Here is the continuation of the What’s Good? Interview of DJ Lady Lane(continued from Part One)

Retail DJ: Can you tell us a little bit about your first official gig?

DJ Lady Lane: 169 Bar . Everybody has to have a sh*tty gig. The sad part about it is that my playing was not shitty, the venue was. When I saw an episode of Flight of the Concords where they played air guitar in the bar,  I thought it was hilarious and figured it would be fine for a first gig. The host wanted music that did not go past the 60s; he wanted all this random stuff. And I had it! He told me, “Don’t play any funk” even though it’s a good basis to get people moving, especially on a Monday night.

I get there, set myself up, no problems. He’s playing music already and I was like, “Oh, there’s music playing. Ok…” So finally, he was like, “Ok, I can let you play, but you can listen go some music first if you want…” But I let him know that I had the type of music he had requested and things that were good for a Monday night. So I start playing, and he puts his music on over mine, leading me to think, “What the f*ck is going on?” The thing is is that he had agreed to pay me a certain percentage from the bar if I played for 2 hours. What happened by the end of the night? He cut me off by putting his music on over mine THREE TIMES. During the course of the night, people came up to me asking how long I would be there, what songs I was playing, if I was going to be back as a regular guest, etc, and I just told them to go ask “that guy over there.”

It turns out that, by the end of the night, I didn’t play a consistent 2 hours because he’d cut me off and I’d have to stop as he put his music on over mine. [sigh] I was pissed, and just thought, “OK I’M DONE!” Considering you never know when you are going to see someone again, I didn’t want to be rude, but I just started packing my stuff up by the third time he put his music on over mine. It was unfortunate because people would start to dance to my music and then he’d put on his music over mine, saying, “You see? You didn’t know that I like French pop,” even though I played plenty of it, leaving me to wonder what the heck he was talking about.

I happen to have a lot of random music from traveling a lot and picking up music from friends along the way. But at the end of all of this, even though the experience was weird, I walked away from the experience having picked up a lot of good music from him having asked for all these obscure things.

So my first gig, I was just thinking, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe that just happened,” but it was a learning experience at least. I was upset, particularly because I was providing a service that I ended up not even being compensated for because of an unfair situation. However, I knew I had done a good job and I was happy with that. I am always so honored when people come up to me to tell me they are enjoying my work.

Retail DJ: Did this first gig change the way you felt about DJing?

DJ Lady Lane: No, but coming away from this, I wanted more advice. I knew that I didn’t want to do DJ classes because I like teaching myself and learn better that way. I decided to look into Black Girls Rock, which is a mentorship program started by DJ Beverly Bond and Michaela Angela Davis, but it was for people who were much younger than me. So I thought, ok, maybe DJ Beverly Bond could mentor me? That’d be cool. So I contacted them in the hopes of volunteering (i.e. doing a fitness program with the girls since I box) and bartering in the sense that then I could work with Beverly as my mentor. I sent them an email and called, and then someone called me. It was DJ Beverly Bond. She told me that my email had gotten lost, but that she wanted to call me back. I explained everything to her, knowing that I have never really been sure of what to do in a mentorship as the mentee. And when she called, Beverly just let me ask her questions then, and we ended up talking for about 20 minutes.

I am not sure if she knows this, though I hope she does—she is the reason I even ever started playing out anywhere. I was a bedroom DJ to the fullest. I would practice every day, but wouldn’t go out because I wasn’t sure what to do. But she gave me some of the best advice. She’s the one who told me about Pod-o-matic, she suggested Twitter, she made me feel better about not having a “crew,” and explained that it wasn’t really necessary in the first place. The only reason she was in a crew was because she was discovered by Heavy Hitters Crew, who asked her to join. She also explained that when she first started, she often opened for other acts. And while she didn’t get money, it was worth the experience and the exposure.

The advice and knowledge she imparted to me was invaluable, something I could truly never put a price on. That conversation is what gave me the courage to just start calling places. She also gave me connections to other female djs, like DJ Kiss and DJ Reborn. I then went on facebook and started a DJ Lady Lane page, I began using Pod-o-Matic and put up a mix.

