drowned in sound
DJ NgaiNgai's Official Site
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Tokyo Apache
“Let’s Go TO-KYO!” [Part 02] (This is a series of blog entries that will focus on my experiences with the Tokyo Apache during the 2010-2011 season) [Part 01]
Turns out, they actually hired this old guy to come in, sit down, and push play on some pre-made mixes during the games. Yea. So slight blow to my ego aside, I kept up my relations with the staff and patiently waited for the situation to implode.
After a couple of weeks, my predictions came true and the old guy got himself fired leaving the door wide open for an true DJ to come through. So after a short delay, I finally got my turn and signed on with the Tokyo Apache- making me the first (real) DJ signed to a Japanese pro sports team. Awesome~
Now, I’ve been spinning at clubs and events for almost a decade now so I’m pretty comfortable behind the decks but I have to be honest- I had NO IDEA what to do as a live in-game basketball DJ.
They told me I was in charge of “crowd pump”, playing songs during the downtime, and playing songs for the cheerleaders. Easy enough, right? Yea, once you learn to watch the players, watch the referees, cue up a song, feel the atmosphere, cue up a back-up song, listen to 2 sets of headphones, cue up a second back-up song, interact with the crowd, listen to the announcer, communicate with the director, and dance AT THE SAME TIME.
Live events are awesome and I learn best when it’s on the fly. There are so many things to keep track of that all my senses were completely occupied throughout the entire game. My first couple of games completely flew by and the 4th quarter buzzer sounded before I could catch a breath. It’s the perfect job for an impulsive multi-tasker. Why didn’t I ever think of applying for this type of job before?!
[Check back tomorrow for Part 03!]
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Tokyo Apache
“Let’s Go TO-KYO!” [Part 03] (This is a series of blog entries that will focus on my experiences with the Tokyo Apache during the 2010-2011 season) [Part 01 | Part 02]
By the end of our first homestand, I started to get a feel for the games and time seemed to slow down a bit. I also realized that the same fundamental DJ skills transferred over from the clubs: empathy, adaptation, foresight, and decisiveness.
My core DJing philosophy was a familiar friend in a new venue. (I don’t consider technical ability, song selection, or beat-matching as important because seriously- you’re not pro if you can’t do these in your sleep.)
The funny thing was, after a career spent building hype and tension, I also learned how to KILL hype. Usually this is a huge no-no at events and gigs but as a basketball DJ, you don’t want people cheering for the other team when they make a last-second 3-pointer to bring a 2nd overtime. Maybe I should add responsibility to the list too- they don’t call it home-court advantage for nothing.
No question, I made a ton of mistakes (never play the uncensored version of Enrique’s “Tonight I’m Loving You”.. in front of the company president.. on children’s day) but this was, by far, the most satisfying gig I had done in a VERY long time.
[Check back tomorrow for the next part…]
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Tokyo Apache
“Let’s Go TO-KYO!” [Part 05] (This is a series of blog entries that will focus on my experiences with the Tokyo Apache during the 2010-2011 season) [Part 01 | Part 02 | Part 03 | Part 04]
The economic impact of the earthquake is going to be felt for years and arguably, the industry to be hit first and hit hardest was entertainment. How can you justify throwing a party after an disaster like that? Do your electricity needs outweigh those of the survivors? Can you guarantee the safety of your audience if something happens again?
And the most important question: When is the right time to move on?
Based on sympathy (and guilt), what is the appropriate length of time to forgo entertainment out of respect to the victims? A few days? A few week? A few months? A season?
How about two years?
I was informed of the unfortunate news about 3 months after the earthquake: the Apache management had decided to cancel the rest of this season AND all of next season.
Ouch.
On one hand, I can understand that live sporting events are wasteful, noisy, and generally inappropriate when disaster victims are literally living in a rival team’s stadium. While on the other hand, it’s efficient, fun, and a much needed piece of normalcy. I am 100% sure that the resources needed to run an event for 1000+ people is much less than having 1000+ people sit at home and watch TV.
Either way, what’s done is done and all I can do is face forward and hope that when the Apache come back, I can be a part of the rebuilding process.
I loved every moment of being a part of the Apache and it’s heartbreaking when I think about all the unrealized potential our team had..
Shoutouts to Shaun and Sean, Steve, Vance, Yoko, Kristen, Nao (UA), The Tokyo Girls, and all the Apache staff. I would love to continue what we started.
