CONFESSION: Hello my name is Shortee & I'm an Over-Preparer. Those who know me well know that my addiction is certifiable. Especially when it involves performance, such as DJing & Acting. I never fully feel "prepared" unless I over-prepare. But even then, I will prepare until the last millisecond before I step on stage. (Swipe to the last pic to see me practicing in-flight!)
This obvs applies to technical skills like scratching & juggling that require a physical warm-up sesh, but most def also with mixing. Whether it's putting together new mix ideas or running through my go-to mix sets just to keep them fresh in my mind; my obsessive propensity to practice extends far beyond my studio & into the valuable time spent flying on a plane before my next gig.
Enter the @Hercules_djmixroom Starlight @Serato DJ Controller: Before I got this lil' handy 'prep addiction enabler' I could be seen trying to balance my Rane DJ mixer IN MY LAP mid-flight while travelling to my next gig.
In fact, dating back to the early 2000s, Serato reps can attest to me literally begging them to create a tiny little controller for me to practice on the plane. I even had a name for this sought after invention: "The Shortee" (...because, duh!?!)
This prep addiction also extends into my hotel rooms as I've been known to skip meals & precious zzz's before a show just to get the last few mins of practice in before my set.
Same goes for recording a new mix, something I'm doing as we speak. And sometimes I just don't wanna get my butt off the couch to stand for hours on end in front of my turntables just to put mix ideas together.
Here's an example of how I fuel my prep addiction along with a sneak peak of some fun #DoubleDrop mixes I'm including on my next #DrumAndBass mixes. Yes that's plural -- Not one but TWO brand new mixes that feature some of my all-time fave #DnB tracks from the last 5 years. (Too much good music!)
Hope you dig the sneak preview! Happy practicing!
xo,
Shortness
💽🎛️💽
p.s. Want me to teach you how to mix? I teach DJ lessons in my LA studio & online via zoom! 🎶🎧🎶
Sign up for private lessons at djshortee.com (🖱Link in bio! 😘)