My Journey From Sound to Music

My sincere apologies to everyone that it took me quite a long while to finally sit down and write a new blog entry.  Yes, I took that much needed break.  I may have kept myself out of the limelight--i.e. from performing onstage, but that didn’t mean I stopped spinning and producing music.  Of course, I’ve had my moments for some r&r, but nothing can keep me away from my music.

This was one of the very few and rare moments that I totally devoted myself and spent most of my time doing studio work, and dabbled on DJ-teaching in between.  With the guidance of one of my mentors, Jampietri, who became my partner-collaborator in the studio,  I can say, that I focused and immersed myself into the intricate yet fascinating world of music production.

Don’t get me wrong; of course I really missed the vibrance and the adrenaline of performing onstage, and resonating with the energy of the crowd.  But I’m grateful that I have been given this time to experience and appreciate a whole new world that is away from the flashing lights.  

So what did I learn from this experience?  You need to start and look from within.  Studio work has given me the atmosphere and the mood to create.  Yet, at the end of the day, it’s still just sound.  Great music happens once you take that sound and share it, for the world to hear....

Now with gratitude in my heart, I’d like to share my music.  Check out my latest production “As Long As You Say - Miss Diamond DJ feat. Jampietri” , which you may be able to download for FREE from my Soundcloud account: https://soundcloud.com/miss-diamond.  And feel free to browse and give my other mixes a spin!

As I mentioned earlier, I do hold DJ classes, yet for those of you who really want to take your skills to a higher level, I am also at the helm of presenting the International DJ Academy.  For those interested, visit the website: http://www.dj-academy.ch , for more details.


Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissDiamondDjane
Follow me on Twitter: @DJMissDiamond

Exodos Magazine interviews Miss Diamond DJ

Exodos Magazine have done an nice interview with me, check it out!!

http://www.exodosmagazine.com/default.aspx

Thanks Exodos!! :-)

It`s that me on Tillate`s website....in 2009? :-)

Here is the right adress of my Fan Page :

 http://www.facebook.com/MissDiamondDjane

Cheers :-***

Hey Mr. D.J. , Thank You For Putting The Record On!

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Hey Mr. D.J. , Thank You For Putting The Record On!

(Musings About My Musical Influences)

Whenever an artist is interviewed, the interviewer never fails to ask –“Who / what were your musical influences?”  Since my passion for music endures (and I think will go on for eternity),  I dared to ask myself that question too.

Where and how did my love for music start?  Ever since I could remember,  I feel it has been with me ever since I was born!  Just like any other toddler, my mom used to tell me that I would love to move and dance whenever I hear rhythm.  As a kid, I would mimic singers and dancers on TV.  I studied ballet and dabbled into playing different kinds of music instruments. I do play the guitar, actually.

My teenage years were actually the time of my blooming love affair with music.  I was glued to the radio, constantly looking forward to what new song the radio DJ would play next.  I knew every single hit song that was on the radio.  I had a big LP collection.  I was giddy about my music heroes like Information Society, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, Kylie Minogue, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, A-Ha…  I also loved hanging out with friends at dance clubs where new wave and electronic music was so much in vogue.  I think these were my early exposures to DJ-ing.   

Then getting into college, and eventually getting into law school, then being a lawyer by profession and a model, were great career experiences for me.  Yet, in the midst of it all, music was calling me.  Sometime in 2005, my music preference evolved into dance and electronica, and I can say that my early DJ heroes were David Guetta and Fatboy Slim.  I also happened to come across a DJane, Monica Kruse, who is said to be one of Germany’s most successful techno-DJ.  Though I really do not know much about her work, but it gave me a thought bubble – ‘why not be a DJane?!’   Well, the hands of fate must’ve orchestrated it all… In 2008, I had a friend who had some DJ equipment where I had a chance to dabble and play around with.  From then on,  I got myself some equipment and started DJ-ing as a hobby.  At friends’ parties, I would oblige to be their party DJ.  Then I was invited to present in a corporate party, which I could say, was my first official gig as a DJ.   And the rest, as they say, is history….

The next questions that artists usually get from the press –

“What/who is your dream collaboration?” :  I’d say Martin Solveig.  He is a
French DJ and his most recent production work is Madonna’s MDNA album.

“What is the song that you wished you had written?” :  “The World Is Mine” by David Guetta.  I really wish I could do something like that; amazing beyond words…

“What is your dream concert / gig destination?”:  Singapore.  Never been or played there, but I hear it has one of the hottest club and dance scenes.

