Another way to get the evening rockin’ is a bit of lively (or soothing) music. Many of the resorts will offer DJs who can provide a personal touch to the playlist. They often read the crowd and adapt the music they play based on how people are responding and the vibe. One of the top DJs in the Maldives is Aminath Fazleena Abbas. While some resorts jet in DJs from around the world, “Angie” (as she has been classed since a young age) hails from her hometown of Male. She might just be the top female DJ in the Maldives (DJing has been a bit of a male dominated domain as only 2 of DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJ acts are women. And curiously, both acts are duos). Maldives Complete caught up with Angie for an exclusive interview into the world of bopping in paradise….
1. How did you get interested in DJing?
I have always had interest in music and dancing, during my studies abroad i used to watch a lot of DJs perform and get fascinated by how they controlled the crowd through music. The thought crossed my mind through observation i would say.
2. What was your first gig?
My first gig was held in Kuda Bandos island for a crowd of around 200 people.
3. Where was your first resort gig?
Dusit Thani Resort for New year 2013
4. What was your biggest gig?
‘Cupid’ event held in Buba Restaurant and beach club Sri Lanka for a crowd of 2500.
5. What advice would you give to other Maldivians interested in DJing?
If you have passion for DJing, Learn, Practice and work towards it.. With effort you can yield big results in any walk of life.
6. What’s the hardest part about a DJ gig?
Interruptions during performance and trying to please crowd of various tastes.
7. Which big name DJs do you admire?
Chemical brothers, Nina kraviz, four tet..
8. What other resorts have you performed at?
Velaa, Taj Exotica, Anantara Digu, Anantara Naladu, Amilla Fushi, Como Maalifushi, One and only Reethi Rah, Soneva Fushi, Sun Island, Cinnamon Dhonveli , Fihalhohi , Cinammon Hakuraa
8. Do the resorts differ in terms of what sort of music/performance they are looking for?
There is just a handful of resort where i could play genres i want. Usually resort either prefers commercial dance music or chill-out, deep house genres. I have noticed that most high end resorts prefer the latter.
9. What is your personal favourite dance song?
Challenging question as there are too many songs i love.. These are few I am into these days:
- Daniel Portman – The reason
- Peniciline – Alberto Feria alvaro
- Droplex – Dance
10. What is your go-to song to get people dancing?
Deorro, TJR, Bassjackers
11. What are your 3 most requested songs?
Commercial dance music artists like Pitbull, Rhanna, Nicki Minaj
12. What are your 3 favourite romantic songs (for those honeymooners)?
- Disclosure by Latch
- Praise You by Fatboy Slim (Maribou remix)
- Stolen Dance by Milky Chance.
13. What are your 3 favourite “chill out” songs (reflecting the soothing vibe of the Maldives)?
- Bungalow by Boy Tedson
- 65 percent by Kaya Project
- Stuck in a dream by Soulavenue
I’m A 16 Year Old Maldivian Boy And And I Always Dream About Being A DJ,Can I Be! And What Do I Need? And Also What Education Do I Need? Please Leave A Reply. 🙂
Ali – Here are some hints for you…
1. DEVOUR MUSIC – All kinds of music. The more the better. Get your knowledge base of styles, artists and songs as wide and deep as possible.
2. LEARN FROM OTHERS – As you are doing here, meet and talk to other experts. Ask them for their tips an experience.
3. FREE SAMPLE PRACTICE – Offer your services to resorts for free. You will get valuable experience as well as references.
4. READ YOUR AUDIENCE – This is the most important tip. This is the one that you need #3 for. Too many DJ’s think that the craft is about performing, but it’s really about observing. Remember, you are not playing for yourself, you are playing for your audience. Play what they want to hear, not what you want to hear.
Yes, there are some universal crowd pleasers that get *most* people going on the dance floor (or soothes them if they are in chill mode), but even those can be overplayed and not foolproof. The best professional DJs know how to read an audience. There are a few dimensions to this critical aspect…
a. PROFILING – A bit of it is profiling (which is shamefully, but often very effective prejudice). Knowing which external attributes of the people on the floor will imply what music will resonate most strongly. The two biggest variables are (a) culture/country, and (b) age, but there are others. A group of middle aged Germans will not likely be rocking to the same tunes that get a group of Chinese teenagers going.
b. ADAPTING – Never let these superficial biases get in the way of real time observation. Maybe you see the energy on the floor really pick up with a song that you wouldn’t have expected to be a hit with the profile of folks dancing. Listen to the audience feedback and adjust your choices accordingly. Choose other songs that share characteristics to the successful song even if you wouldn’t have thought that the audience would like such a song. Let the audience’s immediate feedback rule over profiling.
c. BLENDING – What do you do when half the floor is middle aged Germans and the other half is teenage Chinese? The creative bit comes in drawing on your massive library of song knowledge (see #1) to pull up some tunes that actually both groups would really like.
d. SHIFTING – You have to know when and how to “shift gears”. The music that works at the beginning of the evening likely will not work at the end of the evening. Are people getting into the groove and wanting to amp up the energy? Or are people starting to fade and would welcome turning it down a bit? Do they need a nice slow piece to provide a break after a particularly energetic song?
With the Maldives being such an international hub, DJ’s will be inundated with an incredible diversity of customers. Being able to learn what tends to work for various groups and then adjust according to how they react to your song choices will be a valuable skill that resorts will pay dearly for. Good luck!
Hi! Many Thanks For Your Reply! 🙂
Also Where Can I Get DJ Equipments??
Ebay?
Of Course,Bruce! Many Thanks For Your Respond! 🙂