But then I realized I needed more space, and that this would require another investment. So my when my dad realized how things were going, he volunteered to help. After all of that, I contacted DJ Reborn, who is the NICEST person. She is very busy, but got back to me and said I could open for her!

But I ended up going to California and getting an agent, so then that changed things completely.

More after the jump!

 

Retail DJ: What about prior to the move? Were there any other parties you played?

DJ Lady Lane: Well, I had started getting regular gigs in Brooklyn, like Sputnik, one of the gigs you actually came to! From that gig, Big Black let me open for DJ Reborn and MC Lyte. That’s when I got to meet DJ Reborn in person as well as Special K, who is awesome and has so much energy! That event was great because DJ Reborn actually then had the opportunity to hear me, which is important.That’s the thing. It’s hard sometimes to help new DJs because they could suck ass or they could be really great, but either way, it’s a big risk.

The thing that I really cherish and appreciate New York for is that people were giving me a chance here. They would just say, “Ok, come in.” I also thought, if a person has enough courage to just call, how much can they suck, right? I would even just walk into places and ask that summer as well. From that, I ended up meeting Sookie at Night of the Cookers in Fort Greene and started playing for her new party with a relaxed, at-home feel called “Sookie Sundays” at Recoup in the Lower East Side. That place is totally a hidden gem. Everyone there was really cool, with very good energy, so I asked to play there again and it worked out (even with me spinning a whole night one weekend because the resident DJs were enjoying the music so much). This was all around the same time when you and I went out and I almost lost my damn legs because you were dancing so much. I was like, “um, I need a nap!” But it’s also when you introduced me to Major Lazer, which I heard before, but never knew who it was! So it was all good.

I was also subletting a place in Clinton Hill at the time, and ended up doing the walk around bit again in the area. I went into Mirrors on Grand and introduced myself to the owner Michelle, who said I could play anything but hip hop. She just wanted to mix it up a little bit to expand her crowd base.

Retail DJ: Is it hard being away from all of that again, considering the connections you had made, now that you are living elsewhere?

DJ Lady Lane: Well that’s the crazy thing. I have run into people who have heard me spin on the most random occasions. It shows that the world is so small, you know? Even though I travel all the time and I sometimes feel bad for not having a rooted place, so to speak, those connections are still there. But that’s one of the things I love about New York. It’s been such an accepting place. Even down to the technical things, like my controller, which has, like, arcade buttons on the side. And the girl thing too…

Retail DJ: Well on that note, how has it been for you being a female DJ? I know in my personal experience as a woman who is interested in music, there is often a barrier of sorts, particularly when talking about music with men. They seem surprised that I know about certain things (i.e. genres, artists, etc). So what are some of the challenges you face as a female DJ?

DJ Lady Lane: Sometimes people are like, “Oh you’re a girl and you have this weird [controller] and there are no turntables and…what are you doing? I’ve had guys stand behind me for 15 minutes, just observing, to the point that I’ve had to turn around and say, “What are you doing back here? Can I help you?” People think that I don’t know what I’m doing. And in the end, people are like, “Oh, you’re a girl,” but it’s more that I am a DJ who happens to be a girl. It shouldn’t be a big thing.

I also like to put myself together well when I go out, so people will try to talk to me a certain way as if to hit on me, but if you command that respect from the fact that hey, I am here to spin the music, to make everyone have a good time, to make this something you will remember, then it’s not a problem. Only one, though, during my farewell party [for moving from NYC to LA] have I had someone talk to me to the level that led me to be like, “You need to back up.” But that’s the thing, as a female DJ, you will get hit on, and sometimes you’ll have people try to help you when you clearly don’t need any help. I mean, this is what I do, so I question how that person could even really help to begin with considering they have no idea what I am doing in terms of setup nor are they familiar with my equipment!

But I think it’s just out of habit. It’s like when they see a woman who is carrying a heavy bag or something, they feel the need to help her. Chivalry might not be dead after all. . . at least, if you want to get ass! [laughs] But there is also a level of condescension, people who somewhat question my skills like, “Oh, let’s see if she knows what she’s doing,” like I need to prove myself. But I don’t need to prove myself to anyone. I’m here to do the same thing that the other DJ just did, he just happens to be a dude.

