I am slightly behind on blogging to say the least. In fact this is only my second post... and it's months late, but boy it's a biggie! Whilst wearing my AFEM hat last year I was lucky to be a small part of the team behind the music documentary 'Why We DJ - Slaves to the Rhythm'. It investigates the reality of what being a professional DJ is really like, from the hype and parties to relentless touring and the toll that it can take on both physical and mental health.
Produced by the awesome Mel Sutton and Dan Tait at Pioneer DJ Sounds it premiered on 18th October at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2017 in the YouTube Lounge to a full house! Much thanks goes to YouTube's ever-collaborative Eva Dreyer and David Mogendorff for helping make the event happen. The feature is now online on the web, YouTube and Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Pioneer.DJsounds/videos/10155867727094329/
Attendees were welcomed by Vivien Lewit, YouTube Global Head of Artist Relations, followed by a documentary introduction from Dan Tait and Mark Laurence from AFEM. The screening was then followed by a really great, honest and candid Q & A with B.Traits and Ben Pearce with audience involvement.
As you can see from the photos there was a great turnout on the night and so much positive support from the industry. The feedback on the film has been overwhelming, everyone loved it and were very impressed with how much every interviewee shared - the honesty, the openness, the care - everything!
Mel Sutton summed up everyone's feelings perfectly by saying "We are so proud of everyone involved and this is just the start of raising awareness on such an important topic."
With ADE hosting a whole AFEM Panel on Protecting Mental & Physical Health for Fans & Professionals, 2017 really saw the subject take centre stage in Amsterdam. The hope is that this most vital of topics - the mental and physical wellbeing of those in the electronic music industry - continues to get the attention it deserves worldwide, in 2018 and beyond.
Watch 'Why We DJ - Slaves To The Rhythm' in all its inspiring glory here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFmfOSt2uCE