The rise of the college DJ

Clubbing can be polarizing. One minute you’re complaining about the DJ playing too many sped-up Adele remixes, the next half-minute your fists are jabbing the smoky air, as you crunk-dance to The Killers. At its most pleasant state, going to clubs can foster warm barkada vibes from the dance floor all the way to McDonald’s for 5 a.m. pancakes. At its least pleasant state, going to clubs can be one giant mood swing made up of DJs with questionable taste and terrible timing.

That’s why we look to the rookies to see if they can defend the value of the DJ again, and delve into what they can bring to the turntable. These young DJs from Ateneo, De La Salle, and even Enderun are quickly gaining a following within their campuses. You have the likes of Deuce Manila, a two-lady DJ team — the first in the country — that once opened for hit-maker David Guetta in Manila. You also have DJ Arthur Jarred Tan, who attempts to integrate his dancer reflexes into his hip hop sets. Then you have electro house DJs Jason Go and Bryan J, who are slowly sweeping the city’s clubs.

If you’re curious as to which young DJs are aglow with potential, then you can start prying here.

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Deuce Manila

Female DJ duo Kat DJ (21, DLSU) and Patty Tiu (23, DLSU)

How, when, and why exactly did you get into DJing?

It’s a long story but to cut it short, we were both in the industries of music and clubbing — Patty Tiu as a promoter and Kat DJ as a drummer. We decided to brew up a duo to provide the scene with a different kick.

Where do you regularly play?

The Reserve Liquor Lounge, 7th High Club Room, Fiamma, EDEN Night Club, and Imperial Ice Bar.

What makes your music different from other DJs?

Our music is connected to our own style, expression, and personality. What you’ll hear us play is closely related to what you’ll see in us.

What five things make a party a success?

1) Music. A good selection of tracks and based on experience, sound systems and leveling can either make or break a party. Music that is too loud can easily tire a crowd while music too low can also just throw them off their groove. The right level and proper music set will make and keep the people dancing.

2) Lights. Throw in some strobes, laser lights, and even glow sticks to make a party exciting!

3) Promotions and good. Getting a party to be the talk of the town isn’t so bad; it’s actually a very good thing for the pre-hype of its success.

4) Crowd. If you see people having fun around you, you will, too!

5) Booze. Let’s face it. This is one of the musts in a party! It lets you loosen up and have a little more fun.

If you were to drop two guilty pleasure songs during your set, what would they be?

Mutfakta by Chuckie feat. Gregori Klosman and Move For A Million Voices by Kaskade vs. Otto Knows (Funk Avy Mash-Up)

Any strange club stories?

When a brawl erupted while we were spinning and since we didn’t know what to do, we dropped Party Rock by LMFAO and people started to dance again as if nothing happened.

What do you think of the clubbing scene in Manila?

We’re quite new in the scene but we’ve witnessed the industry evolve throughout the years.

What does the crystal ball look like for you as DJs?

As the only female DJ duo in the Philippines, we do not limit ourselves when it comes to providing music and performances for the people. When the right time comes, we hope to collaborate with veteran local DJs and producers.

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Download Deuce Manila’s mixes for free at mixcloud.com/DeuceManila. Tweet them @DeuceManila and like them at facebook.com/Deuce.Manila.

DJ Arthur

Arthur Jarred Tan (19, Ateneo de Manila University)

How, when, and why exactly did you get into DJing?

I started DJing at home. I self-taught myself after downloading this free software online called “Virtual DJ Home Edition.” I only seriously started practicing and pursuing DJing the summer of 2011 after I graduated from Xavier High School.

My reason for getting into it was my love for the hip-hop and dance culture. I’m currently a dancer for the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADS) and because of my exposure to even more songs, especially ones that would always get us dancing no matter what, I got more and more into DJing. I always found it amazing how a DJ can control the moods of the dance floor and thus the dancers. I wanted to share the knowledge I had in dancing.

After my self-taught days at home, I began to apply and advertise myself around school and almost a year later I found myself in an internship with DayFourProd, the team that handles the parties and events of Fiamma. Months after all the training and commitment, I became a regular DJ for the club and got my name out around Ateneo and other schools.

Where do you regularly play?

I regularly play at Fiamma for either Fiamma Fresh Fridays or their Puma Social Saturdays events. I also regularly DJ for CADS and other school orgs from Ateneo, UP and DLSU.

What makes your music different from other DJs?

I believe what makes my music different is the wide range of both EDM (electronic dance music) and hip-hop music I can play from different generations. I also grew up as a dancer and because of this, I believe my selections and taste in songs are what people enjoy dancing to or even just singing along to in clubs or events. Knowing what music would be appropriate to hype the crowd up (as a dancer myself) is the mindset I use when I’m DJing.

What five things make a party a success?

1) Good location. (A bar has to be) reachable for everyone to get the night interesting.

