Hey, gang. It’s strange that I don’t know who you are, reading this. But you’re here, so you seem to know who I am. Anyway…
I’ve been making music for as long as I can remember. I took the classical path. We had a piano near the TV, so I’d play during commercials. My school district had a pretty good music program; I went to music camp in the summer and eventually to music college (“conservatory”) in Ohio.
Lately I’ve realised how much I benefitted from the musical platforms this upbringing gave me. There was always an orchestra, jazz band, choir to perform in. Then there weren’t. I swam into adulthood and did other things. I played for myself in spurts a few times a year. I gigged a little with bands — New Orleans, Balkan, jazz standards, etc.. Played in the orchestra for musicals, that kind of thing. It’s been fine.
But I never put together an “act”. I don’t know why. Maybe growing up with all those great platforms left me without the skills to build my own. Around 2024 I decided to start developing those skills. I bought a looper; I studied DAWs and such. The process made me recognise which parts I liked doing and was good at, and which I didn’t and wasn’t. As I learned more about modern styles and techniques, the more I wanted to get back on stage.
I got to play with DJ WORLDWIDEWOLF at the Aural Alliance Festival and thought it would be great to play with more DJs. Then I bought a DJ controller at an auction for €35, Arkifel suggested I learn Mixxx… and here we are.
I’d like to shout out to some of the other DJs and musicians who have gotten me to this point. First, all the DJs who showed how it’s done at Otterdance:
- 5: Arkifel, Vegaz, Stoeipoes, Refferic
- 4: Arkifel, AlphaRacc, Lynn Drumm
- 3: Gothicat, Arkifel, Saigai, Mallard, Menos, Tigris, Lynn Drumm
- 2: Gothicat, Mayk, Vegaz, Lynn Drumm
- 2022: Jaffa, Duzzled, Lynn Drumm
With special shouts to:
- Lynn Drumm: DJ, Music Director of Otterdance
- Gothicat: DJ, host, promoter
- Neonbunny: DJ, creator of Frolic
…and many, many furs along the way.