So many DJs, so little planets

Last night I bought one turntable and one record…and I haven’t been able to sleep since. After snagging nothing less than a ridiculous deal off of Craigslist, I returned home with a single Technics turntable and a record of Whitney Houston dance mixes.

Now, I know close to nothing about mixing, scratching, or turntablism in general, but its just plain fun to pretend DJing to an imaginary crowd of sweating bodies. Interrupting Whitney’s voice with off-beat “wik-wikka” and “whirr-whirrrrrr”s, I watched as the crowd climaxed right when I wanted them to.

It’s a completely different instrument and seems to bridge a gap between what is called music and what is called musical knowledge. DJs make sounds and choose sounds, crafting a relationship to their audience not just on a musical level but somewhere bordering on thought in general…I’d like to hear what Whitney would have to say about that, but for now I’m content lending my ears to BTR and the occasional “wik-wikka.”