Siren Scream

It feels so fucking good to be welcomed into a new community with open arms. This past weekend that happened for me, not once but twice. Having just moved to Denver, I was connected to a group of wonderfully creative, high-integrity people that have been throwing an annual Halloween party. My biggest fan and best friend, Rob, plugged me into the organizers, who were eager to add me to the DJ group chat. Last week, the other DJs and I kicked it to prep and a more kind group of men I have not met in some time—encouraging, supportive, positive, kind. In parallel, I’ve been participating in the current cohort of PhDJ, @tashablank’s intensive course on all things DJ. At the core of the program is The Score: a method of curating music for a set that takes the dance floor on a journey through the 7 chakras. Without saying too much about the nuts and bolts, which I’m still very much learning, I have been seriously leveling up my skills. It’s really hard to describe but I’m actually developing what feels like an entirely new 6th sense. Like there’s a new timeline I’m tracking. The closest analog I can provide is that of feeling of a draft in room. My sense of phrasing is also being informed by this new sensibility—like I can feel when I’m bringing a track in too early or too late much more naturally. It’s really wild. Having The Score as a map to guide my set is such a relief! So far, as a DJ, I’ve just been following my natural musical instinct believing that that is what I’m uniquely bringing to the table—which is still true. But having The Score as a template to follow gave me something to lean on—like climbing a ladder. I just took it as faith that if I followed the program the results would be great and they were! I kept my eye on my clock (another guide) and then used my musical instincts to pick and choose within each phase of The Score. I’m really grateful to be plugged into a community, where I feel a deep sense of belonging. I’m also incredibly grateful to be learning and guided by PhDJ’s amazing team. There’s a lot more magic to come. Stay tuned. But in the meantime, hit play on this mix, turn your volume up, and dance. 0m - I’m Into This (@michaelgracioppo Remix) - @homework 3m 50s - Badass Samba - @francescoferrarodj, RENDA 5m 50s - Just Another Piano Solo (feat. Hidde Mudde) - @latelier 8m 40s - Bus Stop - Boonie, @harrynathan 10m 15s - Mary Poppers - @n2nmusic 12m 40s - Magic Circus - @adamten 16m 10s - Mothership - @boxofcatsmusic 18m 20s - Hit Me - @likamorgan, @britneyspears 21m 22s - Funky Soul - @nickygenesis 23m 3s - Sexy Back - @edi_p 24m 50s - Together - @hollaphonic 26m - Night Jazz - Tryangle Man 28m 56s - Low Rider (@kyle-watson Remix) - @war-official 31m 44s - PICK UP THE PHONE (feat. @nate-dogg-official) - @pawsa 34m 25s - Girls (@walker-and-royce Edit) - @itsthedare 38m 40s - Weak (@marcolys Remix) - @marcolys, @maverick-sabre, @tombreu, @vintageculturemusic 41m 48s - Makes Me Feel Good - @thesponges 44m 12s - My Bank - @ragieban 45m 50s - Space Funk ’75 - @thesponges 48m 22s - 2 the Beat - @siggyfreud 49m 51s - Mr. Sandman - @oppidanmusic 52m 8s - Hip Trumpets (feat. @kvisionmusic) - @yolandabecool 53m 50s - Toxic (feat. Marco Foster) - @edenprincemusic 55m 50s - Back to Black - @saqibmalik 58m 50s - Au Revoir Paris - @rodriguezjrmusic, Liset Alea 1h - Ducks In The Kiddie Pool - @clickclick 1h 3m - Hello Ms. Johnson - @jackharlow