DJ Spotlight jumps to France, to introduce you all to an outstanding DJ!
Check out which song Alex picked for this week!
1. Welcome to DJ Spotlight! How did you first discover West Coast Swing, and what drew you to become a West Coast Swing DJ?
I discovered West Coast Swing in the south of France in 2016 after dancing Lindy Hop for a year or two. After a few months of practice, I quickly became an event addict. Especially outside of France as I love traveling as well. My favorite moment as a dancer has always been the “late night” when the DJs start experimenting and get the dancers in a shared trance.
Just before the pandemic, I started DJing in local parties where I give weekly workshops (http://a2wcs.com), and I began approaching events to mix as a Guest DJ.
During the pandemic, I wanted to practice my DJing skills and found out DJ Koichi was doing some workshops online sharing his skills and doing interactive exercises to know the best practices for social DJing. The timing was perfect! After the pandemic I felt more confident, and started asking small social french events, then bigger ones and ended up DJing for WSDC international events in the end.
Once I had the experience of mixing as a guest DJ, I wanted to discover the role of Head DJ. Planning and taking care of other DJs is a part I like a lot in that role, so I decided to do it in my own event (http://westinnougat.com).
Today, I like DJing as much as I like social dancing, so I continue to ask every event I want to go to if they have a spot in the DJ team. Feeling the energy in the room and sharing my music with the dancers is always an incredible experience, especially when seeing people discovering new songs they like and having a great time.
2. Give us a glimpse into your musical library! Which styles influence your taste the most?
Outside of WCS
Well, outside of the West Coast Swing world, I spend most of my time having headphones on my head with metal music, especially Metalcore, Progressive Metal, Djent and Deathcore. While it may come off as aggressive and intense, you can find very elaborate musical structures and longer tracks in these genres you don’t find in more popular music. It inspires me a lot and pushes me to seek out unique tracks for the WCS community to dance to.
For those daring enough to explore (trust me, I’ve kept it soft) :
Animals As leaders - Monomyth Monomyth - Animals As Leaders
Tool - 7empest 7empest - TOOL
Leprous - The Sky is Red The Sky Is Red - Leprous
In WCS
My WCS musical taste is tinted with songs my friend DJ Kasia calls “Dark electronics”. These songs are predominantly suited for “late night” sessions and lean towards experimental tone and structure. They often evoke emotions ranging from sadness to nostalgia, or even relaxation.
Some of my favorite artists include Marian Hill, Elderbrook, Billie Eilish, Glass Animals, Stephen, Two Feet, and Her.
To me, if a song delves deeper emotionally, dancers are given a richer canvas to express themselves, leading to more memorable moments on the floor.
My friends often qualify me as a boundary-pushing DJ, consistently introducing edgy, untried tracks in my sets to gauge the dancefloor's reaction. That’s why I would always prefer playing during late night shifts. I still like playing early and more crowded shifts as well, but then I tend to be way safer in my music choices.
Having a background in swing dances and a penchant for its music, I often incorporate swung rhythm tracks, be it modern or old-school. On the flip side, I don’t particularly gravitate towards acoustic or French vocal tracks, so they don't frequently make my playlist.
Recently, I’ve been vibing with a fresh music genre featuring slow and groovy bass lines, like One More Night - 4RR or All The Good Girls Go To Hell - FILV, KEAN DYSSO. My take? These tracks not only let dancers groove but also allow them to approach WCS with a fresh perspective. Expect to hear a couple of these during my late-night sets!
3. Can you share a particularly memorable or interesting experience you've had as a West Coast Swing DJ, and how did you handle it?
At the Asia WCS Open 2023 in Singapore, I had an experience that truly stands out in my memory. It was the largest event I'd ever DJ'ed for, and the sheer size was initially overwhelming. With so many attendees, I was concerned about picking songs that would resonate with such a diverse crowd. It's easy to second-guess yourself in such scenarios, worrying if you're making the 'right' choices for such a large and varied group.
However, I decided to stay true to my instincts and play the tracks I genuinely loved. As the night progressed, I was deeply humbled by the feedback. Numerous pros and social dancers approached me, offering compliments on my set. What was scheduled to be the last set of the night extended a full 40 minutes past the allotted time! The energy was electric, and we concluded the night (or morning, rather) with a 'survivor' photo at 6:40 am, featuring over 200 attendees.
4. What advice would you give to someone who's just starting out as a West Coast Swing DJ?
Remember, no question is too small. Always feel free to seek advice from experienced DJs. They're generally approachable, often willing to share their tips and tricks. I initially believed I could learn how to DJ on my own, and inevitably made avoidable mistakes during my sets. Many in the community are more than willing to guide newcomers with invaluable advice. A huge shoutout to DJ Koichi, who generously mentors DJs at WCS events. ;)
Also take the necessary time to know your songs well by listening to them frequently and matching the melody with the name of the track. This will help you to figure out things way faster in times when you need to be quick in unforeseen conditions.
5. Outside of West Coast Swing DJing, what are some of your other interests or hobbies that help inspire your music selection or style?
Outside of West Coast Swing DJing, I work in software development. The problem-solving and continuous learning in the IT world spill over into how I explore and organize my music.
I also play the drums, mostly focusing on rock and metal genres, which has been a great way to deepen my appreciation for rhythm and pacing.
But perhaps my most cherished pastime is traveling. Each place I've visited has introduced me to new sounds and musical influences. I try to bring a bit of all these experiences into my DJing, always aiming to learn and improve. It's a continuous journey of discovery and growth.
6. Is there anything else you'd like to share with our audience about yourself or your journey as a West Coast Swing DJ?
I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity to share my dual passions of music and dancing with friends around the world. These passions have profoundly shaped my life, and I cherish every moment of it. Life's unpredictable nature reminds us that these moments could pause unexpectedly. Therefore, let's make each WCS event unforgettable, which is also why I'm drawn to DJing.
7. Lastly, share with us any upcoming events or projects that you're excited about!
Thank you so much for having me for this interview and giving me the opportunity to share my vision ! I will do my best to continue to influence music in the WCS world and make sure the dancers will get the most out of their parties.
I will keep uploading some sets to Spotify if you want to listen to my playlists while driving or working ;)
Also, this is where you can find me playing music:
West In Nougat (Montelimar)
SwitchXperience (Paris and Berlin)
Aix on West (Aix en Provence)
Asia Open (Singapore)
Med in Swing (French Riviera)