P.Chiddy

I had a businessman in a big swanky bar this past weekend nagging me like a child to play Guns n Roses, after I was explicitly told by the bar manager to keep it light, simple chart stuff only. When he first approached I tried to have a joke with him about it. The second time I politely told him that, when the manager appeared, I would put it to him and see what he said. The third time, he was throwing his toys out of the pram so I told him I was not allowed to play that sort of music without the green light from the bosses. The fourth time, his petulance was embarrassing, so I looked him dead in the eye and flat out told him there was no way I would be playing it.

My philosophy is treat others how you would like to be treated, and if they do not return your good nature, you have the right to put your foot down. I don’t mind requests, or even banter regarding requests, but hostility and childish behaviour is something I won’t tolerate, not just as a DJ, but as a person.

I try to sort of enjoy the feeling if that makes sense. I guess it’s a perspective thing, like I can either let the butterflies affect me negatively and clam up or I can enjoy that rush of adrenaline I’m getting, embrace the rare feeling when you’re out of your comfort zone and use it.

It’s a cliche but you rarely feel more alive than when you’re buzzing with nerves. And if all else fails, I just remind myself if I fuck up, receive negative feedback or clear the floor with my first track and fail to get the crowd back, I’m still going to wake up tomorrow and carry on practising, learning and improving myself as a digi-DJ.

I think the nerves are all based around the fear of other peoples opinions. Like, we get nervous because of how others will see us, which makes sense as we all put ourselves out there for judgement, and people do love to judge. Just remember, opinions are like arseholes, everybody has them and if somebody tries to force either of those things on me, I’ll gladly turn a blind eye.