Emerging from Melbourne’s ever growing list of talented DJs are Danni B, Sass and Miss Chris.  With killer looks and killer tunes these girls are in demand all over Melbourne dance floors with guest appearances and residencies that collectively include Loco Por La Musica, Pressure, Private Function, Hot Wax Salon, the recently launched “Unknown” and Melbourne’s Kiss FM radio station just to name a few.

Having some female faith and utilising a niche in the market Danni B has brought the three girls together to form “Tickled Pink”.  A fun and funk filled night where the ladies take charge of the decks inviting a male guest or “Flavour of the Month” to share in the festivities.  To date the girls have played alongside Melbourne’s Keltec and Max Koenig, with their last instalment featuring San Francisco’s Chris Lum.

Being female, and a Wanna-Be DJ I was curious to know just what it takes to be “pink”.   The ups and downs of working in a currently male dominated industry, how they got there and just who should apply for a future spot as “Flavour of the Month”.  The girls took some time out to tell me what it’s all about.

Danni B

You are responsible for putting Tickled Pink together.  How did you go about choosing the residents for the night?

Well it was an easy choice really, I wanted to have an all female resident base & I already knew Sass & Miss Chris & admired their DJing skills so it all fell into place.  I think between the three of us, we have a great mix of style & I figured if they rock my world they are going to rock everyone else’s.

You owned many records before making the decision to give mixing a go.  Was there a particular event or experience that brought you to this decision?

The first record I ever bought was Sasha’s Expander EP. I know it sounds lame & clichéd’ but that really changed the way I felt about dance music. After about a year of collecting, I thought well maybe I should give this a go.

If you were placing an ad in the classifieds to recruit your next “Flavour of the Month” how would the advertisement read?

“Seeking a fun male DJ, who plays funky tunes & doesn’t mind being ‘Tickled’ by three ladies.

Which female do you believe to be the most influential in dance music?

Well it’s hard to say as everyone is influenced in a different way depending on your taste, but for me Miss Kitten has been the most influential. She is just so talented & has been around forever but always keeps things interesting & fresh. Her production is just amazing. She is really someone to aspire to. Sister Bliss was the first female DJ I ever saw play & I thought “Wow I want to do that”

Sass

You have recently started working with Ableton Live.  How do you find it in comparison to mixing with vinyl or CD’s? Can you see yourself utilizing this program more in the future?

Ableton Live is a really good for mixing demo’s because you have perfect control over what you’re doing with the music. As far as using it to mix a live set in front of a crowd goes I’m way behind! I’m really only starting to get the hang of it and spent a few weekends just getting a one hour mix together so I don’t see myself using it live anytime soon.  I also really love the feel of the CDJs and vinyl. I love spinning the wheels and pressing all the buttons and the physical skill that’s involved in DJing with that type of equipment. I don’t really see myself getting pumped up over a tune and just as the big beat comes in clicking a little button on a mouse! It just wouldn’t feel right. As far as Ableton goes I’ll definitely be utilizing the program a lot more in the future, but only for demos, not for events.

Your Knowledge of music spans many genres.  What style do you enjoy playing the most?

That’s a tough question because both my knowledge and my love spans many genres. I love so many different types of music, whether it be banging electro, progressive, techno, (at least for the first 30 minutes), trance and even psy (which I’ve never played, but I still love it) so I can’t really pick one. As long as it’s quality music that gives you a huge grin on your face and you have to rock your head side to side and thrust your hand forward like ‘yeah’ I want to play it. I love anything with a big bass line.

In 2005 you attended the Miami Winter Music Conference. Did this experience change the way you see the music industry. Which artist’s performance did you enjoy the most?

It really opened up my eyes to how behind I am in it.  There is so much technology and avenues to explore in the music industry and it definitely opened my eyes up to what possibilities there are. I’m one of those people who gets really excited about things really quickly so when I came back I was like, ‘I’m gonna make a demo and promote myself and I’m going to learn new programs (there was this program ‘Traktor’ that I was mesmerized with) and I’m going to be better than James Zabiela and I’m going to create my own unique sound’. A whole year has passed now and I’ve only just made my first mix and I’m not even happy with it! So it has changed the way I see the music industry, but unfortunately it hasn’t really changed my place in it!

As for which artists I enjoyed the most that would definitely have to be Steve Lawler at ‘Ultra Fest’. I was really tired, feeling sick and having a day then Steve Lawler came on and I went mental! It was great! He rates very closely with Danny Howells who played in the Carl Cox tent at the Ultra Fest who Danni and I also really enjoyed. That was heaps of fun.

Miss Chris

You have made quite a name for yourself, being booked to play many gigs around Melbourne.  What are your plans for 2006?

Plans for 2006 are to keep on with the gigs and to get stuck into some production. I did a course in January so it’s now time to put all I’ve learned to use.

In your opinion what is the biggest misconception about female DJs?

There are a few… a lot of people think that some female DJs get gigs simply because they are female. Absolute crap! People out there in the scene now are pretty clued up, so regardless of gender, a DJ still needs to be up to scratch with skills and track selection. The female
DJs out there at the moment are getting gigs for a reason and it isn’t just because they have boobs.

You are known for your skills as a House music DJ.  Is this the style you have always played? If not, how has your sound evolved over the years?

No, I actually started off playing tech and tech-house. I think I’ve always loved house music…seeing San Fran DJ/producer Jonene a few years back gave me a real taste for quirky/jackin/electro edged house and I think my sound just evolved from there.

Tickled Pink #5 is on this Friday 31st March at Word Bar.  Check ITM whatson for more info.