MellowDy

Interview with a DJ: MellowDy

Many of us will know MellowDy as a talented builder and DJ. Together with her partner Alan she is the driving force behind the Blue Note. We couldn’t think of a better person to launch our new series of DJ interviews.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into DJ’ing? Was it something you always wanted to do?

I landed on 3dx in november 2021. I was on an alternate version of the game before that, where I learnt the basics of building. When I understood there was an official game, with a bigger community and more build features, I moved.

DJ’ing was absolutely not on my mind. I do not consider myself a DJ. Not everyone agrees on what you are supposed to be able to do to be called one. I see myself as a music lover, foremost.

How long did it take you to learn to DJ, and what was that process like? Did you pick things up on your own or have guidance along the way?

I was used to opening a room without any planning or agenda and to just play the stuff I like. I’m not really a nerd, so I was using a very basic online service called Zeno.

One day, a friend who was hosting a blues club came to me. One of his regular DJ’s was sick and he needed to fill the slot urgently. The blues being my roots, I ended up accepting and made my debut there.

It has not been as complicated as I thought. A friend guided me through the setup of my first broadcaster. With time, once you get to know how one broadcaster works, you feel more comfortable with others.

Of course, talking to other DJ’s helps a lot. There’s always someone doing things differently, or having advanced knowledge of a tool. It’s the quickest way to learn: talk with experienced people, and practice.

What software and equipment do you use for your sets, Are there any tools or plugins you’d recommend for aspiring DJs?

I’m using RadioBoss as a broadcaster. I like the fact it’s not too greedy on computer resources. But it offers all the functions you might need. It’s pretty intuitive, it’s not like those powerful but confusing softwares that give you the feeling you’re driving a spaceship.

Deciding to do voice though, that was a brave step!

I was feeling awkward about my french accent. I remember one day, I was spinning for Coffee & Tunes. One guest sent me a pm, saying: “could you speak English please, or translate what you’re saying?” When I was actually speaking English!

Today still, I find myself asking one friend or another: “was it ok, can you understand me?”

How would you describe your music style, and what influences your selection? Any genres or artists that particularly inspire you?

I’ve been raised on rock and blues. So I guess those genres are in the middle of my comfort zone. Being an amateur musician in real life has enlarged my musical horizons. I’m also a very curious and avid listener.

When I’ve got a set to prepare, my very first criterium is the room and the people. I try to go there a couple of times beforehand, to catch the vibe. Very quickly there’s a couple of songs I know I absolutely want to play, and others are found by browsing my library, or youtube. The aim is to get something consistent, with smooth transitions, and to keep the audience expecting more !

I always have a pool of extra songs, in case I feel the guests were expecting something different, so I can adjust my set anytime.

In the end you have to find the right balance between what fits the room and what you feel like playing. Keep some mainstream tracks and bring some new or unknown things.

I made this mistake once, at the BlueNote. I created my set, and I did it without thinking too much. But I forgot that a song can be familiar to me, but it isn’t for everyone, especially with blues which isn’t the most popular style. I almost emptied the dancefloor that day. The lesson was learnt: some mainstream tunes are necessary

Performing in a virtual space like 3DX must be unique—what’s been your most memorable gig so far?

I hesitate a litle concerning the most memorable gig, but one stands out in my heart: the House of Blues Grand Opening.

First because Alan and I worked hard on the venue, but it was also the 1st anniversary of the Blue Note. We opened a little longer that day, so each DJ got to play. We really felt like a united crew and we created an amazing memory together.

How do you keep your audience engaged?

Our discord server is a helpful tool in allowing us to hold people’s attention. Nothing new here, lots of clubs are doing that.
We communicate about the special events, share pictures or videos, but we also encourage our followers to toss their song requests in there, or to dare the DJ to find a song related to a specific item of their choice.

It can be hard trying to keep things going.

That’s why we didn’t hesitate to take a break end of December. We didn’t skip a single week during the past year. Everyone needed to breathe a bit and recharge. It’s not a job, even if it feels like it is sometimes. It must be fun and entertaining foremost.

I very rarely said no to a gig in the past. Now it’s a little bit different. Meeting new people and playing at different places created new opportunities. But I found myself chasing time, doing things at the last minute. So Alan is also here to ensure I don’t take on more than I can handle, because saying no is still a struggle for me.

What does music mean to you on a personal level, has it played a significant role in your life?

Absolutely! It’s an important part of my real life. I’m a guitar player. But even before I started to learn, music has always been mandatory for me. I remember the very first appartement I had when I left my parental hive: I had to make some choices, because getting settled is costly when you start out in life. I didn’t debate at all when I had to choose between a high tech Hi-Fi or a TV with all the network subscriptions. I never regretted my choice !

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three tracks to listen to forever, which ones would you pick—and why?

I would say: Change the world by Clapton, Space Oddity by Bowie and Private Investigations by Dire Straits. But, this answer is only valid for 24h! It’s too hard to pick only 3!

Do you have any parting words?

I’d like to thank some people who meant a lot on my journey as DJ:

• CodyHolden, who gave me my very first slot in his blues club, 4 years ago.

• CuriousRet, for helping me understand the kind of DJ I wanted to be.

• MuffinMunroe, for all his technical support, and showing me how much fun it can be.

• LoganJames, my musical soulmate.

• Sahyuri, for expanding my musical horizons and getting me out of my comfort zone.

And my bratty but adorable hubby, Alan, for his unconditional support, no matter what.

With special thanks to MellowDy.