Fredericton workshops teach people how to be good DJs
Students go from their first lesson to performing a set at their own event
Two Fredericton artists have created a workshop series for community members interested in DJing.
Disco Nexion is a collective that takes would-be disc jockeys from their first lesson to playing their own set at one of the organization's featured dance parties.
"We see the value in running workshops and teaching people," founder Oscar Tecu said. "We have been running free workshops around the city teaching people how to DJ and the people who we teach perform at our Disco Nexion events."
Lessons begin with a large "trial workshop," where students are introduced to fundamental DJ skills such as beat matching, transitioning, volume control and adding effects to the music.
If participants are still interested, Tecu and his partner, Natasha LeBlond, will provide one-on-one sessions.
"It's for beginners, from beginners," Tecu said. "I am not a pro DJ myself, and I think we all teach each other."
DJing is the art of song selection. When performing, it is the job of the DJ to observe the crowed and play the style of music the audience is responding to.
Though the instruments have changed over the years from vinyl records, CDs and now digital music players, the skill of "reading the room" has remained the same, students learn.
So far, the crew has hosted workshops at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, the Cap and CHSR FM.
Rey Cascante, who performs under the alias DJ Reyving, began DJing in December as a hobby. He connected with Disco Nexion, did some one-on-one sessions with Tecu and played his first event in February.
"It was nerve-racking but in a good sense," Cascante said. "Just having that community and Disco Nexion behind me, felt like I had a stepping stone and somewhere to fall back to."
He said that DJing is like any other musical pursuit; and practising every day is the key to growing your skills.
"I think I've built some type of confidence in how I carry out my life," Cascante said. "I've learned that DJing is like any other discipline, you have to trust in your capabilities."
Part Disco Nexion's goal with the workshops is to create a pool of trained DJs to play at their monthly events at the CAP, contributing to their vision of having an underground-rave scene in the city.
"We wanted to have more dance parties," LeBlond said. "I think Oscar saw my vision for DJing and he said we mesh really well together."
LeBlond was also trained by Tecu.
The pair hoped that by empowering new DJs, they could create a niche event, focused on electronic music and dance.
"I think there are a lot of dance scenes in Fredericton, but I think we're bringing one that people might not have had before," LeBlond said. "To me, Disco Nexion is about disconnecting from your body and your thoughts when you're dancing."
Emilio Reyes regularly attends Disco Nexion events and has watched the community grow.
"I think it's important to give local artists the opportunity to shine," Reyes said. "Through collaboration you experience growth and I think that's something that the Fredericton night life can really be benefiting from."
Reyes attends these events to support his friends who DJ. He says that the Disco Nexion nights are unique among things he's attended in the city.
"I was not really sure what to expect but it's a vibe when you walk in the door," Reyes said. "A bunch of DJs are showcasing their music in genres that, I don't want to say are not established, but need to be a little reinforced."
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