I attended a dance facilitated by a colleague.  At one point in the dance I looked at their computer screen—which was easy enough to see from the side of the room—to check what was playing.  I liked the track and it was from a realm I haven’t investigated much—a Euro-trans upbeat vibe.  It’s a kind of music that makes me crazy if it goes too long, but in the right context and timing it’s pretty pure and awesome.  I was psyched to get a name I could look up and investigate the genre more.

What happened next troubled me—my colleague shoed me away and said “no, sorry.”  It was never my intention to invade their space or steal anything not freely given.  Clearly I had violated a boundary, which I regret.  And, here’s why my way is different:

1. As a dance facilitator and non-producing DJ (I only play others’ music) I have no ownership of the music.  It belongs to the musicians who create it.  I am indebted to those musicians and can show my appreciation by helping people find their music and spread their name.
2. As a dance facilitator my primary skill is the vibration of the dancing.  The music supports the dancing, but it is not the cause of it.  Having come to dance through the lineage of modern dance I am particularly bent toward the idea that dancing can stand for itself.  I love music, and I also can and do dance without it.  Music adds to the conversation. 
3. As a non-producing DJ my job is to match music to the energy of the group, both leading and following.  Finding new and interesting music is an important part of the role, but it is not the crux of it.  It’s similar to how being a chef includes sourcing ingredients, but it’s how they’re put together that really matters.  And yet even that differs because fresh vegetables and meats get used up by eating them; music doesn’t get used up by dancing to it.  The best tracks may even get better when we get to know them.

When I facilitate dances I leave my screen facing the people, and I dance with them.  I often see people looking at the screen.  I don’t generally post my playlists publicly—if you want to see them you’ve got to show up and do the work.  I love it when people do.

P.S. The photo is with Subaqueous. Check out his music.