Clubbing industry is at it's hype nowadays. If you will roam around Makati, BGC or even Timog area you will notice that there's one in every corner. Which is pretty cool for all the ravers out there. They get the chance to choose among the clubs that has a crowd that best fit them.
And talking about what best fits your clubbing preference. That same goes in someone's career. I came across a DJ that was able to impose this idea that we can have two career and at the same time enjoy both. Needless to say more, I just wanted to share to all of you a short conversation I had with a great DJ in town Dennis Garra a.k.a. Soulful Jigs.
Just a brief introduction about Dennis Garra.
Here's the email conversation I had with DJ Soulful Jigs:
How did you get into disc jockeying?
DJ Soulful Jigs : "You got to have love and passion with music. Since High School, I was a member of a "Mobile Disco Group". We catered high school dances, soirees, private dance parties, etc. That's the time when I started to be a DJ. I learned it by myself using dual cassette tapes. (Imagine that! J) Then, turn tables came in so I learned that, too."
- With this being said we can say that Dennis started early in the party scene, thou most of us really sneak in our highschool days just to party, but he was able to discover early in his life that this will soon be a career for his. Two thumbs up on this DJ Jigs. Moving right along, let us get to know more about him and his insights about being a DJ.
Isn't it expensive to start a career as a dj? How do you manage to be updated when it comes to equipments?
DJ Soulful Jigs : "Yes, precisely. It’s the same as any other business. You need to get everything you need to keep it running even if it costs you money. For its development, of course. From headphones to laptops and softwares, these things will evolve from time to time and you would need to go with the flow once it comes."
- Good investment I should say because once you heard his performance (you'll find embedded below from Mixcloud ), you can really identify that DJ jigs invested on his equipment but of course the end result of his mixes is still because of his creative mind.
How would you describe your style?
DJ Soulful Jigs : "I have no specific stye as I'm very flexible. "Crowd Reading" is my weapon while on deck. But, I mainly love to play 90’s soulful funky house classic and mash it up with progressive electro tunes randomly during my live sets.
- The "Crowd Reading" part is what I liked about his answer. I definitely agree on this one because it the crowd that is most important . They must enjoy and at the same time relate to the music that the DJ is playing on deck. In addition to this, it is good to know that DJ Jigs not just play music that he wants or whatever is on trend. He knows how to read the clubbers/ravers mind. And this is what's more important. Right? Make your crowd dance.
You may listen to his opening set thru Mix Cloud. Here is the link
Royal Night Club - Opening set by : Soulful Jigs
Who are you musical influences?
DJ Soulful Jigs :"Tiesto and Hardwell"
-Good choice DJ Jigs, I heard that the two are famous with their dance festival performance in UK.
And talking about what best fits your clubbing preference. That same goes in someone's career. I came across a DJ that was able to impose this idea that we can have two career and at the same time enjoy both. Needless to say more, I just wanted to share to all of you a short conversation I had with a great DJ in town Dennis Garra a.k.a. Soulful Jigs.
Just a brief introduction about Dennis Garra.
He is a resident DJ of Royal Club Makati. Also, he's an Audio Engineer by profession but that does not limited him to be on deck as well on one of the most elite club in Makati.
Music or sound in general, I must say is really close to his heart being an audio engineer and at the same time Disc Jockey. Combining , mixing different sounds must be his first love. He gave me the opportunity to have an email and chat conversation with him and I am greatly honored to impart what I've learned about him.
Here's the email conversation I had with DJ Soulful Jigs:
Do you have any other job aside from being a dj?
DJ Soulful Jigs : "Yes. I'm an Audio Consultant by day for a real estate company. Sometimes, I am a broker (both private and government agencies). I am also doing part-time consulting and personalized mentorship to aspiring DJs."
How did you get into disc jockeying?
