Comedian and Chappelle’s Show co-creator Neal Brennan hosts an enjoyable podcast called Blocks, where he (lovingly) needles his peers about their personal and professional hangups.
You might find that explainer redundant since I already said it is a podcast, but there is a relative structure / rigor to Blocks that prevents it from becoming another formless gripe sesh.
In the Bill Burr episode, Neil explains that whenever he participates in a Q&A, all the audience questions boil down to “hey, how can I be you — without having to struggle for 10 or 15 years?”
I’ve been put in that position again and again, across decades of panels, Zooms, emails, radio shows, school visits, club greenrooms, every single form of social media…
That sounds cranky.
Just including for scale!
So long as you’re not a punisher (be polite, read the room, keep it moving) I’m more than happy to talk about myself pass on advice. Especially when the ask is on the technical or philosophical side of things, as opposed to pro tips for career success.
Taking capital out of the equation (more accelerant than fuel IMO), I find the success part boils down to discipline, luck and “intangibles.”
Going to put those aside for the moment; you either got ‘em or you don’t.
The tech can be learned!
From an equipment standpoint, the holy trinity (turntables, mixer, vinyl) has evolved over time into increasingly elaborate CDJ setups (at 2.5k a pop they now do everything except play CDs, which is not to say they aren’t sick) alongside numerous hardware and software configurations for spinning digital files.
“But Nick,” you say, “I only want to put on songs at a house party.”
In that case, my child, I beseech you: just make a playlist.
Please.
Or use an existing one! I go straight to Paradise Garage when handed the aux for most gatherings. Spotify’s “Limo Ride” is perfect for the silly drunk ones. Dancehall 101 has that title for a reason, you know? Leave your mind and hands free for important things like conversations and eating two hot dogs at once.
The vast majority of situations do not require “real DJing.”
But if you still want to learn the basics as a hobby and/or aspirational pursuit, this is where I tell people to start.
I presume you already have a laptop, headphones and some kind of speaker.
Go get a controller.
It’s the most affordable, plug-and-play way to learn the basic skill sets of modern DJing, which can later be applied to more expensive, biz-standard setups.
I use a controller myself for gigs that can’t provide a full backline (and a teeny tiny one to goof around with on vacation).
The Numark Mixtrack Pro is a solid, sub $250 choice, and my go-to recommendation for friends’ kids and other dabblers. They sell an even cheaper version, but it has too many blinking lights for my taste.
“Professional-grade control in an intuitive, versatile package,” aka two CDJs and a mixer, shrunk down to one lightweight slab.
Crucially, the Mixtrack Pro comes loaded with (and is designed to get the most out of) Serato, the industry leading software built by genius hobbits in New Zealand.
OK, they’re normal sized. But they do have mystical powers.
Serato have already uploaded tons of instructional videos to get you going right out the box with DJ Lite, and keep you rocking if you decide to upgrade to Pro and unlock even more functionality and FX.
Watch them!
Very quickly, you’ll be able to cue up a song, drop it, then transition into the next one — the core functionality, or the “what” of DJing.
The “how” is another story.
No two people play two records the same way, which is where the fun, and dare I say art, comes in.
Know your records. Practice.
Factor in the unpredictable human energy of of a crowd, and your own personal relationship to it — the “why” — and you have an even longer story.
Endless, in fact!
And infinitely rewarding if you choose to explore it further.