DJ Kleenkutt
I know a lot of you agonise about the type of music to have at your reception. Music really helps create the mood – like lighting. I am a total sucker for great lighting, but I’m pretty sure that’s because, when you get to a certain age, great lighting is all you have. That or botox! Anyway, I digress, music can really build up your party to a raucous success. there really is nothing more impressive than getting people up on the dancefloor , grooving with each other, grandma dancing with the groomsmen, your mum and dad slow dancing cheek to cheek, your girlfriends dancing around with each other, singing all the words. You can see it can’t you? the hallmark of a great, GREAT time. And we all want our wedding to be a great, GREAT time, don’t we? So choosing a DJ or band can be a stressful event. Which do you choose, Band or DJ? DJ or band? That decision is all yours but if you are wanting a DJ may I present DJ Kleenkutt. We met DJ Kleenkutt at the Treading Water gig which was fundraising for the January 2011 flood victims. He recently got back in touch to tlka to me about his love of weddings and asked if I could give him a shout out. He is here to answer a few questions as well as give us our first 8track for 2013. (Sorry DJ Scott, we have a new kid on the block!)
How long have you been a DJ + how did you get into it?
I have been DJing for about 15 years. I first started after a trip to the UK in the late 90’s when I fell in love with the new style of music that was being produced at that time. Trip Hop (think Portishead, Morcheeba, Massive Attack) and Big Beat (early Fatboy Slim, Chemical Brothers) were styles of music that hadn’t really taken off in Australia yet and I started collecting vinyl in London. The collection grew and kept growing when I moved back home.
What does your job entail?
With DJing there needs to be a clear understanding of the music required by the client. I often meet with them a few weeks in advance so I can start planning the playlists. Sometimes the client gives me a list of music they like or want played that has special meaning to them. I also need to work out the sound equipment I need for the event, if they require mic’s or multiple speakers etc.
Where do you get the best vinyl in town? (Ok, I asked that question just for me, but, seriously, where?)
I haven’t bought any vinyl for a few years as I have moved over to the digital (dark) side, but I used to buy it from Rocking Horse in the City.
What is the favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of the job is making people dance with a smile. I like watching the oldies reminisce over some classic 60’s rock and then try and dance to a new age dance track with the younger generations.
What is the worst part of your job?
The worst part of the job is getting flack from the oldies for changing the era of music to a new dance track or rock song. I need to cater to everyone’s tastes!
Favourite song? (This is a trick question…but I’ll bet you have one. At least one right now, it could change tomorrow!)
My favourite song at the moment is Rudimental – Hell Would Freeze http://rudimental.co.uk/download/. These guys are killing it at the moment and each single they have released have been completely different which is great.
What advice would you couples on about how to pick a first dance song? How should they go about choosing, if say, their tastes differ??
Choosing a first dance song doesn’t have to be a complicated process. If you don’t have an “us song” already, think back to when you first started seeing each other. It could have been a song that you both heard together at a memorable occasion, like a song that you heard on the radio just before you had your first kiss, or music that reminds you of the first holiday you took together. Think of a song that you both sung in the car whenever it came on or a great band you saw together. As long as it has meaning to you both in some special way – this can be your first dance song.
Now for a little taste tester or DJ Kleenkutt‘s mix – press play, sit back and turn the volume UP LOUD!