DJ Soulful Jigs : "You got to have love and passion with music. Since High School, I was a member of a "Mobile Disco Group". We catered high school dances, soirees, private dance parties, etc. That's the time when I started to be a DJ. I learned it by myself using dual cassette tapes. (Imagine that! J) Then, turn tables came in so I learned that, too."
- With this being said we can say that Dennis started early in the party scene, thou most of us really sneak in our highschool days just to party, but he was able to discover early in his life that this will soon be a career for his. Two thumbs up on this DJ Jigs. Moving right along, let us get to know more about him and his insights about being a DJ.
Isn't it expensive to start a career as a dj? How do you manage to be updated when it comes to equipments?
DJ Soulful Jigs : "Yes, precisely. It’s the same as any other business. You need to get everything you need to keep it running even if it costs you money. For its development, of course. From headphones to laptops and softwares, these things will evolve from time to time and you would need to go with the flow once it comes."
- Good investment I should say because once you heard his performance (you'll find embedded below from Mixcloud ), you can really identify that DJ jigs invested on his equipment but of course the end result of his mixes is still because of his creative mind.
How would you describe your style?
DJ Soulful Jigs : "I have no specific stye as I'm very flexible. "Crowd Reading" is my weapon while on deck. But, I mainly love to play 90’s soulful funky house classic and mash it up with progressive electro tunes randomly during my live sets.
- The "Crowd Reading" part is what I liked about his answer. I definitely agree on this one because it the crowd that is most important . They must enjoy and at the same time relate to the music that the DJ is playing on deck. In addition to this, it is good to know that DJ Jigs not just play music that he wants or whatever is on trend. He knows how to read the clubbers/ravers mind. And this is what's more important. Right? Make your crowd dance.
You may listen to his opening set thru Mix Cloud. Here is the link
Royal Night Club - Opening set by : Soulful Jigs
DJ Jigs focuses on details of his mixes. He makes sure that everything blendsperfectly.
Who are you musical influences?
DJ Soulful Jigs :"Tiesto and Hardwell"
-Good choice DJ Jigs, I heard that the two are famous with their dance festival performance in UK.
What can you say about lady DJs that dominates the deck nowadays? Is there any competition? Or you believe that the more the merrier?
It doesn't matter. DJs have their own identities, style, followers and market. This means that male DJs will often gravitate towards helping younger men, with whom they connect more naturally. In addition, women are more likely to seek a mentorship from someone of the opposite sex. This means there are fewer women who are being mentored through their DJ-ing careers by leading male DJs. As someone who was mentored by mostly female DJs (Ahem J ), I felt this was the best way for me to learn and avoid any problems and political issues in the industry.
-Good Job DJ Jigs, I agree on this and also it is so overwhelming that you are open to the idea that you mentor new breed of DJs. Mentoring them is a sign that you really have the passion in the kind of field.
Here is an awesome performance of DJ Soulfuljigs on deck . Very entertaining he gave the crowd a party 'til they drop experience . Putting their hands up in the air like nobody cares. Which is what ravers are looking for.
This is the main reason why the elite crowd at Royal where he's a resident DJ could not help but drink, party and rave some more.
And for the closing part of this short yet engaging interview with DJ Soulful Jigs.
Message for the aspiring dj out there?
"Being a DJ is never JUST a hobby. It’s passion. Passion is the love you have for something and craftsmanship is the pursuit of mastering that passion. The craftsman treats this process not as a destination, but something you do for the rest of your life."
There you go, this is the reason why the elite crowd of Royal are being blown away by DJ Jig's performance, it is because of his knowledge of music, ability to keep people on the dance floor. I am sure that regular guests at Royal Club swore that we would do whatever we could to party with him over and over.
Come and visit his fanpage at : DJ Soulful Jigs for updates about his gigs.
You may catch DJ Soulful Jigs at Royal Club located at 5343 St., General Luna, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila
every Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays.
*For feedback , comment and suggestions email me at mjrudio18@gmail.com
