By Tony Fernandez

Alright Chil’dren, gather round now. It’s time for a dose of straight talk.  This time ‘round, let’s talk about remixes.

It occurs to me that remixes in the DJ community live in this weird universe.  DJs love ‘em. DJ’s hate them.  DJ’s live by them or die by them. Some DJ’s are all about them, some DJ’s have no use for them.

Guess where we’re going with this….

For those who know me or for those who have seen my play logs, it’s no mystery I’m a fan of the remix. But the “secret” to the remix game (if you will) is playing the RIGHT remix.

Keep up with me…

Let’s back up for a second here, I do realize that not EVERY event or EVERY song calls for a remix to be played or a remix to be made.  There are songs that are fantastic on their own merit.  There are events that do not warrant the programming of remixes.  I get it.  However… instead of looking at things you can’t do, let’s take the approach of what you CAN do.

Remixes are your friends.  When you pick the right remix and program it accordingly, you can really create a magical moment.  Picking the right remix is like choosing the right wine with your meal.  It can make or break the moment.  Remixes should not be played just because there is a remix. Trust me, there are just as many BAD remixes as there are good remixes.  Probably more bad ones than good ones.  While good is subjective, there is the right remix of the right song, for the right moment.

Think about this… As DJs, we all pretty much have access to the same music.  It doesn’t matter what record pool or subscription service you’re enrolled in. And this isn’t being said to be disparaging to pools and services.  The reality is we ALL have access to the same content.  As such, we need to be able to stand out and be different; that’s where the remix comes in.

Now I’m not going to tell you what remixes to play, nor the how or the when to play them.  I have my hands full taking care of my dance floor.  But I will suggest that you stretch out your pallet.  Increase the toys in your sand box.  On one hand you don’t need to figure out how to play the future progressive gabber trap remix of that 90’s track.  On the other hand, having a fun new remix that holds true to the original, can breathe some new life into a track, into a set.  And that’s a win for everyone.

Now I gotta go digging for my unreleased, bootleg ,white label, limited release, can only get from the producer remixes.  Go get your own.

Keep ‘em spinning.

Based out of Richmond, VA, DJ Tony Fernandez has been a DJ, Remixer, Producer, Musical Soothsayer and Audio Gear Oracle since 1980. Find him on Facebook. Email djtonytf@gmail.com