I think perceptions of a DJ is changing. On a wider level people want personality - as in a sense of the person who is playing - as much as great records and both more than technique. I see some people actually mixing less and playing more disparate records. A friend of mine who I always see as a 313 purist played Horse With No Name the other day! And Eurythmics circa Sweet Dreams. He still played Carl Craig. You always a sense of Carl's left field humour and kind of challenging outlook when he plays as much as his intelligence and imagination. More and more I see people getting gigs who are not DJs but have a unique approach - unusual records - and approach things interestingly. In some ways Carl set the standard for that. I have heard that in Melbourne Carl was told - nay, encouraged - by the club that he can do whatever he wants - especially late - so I am really curious to see what he comes up with.
---------- >From: Simon Kong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: 313 <[email protected]> >Subject: Re: FW: (313) Carl Craig ' (& Fabric) >Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 11:38 PM > > > > I'd heard several people say >> they'd seen him and he was rubbish before but I thought they were just >> knocking someone who was big ('cos people do that y'know!) but I guess he >> must just be inconsistent to the point where the word is an understatement! > > > > Thanks all for the feedback ' > > I asked cause this was the vibe I was feeling about Carl. > > However, I understand that he is an Artist foremost and DJ last. > > > > > My thoughts are towards the fact, that Carl Dj's for himself not for the > people. He is an artist. Dj's are a commodity. > > My initial attraction to dance music, was the liberation from the musical > conventions that I experienced in clubs and band gigs. The music was wild > unfamiliar and unpredictable. > > This changed as the rave scene established itself, and a status quo began > to form amongst the popular djs. Effectively common denominators started > to govern the output of djs and events. > > Around this point I moved cities, and discovered Techno in an urban form and > was rapidly propelled back into unfamiliar and unpredictable sounds. Suitable > I was delighted. > > The interesting fact that I found though, was that the conceptual approach of > these 'techno djs' was about the destruction of the conventions. Connected > with a real desire to explore the abstract and edge of reason. > > These concepts have been firmly rejected by popular dance music. > > Dance floors of loaded people ' refuse to be challenged. They want to be > whipped, teased and fondled. Not rudely interrupted, lead astray and quietly > reminded of their insignificance against contrast and beauty. > > Perhaps in an in-direct manner, and in the true form of an Artist, Carl is > being honest. He is performing in any manner that he sees fit. > > And while this yields the greatest potential, unmatched by convention. It > also can revel home normal and human the whole process of being a dj is. > > The pensive sensation I have about seeing Carl play far exceeds any emotion > I have had about other djs. > > His actions, his music, have always made me keenly aware of the music. > > My concerns, and desires for him to perform a fantastic set are all selfish. > > Right now I am thanking Carl for making me articulate thoughts that I have had > for years about dj's and dance floors. > > I will be turning up to see Carl play because he is a great musician and > a unique > individual. He makes djs look good! When really we are mostly a bunch of > disc jockeys. > > There is next to know one who is actually giving dance music and dj'ing > real intellectual, conceptual, and spiritual merit today. > > With out these things, its all gone pop! > > We all place to many conditions on music and dj's. Carl is ignoring all of this > and establishing his own conditions. He doesn't let you down. You let yourself > down by not listening to his art. > > (don't quote me i'm thinking out loud) > > Feedback and photo's from the Thursday gig over the weekend !! > > .simon
