1. How did you first discover West Coast Swing, and what drew you to become a West Coast Swing DJ?
I discovered West Coast Swing back in 2012 when my life partner encouraged me to share her passion. Initially, I was hesitant, especially after trying salsa and not feeling a connection with the music. However, after attending a few classes, something clicked for me. I realized that I could dance to songs I truly enjoyed, and it was a game-changer. One particular song that made me fall in love with the dance was 'No Diggity' by Blackstreet & Dr. Dre.
I was DJing for my friends' birthday parties from time to time and found great enjoyment in it. This inspired me to explore DJing for West Coast Swing socials. After a few years of learning and attending classes, I had the opportunity to teach at the same school where I was learning. They were organizing socials, so I approached the dance school director and asked if I could try DJing. She gave me some opportunities, and I discovered my love for DJing.
As my passion for West Coast Swing grew, and I began to travel more, I started to see myself behind the DJ booth. In 2022, I mustered the courage to ask Arnaud Perga if I could DJ at Westy Nantes. He gave me a slot, and that became a turning point in my DJing journey.
Since then, I have been fortunate enough to play at numerous French Events and even had the opportunity to participate in Budafest!
It has been an incredible experience, and I am grateful for the chances I've been given to share my playlists with the community.
2. Give us a glimpse of your musical library! Which styles influence your taste the most?
It's amusing how I initially found my way into West Coast Swing through Hip-Hop songs, considering it was the genre I predominantly listened to growing up. However, as both a dancer and a DJ, I've come to realize that I don't find the same enjoyment from them anymore.
In my pursuit of versatility, I try to embrace various styles of music when I DJ. I make an effort to mix at least three different genres to create a diverse set. My playlists usually span across a wide spectrum, including mainstream pop tracks (such as those by Taylor Swift), flowy songs (like 'Josephine' by RITUAL), acoustic melodies, French songs, or Afrobeat rhythms.
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?
I’m still pretty fresh in the business, so I don’t have a lot of interesting experiences yet (but getting there ^^).
One particular moment that stands out was when I had the opportunity to step in as the competition DJ for the All-Star finals at Westy Nantes this year. In this case, Arnaud had already prepared all the songs, and my role was simply to handle the play/pause button.
They had to dance two songs—a slow acoustic one and an upbeat oldie.
Nicolas Bourgeais and Aymeline Felmy were the last ones to go on the floor. As soon as the crowd recognized the song (You Are The First, My Last, My Everything from Barry White), an electric energy filled the room, and everyone turned towards me, giving me the thumbs up as if something crazy was about to happen.
Later, I discovered that Nicolas and Aymeline previously did a memorable choreography or styling battle to that very same song at West Duck Swing. It was purely luck that the song was chosen again for them. I was clueless of this history at the time, but the reaction of the crowd made it evident that something special was taking place.
4. What advice would you give to someone who's just starting out as a West Coast Swing DJ?
Practice is key! I've noticed a significant improvement in my DJing skills over the past few months. The more opportunities I've had to perform, the better I've become. I would encourage them to seize every chance they can get by reaching out to local organizers, event directors, or experienced head DJs to secure slots and gain valuable practice.
After each set, take the time to listen to what they played and critically evaluate their choices. Ask yourself questions about the track selection, transitions, and overall flow of the set. This self-reflection is crucial in identifying areas for improvement and refining your DJing style.
It would have been beneficial for me to have someone that could provide constructive feedback on my sets.
Consider seeking out mentors or fellow DJs who are willing to provide feedback and engage in meaningful discussions about your performances.
5. Outside of West Coast Swing DJing, what are some of your other interests or hobbies that help inspire your music selection or style?
WCS has become my main hobby, and I try to find inspiration from every aspect of my life. There are moments when I'm out with friends, and I stumble upon a song. I usually Shazaam the track and make a note to listen to it later. I also find inspiration while watching movies or TV shows.
I distinctly remember the time I was watching Black Panther 2 at the cinema, and a particular song caught my attention. It was 'Alone' by Burna Boy. I quickly whipped out my phone and Shazaamed it to ensure I could revisit it later.
However, there are moments when I feel the need to detach myself momentarily from WCS. During these periods, I explore styles that are unrelated to WCS. French rap and Afrobeat are genres that I enjoy during these breaks.
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 am immensely grateful for the incredible journey I've had so far with this dance and the community that surrounds it. Throughout the years, I've had the privilege of forming deep connections and friendships with people who share the same passion.
Moreover, the positive feedback and appreciation I receive when people enjoy my sets fills me with gratitude.
However, I strongly believe that we should shine a brighter spotlight on the invaluable work of DJs. Thanks to you for taking the initiative to build a community that acknowledges the contributions of DJs. By doing so, we have the opportunity to bring our community closer together and maybe get a little more recognition.
7. Lastly, share with us any upcoming events or projects that you're excited about!
With an aim to minimize air travel, I’ve chosen to focus on attending events within France for the rest of the year. I have been very fortunate enough to receive invitations from French event directors to be part of their teams.
As a result, you can expect to find me DJing at events such as WOTP, Sea Sun Swing, Rolling Swing, SwitchXEperience Paris, Swingside Invitational, and Westie Pink City. I am really grateful for these opportunities and look forward to creating memorable experiences there.
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