But I don’t understand where it became just a “male” thing. It has been a male-dominated vocation…

Retail DJ: Music period. . .

DJ Lady Lane: Yeah, which, to me, is surprising. It just seems like mothers are always singing to their children and there is some sort of rhythm or musicality that goes with childrearing and motherhood. So it’s strange. But it’s as if it’s ok for a woman to be a singer, but the technical part is left only to men. And it’s that “techie” thing that throws people off. They’re like, “Why do you know how to use a computer??!?!” even though that’s something I’ve always loved. I grew up playing with Legos, and there was one point when I just started tossing Barbie to the wind in order to play with other things. I just reached a point when I was like, “I’m done with the dolls!” I loved Legos K’nex, even though they’re a scam. I remember watching the commercials wondering how the cars could move, only to find out that you have to buy the motor pack—parts sold separately. Every Christmas, I’d wonder, “Why’d I get the starter kit AGAIN!?!” [laughs]

In my family, I am the one who always fixes everything. I’d put together bookshelves with my dad, entertainment units by myself, fixing up the TV, programming the VCR, everything. So it’s something I always loved to do as a child, so this technical aspect of music really interests me.

Retail DJ: Could you list the equipment you use presently?

DJ Lady Lane: My setup consists of a Vestax VCI-100 Special Edition Ean Golden Arcade Style controller, an audio card that goes into my main card slot, a Macbook Pro, and my superdrive, which people should know they must replace and back up regularly. I have a Stanton laptop stand to keep my computer from overheating. I also use an Indigo DJX and Traktor Pro. So yeah, that’s my setup. It’s all simple and small in a way that I can put it all my “Mary Poppins bag,” as I call it. When I do gigs that are outside of clubs, I use a Bose Compact L1 system, which produces crazy sound. It’s just one piece. And every time, consistently, men at parties will come up and ask, “Where is the other speaker?” [laughs] I played at Yahoo Park in Santa Monica for a beautiful organization called Camp Laurel, which helps families with children who have HIV/AIDS through support and family-based activities. I used this speaker while playing there, and it filled the park with sound, even with the system only up about half-way. I think it’s a great system for mobile situations, especially considering I am DJing by myself and need to be able to carry everything on my own.

Retail DJ: Do you have any party preferences?

DJ Lady Lane: I really like working with non-profit organizations because you can really tell that they appreciate the work you do. Sometimes I find that at other parties, someone is always going to complain. You can’t make everybody happy. Though, I should say I have also noticed a big difference in playing on different coasts. East Coast music and West Coast music are different. It’s one of the reasons I was happy I had contacts to help with the transition. I spoke with DJ Lady Sha on the recommendation of DJ Reborn.

Retail DJ: Did anything ever come of that connection?

DJ Lady Lane: During the conversation, she realized that I wasn’t a turntablist. And she explained that working with vinyl was really the way to get respect in California. What’s interesting is that Oakland, L.A., and San Francisco are really three different places, musically speaking. I felt like San Francisco is the most in-line with New York and more accepting of digital-[controllerist] DJs. With DJ Lady Sha, I was really upfront with her and told her that I respect the art form of turntablism, and actually found myself drawn to the idea of DJing early on as a result of that, however, this is my budget, and that is what I have to work with.And I appreciate the craft, and understand why some people get frustrated when they heart “digital DJ”, especially considering some people go up there with their iPods and their laptops blasting iTunes, fading in and out.

People fail to realize that there is a more complicated aspect of digital controllerism that involves practicing, doing work, producing, beat matching. I have to beat match because I don’t like synching programs. At the end of the day, it’s a computer program, and it doesn’t know how the song goes, but I know how the song goes! In the beginning, I thought it was cool, but then I realized that just because two things are going at the same speed, it doesn’t mean they make sense together. I was explaining to her that things get confused because people don’t realize that technology is not all that’s involved. She said that she completely knew and understood, but it’s the audience. Sometimes tradition beats out technology. Even with Serato Scratch, it’s on the basis of turntablism –you’re using “turntables,” your using your “crates,” but in digital form.

