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In this episode, DJ2FOU7 sits down with Jason, the founder of the Preston DJ Social. Jason takes us on a wild ride through his chaotic early days of DJing, from clearing out breakable furniture at wild 14-year-old house parties to learning the fundamentals of phrasing in the legendary backyard Millennium Shed. Beyond the laugh-out-loud gig stories and getting disqualified from his first major competition for being underage, the conversation takes a meaningful turn into the realities of the modern DJ scene.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Embrace the Chaos of Your Early Days: Every DJ starts somewhere. Jason’s early experiences playing chaotic, stripped-down house parties taught him vital lessons in reading a room, adapting to wild environments, and basic crowd control.
Learn the Fundamentals: Before the era of sync buttons and visual waveforms, learning to DJ required raw listening skills. Jason’s early education taught him the crucial mechanics of phrasing and song structure that still serve him today.
The DJ as a Social Orchestrator: At its core, DJing isn't just about playing music; it's about curating a gathering. A DJ's true historical role is being the orchestrator of a social space.
Community Over Competition: The DJ scene can easily breed a toxic, "crab-in-a-bucket" mentality fueled by social media comparison. Initiatives like the Preston DJ Social prove that bringing local creatives together in a peer-to-peer support group fosters growth, networking, and a healthier mindset for everyone.
Mental Health is Paramount for Creatives: The nightlife industry can be incredibly isolating. Building spaces where DJs can grab a cup of tea, talk about their struggles, and spin a few tracks together is vital for combating loneliness and burnout.
BEST MOMENTS
"I got that from design technology in A-levels, do a risk assessment! Get your nan's pottery out of the way, that kettle, that can go! Like, you don't want that busted."
"I think the DJ's always been, if you look at the roots of what it was, it's an orchestration... orchestrator of like a social space. Yeah, like a gathering."
"I felt lonely and I felt like I didn't have a place to belong until I walked through that room. And that's the thing, that's why that music resonates."
"If you are in a difficult position and you're coming to us... we should meet up, we should connect and that's the core of it."
"Do whatever your path is, remember there's people around you. Like, I was so naive... I had about 10, 20 people at one time who would come to my gigs... that's who your fans are, your fans are your mates."
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HOST BIO
With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, DJ 2FOUR7 brings a wealth of experience to this podcast. From DJing in bars, clubs, and festivals to hosting nightclub events and promoting large-scale festivals, DJ 2FOUR7 has done it all. As one of the first urban promoters to launch an international independent festival in Malta, he also built and managed his own distribution and marketing business. During the lockdown, DJ 2FOUR7 created a groundbreaking pop-up DJ concept that achieved massive online success. Today, he leads a thriving entertainment business specialising in weddings and corporate events. Combining innovation, passion, and humour, DJ 2FOUR7 is the ideal guide to help aspiring DJs elevate their careers.
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
UK