Playlists Vz DJ Sets
A PLAYLIST IS A COLLECTION OF MUSIC. A PRETTY SIMPLE CONCEPT WHEN ITS BOILED DOWN and IT’S OFTEN THE SIMPLE IDEAS THAT CATCH LIKE WILDFIRE. Prior to streaming, most people who cared enough to put together a playlist, would create a CD of songs arranged in a particular order. if you are not at home, That CD could only be listened to in the car or using a bulky mobile CD player device. That Cd also had a limited amount of storage so your playlist typically wouldn’t exceed 20-25 songs.
Fast forward to 2023 and now you can fit billions of songs in your pocket. Not only do you have nearly an infinite amount of songs, you can also organize them and reorganize them as often as you like. Another hurdle with most CDs is that you could only add music to it one time and then that playlist would be set in stone.
You can create a playlist for driving, working our, grocery shopping and more. MAybe there is a collection of songs that remind you of home that motivate you to cook your favorite home-cooked meal. Playlists have integrated into our day to day activities. This collection of music is unique to the person who creates it and will be based on their experiences, emotions, and environment.
DJs have been curating sets of music for over 50 years now. even before Cds, DJs would spend endless hours collecting and organizing records to play for the people. Be it on the radio or in the clubs, the DJs would find records to create a joyful environment for the patrons. In additional to locating tracks to keep people energized on the dancefloor, the DJ would also have to practice and ensure the timing in between two songs was perfect.
The transitions between the songs are what control the energy of a party. You can play two energetic songs back to back, but any dead air in between the songs will suck the energy out of the event. Instead of continuing to gain energy, the energy has now reset.
DJs are like owls on a perch. constantly observing the movement of the patrons and finding opportune times to strike with the perfect beats. Music feeds the soul and the soul dances to show appreciation. It’s a constant back and forth between the DJ and the dancefloor. The DJ gives the peopl energy and they use their body language to reciprocate.
This boils down to playlists being the stuffed animal you bring everywhere for comfort. DJs are the chefs preparing your meals. The DJ aims to please the tastebuds while providing nutrients the soul needs.
