I had no decks to begin with, I was on a hunt, as I now knew how to beatmatch, all that was missing were some freaken decks! ha I landed up djing at a poi / hoop jam in Clapham Junction (I travelled all the way from Surbiton after work to get there) as they had open decks. I must admit my first set was super bad. Who knew you had to arrange music first and make sure they go together harmonically... ha.. so my next set was better... I landed (I have no Idea how) a gig in Amsterdam this was my official. I was soooo nervous. I landed up djing one of the last as the other DJ's kept swopping set times with me. I was a wreck, serious shaking and all drank neat vodka still never shook the nerves ha. Anyway all went Kiff and DJ Amethyst was born. I got loads of gigs after that. I even headlined in Croatia, DJ-d in the Sahara and even my home country. Anyway my style changed a lot think I was far to curious about the other music genres. I had to learn to DJ it all.
Yip my range of djing goes from 123 -150 bpm. I like it all. Oh did I ever tell you that I had to take 6months of DJing in 2012. Amethyst was kicked off the decks. I rushed I never got to understand the true reality of DJing. Yes there is a lot more to Djing than a beatmatch and make sure you beatmatch cause the world will eat you alive! I landed up begging for a return to my Label Manager at the time (Mutagen Records) . I Dj-d a progressive set. I was very nervous but came back with a mega hit! I had pioneer 100's (dodgy to) and then basic mixer- my first 2 mixes was horrible. Seriously my sister came over and said you can freaken do this! Those words of inspiration just pulled everything together - the dance floor went from grave yard empty to heaven people enjoying themselves each mix nailing. I could have cried. The pressure I put myself under no one should but I do it a lot because I feel like I have something to prove .
In 2013 Miss Kiff was launched after hearing some killa tunes from Ben Coda & Ipcress... my first gig was at Inspiral Lounge in Camden. Goddess Grooves . I only landed a gig in March 2014. Soon after came Emma's Event Emporium in April 2014.
In June I booked an Elixir event in the second room, it was not till I landed the Juno Reactor gig I thought to myself I might have something here... I was on the same time as Juno Reactor, now who can compete.. well to my surprise the whole room where I was Djing was pumping with energy! Plus I had all my friends there even my bestie Kimmy who lives in SA... So after this I heard about the Lisa Lashes DJ competition and I thought screw it I will enter. With the hope that I get to the top 5! I landed another gig in London on the 5th December 2014, I also had my own event for upcoming DJ's that night in Inspiral.
So the closing date was coming near to all girls on decks competition and I really needed to boost my plays, so I started an event page on Facebook and made a banner.
The 28th was drawing near and having Christmas coming and me being absolutely broke. Seriously from June 2014 -December 2014 - I moved to Liverpool from London and times were proper tough. So entering this competition unintentionally it meant the world to be to bring me goodness.
Continuing we landed up going to Whitby for Christmas and the 28th was coming to a close I was 6th place. I did all I could. 2 Weeks later I receive and email telling me I have made the top 5! I was shocked how? A unfortunately a girl was illuminated (I felt so bad for her). On the upside I had the chance to meet Lisa Lashes.
Starting my 2015 to a Kiff I also managed to get a job and the day I had to DJ in the final I was working at 2:30pm in Liverpool the DJ Comp was 11am in Manchester that morning. I still did it and had the best time ever my 40 mins of awesomeness wish I could do that all the time. So hopefully leaving SSR in Manchester Miss Kiff had work duties.
The Finalists shown above were awesome I thought I had no chance considering they have a lot more experience than me however I did my best.
The next 2 months flew by so much happened. I got a phone call receiving the best news ever that I had won. Yasis I cried totally didn't realise I had also won prizes as well! A Mac , Controller , DJ headphones, UBU products, Designer outfit. Musicology and DJing in London.!
Can I just say again how grateful I am , this competition has shown me how much I can DJ and that I have found the tempo and drive of music I now wish to produce.
See you Tuesday on the decks at Cafe De Paris in London.
