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The Art of the Mix
What makes a perfect sequence of songs? What playlist makes you want to dance, and keep dancing, to one great song after another?
There’s no magic formula for that, and no universal agreement on what it would be, but that’s what every DJ tries to create. From my years of experimentation (and from plenty of feedback) I’ve concluded a great mix of songs is an art, not a science.
The one thing I can guarantee is you’ll be happy if I play a song you request. So I encourage you to see me during my show and tell me what you want to hear. If you prefer, you can even send me a requested song in advance. Just use the request form on this site.
If you could peek at my digital library, you’d see I’ve got every kind of musical genre: rock, pop, funk, country, jazz, classical, disco, reggae, blues and alternative tunes that don’t fit in any category. I’ve found that most of my customers like a mix of old and new pop songs — the recognized classic dance tunes with distinctive rhythm and beat. But I’m willing to change anything on the fly if it will make for a better experience.
And why the odd business name? I’ve always been a dancer. You’ve heard the phrase, “Dance like no one is watching.” Personally, I dance like I don’t care who’s watching! When I’m doing a show, my silly moves on the dance floor serve as an ice-breaker, and in no time I’ve got everyone dancing. I love interacting with people and making new friends, and when my customers are having fun, I’m having fun. So the business name simply reflects what I do.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that music literally does have the power to move you. Dancing is fun, healthy exercise, so let’s dance! Here is my long-winded bio in case you must know more about me:
Peter De Armond’s one-sided bio: “History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it”
I will try to fit all my years on one page in 600 words, and I can do this in full honesty if I leave out the part about interviewing Bigfoot. My father named me Pierre after his best friend, Pierre Grimaud, but my mother wrote Peter on the birth certificate. Still, dad always called me Pierre, so I told everyone that’s my real name. Eventually I learned it was an unwritten law in Bakersfield, where I grew up, that a name like Pierre would only raise doubts about my patriotism, so I encouraged friends to call me Pete.
As the youngest of four children I was an unplanned arrival. My brother was my nearest sibling, being four years older; he and his two older sisters were riding bicycles while I was still a toddler. But I wasn’t lonely because my parents wisely taught me to read at an early age, so I grew up happily independent and curious about the world.
From my affable mother’s Irish roots I inherited the joy of story telling and the desire to travel; from my father’s über-rational intellect I embraced scientific curiosity. I blame my parents for a lifelong addiction to reading and the fact that, by age 10, I concluded I should explore the world on my own. Indeed, right after high school, having saved some money as a boxboy for Safeway, I traveled from Bakersfield to Bavaria, bumming around central Europe alone, mistakenly thinking I could endure awkward moments by speaking B-plus German. In the ensuing 54 years I explored all kinds of jobs and avocations, depending on what was interesting or available. I have been a newspaper reporter, editor, multimedia developer, DJ, business consultant, dancer, cowboy, science historian, wildlife videographer and next, maybe I’ll try out as a rodeo clown.
My first career passion was in print journalism, where I spent 20 years as a writer, editor, graphic designer and tech guy. Then I worked for the government and lived to tell about it, as a consultant for California’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, and then, six years producing interactive media, videos and websites for a county office of education. Next, eight years directing the workplace training and business development programs at the Weill Institute. Then I tried to retire but failed miserably.
During my alleged retirement I started a business doing organizational consulting and training in effective communication skills - in other words, just the opposite of what you hear on any TV news shouting match. I’ve also taught organizational leadership at Fresno Pacific University and for five years I did training for Apple.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Behavior and Master of Science degree in Education. More recently I earned a Master’s degree in the Philosophy and History of Science at the University of Bristol in England. This will help me complete a science history documentary on what influenced the start of quantum physics.
My daughter is a high school math teacher and a dance choreographer in Bakersfield, and my son is a network technology consultant in Indiana. Ever since my wife died nine years ago, I’ve stayed active with a wildlife filming hobby. I do presentations on the elk that roam throughout the Tehachapi Mountains, where I live today. Some of my work is displayed at elkmovies.com.
Finally, the title of this bio has quote marks because it was written by Winston Churchill, and there’s a story behind that, but I’m at 599 words now.
DJ-dancer services include:
• Popular songs arranged and customized for your target audience;
• Up to four continuous hours of mixed music with effects and special lighting;
• One extra hour of background or “warm-up” music for dinner hour;
• Special requests taken before or during the performance;
• Awesome, state-of-the-art sound and technical equipment;
• DJ-Dancer interaction with the audience to facilitate fun and friendship.*
• All of the above services for a fair, flat rate. Contact me for details.
• Serving southern California; travel fee may apply.
* Please see The Art of the Mix