MINORITY REPORT 47
MINORITY REPORT
WORDS | Harriet Macdonald
ILLUSTRATION | Eveson
Is there a revolution brewing as more and more women
take to the turntables in the predominantly male clubs?
Kmag chatted with nine ladies from around the world to
find out what life is really like as a female DJ...
All nine were drawn to drum & bass by the usual reasons but breaking into Switch Mistress agrees: “Women are very catty; every woman for herself. Kind of
the DJing circuit was easier for some than others. DJ Hannah M even faced sad actually, but that just means you gotta work all the harder, and that is what
hostility from other DJs: “There were times when male DJs on the decks before improves skills and music.” Hannah M says: “Some women DJs enjoy the fact
me wouldn’t let me on to do my set, even though I was standing behind them that they have come across another female DJ. Others are hostile because they
waiting to go on - they would just carry on playing more tunes. At the time I was think they are special, like they’re the only female DJ around.”
17... I wouldn’t dream of letting them take the piss like that now!”
I asked the controversial question: do the clubbers go for the music or a pretty
Marisa Narciso had the same experience in Brazil: “There are misconceptions that face? Jacqui Christopoulos says that the D&B followers are dedicated and
come from all the old stuff. Somehow guys tend to believe girls cannot rock as hard. underground, a pretty DJ without skills wouldn’t get very far. NZ DJ Ella Mental
You’ve gotta surprise them or prove something in order to gain real respect.” says: “I have seen sooo many sluts that DJ these days, ones without tops on,
how trashy is that? Sex sells, for sure, but only to a certain sleazy fucked up
Switch Mistress only noticed after starting, that there weren’t many female clientele.” Hannah M agrees: “Talent is the most important thing; a lot of people
DJs: “It actually pushed me even more to get right up there in skill with all the seem to forget this. It’s one thing posing for a good photo, but the fact that you
men in this scene. I love a challenge.” Carmen Noguer also discovered this: see tasteless photos of female DJs posing practically naked, speaks volumes.
“We brought our male friend to a gig just to tag along and help carry a bunch It reeks of desperation. Personally speaking, I’d rather be known for being an
of equipment. People came up and introduced themselves to him first. They amazing DJ than just another pretty face.” Marisa Narciso says: “I do think the
automatically assumed because he was the man that he was the DJ.” gorgeous looking stereotypes end up getting better promotion but I know good
female DJs who rock and are recognized without being any media beauty.”
But Hannah M says the small amount of female D&B DJs can also be handy: “I
think it’s easier for female DJs to get attention because it is a predominantly There is the old story of Fat Boy Slim refusing to get out of bed unless he was
male scene... but they also have a disadvantage because it’s harder for a paid but are female DJs less demanding? “We have similar demands but I know
female DJ to be taken seriously and to shake off the ‘novelty value’.” DJ Anne many women who just wanna play so badly that they often accept less pay than
Wied discovered this when she went into a music store and came out with a men,” Bella says. Nikki Armstrong agrees: “In the UK, the attitude seems to be
gig: “Breaking into a predominantly male scene was in some ways easier than I ‘oh well you enjoy doing it so you’ll be alright with a few drinks and taxi fare
thought it would be. For example, I got my first gig from the guy who sold me my home won’t you?’ whereas in Europe DJs are much more respected, and I was
speakers at the music store... and I didn’t even have a demo. But I do remember really surprised when I played in Holland and we were treated like VIPs!”
feeling very uncomfortable record shopping when I first started DJing because I
would be the only girl in the shop.” Any funny anecdotes? Ella Mental says she’s been asked to play Beyonce, while
Bella’s D&B Gay Girls night was double booked with a pimp’s birthday party:
Asked if female DJs have a different sound to the guys, Hannah M says: “Although “The pimps basically took over the place. One talked to me about playing more
a lot of stereotypical female DJs play what you would expect them to play, it hip hop then his girlfriend came up to me and threw a drink at me, thinking I
would be unfair to put all female DJs in this predictable category. A lot of people was hitting on her man.” Talking of wrong music, Nikki Armstrong says “I played
who don’t know me but have heard me mix think I am male, due to the fact that I Shirley Bassey’s ‘Goldfinger’ once at a hip hop night. My gay hairdresser came
play dark and heavy drum & bass.” Nikki Armstrong, aka Misstukatz, thinks a bit in and started pole dancing to it in front of a load of uber-cool hip hop heads!
more thought is put into mixes and Ann Wied says that in California female drum Oh, and I once ate all Luke Vibert’s M&Ms with his girlfriend while he was
& bass DJs are open to playing more kinds of drum & bass: “I don’t see many guys playing a set at the Cube Cinema in Bristol - he later thanked me for playing
spin who play much liquid-style, I think they are worried it’s not man enough. The Cutty Ranks’ ‘Limb by Limb’, but he didn’t know I’d polished off his sweets!”
girls I see are not afraid to, nor are they afraid to play harder stuff.”
On the topic of sweet or slightly bizarre is Switch Mistress: “This one girl in LA
So what do the guys think of the girls taking them on? “There are so many ended up falling in love with me and my music and followed me to most of my
[male] sceptics that every time I play I feel like I am proving myself all over shows. One day she spilled me her whole life story, told me she was a stripper,
again!” says DJ Bella. “When you approach the tables there is always that and asked me to make her special music. Needless to say, this girl is dancing in
attitude you feel from the crowd of ‘is she gonna rock it? Is she talented or some strip club in LA to my music. I’m actually quite honoured!”
just a pretty face?’”
Nikki Armstrong says she’s already inspired the next generation: “My daughter
Jacqui Christopoulos says most of her male DJ friends are very encouraging is two years old, I’ve already given her the vinyl bug - she makes me put records
and Hannah M has the same experience but says that other DJs that don’t on as opposed to CDs! I’ve got better music on vinyl!”
know her so well aren’t: “Maybe because they thought I wasn’t really serious
about DJing.” So what does the future hold for female DJs? Jaqui Christopoulos says the
number of female DJs seems to be growing rapidly as people are accustomed
“There will always be a natural battle of the sexes,” reckons Carmen Noguer, “men to it and Switch Mistress believes it’s time for females to step up. In Brazil
do not like being shown up by women.” Bella agrees: “Some men are encouraging women are voting with their feet, as Marisa Narciso has seen the female
only as long as they think you are no better than they are.” In Brazil the guys gave audience searching more for female DJs and promoters. I ask what attracts
Marisa Narciso good tips but weren’t keen to get into partnerships with female them: “They finally see themselves in the scene, I think... more women will
artists. “Sometimes I see men expect a woman not to understand how to use the be jamming and ‘making a difference’ for them. And for that, less guys will be
sound equipment at a club and sort of baby-talk to a woman about the gear,” blabbing that only they rock!”
Bella says, “versus being straight up and technical about it with a man.”
Carmen Noguer says that clubs are already featuring nights of female only
So do the girls stick together? “Certain female DJs will click and stick together, performers but Nikki Armstrong reckons it can be a double edged sword when
but there will always be that sniping too amongst those who don’t click,” Jacqui you create an all-female crew, or club night: “It’s a bit like singling yourselves
Christopoulos thinks. Nikki Armstrong says: “If I come across bitchiness, I tend to out as a minority, it should surely be about integrating with the boys as equals.”
back off. In any collaborative group [male or female] there will always be jealousy
and bitchiness eventually... but you have to look at the bigger picture – you’re not Perhaps the ideal is summed up by Hannah M: “In the future there will be no
really ending world poverty or stopping wars by putting records on are you?” female or male DJs. Just DJs.”
K46-47_Minority Report.indd 47 19/3/08 14:16:49
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