I think sometimes people fail to take me seriously because I do so much. They say, “So…you’re an actress who DJs or a model who acts or…?” But I think you can do everything at 110% if that’s the type of person you are and if that’s something you’re passionate about. I didn’t do one thing as a fall back. I am still an actress, model, DJ, athlete, all at once. Going back to the celebrity “DJs,” I think it pisses me off because there seems to be a lack of skill…BUT, our society is allowing them to do this, so why shouldn’t they take advantage of that? I never faulted Paris Hilton for doing what she did. She was smart. She’s a businesswoman. She is making money off her name and face—if people want to give her sponsorships, why not? It’s a business. But the thing that pisses me off is when that cuts into things that involve a craft. It’s insulting when people don’t respect that more. You are at one of the highest levels of interaction with the public and you’re going to come in here with your laptop, pressing play, and then sit there and Blackberry the whole night out? I think that’s ridiculous. Go study what you’re doing! Take it seriously! Then use that as your skill. Using your name? Cool. But once you get in there, you’d better rock the sh*t out of it.

Retail DJ: Speaking of being on auto-pilot, a lot of people work in mixes these days, making it harder to take requests. Do you have any songs that people request of you quite a bit?

DJ Lady Lane: At house parties, Beyonce is always requested, especially “Single Ladies,” to my dismay, because it’s always the married women with kids who request it! For some reason, men always come up and suggest things that they think will “get people dancing.” I just think, “Thanks so much. I know what I’m doing!” [laughs] I think the biggest lesson though, is that you have to know your crowd, even if that means putting on things you don’t like. For example, the “Cha Cha Slide,” no matter the coast, is a crowd favorite. I don’t even like it.

Retail DJ: What’s something that’s frequently requested at club events?

DJ Lady Lane: At every single gig that I’ve done, there’s always some guy who will request Wu-Tang! [laughs] They either say they want something by Wu-Tang, Ghostface, or Raekwon, always! The funny part is that it’s always the most inappropriate party song! No one can dance to that song! Not every Wu-Tang song is one you can get down to!

In clubs, they put you in places that make it harder for people to request songs, which I actually kind of like, because it can get annoying at times. But at the beginning, when you first start out, it’s really good to take requests because you get to really know what people like. It’s some advice Beverly Bond gave me: Always take requests in the beginning and don’t get insulted because it can actually help you gauge your crowd.

But music is different now, and people are hungry. The radio is sh*t now. When I first came to NYC and would listen to Hot 97, I remember DJs like Beverly Bond, Cocoa Chanel, Jazzy Joyce, and shows like Angie Martinez and Stretch Armstrong and Lisa Evers’ Street Soldiers. I would turn it on and be like, “Yes!” It was amazing. Now, because everyone’s under the same Clear Channel bullsh*t, it’s the same thing on every station, all of which are owned by the record labels. I don’t always need to hear conscious rap. I don’t have a problem with empty, fluffy, pop-y music. I don’t think that’s bad; it’s just nice to hear something different. But public radio is the savior.

Retail DJ: What do you listen to on a regular basis? What’s on heavy rotation for you musically?

DJ Lady Lane: I always listen to KCRW online and from France, Radio Nova, which plays a lot of Brazilian music, which I love! I also love traveling, and dancing to house music in Europe is always something that pops up. But there is hip hop that I love too, and it’s something I always go back to. I feel like hip hop is a little sick right now, but she’s “getting better.” Right now, I’m into Kascade’s “Move for Me.” It reminds me of a song I was into around my junior prom. Also, “Could You Be Loved?” by Bob Marley. . . Major Lazer’s “Pon de Floor” and “Hold the Line” with Santigold. Crowds love that song too, especially the version of it that I remixed. That song allows me to do lots of crazy things.

Retail DJ: You know Switch is coming soon. He’s half of Major Lazer, but I think you will miss it!

DJ Lady Lane: I know… [sigh]. I also like “You’ll Find a Way,” the Switch and Graeme remix. I also used to use Black Eyed Peas (pre-Fergie) to get ready.

Retail DJ: YES!!! I was talking to my friends about Joints and Jam the other day and they had never heard it. I was in shock.

 DJ Lady Lane: I also love “The Weekend,” a song I found on a random mix, by Michael Gray. My last one is by Mike Delgado, ”Byrdman’s Revenge.” My last one is a Buffalo Bunch song. I used to intern at The Fader, which influenced my music taste quite a bit. I would go through the demo cds and filter out the good and bad ones. There were lots of bad ones, but some were really good!

