Life Lessons from the DJ Booth | ELEW | TED

Overview

Musician and DJ ELEW shares his journey from being a jazz pianist to becoming a DJ, weaving a unique philosophy that likens life to a DJ set. He explores how the art of DJing has influenced his perspective on life, creativity, and mental health, offering insights into how we can all approach life as DJs of our own realities.

Notable Quotes

- The choices that we make are the tracks that we drop, and the perceptual entity that we identify with—that is us. We are the DJs. – ELEW, on how life mirrors the art of DJing.

- My mind is the club, I am the DJ, and my choices affect the atmosphere—so let’s keep that atmosphere groovy. – ELEW, on using music as a metaphor for mental health and resilience.

- I thought DJing would be easy, given my piano background, and of course, I was dead wrong. Reality had much different plans. – ELEW, on the challenges of learning a new art form.

🎵 Life as a DJ in Club Reality

- ELEW introduces the metaphor of life as a DJ set, where Club Reality is the stage and our choices are the tracks we play.

- He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, comparing life's unpredictability to a DJ navigating a chaotic nightclub.

- The philosophy encourages resilience, likening life's challenges to the mythical Atlas bearing the weight of the world while keeping the music playing.

🎹 From Jazz Pianist to DJ

- ELEW shares his early start in music, beginning piano at age two as a fourth-generation pianist in his family.

- Despite his love for jazz, he felt out of sync with the industry, leading to anxiety and the creation of his own rock-jazz style.

- His exposure to New York City nightclubs like 1 Oak and Finale introduced him to the art of DJing, which he saw as a modern extension of classical and jazz legends like Franz Liszt and Fats Waller.

🎧 The Art and Science of DJing

- Learning to DJ was a humbling experience for ELEW, requiring empathy, sensitivity, and meticulous preparation.

- He discovered the importance of reading the room, such as avoiding high-energy tracks in inappropriate settings.

- His exploration of the neuroscience of DJing revealed parallels between the brain's hemispheres and a DJ's mixer, reinforcing his belief that we're DJs organically.

🧠 Mental Health and the DJ Mindset

- DJing helped ELEW manage panic attacks and depression by fostering a sense of control and mindfulness.

- He developed the mantra: My mind is the club, I am the DJ, and my choices affect the atmosphere, using it as a tool to maintain a positive mental state.

- This philosophy encourages individuals to approach life with creativity, adaptability, and a focus on maintaining a groovy atmosphere.

🎼 Innovation: Piano Turntablism

- Inspired by DJ techniques, ELEW created piano turntablism, blending two melodies simultaneously on the piano.

- This innovation led to new opportunities, including opening for Sting, showcasing how blending disciplines can lead to creative breakthroughs.