2) Party pushers. These are the people who always walk around with giant bottles of Bacardi, ready to drown people in alcohol but at the same time aren’t drinking a lot themselves in order to reach more people and get everyone hit.

3) Dark corners and wide sofas. Spots that people can start mingling with each other.

4) Hard and strong alcohol. These can kick-start the night, as well as alcohol that barely tastes like alcohol to keep everyone constantly drinking, thinking, “This isn’t much, I can take a lot.”

5) Last but not least, good music. No party can stay pumping without a good flow of music that the crowd can go crazy for.

If you were to drop two guilty pleasure songs during your set, what would they be?

What Makes You Beautiful (Dave Aue Remix) by One Direction and Starships by Nicki Minaj

Any strange club stories?

I was DJing once for Ateneo’s biology major home org party, where I was told a conversation took place near the restroom that Nicole Ceballos mentioned to me. A man at the party had just thrown up and instead of helping him clean up the vomit, the guys and girls around him came up with theories of why this happened to him. They kept on explaining the chemical processes in their bodies, truly living up to their BS Biology major degree.

What do you think the clubbing scene in Manila lacks?

I think the clubbing scene lacks variety in locations as well as music being played. We should add clubs in other places aside from Makati and The Fort. With regards to the music, I think we should have more clubs that cater to specific genres, too, like hip-hop night clubs, house lounges, clubs strictly for EDM, ‘90s music only clubs, and other (genres).

What does the crystal ball look like for you as a DJ?

Definitely more original material. I’ve been trying to tap into remixing and creating my own beats aside from just DJing in order to further expand my knowledge in this field.

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Check out DJ Arthur’s mixes at facebook.com/servedfreshmnl.

DJ Bryan J

Bryan Jalasco (20, Enderun Colleges)

How, when, and why exactly did you get into DJing?

I was hooked on electronic music back when I was 16. Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff by Deadmau5, plus Steve Aoki’s album “Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles” were the stuff that reeled me into electronic music. And from there on, I decided that I wanted to dive into this world so I started to search for more music and I also started to explore with different DJ softwares, including Torq, MixVibes, Traktor, Mixxx, and Ableton Live.

I only got proper DJ lessons more than a year ago when I was 19, though. Coming from different musical backgrounds, I was naturally interested in broadening my musical influences and knowledge. I got into DJing because I wanted to add something new to my musical skills.

Where do you regularly play?

I don’t have a club residency as of the moment but I play wherever my production team assigns me. Some of the places are Dillinger’s, Relik, and Cova.

What makes your music different from other DJs?

I’m mainly a house DJ but as much as possible, I try to incorporate different genres to my sets, including electro, dubstep, moombahton, and a bit of indie. Also, as much as possible I try to make every set sound different from another; this also serves as a challenge to me as a DJ.

What five things make a party a success?

Good music, alcohol, wild party kids, fireworks, and of course, lasers!

If you were to drop two guilty pleasure songs during your set, what would they be?

Tommy Trash’s version of Sunrise and Zedd’s Spectrum.

Any strange club stories?

Not much, but there was this one time where this kid requested Jason Mraz’s I Won’t Give Up while I was in the middle of playing some heavy electro stuff.

What do you think of the clubbing scene in Manila?

More music festivals. People need to learn to have an open mind and an open ear. I highly encourage them to go and explore the different genres out there and get out of their comfort zone. Levels by Avicii isn’t the only house song out there. (Laughs)

What does the crystal ball look like for you as a DJ?

I hope to get more gigs and more exposure but I know I still have a lot to learn. I’ll still keep on pushing for the scene and for what I love to do. Expect more original material in the years to come!

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Check out DJ Bryan J’x mix tapes at soundcloud.com/brynosaur and original material at mixcloud.com/brynosaur.

DJ Jason Go

Jason Go

(21, DLSU)

How, when, and why exactly did you get into DJing?

My love for music came to me at an early age. There came a point two years ago where I wanted to express my interest in music and so I learned how to DJ, then produce music.

Where do you regularly play?

7th High.

What makes your music different from other DJs?

I mainly play progressive house but slightly flexible. My style is all about melodic synths and heavy bass lines.

What makes a party a success?

The best audience is a drunken audience or house music enthusiasts.

If you were to drop two guilty pleasure songs during your set, what would they be?

Deniz Koyu and Fedde Le Grande’s remix of Zdarlight and Night Like This (Dyro remix) by Angger Dimas and Laidback Luke.

Any strange club stories?

Deaf people in a club. That’s pretty strange.

What do you think of the clubbing scene in Manila?

The scene basically lacks people who actually know their music. Musically educated people always make a better crowd which makes a better party.

What does the crystal ball look like for you as a DJ?

Expect new mash-ups and original productions on my SoundCloud.

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Check out DJ Jason Go’s music at soundcloud.com/ja5on-1.