My second ever DJ set at UCESS the Lounge in Harajuku went surprisingly well, despite running late because the train stopped (boy, did I sweat it there!) and customers already in the venue waiting for the event to start. Last time I played for 40 minutes, but this time I played an hour-long set with all my favorites, starting with the Will.I.Am remix of “The Girl is Mine” by Michael Jackson and ending with a remix of “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Of course I couldn’t help dancing to the music I was playing, but it made me smile even more when I saw the club-goers moving their bodies to the music. Seriously, what a thrill!
人生2回目のDJセットは、原宿のUCESS the Loungeで回させていただきました。行く途中に電車トラブルがあったり、ラウンジに着いたらもうすでにお客さんが集まっていたりと少し焦り気味でしたが、何事もなく無事に終わりました。前回は４０分セットだったのが、今回はきっちり１時間。マイケルジャクソンの「The Girl is Mine」Will.I.Amリミックスから始め、Earth, Wind and Fireの「September」のリミックスで絞めました。もちろん、好きな音楽をかけているので、セット中はずっと踊っていました（笑）。そして、お客さんも音楽に合わせて体を揺らしてるのを見るたびに、嬉しさのあまり笑顔が止まりませんでした。DJとしては、本当に最高な光景！
Until I started practicing DJing technique, I never in my life imagined I would ever DJ at a clubbing venue, spinning my favorite music for a crowd on a Friday night and party ’til dawn. Even when I was attending UCLA, I wasn’t exactly the clubbing enthusiast – I didn’t like to drink, and I was just never the night person. I always preferred staying in the comfort of my dorm or apartment with a good book or movie. Fast forward 4 years and here I am DJ-ing at a Tokyo night club. “How did it happen?” you may ask.
DJのテクニックを学び始めるまでは、ナイトクラブでまさか自分がDJするとは夢にも思ってませんでした。金曜日の夜、自分が好きな音楽をお客さんのために流し、朝方まで遊ぶなんて想像したこともありませんでした。UCLAに通っていた頃も、クラブには興味がありませんでした。お酒が好きではなく、夜遅くまで遊ぶより、家で本を読んだり、映画を見る方が好きでした。それから４年。東京のナイトクラブでDJをしている自分がいます。「何でそうなったの？」と、あなたは思うでしょう。
I think most of it has to do with pulling myself out of my comfort zone, both physically and mentally. Moving to Tokyo to pursue my modeling dreams, gradually putting myself out there and meeting the right people all helped me develop new goals, new dreams. New sights and new encounters can really change one’s perspective, as they did mine. And I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of my managers, teachers and the people who’ve always supported and believed in me. The gratitude I consistently feel never stops. And guess what? I just booked my next gig of 2017 for a fashion event, and I hope I’ll be spinning at more of those this year.
多分、自分を無理矢理でも’コンフォートゾーン’〜居心地の良い場所〜から自分自身を遠ざけることに合ったと思います。モデルになりたいという夢を追いかけるために日本に来て、内気な性格に負けずに積極的に人と出会ったことが新しい目標や夢を抱くことに繋がりました。新しい光景や出会いは、大きく視点を変えることができると思います。そして、私はマネージャーや先生方、私のことを最初から信じてサポートしてくれている人たちがいたからこそ、今の自分がいると思っています。感謝の気持ちは忘れません。さて、２０１７年２つ目のDJの仕事をブッキングしました！次はファッションイベント。今年はもっと沢山のファッションイベントやパーティーで回せるように頑張ります。
There’s one more thing I’ve learned to do more – smile 🙂
あともう一つ。最近心がけていることは笑顔です☺️
Fenty Puma hoodie, Fenty Puma headband, Forever 21 fishnets, Public Desire boots
Photos by Rhino Lee
38 comments
Mariann yip
I am honesty so intrigued by you and your life! I really want to go to Tokyo and I am loving how you are putting yourself out there and pursuing DJing. Congrats on your gig, can’t wait to read about it!!
Racquel John
Congratulations that’s so amazing! Yes, it’s amazing what we can accomplish by stepping out of our comfort zone, but it’s so worth it. I hope you continue to discover more and more this year! 🙂
-Racquel
http://www.Purposely-You.com
Michelle
Amazing! You’re just a girl of many talents. And love the netting on your hat – so cute! Congrats!
XO
http://www.lehoarder.com/
Jenelle
Your playlist sounds so cool!! What a fun night! Looks like you are doing well with it!
xx Jenelle
http://www.inspiringwit.com/
Jennifer
You look like you had a lot of fun!
I think doing things that’s out of your comfort zone is a good thing. 🙂
Amazing post as always.
Jen
Your smile is so contagious! You have a beautiful one. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re still connected to your music even though you have your modeling career. That’s so inspiring! I’m trying to do the same thing since I love music too. Can’t wait to see where you’ll DJ next!
Christine Kong
This is so awesome and I love that you do this! You are so inspiring and I can totally see your love of music and fashion blended into DJing. I love that you also wore the headband and the fishnet cover to make your own style. What a fun event. Hopefully one day I can hear you play somewhere too! xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
Maggie
That’s so cool! I can’t spin for the life of me. DJing can be one of the most stressful jobs because you live off of people vibing on the dance floor, but it looks like you’re killing it!
xoxo,
Maggie S.
❤Clothestomidnight.com
yuka
I’m so happy for you! this is gonna be a great year for you, I just know it!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
Jo
I wish I can hear one of your sets one day! You look totally in your element behind the decks. Happy to hear you had an awesome night! Looked like a really fun night!
xo, Jo
http://www.cutandchic.com
Cindy Elena
Congrats on your first 2017 gig!! Hopefully it will be the first of many!
xo | Cindy
http://www.boringclothes.com
Candace Hampton
Congrats on all of your success thus far and I look forward to hearing about more of your endeavors this year. Congrats on the fashion gig!