There are certain moments in my life as a DJ where I feel like I, myself, is like a record spinning round and round.  I go from one gig to the next, I produce songs, I teach DJ-ing…I’m really swamped with work.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining at all.  I really feel blessed that this career path that I’ve chosen has been fruitful and fulfilling.  Though, I must admit, it has not always been a bed of roses; but every victory, every pitfall is a product of my enduring passion for music.  With this, I say…thank you for the music, thank you for spinning those records, Mr. D.J.!

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Hey Soldier! Last Night, A DJane Saved My Life…

First of all, my apologies for not being able to post on this blog for quite some time. Again, my profession as a DJ has taken me to another part of the globe, which I shall share to you as you read on… I’m sorry if I kept you waiting, but just sit tight because I’ll fill you in on my most recent adventure…

31^st March 2012: I was at Brandon, a small town in the English county of Suffolk, England. It is still considered a rural town with a little more than 8,000 population. Perhaps in the back of your minds, you’re wondering – ‘is there a dance club in that small town?’ Well, yes, but not quite. Within that small town is a village called Lakenheath, which hosts the largest US Air Force base in the United Kingdom. And there I was, a Djane tasked to play music inside the US military base. Say whut???!! I couldn’t believe it myself either. It felt like a tall order. My audience was not your typical club night owls. They are soldiers. How could I make these men in uniform dance the night away? Extra challenge indeed.

Entering the military facility was quite a stark contrast to it’s rural locale. There was this city within the base that walked, talked, and breathed all-American. Perhaps this is what they say about stepping inside a twilight zone; it was a completely different world inside. It was like Las Vegas, New York, and California all rolled into one. And as I was brought to the club where I’m supposed to play --- I felt my eyes lit up. Ultra-hip and modern from the interiors down to the DJ equipment and facilities. When my gig started, with majority of solidiers, along with their family members walking-in, I already had a sense of what type of music to play…oh yeah, who could go wrong with hip-hop music with a crowd like this?! And as the party closed at 2 AM, I was greeted by well wishers who said that they never seen these soldiers dance like this before.

These soldiers put their lives on the line for the love of country, the security of fellowmen. As a DJane that night, I felt that I owe these men and women a night to celebrate life -- the lives that they are willing to give up in order to save others. A DJane like me may not be able to literally save lives, but I hope the music that I played gave these soldiers a reason to savor the joy of life…

With this I can proudly say, mission accomplished!

Even DJ’s Have Day Jobs... Pay Attention and Listen to this DJ Teacher

Yes, I’m a DJ by night, but I too, just like ordinary people, have a day job – I’m a teacher, a DJ teacher.  Well, DJ-ing is a big passion for me.  An overflowing love for my craft has led me to this calling, that is, to share my knowledge, experience, and give encouragement and inspiration, to those who want to pursue DJ-ing as a career or even as a hobby.

I too, was once a student DJ.  Back in 2009, I studied at the London’s Ministry of Sound DJ Academy.  I learned so much about DJ-ing techniques, but more importantly, I learned about professionalism.  I don’t mean to brag, yet may I just relate that out of 25 students, I was one of the top 3 student DJs  invited by the DJ Academy to play in an event of over 3,000 people with none other than world renowned DJ Eric Morillo in the house!  It was a pretty overwhelming experience for me as a ‘beginner’ DJ, yet this experience toughened me up.  It gave me the confidence to pursue and the drive to always strive for excellence.  Then one thing led to another... I was also entrusted by the Ministry of Sound to host the DJ Academy here in Switzerland.  This workshop flies-in the best DJ instructors from the UK.  If you want to experience this learning opportunity, plus the chance to get a booking in the Ministry Club in London, regularly check out my website for announcements regarding class workshop schedules.

So what does it mean for me to be a teacher?  I have to take back my statement earlier – I don’t consider being a DJ teacher a job.  It’s a fun time for me; I don’t feel like working at all!  I love the learning exchange process.  I teach my students, and I learn so much from them as well.  Whenever I give them tasks, it’s such a source of wonder for me to see them develop new ideas, new methods, and really cull-in from their creative energies and produce amazing pieces of work.  As a teacher, I have all the professional equipment needed to give them a simulation of a real club.  I do one-on-one teaching so I’m really hands-on.  I teach the techniques, but above all, I would like to impart insights from my professional experience like connecting with people, negotiating with club owners, discipline and motivation.  For some, computers have taken over personal skills, which I don’t really favour.  Music is heart and soul, so it should come from the person and not from the machine.  Investing in knowledge is the key if one wants to grow and evolve; it’s not always about equipment and techniques.

For those here in Switzerland, who want to take lessons from me on honing your DJ-ing skills,  you may get in touch with me at DJ@Miss-Diamond.DJ or visit www.DJ-Academy.ch