One of the best female DJs from the Bay Area, DJ Olga T is doing big things in 2008 and has been for years. You can see her spin at dozens of big name parties around the Bay--including Butta, Mango, and Fresh. What can you expect from Olga T in the future? Along with well known promoter Joe Hawkins, Olga T will be throwing a NEW party for the gay bois and girls called "Everybody" that occurs every 4th Saturday at Club Eight. She will also be releasing her debut album this November--so be sure to check it out.
Below is an excerpt of an interview with DJ Olga T from Oakbook Magazine:
1. How did you first get started djing? What was your first big break?
I started trying to dj using a Walkman, a portable CD player, and one belt driven turntable connected to a Radio Shack mixer I bought in 1995. For years I had seen and heard other DJs do amazing things with music and records and that is what inspired me to start learning to DJ myself. I had been making mixed compilations all my life be pressing pause and record on my tape deck, I figured it was time to take it a step further.
My first big break was when I gave a demo of a House music tape (no CD burning available for consumers at that time) to local legend DJ Page Hodel and asked her if she would critique it to see if I had any hope of ever becoming a DJ. When she listened to it she couldn't believe how I put the music together without pitch controlled turntables and invited me over to her studio to show me how to do what I did with professional equipment. She also showed me the basics of beat matching and vinyl handling. Then she told me to practice, practice, practice. A few months later, in mid 1996, she booked me for the SF DYKE March and Club Q (at the time, the Bay Area's largest women's club). The rest is an amazing string of events, experiences, and opportunities that brought me to where I am today.
2. What's your favorite music to spin?
I love soulful, Latin, and Gospel House music. It is rare that I can play if for Lesbians, which has always been my main audience, but when I do, it's like being set free. It's pure bliss.
3. Favorite East Bay spot to play?
My favorite place to play is at an event called BUTTA @ The Oasis in Oakland. It's ironic that I play Hip Hop & R&B being that House music is my passion, but the positive vibe and beautiful souls who attend BUTTA make it an amazing experience for me each month. The promoter gives me a green light to play the music that I know will move the crowd. She gives me full trust and in return, my co-DJ Calalo and I give her a packed dance floor of smiling women every month for over 5 years now.
4. Have you been able to live off djing alone? Is it possible, or, how difficult is it?
I could live off of DJing but there are reservations for me at times. My biggest fear is that I would have to take gigs based on money alone, whereas I have always chosen gigs that I feel will be a good fit for me and/or fun. I never want to have to take a gig just for the money because it sets me up to feel like a jukebox instead of an artist.
That being said, I most certainly am in a position in my career to be able to live off of DJing. It is a whole lot of work, no doubt, but I am making the transition as you read this. And yes it is difficult. You have to hustle and really be on top of your game.
5. Tell me about your 'day job' now, & how you fit in spinning, practicing & teaching classes?
It isn't easy. The good thing for me is that I work from 5am -2pm, Tuesday thru Saturday, and so that leaves my afternoons open to practice and shop during the week and my weekend nights open during the weekend, plus I have Monday off to recover from weekend gigs. It's pretty much perfect. Since spinning is the highlight of my day and life, I always can make time for it. The teaching element has just forced me to absolutely manage my time and resources better. It's a lot of work, but it's makes for a productive and fun filled life.
6. Who do you spin for?
Primarily lesbians. I feel privileged and love spinning for my community.
7.What's the competition like today? I guess the competition is there, but really I've found that if you master your sound and style and make some kind of name for yourself, the competition simply serves as a tool to keep you sharp. Once you have name for yourself, you just have to stay focused and keep going. If you always play well, the gigs just keep coming. It's a beautiful thing.
Is there a DJ community?
Absolutely. Though I must say the DJ community is composed of very busy folks so I can only say that when I meet and or have the time to hang out with fellow DJs it's always a pleasure.
8. What's your favorite East Bay record shop? Most definitely, B-SIDE RECORDS in Berkeley! Great folks, great selection, and consistently great customer service. What up Josh, Mike, and BJ!
Equipment, turntables?
Technics 1200s, Pioneer DJM 600 Mixer, Mackie 450 speakers, Ortofon Blue DJ Needles, and Sony MDR-V600 headphones. I pretty much stick with the products that work for me, even if there's a new model; if it ain't broke... you know?
9. How much, on average, do you spend on music per month? At least $300 a month. I would love to spend more, but records are freakin expensive. I buy them anyway though because I cannot really imagine ever having to rely solely on digital formats to DJ. There's no replacement for the sound and feel of real vinyl.