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
francesca
that is so cool girl! i didn’t know you DJed! I want to hear you!!
xx
Frank Vinyl : A California Fashion Blog
Thomas Falkenstedt
You have done and learned so many amazing things, Samantha and I have said it before, but I am a big fan! You inspire me to pursue my dreams and are a role model. You are unique to say the least. I would love to listen to you DJing in Tokyo!! And oh btw, that last lesson learned was probably the best one yet. 🙂
xoxo
Thomas
http://thomasfalkenstedt.com
Diana Free
Your story is really inspiring and you look great with the fishnet veil. I hope the New Year brings you an abundance of success.
Lady Goldapple
Love your choice of music. DJ-ing for an hour is heavy and hard work. But you pulled it off babe. YOU ROCK,
X Charissa
http://www.ladygoldapple.com
Deddeh Howard
And you DJ too?!! Wow I love you even more. Great post beautiful, wish you all the best.
Joanna Joy
This is so Awesome Mariko! Congrats on spinning those songs. That sounds really fun. You have really lovely photos also.
astylishlovestory.blogspot.com
Stephanie
You want to know my favorite part of this post? That last sentence! Seriously, my first thought when I began to look through was that the third picture was my favorite because of the adorable grin you’re wearing. You look so happy – like so much life is flooding you because you’re doing what you love! And it makes me so happy for you! I’m excited for all the amazing things you’re going to accomplish. You’ve already gotten so far! 🙂
Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com
Gina Diaz
Your post is so inspiring! You have many wonderful talents, especially with Music!
Xx, Gina
http://www.artsyrunway.com
Jordan Chapman
This sounds like an amazing gig! I can really tell that this is your passion through these photos and can’t wait to see more of you DJ’ing!
Jordan xx
http://www.thehatlogic.com
josie
You gotta be the most stylish DJ ever! I am so proud to see a woman do whatever she loves and be herself! I’m sure you did amazing even if you were running late hehe!
Congrats Mariko! you are such an inspiration!
Bisous, Josie
http://www.petiteandbold.com
Open Kloset
Hey Dear Samantha:)
You are so Talented , I wish i could See you and Listen one of your DJ Set:) You must be Amazing:) Congratulations:)
Love Kisses Open Kloset By Karina
Happy Weekend
New:http://openklosetfashion.blogspot.pt/2017/01/my-birthday-at-ecork-hotel.html?m=1#disqus_thread
EVA LAKO
Hello dear Samantha!
As I understand you … once in a New Year’s party I was also a substitute DJ and I enjoyed it more than a real DJ.
I really like your look, and I wish to see the shoes you wore.
kisses
Eva
http://www.themermaidfashion.com
Tenin Dvr
I love those photos ! Pulling yourself out of your comfort zone is always so scary at first but so worth it in the long run. Glad you are enjoying this new part of your life and you are encountering opportunities !
Take care x
xo.Tdvr
http://www.tenindvr.blogspot.com
Lena
Wow this is such an inspirational story Samantha! You were always such a style maven and now I’m see another multi-talented side of you! Thanks for sharing about how you’ve made the change from being less of a night person at UCLA and really stepping out of your comfort zone to pursue your dreams in Japan. Such stories like yours inspire me to pursue after my own dreams. Keep up the good work hun! 🙂 xo~ Lena
http://www.thewanderliste.com
Cece Lam
Wow you’re sooo talented babe! Love how you are into both music and fashion!! go girl!
http://www.cecelam.com/2017/01/palm-springs.html
Rachel
Aww, you look so cool and awesome! I love your setlist!!!
Cyber Mermaids | Alternative beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog
Atsuna Matsui
Congrats babe! That’s so great that you got to DJ in Tokyo, especially for someone that used to be shy. I’m quite shy as well and there’s so much that I’m learning to do to go out of my comfort zone. It’s a slow process, but definitely so rewarding and it’s nice to reflect back on how much you’ve blossomed.
http://www.atsunamatsui.com
Jenn Hanft
You’ve seriously come so far! It’s so great that you were able to pursue your dreams and step out of your comfort zone! Congrats on booking your next gig! I hope sometime you come to ny to dj!!
XO Jenn
http://www.jennsemble.com
Lux G.
That’s so cool of you!
diana
Love that you bring your own signature in style while Djing! You are so cool! Sorry to hear that you got late, but you made it!
http://www.queenhorsfall.com/
Yasmin
It’s so great to see you being your best self! Glad to see you’ve come alive in Tokyo through modeling and music – two of your passions. That will.i.am/michael j remix sounds great. Gotta check it out!
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
Sharon Wu
Looking amazing girl! Love seeing you channel your talents here on the blog hehe 🙂 xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com/beauty/2017s-beauty-favorites/
marcy
Will really love to see you play babe!!!Im sure i will like it so much!!!
Hopefully that days comes soon 🙂
xoxo
Marcy
Belle
Years ago I tried to learn to DJ and got so incredibly frustrated and gave up almost immediately. I haven’t tried ever since I was a teenager but this post made me consider it again!
xx Belle
Miki
How fun! Congrats on the 1 hour gig. Sounded amazing. Also, congrats on your first major fashion booking for 2017! May it be the beginning of many more great opportunities for you Samantha!
Xo,
Miki
http://mikialamode.com
akiko hiramatsu
まりこさんのDJスタイル、今回もかっこいいです☆
選曲もすてき！！笑顔も！！！
akiko