Mixing It Up

By DJ/Producer Oren Nizri
Originally appeared in 411 Magazine
Thursday, July 2nd 2008

During my eight years as a professional DJ, I have performed in numerous parties and settings worldwide.

From being a radio DJ in my native Israel, to intimate house parties and then European mega-clubs to high-end social gatherings and venues in America, I have polished my skills and become an entertainer. As cliché as it may sound, a DJ’s top priority should always be the crowd. We are there to please and entertain the partygoers. We need to follow basics like reading the crowd’s moods, preferences, interests and expectations and then adapt ourselves to each unique party and venue.

Beats, clubs, music styles and generations constantly evolve. There is nothing set about what to spin for a particular party or event, as I explained before. However, if you ask me how I would conduct my set in the following concepts, this is what I would keep in mind:

A High-End Event or Hotel Party

I would start my set with uplifting lounge music, moving to deep and soulful house with funky beats and vocals. As the night grows, I would build my set to more upbeat funky house tracks for the vibe to be able to groove with the right beats, the cocktails and the ambiance.

July 4th House Party

I would bring a very diverse selection of music, and I even would be ready to hear a lot of requests! I would start the evening with a fun and commercial open format since intimate gatherings usually enjoy all kinds of music. Then I would play more dance music with a throw of some other styles but ones that most guests could recognize.

Afterhours

Some crowds enjoy morning music that is more relaxing and Ibiza-style, which allows you to rest a bit and chill after dancing all night. Other crowds prefer to continue the party with the dark, sleazy, tribal, and electro beats to continue with the euphoria and the excitement until the following day.

A High-Energy Lounge

I would start spinning very upbeat European-style funky tunes and even include old school house tracks for the first couple of hours. Then I would move to big room vocal house music with great beats and a happy vibe. I would combine commercial, classics and new tracks throughout the night.

A Megaclub or a Circuit Party

I would start the night with very high-energy deep and soulful house and move to big room club music. In peak hours, I would play driven tribal beats and I certainly be open to get experimental as well. To me, the important thing would be not to give a break to the dance floor.

Happy July the 4th Weekend! I am sure I will see you dancing around this Summer!

Best regards,
DJ/Producer Oren Nizri