BEHIND THE SCENES: DJ SESSIONS (FUNDED BY MAES)

We invited another round of participants into Reform Radio for our ever-growing DJ Sessions, funded by MAES. Our attendees were led through the likes of beat-matching, blending and mixing. By the end of the project, they were ready to take to the decks and play at a celebratory showcase, sharing all they’d learnt. We caught up with Erika, one of our newly-trained DJs, to find out more about what they got up to across the two weeks.

Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you enjoy in your free time.

My name’s Erika (she/her), and I’m currently working on improving my DJing skills. I’m usually doing something arts and crafty; lately I’ve been into crocheting and reforming clothes.

What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Course?

I actually took part in the Soundcamp Bootcamp earlier this year and was recommended to take the DJ course as it’s another pathway into the music scene. Most of the music I create is electronic, so it makes sense for me to take on these skills.

What do you love most about DJing?

It’s interesting seeing what elements mix well with each other when I’m blending different tracks together and the vibe that can come from it.

Did you have much experience in DJing before? What’s one stand out thing you’ve learnt at Reform?

This was my first time properly being behind decks. I’ve only played around with DJing a few years before but this was my first time seriously doing it. At Reform, I didn’t only learnt the ins and outs of the craft but also how to market and promote myself as a DJ. I also learnt how to put together a deck and what equipment to use which is handy.

How would you describe a DJ set of yours in three words?

I would say it’s a mix of experimental, harsh (in a good way!) and colourful.

Do you have any role models in the music scene that inspire your DJing practice and why?

KAYTRANADA is the reason I got into producing and I usually watch or listen to his sets because I love the range he uses in them.

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed? 

I was so nervous that I was considering not attending the course as this felt like a completely new world to me. But ultimately, I’m so happy I decided to face it head-on. Now, I feel really welcomed and at ease with the people running the course and the people I took it with.

What will you take from the DJ course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards? 

I’m taking on a new perspective on the music scene. I’m ready to go full steam ahead with DJing and plan on doing more gigs and putting myself out there. I plan on booking more gigs in the new year and releasing music soon as well.

If you could DJ at any festival, event, or place in the world, where would it be and why?

I’d want to try an underground rave at one point. It feels a lot more intimate and vibey as opposed to a festival, I’d love to curate the mood for an event like that.

If you’d like to find out how you can get involved in our future projects, get in touch with our Engagement team on projects@reformradio.co.uk.