Category: djing

Eight Random Things About Me

BobbieLeave a comment

Apologies in advance for this. I was tagged…
I was tagged again, so I’ll cheat by recycling!

1. I was called Roberta up until the age of 18. I honestly thought this was my name until I saw my birth certificate which clearly states Bobbie-Jane (like something out ‘The Waltons”). People from my past and my mum (when I am naughty) still use it.

2. I am allergic to fish. This makes me sad.

3. I speak Japanese and can write some kanji.

4. I sailed from Aberdeen, UK to Trondheim, Norway in the Cutty Sark Tall Ships’ Race ’97. I was the only student that wasn’t sick and made a roast dinner whilst sailing across the North Sea.

5. I used to aspire to be like my private French tutor Isobelle (a bohemian, sensual 20 something with hairy pits, big boobs, blue hair and drove a Citroen). A couple months back, we met randomly at local pub and I could still sing to her the songs she taught me. It was lovely and a bit weird.

6. I wanted to travel to James Bond Island, Phuket, Thailand around the disastrous tsunami time ’03 but because it was so far south went to Koh Phangan instead. I was kayaking at the time…

7. I have tiny ears, no, really.

8. I was premature by 2 months so an incubator was my first home.

Mama Feeling Good!

BobbieLeave a comment

I had a wicked time djing at Mama Feel Good!- a night that I run at the Bull’s Head, Moseley last Saturday. November is meant to be a ropey month for the promoter; what with the Christmas consumerism rush, but no, we had good numbers all night!
We had some lovely breakers come down- (no ego/arrogance) and their presence made it fun for us. The floor was sweaty most of the night- and it was great to hear my new- yet- old original 45s played out for the first time. I have not had so much fun in ages!!

Melting my heart and playing the game

Bobbie2 Comments

2 weeks until half term and I can’t wait! I have not had a holiday since I became a free-lancer in spring, a little break away is much needed.

‘Bass Culture’ is going really well, we have had hardly any hiccups, which is reassuringly nice. After weeks of not knowing when Apple were going to deliver 16 Imacs from its new eastern distribution arsenal- they finally arrived- and were installed after 2 weeks. We were able to take participants through the basic of Logic Express- using loops to affiliate participants with the program. It all seems to be making sense- applying the beats and skills learnt in practical activities to virtual music software.

I am really enjoying the sessions- there is one group in particular, a year nine class that bedazzle me with their intellect and great attitudes. They have the maturity to actively take part in all exercises; they are open-minded and know quite a fair bit about black music. There are two quiet, gentle lads, who melt my heart each week- they exude such a warmth and genuine quality. So far, every time they have displayed their work to me, I start gushing like a pregnant woman watching a schmaltzy US film. I am sure they think I am weird.

The music teaching is going okay- having to up my game each week, and my voice projection is getting better, getting deeper and louder- soon I shall be giving the late Barry White a run for his money!!

One thing I am really not nailing hard is the publicity/marketing side. How I loathe it! The sarcastic school secretaries, the self-promotion, being vulnerable to whether people want to buy into your ‘product’- yuck!! Yet it is a total necessity- Music Leader are doing a really good networking/ buyers meet sellers marketplace, yet I cannot setup a stall as it falls on a school day and I simply cannot get to Wolvs on time. Booo!!

The Djing is going okay, but, I would not mind more gigs around the UK or abroad- it has been over a year since we started up at the Bull’s Head- time for MFG! development. Stupid Djing question of the month- asked whilst I am playing a funk 45.

Drunk, quite stylish punter: ‘Do you have anything that’s like really old?’

Me: ‘Like how old?’

Punter: ‘Like 15 years old, nothing modern’.

Me: ‘This is about 40 years old’.

Punter: ‘Yeah, you know what I mean’.

I really didn’t. I retold the story to Sister 45 and we sighed. Drunk people; they say the funniest things!

Ice-breaker DJing Workshop West Bromwich

Bobbie2 Comments


DSCN1574
Originally uploaded by Bobbalinhot.

Today I worked for DynamicsArts for the first time! It was a great experience working with young mothers, trying to build self-esteem and have fun with the decks!

I managed to get some ladies to have a mess around with the technics and it was lovely to see big happy smiles on participant’s faces, hear exclamations of ‘Wicked!!’ from Lindsey and have loads of fun working!!

I also learned first hand the grievances and difficulties many young mothers have to go through; be it the judging glares of the public, the media stating that all young mothers decide to have children in order to get council housing and how quite often they are treated badly by midwives; which is absolutely appalling! I was astounded by how wise and mature some of the younger mothers were. One mother, aged around 12/13 gave excellent advice to new parents. The way she spoke exuded more common sense than some 20 somethings I know…

Some of the points that were brought up were:

1. Young people prefer people their own age to educate them about sex and parenting.

2. Leaflets about breasting feeding could never substitute a demonstration or discussion.

3. More information about getting back into education and professional development needed.

I hope to do more workshops that involve this sector. I would love to help young people of all walks of life express and help themselves through music.

Still don’t have a business card and have been asked several times for one; twice today!! I need to get this sorted quick smart!