#FindingFathomDj

​Music, My Life & 
​More...

The fountain of youth lives in curiosity, learning and teaching, to me.

I’ve always loved cameras. No different than drawing and painting. No your really don’t know me like that. I’ve owned more than a few over the years.

I’m grateful to have been able to replace the camera that was stolen in 2019, after I relocated. The green screen kit has multi uses as well. 😉

I’m also grateful for this time to explore. For me one medium inspires another.

#fathomdjcaptures #multimediaart #artist #lighting #canonrebelt7i #dj #prodcer #creative #findingfathomdj #atl @abstonconsulting @fathomdj
I deliberated greatly over the last few days, even yesterday, at the final hour finding out about DOOM passing.
I probably could’ve found someone to cove my room or a playlist. Thats not really how I roll.

What we do when we show up for each other, shows a level of professionalism and care that far outweighs any sickness and harm.

The first pic is indicative of the fact that it wasn’t the smoothest night. Laughter, as a comrade says a bit of oil , and music has allowed us to forge past and do the unthinkable. Yes we all were warned, by the city today. Yes we tried it. And regardless we succeeded as the team I am grateful to be associated with would.

Is it always easy?, No!. Does god always find a way? If you believe, most certainly!

Thankful to have executed one of the most hectic nights, in the #hospitalityindustry, during a year we all didn’t have to stay to see end. 🍸💫🙏🏾💜

I know magic is being made. Again, I’m here for THAT.

@missadib @_foreverjazzy @imcheflara @the.liquor.order @sekina_love @_itsteey @seanfalyon @yogawithyomi @lukewarmbleach @parlorden
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#parlordenmusic #parlorden #findingfathomdj #alive #2021goals #love #light #honor #god #theuniverse #djs #musicdirector #chicagodj #atl

Hip hops Legends
and Ascension...

I had to take a break from RIPs this year, for 2 reasons I’m sure most won’t consider.


Firstly all sources aren’t credible and WE have been wrong before.


Then there is the idea that some don’t really care about the people they post and only use it as a means to score “cool points” 💜👍🏾, in social media.


Last week when the announcing of Ecstasy’s death happened, I only sighed and tried to push back from the flooding of my timeline, based on the hip hop enthusiasts I follow. It stung hard.


Twice in a week, is hard to get around.


Numerous reasons why I fell in the love hip hop, LIVE in #Shabadoo. Yes he was striking to the eye. Yes he maybe one of my first official crushes. Then there was the torch he carried for the art of dance from the street. Using himself as a canvas to convey an immediate response to tones, in a musical fashion. And of course there is his fashion.... 🙏🏾.


The essence of the culture lives in music, art and dance but are conveyed to the average eye, through fashion.


Soo much to be said about these legendary components of hip hop. The world loves #Newyork and of course the products created from it’s streets. Salute to the legacy of these iconic greats and America’s favorite city on this day.

The service of DJing (now) and the toll...

Last night I was reminded, once again how important dancers are for djs.

The internet has created a necessary facsimile, during these most interesting times, yes. I normally carry my own energy when I play, thank god. Though, it wasn’t easy last night.

I’ve also had a FEW hair raising moments, listening to djs spin on twitch. One was Tuesday night while @djkemit played. (my whewwws in chat are real) He is responsible for two of the three times, I’ve felt like we were all in the same room again. (My let go at the host stand at RS last year was quite memorable, for all💃🏽)
Tuesday, I even turned away from the tv screen and headed to my “dance” floor, to catch a quick boogie.


After having a few technological issues, during my session yesterday, I was brought right back to the space of knowing how much MORE time and energy some of us are putting into streaming. Right now it seems as if it’s more work than it’s worth. Yes I’m an advocate for maintaining a presence, as a means for branding and the future opportunities that may come.
There is also a need to unplug, as incredibly challenging as this might be, these days.

In essence, we are all owners of virtual venues / event spaces. As I’ve seen it running my own channel and a music channel for parlor den, there’s a lot more involved than just plugging in and playing. Lighting, cameras, green screens, overlays and more, sigh. As if your significants time isn’t already slim, based on your being passionate about spinning.

Researching music, organizing it, in preparation to spin out seems like nothing, currently. Considering all the time I’m spending, learning more about twitch, integrating zoom through obs and on on on.
Creating scenes and graphics, adjusting audio and video, all to hold a space that seems like a video game, when you watch bits and emoticons flying. Yes twitch is the GAMERS paradise. With a Uber dose of hyper activity that doesn’t make for a quick sleep, after your set win or lose.


Some of us would truly lose ourselves, if we didn’t have connectivity to people who value, what we bring to this digital divide. (I’ve been calling it that for years)

Wether djs, musicians, producers, actors and even athletes; being in front of an audience is addictive enough.
The idea that we may be preparing for 100 days of phase one (quarantine) suggests that those
who are conveyors of music, will be forced with the task of maintaining (further) mental health, when technology fails to meet performance needs.

This is considered normal, to gamers I’m sure. (Searches YouTube for tips to aid burnout)

This is not to downplay those who will acknowledge us for aiding them, in pushing through. It’s an entirely different sensation when the audiences are standing in front of us and we can see / feel those feeling’s and emotions physically expressed. Imagination is truly key, I hope you still have one, in addition to lots of patience.

