Kitchen DJ
This post is pretty much just relevant to, uh, me. OK, maybe not just me, but also any other DJ's out there who read this blog. Are there any?
Unless you are blessed with a generously spaced home, as opposed to a small flat, then finding a place to store your decks, records and assorted music gear is a bit of a nightmare to be honest. As much as I love the beauty of a Technics 1210 it doesn't exactly blend into most homes' decor. In our flat we have had to make do with putting the decks and mixer on top of a table in the corner of the kitchen. Yes, the kitchen.
We do have a particularly large kitchen, but still it's not exactly ideal. My Prince has been trying to find the time to make a stand for the decks from scaffolding, which he plans to polish up and make all shiny and new looking, but so far the scaffolding still sits propped up again a wall awaiting it's revival.
All my woes would disappear however if I was to have this stunning DJ pod nestling in the corner, providing a stylish home for my gear.
It's designed by Reynold Rodriguez, who is a master at integrating wood and wood veneer into many of his stunning creations. The smooth, rounded curves give the pod a retro feel yet maintains a startling modernity which allows it to blend into many a stylish home. Clearly it's too nice to languish in the kitchen, it would simply have to be displayed in the living room and I'd happily move out my sofa to make room.
Queen Michelle
omg...thats crazy.
my setup is in my room and sometimes i have to walk sideways to get to the bed but its all good. when i dream up a mix i just hop out of bed and make it happen.
~lissa
Posted by: djlissamonet | Thursday, 15 May 2008 at 19:15
My other half wors in the music biz, and whilst he doesn't DJ, we have lots of friends that do. I've seen some really innovative deck-and-mixer tables; breeze blocks, palletts, bookshelves, plywood...
That pod is just beautiful.
Posted by: Alice | Thursday, 15 May 2008 at 19:29
I'm interested in hearing your mixes. Do you have any recorded promos or sets online? I'm thinking your sound is as wicked as your style!
Posted by: rara | Thursday, 15 May 2008 at 20:39
wow! that's crazy! ours are displayed on a tiny ikea metal thing and we break our back every time we put some records... you're not just a queen at finding perfect outfits!
Posted by: minisushi | Thursday, 15 May 2008 at 20:42
I love the way you're a fashion blogger who DJs. Or that you're a DJ with a fashion blog. Or both.
Posted by: aziza x | Thursday, 15 May 2008 at 20:57
Ours now have a room all of their very own! Only took 4 years :)
T'other halfs 'studio' is in the attic and the turntable room below. And as much as I love drum n bass, I don't want to listen to it all day, every day, so its faaar better that its now 2 floors up!
Posted by: Jennifer | Thursday, 15 May 2008 at 21:35
its fun!
a kiss
Posted by: KiraFashion | Thursday, 15 May 2008 at 21:38
Beautiful, and how lovely to see a DJ using vinyl and not just a laptop! Cudos!
Posted by: Kat | Thursday, 15 May 2008 at 22:31
I cannot tell you how much I love this in-action shot. I've always been curious!
Posted by: ambika | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 02:58
Very nice Vestax. I love that you're as hard core about the music as I am. Hell I'm lucky if can get around my room with out trippin' over audio cables. Then the one time I let my cousins into my room; they break both tables!!! DAAAAANG!!....but they're kids and I should of never let them in. Now there's something missing in my life...... :( Sorry to end on a sad note.
Posted by: Manuel | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 04:12
That is one fabulous set up!
I think many people would love that, myself included!
Posted by: Tea | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 07:36
Bizarrely enough this photo was taken last year and I was actually in the middle of doing a Kingdom Of Style mix! Alas, when it was complete I wasn't happy with it so it never saw the light of day. However I am going to be doing another mix hopefully very soon. I just need to work out where I shall put it for people to go an download it if they want.
Kat, I do indeed still use vinyl. My BF is going to be teaching me how to use Ableton and Traktor since it's insanely expensive to buy 12" and you can download a track for 99p. This means for the price of one record I can download 7 amazing tracks. As it stands I am lucky to like 2 tracks off a 12" these days. By only using vinyl I am missing out on alot of great music, since many producers can't afford to release vinyl so offer downloads instead. But I am also a bit of technophobe so I may still stick to good old records!
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 08:31
oh my, i so can relate! my decks are permanently installed on top of that breakfast bar thingie facing the open kitchenette in my flat. i use CDs now since buying 12" have brought me near financial disaster, and i'm also working Traktor on my Macbook, which is fun and just great.
Posted by: stella-mayfair | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 09:27
stella-mayfair, do you DJ out? Do you find Traktor as easy as mixing with vinyl? I just don't know if I feel I'd loose a lot of the 'hands on' control afforded by mixing records, which is what is making me slightly wary.
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 09:41
How on earth do even your white t-shirts look so insanely stylish...the in-action shot is one of the coolest things I've ever seen!
Posted by: Drusilla | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 11:54
Small appartment results in that all DJequipment I got is inside my laptop :P
Posted by: Elecctric Alyce | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 12:25
Has the Royal Pet been attempted to bite/chew all those seemingly delicious cords/cables? Or maybe they're not as delicious as your shoes? :D
Posted by: Gwen | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 13:55
Thankfully the cables are out of reach of both Royal Pets!
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 14:01
My ex boyfriend was a house/techno DJ. One day when I was browsing ebay I stumbled across a HUGE DJ booth for sale due to the closing down of a club. Showed it to him for a laugh and we ended up buying it, hiring a van to pick it up and plonking it down in our spare room.
It filled THE WHOLE ROOM, but caused much amusement to our friends at afterparties and the like.
Sadly this was before I owned a digital camera as or I’d show you a photo. You would love it.
Posted by: poppy lee | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 16:55
yes, there are dj's reading your blog...and enjoying it as well! :)
Posted by: Liz | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 21:16
Queen Michelle, Vinyl and CDs are somewhat easier to handle than Traktor when playing out. Oldschool IS much more hands-on than using a mouse, especially if you're into doing stuff with the actual record. But Traktor offers a gazillion opportunities for using effects and making a set much more interesting. Please give it a try, I think you might like it :-))
Posted by: stella-mayfair | Friday, 16 May 2008 at 23:15
GOSH! i want it!
Posted by: Zad | Sunday, 18 May 2008 at 17:22
It's VERY cool.
Posted by: enc | Thursday, 22 May 2008 at 05:13