Turntablism is the ‘old fashioned’ art of manipulating sounds, where DJs use vinyl records and manipulate their rotation to create the ‘scratching effect’, converting the scratching noise itself into music.
Both Bobsy and Rahul agree with that while the technical aspect of DJing can be taught through workshops, “unless you have an understanding of music and a passion for it, being a DJ can be a mighty tough task,” they say. And for the ones who have the right musical inclination, the scope to present their talent is not just restricted to a single city alone. “Sites like YouTube and Soundcloud are a perfect platform to showcase your videos. All you have to do is upload them. In fact, there are many agencies who spot talent across the country and have tie-ups with clubs and music festivals. So sitting in Vizag, you can connect with the world and get noticed,” says Rahul.
Interestingly, there are some who are exploring the art of DJing to kick up a notch in their live performances. Singer Valeria Gracia, who is keen to make a beginning as a DJ says: “I have gaps during my breaks in the live shows. Once I learn the DJing techniques, I can engage in a better way with the crowd.”
For Michael Advanio and Vishnu (DJ Nick), who are taking lessons in DJing, their passion for music drew them to this field which, they hope, to turn into thriving careers. “It gives a high to connect with the crowd,” say the students of GITAM University. While Vishnu has played the opening sets at live events, Michael is gearing up to make a beginning soon.
Platforms like private parties and corporate events have also thrown up newer avenues for the aspiring DJs to perform.
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DJ workshops DJ Bobsy can be contacted at 9848114493 and DJ Rahul at 7095921989 or 9246614402.
Money factor A fulltime DJ may get about Rs 50,000 per month.
DJ advice It’s good to start with a club
Unless you are a music producer, the shelf life of a DJ is short. It’s a downhill after 35.
