There’s only so much you can do with your passion for music in Namibia. But other than contending for artist of the year at the NAMAs, there’s actually a few other cooler stuff you can get into. However, that is a story for another day. For now we speak to music producer slash sound engineer slash DJ, Loudima.Dreamer as he lets us in on his chosen career path.
Are you a DJ by profession? How did you get into it? When? Why?
DJing is an extension of my passion with music. I’m a qualified sound engineer and more of a music producer than I am a DJ. I got into it by chance and my obsession with knowing everything. Started in 2003 or 2004. Around that time, I was getting my head around making music, and playing music at parties or at home helped me understand what makes people dance, what makes them happy, sad, and every other emotion or feeling.
What is your day job?
If I had to put a title on my day job, it would have to be “Freelance Multimedia Consultant”. My main field is with music and sound in any field, be it radio advertisements, sound for TV, album production, mixing and mastering. I also have talents in graphic design, video production, social media optimisation to name a few, multimedia is my thing.
What do you think of DJ’ing as a career in Namibia?
I think there can be a career in DJing, it’s really all a matter of exposure. Someone might be the most technical DJ ever, but if people don’t know who you are, no one will book you. People see the glamour of the lifestyle and playing hot songs but a lot goes on in the background.
Talk about your DJ name? How’d that come about?
I do everything under the alias Loudima.Dreamer. I formally used DJ PsyOn in the past, but rebranded when I realised that I’m much more than a DJ, that is also why I don’t like calling myself DJ Loudima or anything like that. Loudima is the place I was born and I’m a dreamer; always looking towards the future. The name represents my journey in life and transition from my past self to my future self. It also represents the way I tend to play, mixing up old and new.
What were your other career options?
If I really applied myself, I could probably do anything, but out of everything, my options would be I.T., Marketing or Law.
What does your family think of you as a DJ?
My family supports me to an extent, but still aren’t quite sure what exactly it is I do. It’s a bit funny at times but the love from them is there.
How important is your the aux cord to you? Do you always like to be in control of it?
Aux cords facilitate the giving of life, but I don’t always need to be in control over it.
10 Commandments Of the Aux Cord by Loudima.Dreamer
How do you feel about people being around you and the decks when you’re doing your thang?
I don’t mind people being around me when I’m on decks, it’s fun most times actually. As long as they don’t mess with the music, we good.
Also, who is that annoying one that you never want around you during your set? Yes tell us.
Most annoying would probably be the overly drunk, they are hazards in every sense of the word. Generally anyone who tries to kill the vibe.
Tell us about your type of music?
My type of music would have to be Hip Hop and Electronic music for the most part, I still mess around with house from time to time.
Who (artist) can you never not include in your set?
I rarely ever leave Artist out of my sets, I try to be as expansive as I can because I never repeat songs in any of my sets, or at least try my best not to.
What is your favourite part when doing your set?
My favourite part of my sets is when I pull off a transition that I’ve either been practicing before a gig, or one I think up on the fly, and I actually pull it off, it’s an amazing feeling.
Do you dress up for it? (DJ gigs) Like all out? Or not at all?
I hardly ever dress up for a gig, it’s most jeans with a white or black shirt. Nothing too elaborate.
Do you ever get bad feedback about your sets?
Most of my sets are loosely prepared, I just have a bunch of songs I’d like to play on a certain day and figure out how to put them together when i start playing. There will be nights when some comes up and tell me, “you suck, you didn’t play my song. I requested Call Me Maybe 2 hours ago and you brushed it off.” I take the good with the bad.
When you hear a good song do you immediately think about adding it to your next set?
When I hear a good song, I tend to think about adding it to my sets, all depends if I already have songs that will compliment it in my set already.
Are you those annoying DJs that can’t just enjoy a song, you analyse every part of it?
Analyzing songs and sounds is a curse some DJs fall into, but being an actual sound engineer and music producer, I rarely ever get to a point where I listen to music without overthinking it. It’s part of my life now, I can’t help it.
Which DJ are you?
I’m probably the finger piano player.
Tell us about Deck Geecks? What’s that all about? Plans? Dreams? Goals?
Deck Geeks are a collective of music producers and DJs who work together under one umbrella towards common goals. Right now, it consists of Sebby Ngeteya, Beat Slangers, and myself. We’re about pushing boundaries and creating new platforms for not only ourselves but for others as well. We have pretty big aspirations but I’m not going to jinx us just yet. Right now, we are keeping our heads to the ground and building solid foundations for what we have planned thus far. It’s going to be out of this world.
Your favourite DJ?
DJ Fresh has always been a favourite of mine, considering that I was introduced to house music through his compilation mixes in 2003, and the fact I got to play along side him some years ago. As far as Hip Hop DJs, Jazzy Jeff and Just Blaze top that list, as they are not only DJs but producers as well.
Your ultimate DJ experience?
I really have no real ultimate moment, as every single night I’ve been a DJ has been different. If anything, I appreciate it most when the crowd responds well to a track that I’ve either made or remixed myself.
Talk to us about your work?
The majority of my work has been limited to singles and short EPs, all of which are available online in one form or another.
Made In Loudima is a mix series that I do every month, with old and new tracks that I find from various places that I’m feeling at the moment, and some of my own music. Which is out on the last Thursday of every month.
I’m currently working on a short EP entitled “Beautiful” collection of easy tunes, music you can zone out to. Will be available online on November 19th
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/doortwomusic
Albums and EPs: http://loudimadreamer.bandcamp.com
Mixes: http://mixcloud.com/loudimad
Social Media
Twitter: @LoudimaD | Facebook: http://facebook.com/LoudimaD
