Ian K.

Sometimes the mistakes we make are the most important lessons we can learn. It teaches us that every time we attempt something new, there's something to be gained, and that just the simple act of TRYING has inherent value.

You'll never learn to weld without catching a few things on fire and you'll never learn to dance if you're afraid of making the wrong move! Creativity is the art of taking risks, learning from those experiences and taking those lessons with you into your next project!

Long ‪#‎MotivationalMonday‬ post today!

Over the weekend I posted a video mix on YouTube, and today I got the following comment on it:

"I really like some tracks/remixes you produced, but I'm sorry to say I'm disappointed in this mix  I hope you get better in this =] P.S.: try it with CDJs or Vinyls, not with a laptop... I tried playing with CD controllers, but it's just not the same, there's no fun when the software does all the beatmatching for you... I hope it helps, cheers!!"

Here is my reply:

"I've played on vinyl sine the late 90s, played on CDJs since they came on the scene and am now pursuing even more new ways to incorporate technology into what I do. I still love vinyl which is why I prefer to scratch on a 1200 over anything.

Whether or not I play on CDs, vinyl or a controller, my hope is to continue to push what we as DJs can do to bring our vision to life. I'm sorry that that fact that I don't play using the tools you prefer disappoints you, but I feel I have nothing to prove to anyone about how I perform.

Arguments about utilizing technology is tired. I was told the same thing when I first used CDJs, that it's "cheating". What technology allows us to do is pursue new horizons with what is possible with DJing. Technique, style and skill don't come from a laptop, it comes from practice and experience!"

I hear this pretty regularly, when someone feels the need to tell me that what I do isn't REAL DJ'ing. That I am a cheater. That I suck for using a laptop. That I sold out. That I am a fake with no talent.

None of it bothers me much though, because it just gives me more motivation to push my skills and put in even more effort to become the best I can be. So this is my message to YOU on this #MotivationalMonday; don't ever let ANYONE put you into a box regarding your art! Let your work speak for itself, don't ever feel the need to change your art to fit anyone's expectations. Push yourself, even when others tell you not to or to stick with what's safe and known!