How To Mix Afro House Music + Optimizing Social Intelligence in Dj sets

Summary

In this insightful video, DJ Johnny Fontana shares his approach to mixing and connecting with audiences through music. He explains how instinctive and social intelligence play a key role in understanding the crowd's mood and energy. Drawing from personal experience, Fontana discusses the importance of studying music deeply, feeling the emotional connection, and seamlessly blending tracks. He contrasts high-context and low-context communication styles, highlighting the need for nuanced, experiential learning. Additionally, he provides technical tips on mixing, emphasizing the importance of flow and avoiding disjointed transitions.

Takeaways

• 😀 DJs create a journey with their music, not just play songs. It’s about feeling the crowd and anticipating reactions ahead of time.
• 😀 High-context communication is essential for DJing; the best DJs assume shared knowledge and connect with the crowd through intuition and experience.
• 😀 DJing is an instinctive art. It's not just technical; it requires emotional and social intelligence to read the room and know which track will resonate.
• 😀 Personal background and culture influence a DJ's style. For Johnny Fontana, his Haitian heritage deeply impacts the music he plays, especially Latin house.
• 😀 Studying music is crucial. DJs should listen to their tracks repeatedly and deeply, internalizing the music so that they can mix intuitively without hesitation.
• 😀 Mixing isn't just about timing; it’s about creating a seamless experience. Transitions should be smooth, as if the songs are one continuous track.
• 😀 DJs need to understand the emotional and cultural context of the music they play to create a more authentic and impactful experience for the crowd.
• 😀 The concept of 'high-context vs. low-context' is key for DJs in communicating with their audience. Low-context communication is clear and direct, while high-context is implicit and nuanced.
• 😀 It’s important for DJs to prepare and curate their music selection before a set, knowing exactly what songs complement each other for a cohesive performance.
• 😀 Avoid awkward or disjointed transitions. A good mix should feel natural and purposeful, where the audience barely notices the change from one track to the next.

Q & A

What is Johnny Fontana's approach to playing music as a DJ?

Johnny Fontana emphasizes that DJing is not just about playing songs but about creating a journey for the audience. He believes that music should take the crowd on a ride, with the DJ anticipating how the floor will react three records ahead. He connects deeply with the crowd's energy and adjusts his set accordingly.

How does Johnny Fontana explain the concept of 'high context' vs 'low context' communication?

Johnny explains that in a low context culture, communication is explicit, simple, and clear. In contrast, high context communication relies on shared understanding and implicit, nuanced messages. He acknowledges that he previously assumed a high context approach in his DJing, which might have been confusing for some, and now aims to make his communication more explicit.

Why does Johnny believe DJing comes so naturally to him?

Johnny attributes his ease in DJing to instinct and natural talent. He believes he has a unique ability to read the crowd and anticipate reactions. His background in various musical experiences, combined with his personal traits, gives him an advantage in sensing the right vibe and timing.

What does Johnny mean by having a 'gift' for DJing?

Johnny describes his DJing gift as an instinctive ability to connect with the crowd. He compares it to his capacity to read people in social situations, like sensing when someone is 'off' or understanding the emotional undercurrent in a room. This gift allows him to craft seamless transitions and maintain a dynamic connection with the audience.

How does Johnny describe his process of connecting with people in social and DJ settings?

Johnny describes his approach as binary—he can quickly assess someone's personality and adjust his interaction style accordingly. He can also read a crowd's mood in a club setting, anticipating how people will respond to certain tracks, making him highly responsive to the energy of the room.

What is the significance of 'pregnant pauses' in Johnny's DJing style?

Johnny uses 'pregnant pauses'—moments of intentional silence or waiting—during his sets to create tension or make the audience chase the energy. He contrasts these deliberate pauses with accidental awkward pauses, which he aims to avoid, as they can disrupt the flow of his set.

What role does cultural background play in Johnny's approach to house music?

Johnny connects deeply with Latin and house music, particularly due to his Haitian roots. He mentions that house music resonates with him on a personal level, and he feels a strong cultural connection to it, especially when interacting with other DJs from similar backgrounds.

How does Johnny describe the importance of knowing your music as a DJ?

Johnny stresses that knowing your music is crucial for effective DJing. He emphasizes not just listening to tracks, but deeply understanding their structure and how they interact with other songs. He believes this knowledge allows a DJ to make quick, informed decisions without wasting time searching for tracks during a set.

Why does Johnny think DJing is more than just a technical skill?

Johnny believes that DJing is a blend of technical skill and emotional intelligence. While technical ability is necessary for mixing songs, he argues that understanding the crowd and being able to read and respond to their energy is what makes a DJ truly successful. It's about creating a connection, not just executing transitions.

What critique does Johnny offer about other DJs' mixes?

Johnny critiques DJs who send him mixes with awkward transitions, where songs don't blend smoothly. He explains that a good mix should make it feel like one continuous song, rather than a disjointed series of tracks. He suggests that DJs should focus on creating a seamless flow, whether mixing intros, breakdowns, or outros.