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| Sunday, 8 September 2002 |
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A mobile DJ now, DJ Tim is seen in popular action at the Blue Waters during the weekends, and at many events and functions produced by Funtime. His is a crowded schedule what with being the official DJ for Sri Lankan Airlines publicity promotions, and he looks forward to a night where he could switch off and go to sleep early!
Trendy outfits: Yes. The casual and smart ones. I like jeans with bush cut shirts. Hair do's: No! I've been through that phase - tints and hair do's. What inspired you to become a DJ: I was inspired by the late DJ Steve Jay. Funnily at College - St. Peter's College - I was into interact and more into debating and drama. I wasn't into music, although many musicians were produced by College. My parents were into music and they were country music fans. So our house echoed with music. There were frequent singing sessions and parties which meant that guitar and the organ came out of their resting places! I was exposed to pop when I went for house parties and my interest in DJing triggered when I first saw Steve Jay perform at the North Lawn, Taj Samudra. It opened up a whole new world for me... When did you turn professional: My first event in Colombo was a dance titled "Gonna Make You Sweat", arranged by me and my fellow DJs. But actually professional DJing started with Howard Brohier at Le Casino, Galadari Hotel Roof Top. He taught me how to spin vinyl discs. From then on I kept going.... Fav music: I don't want to categorise the music. I am a DJ and I would prefer to take a liking to a particular type of music because my business is to entertain a varied clientele. Fav song of 80's and 90's: There's no favourite song of 80's and 90's for me, but my all time fav song is 'Don't Stop Till You Get Enough' by Michael Jackson. I give it a spin ever so often. How much of a party guy are you: Not that much. More than me partying, I'm making people party. Are you superstitious: My whole family believe in horoscopes. But not me. I think it is all in the mind. What's your opinion of mixing with vinyls and not CDs: Vinyl is more a hands on experience. You are then a working DJ, where as on a CD you have tracks. Vinyl sounds better over the speakers. The majority of DJs play CDs because most of the music is available on CD. Nobody sells vinyl in this country. It is costly so the CD is the easy way out. How about DJ patter: If you are a night club DJ judgement of the crowd is essential. A good flow of music is necessary. It is not vital to recognise everybody who walks in your front door. Playing a dedication to a 'special person' is something else. If you are a mobile DJ you can entertain the dancers. Were you a full time resident DJ: Yes. First it was Peacock at Mount Royale, then Sante Fe and Saxophone with Eugene Cooke, and after that Legends and Library. Any fav foreign DJ: Not really. I listen to a lot of tracks recorded by foreign DJ's and try to pick up some points on non stop mixing - however the creativity is my own. What other profession would you like to be in: I'm an artist. Maybe I would have selected to be a graphics designer. Pet hates: Cat's fur that congests my sound system. Worst hit song of 90's: Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus. When I was in England I watched a talk show in which they declared it was the worst song that was ever recorded. Which character would you like to play in a film: A serial killer. Fav cartoon character: Scooby Doo and Popeye. Do you diet or work out: No! Lugging the equipment around is good enough exercise. If you won 2 million rupees how would you spend it: On the stable side I would bank it and use the interest for my extra curricular activities or bust it on a nice set of wheels. Does the success of a DJ depend on skill or hype: It is skills. The skill of how you judge your audience, talk to your audience and present your music to the youth or adult audience. People don't give much recognition to DJ's. A band on stage plays 45 minutes sets but we play all night with no breaks and a wider repertoire. Unfortunately there are too many amateur jockeys on the scene and they diffuse professionalism. |
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Name: DJ Tim (Timothy Claessen)
