THE RISE OF DJ’S

Lauren BramleySelf Initiated Brief

Lecturers: Paul Gummer & Ian Rotherham

THE RISE OF DJ’S

Vivvek Gargi talks to Lauren Bramley about life as a working DJ in the clubbing scene, and what he thinks about the music industry.Words and photography by Lauren Bramley.

Full name: Vivvek GargiStage name: V.I.VAge: 22Where are you from?: SeychellesWhere are you based now?: Nelson, NZGenre of music you create: Currently not producing. Mainly creating mashups, bootlegs and edits.Genres: Electro House, Progressive, Tech & Dutch House, Trance and the odd Top40.

DJ V.I.V . TH

E RISE OF DJ’S

DJ V.I.V . TH

E RISE OF DJ’S

When was the first time you realized you had a passion for music?:If my memory serves me right, I think I was 15. I started off making polyphonic ringtones and also modifying existing ones by adding nifty little kick drums, snares and percussions to make it sound catchy.

When did you know you wanted to make music a career?:I haven’t decided if I’ve wanted to make a career out of it. I currently DJ over Fridays and majority of the weekends. I’m a Food Technologist by qualification and DJ’n has just been a passion.

What does music mean to you?:I define music as a source of energy. It has the ability to make individuals move their bodies in a co-ordinated or an uncoordinated manner. It has played a huge role in the last 6 years of my life and i consider it to have a nurturing effect.

How does it feel when you perform?:At the start of my sets, I’m quite conservative about my track choices just because the crowd has to be warmed up before getting into some real heavy stuff. I’m normally amped for majority of my sets.

DJ V.I.V . TH

E RISE OF DJ’S

DJ V.I.V . TH

E RISE OF DJ’S

DJ V.I.V AT THE EMPTY VESSEL, PALMERSTON NORTH

How much does the crowd influence your performance when performing at live events?:The crowd has a highly significant effect on a DJ’s live set; triggering the right song at the right moment can have a phenomenal response (but the adverse effect is also possible but not as likely). I tend to use plenty of well known songs where the crowd can engage and sing the chorus, this helps to keep the crowd’s rapport and also in the club/bar for longer.

Who/what inspires you in life and the music industry?:Hardworking individuals inspire me in

life and in music, no matter who theindividual is. I don’t have any personal favourites.

What do you think of the music industry?:The music industry is like the fashion industry, it’s very trendy. Some artists are one hit wonders and some hang around for a while longer. The industry has become very competitive over the last 5 years, especially with the increased popularity of social networking and audio/video sharing sites.

DJ V.I.V . TH

E RISE OF DJ’S

DJ V.I.V . TH

E RISE OF DJ’S

What has been your greatest achievement so far?:Releasing my first mash tape album. May 4th 2013.

Where do you want to be in 5 years time?:Would love to travel and play to different crowds around the globe and share a bit of the kiwi flavour in the form of music.

Any advice for up and coming musicians?:Work hard and be confident with what you create. Nothing is more off putting than an indecisive musician.

Hardworking individuals inspire me in life and in music, no matter who the

individual is...

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DJ V.I.V . TH

E RISE OF DJ’S

DJ V.I.V . TH

E RISE OF DJ’S

DJ V.I.V AT THE EMPTY VESSEL, PALMERSTON NORTH