Michelle Matthews
‘Though celebrating the strides that women have made in the dance scene, this is no patronising event,” assure Sleaze Syndicate regarding its Chicks with Decks party. The pejorative is probably less disturbing than the pun, which insinuates that dicks and decks are the natural order. Unfortunately, the perception is valid, with the Cape Town DJ scene hardly reflecting gender demographics at the moment.
The Sleaze guys are having some semantic fun – they’ve always been up for a bit of “you-know-what-I-mean” and here they’re punting the disc dominatrix, hoping to attract scores of salivating men with the promise that a big-breasted babe will be holding the needle this time. However, with their other heads they know that this is an important forum for inspiring women who want to start out in the industry and giving them a safe space to play. As Terri T, one of the more established deep house/uplifting trance DJs in town, says: “It’s not that women don’t have the drive or the capability. They’re interested, but they think it’s too difficult.”
Terri T is excited to be playing a gig “with the girls”, but is also dubious about the concept, as are the rest of the featured DJs I spoke to.
“It’s great, but surely gender should play no role as far as music goes?” said Sub*Star, a breaks/electro DJ and mother of two.
Gender here, as in many sectors of the entertainment industry, is a double-edged sword. While the women bristle at being showcased, they feel heartened by DJs like Sister Bliss, Lisa Loud, Ms Jools and Rachael Alburn, who are definitely skilled, but have also capitalised on the fact that they are vinyl femmes.
The main reason that the DJs are uneasy about the Chicks with Decks concept is that they know they can hold their own in any line-up.
Terri T has been on the scene for over four years, starting out at the famous Funktion and since gracing Pure, Rush, The Boiler Room, Wobble, The Gallery and other hot house homes.
DJ Jazza is a versatile DJ who’s featured on a variety of floors, from spinning retro at Mo’funk to mixing techno at Electro-luv. Babe Ruth started out at the Cheese parties and plays an extremely popular lounge-core set at trendy Jo’burg on Thursdays.
Sub*Star and Sister Chill-um are members of the drum’n’bass/dub/ electro crew Milk-krate. They were absolutely unbelievable at the Swank party held at the Bijou a few weeks ago. DJ Freewheel has been getting crowds jumping at District 206 recently and DJ Comit is another new drum’n’bass diva joining the breaks floor.
Yes, some of the DJs are very cute, but that’s not why you should be going. It’s guaranteed to be a great party. If all goes well, the Sleaze Syndicate will be making Chicks with Decks a bi-monthly event. And if things keep getting better – if female DJ aspirants can feel encouraged and supported by the scene generally – the event will become redundant.
Chicks with Decks takes place on April 20 at Rhythm Divine, 156 Long Street, Cape Town. Cover is R20 before 11pm, R25 after. DJs who’d like to take part in the next event should contact Sleaze Productions at (021) 462-2659 or [email protected]