Female disc jockeys put new spin on local music

by Alissa Ponchione
For The Post
ap235503@ohiou.edu


As the first squad of fierce female disc jockeys to hit Athens, Ki-en Crew plans to use their Spinderella style to turn Athens into a musical Mecca for female DJs.

Going by a one-name moniker a la Madonna and Beyonce, Zen, or DJ Miszen, established the group of female DJs based out of Athens. Her mission, stated in the Ki-en Crew's handbook, is to produce a group of female DJs who "can share a unique musical perspective from our male counterparts, increase the visibility of women creating music, and influence more women to explore their dreams."

"It will give a chance for females to be creative," said Brooke LaValley, or Oral B, a member of the crew. "If you know what music you love, there shouldn't be anything stopping you from sharing it with other people."

The Ki-en Crew's club is stationed in the Arts-West Building on E. State Street. The dubbing of the DJ name represents an induction into the crew, Zen said. Ki-en Crew comprises DJ Bobb, Oral B and DJ Aquatic or Squid, whose name still is being decided. The group also is opening its doors to any female interested in DJing all genres of music.

The Ki-en Crew meets every Tuesday to teach women 16 to 85 the basics of spinning, Zen said. They also welcome anyone interested in marketing, designing or anything "you want to explore," she said.

The crew wants to mix up the music scene with different genres, Zen said. "We like any melodic harmonies from The Velvet Underground to D'Angelo to David Bowie to Stone Temple Pilots," she said.

Oral B, a new member to Athens and Crew, said she plays a lot of "Zeppelin and underground indie stuff." Oral B DJed in Columbus for almost two years and met Zen and DJ Bobb while working at Casa Nueva and Cantina, 4 W. State St.

Zen started DJing a year ago in Washington, her home state. She said there is not a day without music in her life. So with this desire, Zen set out to start a "non-competitive space for women to DJ."

"Turntablism is a way to preserve music," she said. "Turn tables are outselling any other instrument."

The Ki-en Crew will spin at Casa on Friday for the All Male Revue Benefit for The Wire, a nonprofit community resource center.

Nate Ebert, a volunteer for The Wire and organizer for the All Male Revue, found out about Ki-en Crew when he met Zen at one of their meetings.

Ebert likes the idea of the female DJs mixing it up with the male dancers.

"It's kind of a twist on the social norm. Guys on stage taking their clothes off and a female DJ squad," he said. As the emcee for the All Male Revue, Zen said Ki-en Crew's performance will be crazy and "panties are going to be thrown."