Finding the Rhythm

The role of a DJ is multifaceted. We’re probably mostly “entertainers” providing “entertainment” to an audience. But another facet of being a DJ is promoting music, and I take that roll pretty seriously. In my online sets, I have the chance to talk about artists, tracks, and labels, and I do. I like making music personal and intimate; there’s a story behind every song, and when I know it, I like talking about it. And through this blog, my chart, and other avenues, I certainly talk a lot about what’s new, what I like and don’t like, and why.

In doing so, I try really hard to stick to objective aspects of the music. Is the production good? Are the vocals on-target? Is there too much compression? Are the lyrics redundant? But no matter how much you stick to supposed “facts,” at the end of the day, art is subjective. Some people like lots of compression, some don’t. Some people like redundant lyrics, and some don’t. And some people just plain like a song, and others just plain don’t.

Anyway, my friends have sort of come to depend on me to turn them on to good music, and I like that, too. But I was reminded only this morning of the flip side of all this: When a recommendation just doesn’t work out.

One of my good friends in Chicago recently decided to pick-up a copy of Above & Beyond’s Tri-State, which I’ve blogged about clear back in August of last year. While I’m really a house DJ, and that’s “my” music, Tri-State is a favorite from the trance realm. (You can read that blog posting for more about my thoughts on the album.)

In any case, my friend has heard me go on and on and on about Tri-State, so he finally broke down and ordered a copy of it. He got it yesterday, and I heard the news today: he was “underwhelmed,” and felt that only one track was really repeat-worthy. Well, crap…

Sure, I’m disappointed, especially since this particular friend is a real trance-head, and I figured it’d be right up his street. But music is deeply personal, and while we (as music fans) do collectively tend toward being a bit lemmingesque, blindly following one another like a herd (can you say “Billboard chart?”), what works for me just isn’t always going to work for you.

I guess I’m OK with that. I’d like to believe I have an ear for music in general, and dance music specifically. I think to be successful as a DJ, you have to. But I’m not always going to get it right.

So if you pick-up a copy of Tri-State, or anything else I talk-up for that matter, and you hate it, I’m sorry. I’ll try to make better recommendations next time. But you’re always welcome to comment back here, whether you agree with me—or not.

As for the friend in Chicago? I suggested he take it to a used CD store and get at least some of his money back… Or perhaps, white elephant gifting?