Retail DJ: So segueing a bit into fashion, I noticed you were wearing some earrings that I initially thought were clip-ons, which was thrilling because I am trying to bring clip-ons back! I want to start with trends. There are some things out there that I absolutely love and that I can’t stand. So for you, what are some trends you love and those that you hate?

DJ Lady Lane: I am not sure if I love it or hate it yet, but this random 90s hip hop movement that’s come back is funny to me. You know? A la Tribe Called Quest, Do the Right Thing, high-top fade, three-cuts in the eyebrow style stuff. I almost feel like I am seeing all these Duane Wayne-looking kids pop up all over the subway! I have seen Africa pendants again!

Even musically, you have groups like Claire Hux and Ed Orable, who sing about high top fades and rock 90s clothes…

DJ Lady Lane: Exactly, and people like Spank Rock and Amanda Blank. It’s a mix of late 80s and early 90s, and we are seeing reincarnations of Salt N Pepa in a of female MCs. Even internationally, you’ve got groups like Bonde do Role of Brazil recreating that sound.

Retail DJ: Well, right. Funk Carioca in general is based on the Miami Bass music of the 1990s, so that’s why there is such an apparent connection there.

DJ Lady Lane: Yeah, I have noticed that trickle down effect a lot in other countries. In terms of things I do like, I enjoy seeing people be more free in their style and not sticking to a trend. I for one am not into conformity. However, there are just things that are there that everyone ends up wearing. For example Uggs! I used to hate them, and I still think they’re f*cking ugly, but they are so warm! I put my feet in them and thought, “Oh my JESUS!” I’ve had other boots, but it’s not the same.

What I don’t like? I don’t like Urban Outfitters anymore. This whole “I am a clean pauper” scene is bad. The reason I am wearing these distressed jeans is because they are really distressed. I don’t see the point of dressing like you’re starving when you’re not. I don’t like the terms either, like “Boho.”

Retail DJ: So what about your personal style? How would you describe it?

DJ Lady Lane: I think style is about trial and error. I used to not be into makeup and doing my hair and stuff, out of lack of interest in it, but in general, I’ve gotten more into putting myself together. Thanks, Mom! [kaughs] But I will say, the East Coast and West Coast are two very different places. In NYC, I can go around wearing my natural hair, even in acting, and people will accept that and it’s cool.On the West Coast, because of film and TV, it’s highly presentation-based, you have to be able to compete with the people around you. If I don’t look as good or better than that girl, I am not.going.to.get.that.job. It’s a package. In many ways, you become your own brand, and that branding, for better or for worse, differs by place. In, general, people have treated me differently dependent on my hairstyle(s) [which is ridiculous]. I just feel like at this point, I am trying to accomplish a certain thing. I am putting together a certain product. I can do whatever I want when I get to a certain comfort level in terms of people being open to me as a person.

I get bored easily, and I like to make a lot of changes. Even in the past few months, I have changed my mixesin terms of how I want to present myself. My physical presentation is also a representation of my music. It’s something I want to be polished, but at the same time, it’s a live mix. Sometimes, I have to smooth over the sound in Logic, turning up the levels, etc. But I want my music to be clean, so that’s why I practice so much. I want my presentation to be clean, so that’s why I put myself together the way I do.

I don’t have one way of dressing. I just pull from different things. I wear things that are comfortable and whatever looks good, and I love colors. At the end of the day, people will never perceive you as you want them to, no matter what you do. My presentation is important to me because of how I feel about myself, not what other people think. If I’m happy with it, it’s cool.

Retail DJ: Do you feel like you dress differently if you’re DJing vs. going out?

DJ Lady Lane: Yes. This is a perfect question! In the beginning, I was trying to find my groove here. As a DJ, you’re standing for a very long time, so I tend to wear things like flats, but normally, I might have worn a boot with a slightly taller heel. Then for one party, I wore these really tall Miss Sixty shoes, and the whole night I DJed in them, but then, I was like, “What the f*ck was I thinking?” I couldn’t walk by the end of the night because my ankles were buckling all over the place. On top of that, I had left my flats in the car! And the car was on a hill!