10. How has cd djing changed the art of spinning? Why are you a vinyl purist?
That's a super sensitive topic for me because although the technology of digital and virtual DJing is convenient, cheaper, and more accessible, I LOVE VINYL!!!! I feel strongly that if you never got the chance to play with vinyl, you are truly missing out on something wonderful. Not to mention, I feel that you just have so much more control with vinyl. It's way more intuitive and that's something that you just don't get with pressing buttons on a CD player or a computer. It's makes me sad to see everyone taking the easy way because they're killing a beautiful art form. CDs and MP3s have rapidly made the pressing of vinyl nearly obsolete. (Video killed the radio star... remember that song? It was the first video to ever air on MTV, check it out). Due to this industry shift to the digital format, I finally ended up having to buy Serato, a program that allows you to play mp3 files using specially coded vinyl records. It has actually been a blessing in disguise (I hate to admit it, I really do) because it has infinitely opened up my musical range. I can now play any song that I need or want to because I don't have to be restricted by what I can find pressed on vinyl. And, I can still use vinyl to spin. Again, nothing feels as good as putting your finger on the record and having complete manual control. It's like the difference between driving a stick shift vs. an automatic. It's just not the same experience. And of course, the sound quality of vinyl is still unsurpassed.
11. When & what made you decide to give lessons?
I began noticing that the talent and interest for DJing everywhere, but it's a hard thing to learn all by yourself without some kind of support from someone who knows the actual proper techniques. It just makes life easier. Plus, I prefer to hire lesbian DJs for lesbian clubs because we know our community the best. Lesbians are an exceptionally picky and demanding group to spin for. I need to have DJs in place that can beat match flawlessly and keep 500+ dance floors packed. In addition, I think that women in general, regardless of sexual orientation, often times have a tougher time breaking into DJing as it is a pretty male dominated craft. Some guys don't mind teaching their girl friends, but still, I have found that many women who have come to my classes felt intimidated or perhaps not taken very seriously when they said they want to learn to DJ. Also, the guys don't seem to teach all the details that I share with my students. I give them a lot pointers and support that most folks in general don't get when they're learning. In addition to the actual art of spinning, I strongly believe in teaching women about equipment, from how it all works together to setting up, breaking down, and maintenance.
Who taught you?
DJ Page Hodel. She was the one to take the time to harness my talent and give me my first high profile gigs. Chantal Salkey, the promoter of Mango, is the woman who gave me the opportunity to sharpen my skills and get constant exposure by giving me my first weekly residency at a club called Red. I'd like to mention DJs Anita Lofton, Noel, Jorge Terez, and Eclat for supporting me in the early days as well. They showed me tricks of the trade and generally picked me up when I tripped. Much love to all of them.
12. Who are your musical and/or dj influences?
Of course Page Hodel to begin with. I also honor the work and skills of David Harness, Ruben Mancias, Mind Motion, Sexy DJ Claudette, Chris the Rebel, and musically, my DJ/Producer idols are Masters at Work, Jay-J, and Miguel Migs. They absolutely make the music I love to spin.
13. Tell me about your class structure. Can someone take your class & then call themselves a dj? What does it take?
Right now it is structured as a very detailed crash course. It's a 5 hour workshop covers everything from music theory to mixing dynamics to technical understanding of professional equipment and everything else in between. There's actual hands on practice too. I'm extremely thorough in my classes. I want women to experience the joy of DJing as much as I do if that's what they want to pursue. I give them the tools to do that. I cannot guarantee they will become DJs as that is always up to the individual. You take it as far as you want to go. It takes countless hours of practice and intense commitment. Practice is absolutely the key to success. If you do all that, then one day you just know that you’re able to call yourself a DJ.
Any cross over plans?
I've stayed playing in the Bay Area and Lesbian community mostly because with the day job, I just haven't had enough time to go national or break into the straight scene without loosing a whole lot more sleep picking up so many more gigs. I try to keep a balance between making time for my health, my spiritual growth, and my work. It's really easy for me to get overwhelmed with too many irons in the fire. I see that I actually have limited my DJ career in that way, but that will be changing very soon. I see quite clearly that it is time for a major shift in my career. In spite of what I said about it being difficult to live off of djing alone, I know that I have so much more going for me because I have talents that go beyond DJing. With the teaching, potential touring, and now producing re-mixes, I plan to transition to a life where music feeds my soul and sustains me financially. Taking that jump from the security of the day job to trusting in myself enough to use the gift of musical talent that God gave me to create my own abundance has finally come.
You're feelings on the music you play?
Although I love House music with all my heart and soul, I found out early in my career that knowing and being able to play multiple music formats makes you so much more marketable. I can play numerous types of music very well and therefore can pick up many more gigs. The trade off is that I don't always get to play everything I want to play, but I do find a way to incorporate the music I love in my sets one way or another. Plus, I enjoy the other creative techniques that I have learned because I opened myself up to playing Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae. It's a lot of fun, even if it doesn't move me like soulful House music does. Plus, the reward for me is getting off on the high of playing music that my audience loves. There's no feeling like it, even if it's not my personal favorite music. I still am connecting with people in a way that only other DJs and performers can truly understand. It's amazingly powerful and it's beautiful.
A different version of this article written by Alison Peters first appeared in Oakbook, Issue No. 4. (www. oakbook. com) |
