Synchronicity and balance

MANILA, Philippines - There is an explosion that takes over, something that allows an individual DJ to play continuously for a crowd, keeping the momentum and building the energy as the day or night goes on. But more often than not, people are under the impression that DJ-ing is always a solitary venture, rather than a group endeavor. The Diegos, however, demonstrate this back-and-forth approach. Like many DJ duos, the two Diegos picked up music at an early age. Starting off with different bands, the pair discovered a way to work together as one smooth unit. Known as the lead guitarist and backup vocalist of Sandwich, Diego Castillo found a whole new stretch of musical adventure with pal Diego Mapa, who is also part of different musical projects like Cambio, Pedicab and his solo electronic avenue Eggboy. What is crystal clear, however, is that The Diegos, individually or paired, have a massive impact on local music. Years on, they still manage to find ways to keep us — and themselves — hooked on everything they get spinning.

Drawing influence from local acts and a Belgian band called Soulwax whose two members are a thriving DJ duo, 2manydjs, these two musicians were propelled to hit the turntables without being limited to one single genre. With fine-tuned musical antennae, they concentrate on playing stimulating music for listeners’ ears. The Diegos believe in “reading” a room and playing what folks want to hear without being too predictable. Imagining their ideal set, they always find delight in “a connecting and an open-minded crowd who respond to you. Crowds who want to hear new tunes and not only those available to them.” They add: “The trick is to play a popular song, then you play a similar piece that not many know of. You get their attention that way. As much as you want to play 100 obscure songs, it’s unfair. We give, we introduce and we surprise each other.”

Learning to “feel” the music is said to be the key to creating a remarkable dance journey. On top of that, a good DJ must display musical knowledge. The moral of the story is that no matter how much you imagine your night going, being flexible to the audience mood is what’s going to make you prosper through the night. Castillo adds: “Even if it’s just three people going insane, I can play for 10 more hours when you feel you’re feed off each other. The music is dictated by what they’re going through and you’re trying to find the right kind of music. You want to achieve balance.” There seems to be an invisible sixth sense guiding good deejays, and it’s that ability to read the subtleties of the crowd’s energy.

Ideally, they can anticipate what direction the other person will take next. Mapa says: “There is rapport but we never practice. In the years we’ve played together, we get ready but we never practice. It becomes a game within a game and we beat-match it.” He adds, “If it becomes a train wreck, have confidence. Being able to beat-match and doing that right is not the goal. The goal is to make the kids happy. We can have the cleanest set but if they won’t have fun, that’s something we don’t want.”

During the prom-themed anniversary party of Young STAR last Tuesday, The Diegos undoubtedly gave the crowd something to dance to — you wish your prom could have been as wildly diverting. When asked about their own prom experiences, they said they remember it as the night they first wore suits and ties. “It felt like a John Hughes film and hopefully you came off as pretty charming,” Castillo jokes. Despite their many episodes behind the decks, the pair keeps looking for the next mix: with a possible upcoming vinyl release, The Diegos are undoubtedly on their way to some new musical grooves.