MissDVS is one of the headlining DJs of the NYE Party  I will be attending so I thought it would be a good idea to get in touch with her! Her podcast, ElectroSexual is coming up on it’s second anniversary. MissDVS handpicks the best of the best to be featured in the mixes. 

A DJ„ fire performer, promoter, and much more! Take a read on for our interview

Tell me about your first DJ Gig!

My First gig was at a small nightclub in Calgary called The Soda Lounge. My crew of friends were given St. Patricks Day 2007 to promote. 

At the time, I had been a bassment dj for about a year and was still playing on vinyl. I was into really hard techno and hard trance at the time. It was funny cause everyone else in my crew were playing breaks and house music so my style didnt really fit in but they decided to give me a chance anyways and put me in a fairly good timeslot around 11 or 12. 

I practiced and practiced so hard, getting all my records together and making sure that they flowed well.

I remember the decks were on this impossibly high table so I had to roll in a stool to stand on so I could mix properly! I think i was so nervous i nearly fell off the stool several times! My leg was shaking so hard I couldnt keep time with my foot!

The mix went well and all my friends were there to support probably around 75 people or so… My best friend I recall, came barreling into the DJ booth and was like “Ziggy!! Can you play any harder, or what!?!?” lol… As the techno boomed onto the dancefloor I laughed nervously and am like DUDE does it at least sound okay? He laughs and said yes it sounded great but he wished i would play his favorite genre; Drum & Bass… I laughed again and told him to leave me alone to concentrate!! 

The night was pretty much debauchery so I dont think anyone cared all that much that I was playing so Deviously! ;)

Your podcast is coming on its second year anniversary! What makes a great DJ stand out to you and choose them to be a guest?

This is a great question cause as a DJ myself we are our own worst critics. So when I go out to see a dj play I can get really critical on their mixing and track selection. Most of the time the DJ that impresses me the most is playing tracks Ive never heard before and making me move on the dancefloor. A DJ with smooth transitions and flow to their sets is the best. I like to be taken on a musical journey of highs and lows. But on the other hand its also pretty sweet to hear a huge name dj unleash tracks that I have in my crate too!! Then I know im on track ;)

Most of the guestmixes I choose for the show are based on production. In today’s market its about who you know so making alliances with the right people is the smart thing to do. Kindof like, you scratch my back Ill scratch yours. The other thing is, if I hear a great producer and ask them to be a guest on the show, and they say yes, well thats half the battle. Ive asked tonnes of Producer/DJs out there that I either dont get a response from or they’re too busy to do so… 

Tell us about how you got into fire performance!!

Well, looks like you’ve done your homework!! I could probably write a short novel on this so I will try to keep it short ;)… Fire performance is where it all began! Back in 2001, I was at a club watching this girl toss around balls of fire! I had to figure out how to do this and tied glowsticks to shoe laces. I had no clue what I was doing for like six months. I ended up at this afterhours in Calgary called the Warehouse and there were people spinning these glowsticks as well, so I ran up to them and begged them to teach me! A few more months later and I spun fire. It was then I realized how much fun this sport was and decided to start a business selling Fire Poi & Staff in Calgary. 

In fact, in 2002, my best friend and I started a business called Rise Sun City and we set up our booth at every rave and festival for 3 years selling everything from Red Bull to glowsticks, flags and poi. 

During this time I had become one of Calgary’s top fire performers doing shows dancing for Gold Club Series (Benson & Hedges) and Bacardi. To spinning with Cirque du Soliel performers at the Olympic oval, to our annual show at Motion Notion to massive corporate shows at the Telus Convention Centre. 

I think my all-time memorable gig was spinning fire for the opening of Tiesto, the 1st time he was labeled #1 DJ in the world at the Palace in Calgary. Next would have been the gig I flew to Toronto for and spun for Lady Dana & Commander Tom!

Even in these times being a female in this scene can be tough. What advice do you have for ladies wanting to take a go at being a DJ?

To be honest, if your a female DJ, you should have no problem getting shows. You see female DJs bring a different element to the table. You are indeed in a mans playground still and are definitely pressured to be sexy. But lets face it, not many guy djs can dress up in sexy clothes or costumes and flaunt it like a female can!

I think being a female DJ is a huge foot in the door as there arent many out there. 

My advice is to be the best you can be and do not let sex get in the way. Ive seen a few female DJs that give the rest of us a bad name by making themselves a spectacle and not the music. Ive been in a few dodgy situations where it seems the promoter thinks they can walk on you cause you are a girl. Dont give in to this sexist prejudice! 

Just like anyone getting into DJing, work hard at it and promote yourself, be professional. 

What can the folks on Vancouver Island expect in your NYE set?

I’ve been asked to tailor a set around breaks and dubstep so I think ill be working on something epic! I play at the same time as Czech so Ill have to bang it out pretty hard. Im getting my Best of 2011 set prepared for January’s edition of ElectroSexual so Ill probably throw some of that in as well.

Personally I want to play hard epic electro with big trancey builds and driving rolling techno! Perhaps I will try for a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Ill be digging hard for some unique sounds to bring you guys into 2012 in an epic frenzy!!! 

2012 is just around the corner! Let us know about some things in store for MissDVS! 

2012 is shaping up to be the best year yet! Currently im under some negotiations to be signed to a major management company that will help with North American bookings. Ive been in contact with a promoter that wants to book me in the Philippians in March and possibly in Germany around June. 

Ive got my staple gigs down for next summer such as Astral Harvest, The Groove Festival, Motion Notion and Sexy Sounds. Im really trying to get on the Shambhala line-up and possibly play at Burningman but those are minor fantasies I have ;) 

Along with this I am on the horizon of music production. Just learning how to use Ableton now. I hope to get some decent releases by next year which should push me to the next level.  

Any last words?

I really have to say thank you to all my fans and supporters. I cant thank you guys enough for taking me in and being a driving force behind what I do. If it wasnt for you guys and I had no one to share my passion with, it just wouldnt be the same!!  

A lot of up and coming DJs ask me how I do it or how they can get more gigs. Its funny cause I ask all my favorite producers & djs the same thing as well :) 

My advice here, and advice Ive been given, is to work extremely hard at it. Everyday, every spare minute. It really is about who you know. Network, network, network!! You always have to give to receive. If this is your dream to perform and produce then do everything in your power to make it happen! Its not like I just woke up one day and got gigs!!? I pushed and pushed and promoted and mixed and pushed hard for many years. Be a perfectionist, be engaging, be interesting and promote yourself through every media facet available!

Dont put out crap. Thats probably the best piece of advice yet! People are judgmental and if they are hearing you for the first time its like that first impression rule, you put out crap, most wont give you a second chance. At the same time, keep trying cause we all started somewhere!

No matter how little you get paid, sign a contract. Get everything in writing. Most will commend you for being this professional. And finally, this is a job, even though you are in a nightlife industry doesnt mean you should get completely mangled and try to mix. Keep it together on stage. I lose all sorts of respect for DJs that get trashed and try to play, it looks and sounds aweful! Bring energy to the stage, engage your crowd, play off them, spread the love for music! 

LINKS

MYSPACE www.myspace.com/djmissdvs

Facebook Fanpage www.facebook.dj/missdvs

Twitter www.twitter.com/djmissdvs

Soundcloud Free Music DL & Music Player www.soundcloud.com/djmissdvs

Filefront MORE Free Music! http://hosted.filefront.com/MissDVS