Shoes are super important because I am standing, I have to lug all my gear, I dance while I DJ, etc. I want to wear something that will allow me to walk at the end of the night. Also, I will now stay away from tube tops. I don’t want to spend the whole night wasted by pulling up my top. Things with straps are awesome. I love dresses. I also like Free People though I am not into Urban Outfitters. I like Zara. I also like American Apparel tights. Nowadays, quality is more important than quantity. And for some reason, Bloomingdales is trying to make me a poor woman! I love them because they have insane sales. Thank God I don’t have a real credit card [laughs]. I don’t need any more debt beyond NYU (thanks, NYU!). I’m also into street fairs. I like buying jewelry at vintage places and on street fairs. I went to Nigeria recently and brought a ton of precious stone jewelry, all of which that has a really interesting history and is well-made. I just don’t really like shopping in stores, and I hate malls.

Also, while I don’t NEED pockets, they are always good for holding things like your business cards to pass out to people as you play.

Retail DJ: And your card is really cute!

Yeah, it’s a cassette tape. It brings it all full circle.

Retail DJ: So what about lugging your stuff? You mentioned earlier that you use a “Mary Poppins” type bag. Who is that by?

DJ Lady Lane: Betsey Johnson. I love it! I bought it at Saks. It’s magenta and black with a lace motif and made from raincoat material. It’s waterproof, which worked out perfectly. But it’s been taking a beating, so I went and got an actual piece of luggage, instead. I find that a lot of the DJ bags are not fit yet for digital controllers.

Retail DJ: So thanks so much for sitting down with Retail DJ tonight! I want to find out for the readers where we can find more DJ Lady Lane?

DJ Lady Lane: I have a blog called “Immigrants Don’t Go to Therapy: Beats, Rhymes, and Life Lessons.” (www.djladylane.blogspot.com). You can also find me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/djladylane. I have connected to people I least expected to through Twitter. I am also on facebook: www.facebook.com/djladylane. If you want to listen to my music, you can go to www.djladylane.podOmatic.com. There, I have my 5 word mixtape, which is a set based on the first 5 words that pop into your head. Then I ask if you want a genre or if you want a wildcard (which I pick). Then I ask you for your info, a pic, if you have a cause, etc, I put that all together, make a mixtape out of it, and put it on the site.

Retail DJ: Is this free?

DJ Lady Lane: Yes, it’s all free. I believe that there’s great music out there that’s not getting to people because they don’t want to or can’t pay for it. It’s a way to spread information, to educate people about music. I am not trying to make a profit from it. I love hearing from new artists too and they send me things that I add into the mixes. I am also partial to helping African artists and other countries. Sometimes, it can be hard, if you are not BASED in America, to do well here. Everyone knows Sade and Fela, but there are so many more artists out there who are worth learning about (Ayo, Asa, Nneka, Wale, Famis, etc). So I try to work that into my music as well. Also, I think DJs are some of the best resources for music and worth looking into whenever people have the opportunity. You can learn about so many other artists that way.

You can also visit www.renaanakwe.com to find out more about me as a person. I’m all over the place—an actress, DJ, model, former athelete. I am not even sure what to call myself anymore.

Retail DJ: You’re a Jill of All Trades.

DJ Lady Lane: Yeah! I like that!

Retail DJ: Ok, last question of the night? Are leggings pants?

DJ Lady Lane: No, absolutely not! [laughs] I am guilty of doing it here and there, but only when clubbing. On an every day level, on the whole, leggings are tights with no feet. Put some damn pants on. People, stop walking around naked.

But on a serious note, I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive, my friends, family, management. I am thankful that my family has been so supportive. It’s a stereotype, but it’s the norm that in most Nigerian families, you become a doctor or a lawyer or engineer or something that will help you sustain the family. I hear so many people who get to that level, unhappy, and then say, “Oh I wish I done this or that.” I don’t want to get to the point where I am saying I wish I had done something or I could have. I want to be able to say, “I did it, it was fun, and that was a part of my life.” I like having chapters, not a wishlist.

*photo courtesy of Mali Woods/U-neon Entertainment

- Retail DJ