A few weeks ago, I did my first ever DJ set at Club Contact Tokyo. As someone who just started learning this summer, this was a big accomplishment. Because being a good DJ isn’t just about playing one track after the other – you need to take time to accumulate tracks that match your style, analyze the BPM (beats per minute) and style of each track, organize them into crates or playlists, and finally learn how to mix tracks so they flow seamlessly for your guests’ listening pleasure.
数週間前、渋谷のContactで初めてのDJセットを回しました。今年の夏DJを学び始めたばかりの私にとっては、とても達成感がありました。なぜなら、DJというのはただ曲を次から次へと流すだけではないからです。ちゃんと自分のスタイルに合った曲を徐々に集めていって、その曲のBPMやスタイルを分析し、それをクレートやプレイリストに振り分け、最後に集めた曲をお客さんに聴きやすいようにミックスすることが大事なんです。
It helps that I have a musical background and I have experience performing in front of an audience (trust me, there is nothing more nerve-racking than performing a whole piano recital memorized), so I was only nervous right before I pressed the play button. After that, I let my practicing do the rest and made sure to enjoy the music I chose especially for this first set 🙂
もともと音楽の経験があることが今の私にとってすごくプラスになっていると思います。人前に出ることは全然初めてではないので（ピアノリサイタルより緊張するものはありません！）、緊張感は再生ボタンを押した瞬間消えました。その後は、練習と自分が選んだ曲達に任せました♪
For those of you who are interested in what gear I’m using at the moment – I’m practicing on the Pioneer DDJ-WeGO4 DJ Controller, which can be used with iPhone, iPad, or Macbook. It’s lightweight, making it a portable and useful device for DJs on the go. I use Rekordbox on my Macbook Pro, which is a great DJ software for beginner DJs like myself. I’m already practicing for my next set after the New Year! I’m so blessed to have these opportunities to do what I’ve dreamed of doing. So thank you and I hope I’ll be sharing more of my work here in the months to come!
私が今何の機材を使っているか知りたい方へ：現在Pioneer DDJ-WeGO4 DJコントローラーで練習しています。iPhone, iPad, やMacbookも繋げられる、小型で軽いコントローラーです。移動にもとても便利なので、初心者にはオススメです。そして、ソフトウェアはRekordboxを使っています。DJが初めてという方には本当に使いやすいですよ。今も、新年明けのための次のセットに向けて、練習に励んでいます。好きなことができるという幸せに本当に感謝しています。もっともっと上達して、更に良いご報告ができるように頑張ります！
Fig & Viper jacket, Untitled Club T-shirt, Choke Me Jewelry Choker
Photos by Rhino Lee
50 comments
marcy
WOW babe so cool I always wanted to do this I love Electronic and house music. Is it difficult??
Definitely will love to attend and see you play
xoxo
Marcy
Mariann Yip
Wow that’s so cool!! You can totally pull off being a DJ. I love your pictures and I think you and I’m sure they all loved your set!
Gina Diaz
This sounds like a great experience sweetie! Your pictures are very beautiful. Xx, Gina
http://www.artsyrunway.com
Nicky
That’s awesome!!!
http://www.brooklynglam.com
Carmelatte
Your pictures are amazing! They truely have a soul <3
Carmelatte
Nevena Krstic
I’m glad it went well! It looks like you had a great time! 🙂 xx
Suzy
Killin’ it! LOVE! ♥♥♥
Happy Christmas Time!
xoxo Suzy ( ˘ ³˘)♥
THE KAWAII PLANET
Naghmeh
you look great! so good that you were able to put your nerves aside once you started 🙂 good luck with your future gigs!
xo
The Fashionista Bubble
Yasmin
So cool! One of my blogger friends is a dj and I love seeing her play. Her equipment is so cool, but I know next to nothing about the process. Thanks for sharing some insight so I can chat more smartly about it with her next time haha.
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
Katherine
So cool!
http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/
Gil Zetbase
Wonderful post!
Have a nice week-end!
Gil Zetbase
http://gilzetbase.com/
Josie
This is so awesome! Congrats darling! This must have been so fun with all the adrenaline! I hope you had a blast!
Bisous, Josie
http://www.petiteandbold.com
MELODY JACOB
LOOKS LIKE SO MUCH FUN
http://www.melodyjacob.com/
Michelle
So much fun! I’ve always dreamed of trying DJing but I realized it’s more complicated than it looks. Congrats!
XO
http://www.lehoarder.com/
Tenin Dvr
What a great experience ! Fashion blogger, online influencer, DJ… How many things can you add to your board ? That’s amazing !
xo.TDVR
http://www.tenindvr.blogspot.com
Ana Vukosavljevic
Lucky you! I bet you were amazing ?
Killer fashionista into electronic music, go girl! ????
Stephanie
You’re so multi-faceted and I’m super jealous of it haha! I love that you have DJ skills, and for a “beginner” I think you’re doing great (I heard your beats on that IG video a while back). Way to rock, girlfriend!
Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com
Darlene
wow! who took your photos babe? I didn’t know youre also a DJ! I would love to hear your set
http://www.thenewgirl.me
diana
Congratulations and I would love to go clubbing where you are Djing!
http://www.queenhorsfall.com/
Jo
I didn’t know that was your very first set I heard a bit of on Instagram! That’s so cool! Congratulations! From what I heard you sounded awesome, can’t wait to hear more 🙂
xo, Jo
http://www.cutandchic.com
Cece Lam
ah you go girl!!! LOVING THIS
http://www.thenewgirl.me/12-days-christmas-langdon-hall/
Linh Dao
Omg this is so cool! I didn’t know you did this! Can you teach me? Haha you look amazing as always! Can’t wait to see more!
Linh
http://www.xcapewithlinh.com
Christine Kong
Wow, you are truly a woman of many talents! Who knew with all the high fashion, piano skills, modeling, you can also mix music>! I am thoroughly impressed by you. What a fun night for you and such an amazing experience! I would love to hear you dj one time if you are ever in the States! xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
Lucy Hernandez
Awe
Congrats girl! My husband is a DJ and I completely agree, it’s def not as easy as it looks! Especially if you’re spinning vinyl! Just wait, the record collection will get addictive. ?
And PS the photos look amazing too!
Atsuna Matsui
That’s so cool that you DJ! I’d lovee to hear the kind of music you play. 🙂 Share us what your jam sounds like!
http://www.atsunamatsui.com
Jenelle
Sounds like you had a really good time with it! That is quite an accomplishment having taken it up not that long ago. Very impressed.
xx Jenelle
http://www.inspiringwit.com
gracie
What a fun night ! I think everyone dreams of being a cool DJ in a hip club. The vibes & energy have to be amazing. You looked fabulous too !
xx, gracie
snappedbygracie.com
Lady Goldapple
So cool you got asked for such a huge thing! I’m sure you were absolutely great. I mean.. even for your looks, everyone would come and visit, let alone the music 😉 XO Charissa – http://www.ladygoldapple.com
Jen
Wow you DJ now? Your piano background must really help though. 🙂 And I totally understand what you mean by memorizing a whole recital in front of a lot of people! Awesome shots babe!
Sharon Wu
Omg so cool how you DJ! These photos are rad. I hope to see you at work in person one day 🙂 xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com
Rachel Vogt
Oh wow you are so talented babe. Wish to see you perform one day.
xoxo, Rachel
samira
omg how cool babe! these pics are so cool as well!
xo, Samira
http://www.leathertolunch.com
Darci
You are so badass excuse my language! Love your style too, that bomber jacket is amazing! Xo
Cinddie
Cool visuals, and you’re totally rocking that outfit, i LOVE your jacket!
xoxo, Cinddie
http://www.fashbrown.com
yuka
congrats Samantha! you are just the coolest!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
Yuena Li
!! You’re so multi talented!! SO AMAZINGGG I always wanted to DJ!! What a badass!!
With love, Yuena
http://youtube.com/simplyyue
Raina
This is so awesome!! And I love your style! <3
xo Raina
http://www.themamaqueen.com
Kusum
Wow this looks totally amazing! Looks like you are thoroughly enjoying it, so much talent babe.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Open Kloset
I am so Happy that went well and you Looked so cool behind the DJ Set:) I would Love To try:)
Love Open Kloset By Karina
New:http://openklosetfashion.blogspot.pt/2016/12/prestige-hotel-budapest-elegantclassic.html?m=1
Candace
So much art and detail goes into DJing! I can’t tell it was your first time because you look like a natural. Wish I was about to was there to hear you DJ 🙂
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
Margaret
I knew you are a cool girl! Love the photos and I am sure you will be a great DJ!!
xx Margaret
http://www.maleemaleehong.com
Jordan Chapman
Whoa this is such a cool opportunity!! Being a DJ looks like a lot of fun!!
Jordan xx
http://www.thehatlogic.com
Mandy Arisa
Enjoy your time in Tokyo babe! I am so jealous! and what a stylish DJ you are!! 🙂
http://ministryforstyle.com/
x Mandy
akiko hiramatsu
You are so cool!!! まりこさん、DJも始めてすごい！！！
Vivian
Sounds like a great experience Samantha!! You’re such a talented person! Would love to see a video of you as a DJ! Love the photos and your bomber too! 🙂 Merry Christmas! xo, Vivian
http://www.viviantse.net
Bernice
Congrats on your first gig! That’s so cool you’re doing djing. Good luck for the future xx
http://www.bunnybernice.com/blog
Thomas Falkenstedt
You seriously are the coolest EVER and we need to meet up when I come to Tokyo later this year. I can’t think of a better (and cooler) guide! 😀
xoxo
Thomas
http://www.thomasfalkenstedt.com/
A Very Sweet Blog
Sam, I bet that was fun! Love these pictures.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/
Sofia
You look so cool! I wished I knew how to DJ it seems like so much fun. And how great that the gear you’re using can be connected so easily to your phone or computer.
Miki
I love that you DJ. That clip you had on instagram was awesome! You’re such a cool chic. 🙂
Xo,
Miki
http://mikialamode.com