NEVER BEFORE HAS it been so easy for anyone to be a DJ, what with CD mixers becoming standard and MP3 players enabling pre-made mixes to be created in an instant. While the sentiment of Soulwax's Too Many DJs certainly rings true in Hong Kong, it's not an easy game to break into. Risk-averse promoters don't like to stray from the tried and tested crowd pleasers who fill their dance floors, making it tough for the new breed to graduate from bedroom to club scene.
Ritika Gurung doesn't see anything risky about what she does. The manager of NoHo club Chapter 3 organises regular amateur DJ nights. 'I'd get a lot of people coming in, always asking to play,' says Gurung. 'I thought, why not have a night where people can just do that.'
In return for a set, the budding DJs are given free drinks on the night - although, crucially, most are playing for the chance of a regular paid gig at the club.
'All these new DJs try to get into the clubs,' Gurung says. 'But it's a very hard scene to break into. No one will give new, young DJs a chance, and that's frustrating for those who are really talented.'
Typically, the amateur nights will have anywhere between two and five DJs spinning. Although many are vying for a regular slot, some just want to be heard and have fun. 'I want to give a chance to everyone,' she says. 'I really don't emphasise the competition side too much. It's not about winning or losing, it's just a chance for these guys to break into the club scene.'
Moreover, the structure of the contest is such that, if all the DJs on the night are deemed worthy, they'll be asked back.