I miss true musical movement and the double dose of holiday loneliness reconfirms this.
Mental note, if you hear the quiet whisper that says take a break, take it. I didn’t listen last night and technology handed me my ass.

Thank God for the power of music that floats in the air, swirling around nations, touching hearts and keeping spirits high always. I pray that we can return to the way we “were”, as people need people, in our natural state of togetherness. That bodies response to drums, in a venue full of people is calling me.

Listen
Feel
Respond
#GiveThanks

Dj Kemit

Http://twitch.tv/djKemit
Tuesday’s might be my favorite, though I appreciate his offerings entirely...
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Getting my feelings out...

Yesterday, during the height of forging through technological adversities, I was reminded that everyone on your “team” doesn’t want to see YOU win.

I have and remain a bit awkward in myself. As an artist child, my family was the first to throw criticism to my “different” ways. My clothing, music choices, even the way I ate my food, was always the subject for their jokes. My grandmother labeled me, her artist grand baby for this very reason.

I had moments of wondering how I could reconfigure my nose, because that same grandmother would grab it and call it michael jackson.

I have more moments of being painfully shy, which has drawn more attention, than what is normally loud and energetic.

This is why the mere thought of someone asking me “can I BE quiet”, strikes me as painfully oppressive. For someone who JUST started using their words, this is counter productive.

I work tirelessly, to not only draw interest to the channel we are both associated with, but my brands / work. Mind you, I am not at full throttle... yet. 🤣

More than not this scenario isn’t about me, it’s about those who seek to mute OUR gumption, to quiet THEIR insecurities.

If silence is deadening, be prepared for the fatality associated with this libras extraction of energy, in your “face”.

Sorry, I can’t pray for the healing of your sickness.

This moment is for every little awkward child that lives in adults and for children who will become adults, with the dream of pushing out of boxes made to cage them.

#findingfathomdj #mindful #art #music #life #mentalhealth #introvert #empath #auracle #depression
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gratefulness and its returned investment

Honestly, I almost cried yesterday while recording the #ToChicagoWithLoveFromAtl
mix. I stood here in front of pieces over 20 plus YO and less than 2 months old. I was reminded how long I’ve drooled over the small isolator, I wouldn’t or couldn’t pull it. A small piece in the grander scheme. Cords, PCs, tech shit and sleepless nights obsessing over SOUND, for the simple sake of a DECENT presentation. What has manifested in a matter of months, is proof that timing and patience is key. Focus and stay the course. It’s time to push my imagination further to sound scape more original tunes and my ultimate version of a hospitality experience, when the world truly opens up.
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Before I arrived in Atl, I would have these conversations about what is typical here. Hookahs, “AND drinks”, poor service and “Ratchetry”. It was scoffed upon by “the mentor”.
What I see now that I live here, are black people serving each other. Activating spaces near and far, employing each other and thriving. I couldn’t quite imagine spaces so massive and well built out, in or close to Chicago. #Forusbyus Is there room for what I do and am going to here? 🤔 I am a #jedi...
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COVID put us in a very interesting space, as djs trying to conduct business. Yes more are getting booked / paid to play online, as well as being tipped. The tipping should always happened, as djing is a service regardless to being used promotionally HERE. Now that ppl are slowly attempting to reenter venues and planning private events, let us be mindful of the labor involved in mobile djing. Bringing anything out of the house requires maintenance and upkeep, not to mention transporting, setup and breakdown. Don’t undercut your services, simply because you need / want work, knowing how much work is involved, in preparing and executing these services. #findingfathomdj Fathom Dj Abston Consulting llc
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One of the many reasons I was looking forward to being in #chicago for @diasporicthump last eve, was to be amongst people (physically) who I believe truly appreciate what I do. On the heels of being removed from what I considered a dream job, it was the one thing I immediately looked forward to. Because this couldn’t happen, I ended up feeling quite low last night. 😒
Though I am not interested in over saturating you with live sessions daily, I am open to being #ofservice more than I am weekly with #morninglove. The goal is to maintain the value of #djs and create an experience that is different than plug in and play. 💜
I currently have #livestream capability, via #youtube, #ig, #periscope, #twitch and few others. My question for you is what do you NEED to feel and when? 🤔
Please feel free to comment below.
As I believe music heals and those who are vessels are called to provide light, during this time, I am here... @fathomdj #findingfathomdj @abstonconsulting @cratesandconvo
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9/11/2018

Chicagos thing and the ATL Weekender

10 Comments

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I feel inclined to tell you, I better understand why Chicago struggles. It's based on a few very loud themes. (cue Minnie Riperton) I came to this earth different and under the gaze of what Chicago sees as Chicago, I have never fit. Everything about Chicago screams conservatism ie politics. The history of our entering Chicago via Mississippi speaks to our need to fit, in short.  Now even a genre, that was created of  pure love (imo), is tightly gripped in a choke hold by the same business / politics.

A few years ago I got clapped at for questioning why there were no women on the bill for CFP's event. There was quite a bit of dialogue (on fb) around that post, so it was highly viewed, probably furthering the nails in my "coffin". Times have changed, my assumption is folks are scared to say anything (in sm) that might rock the boat, they seem desperate to stay in. My questions never come from a place of mess or that's not what i intend. I also make sure to define my thoughts in the comments, as to not be misunderstood. The popularity game is even stronger now. We have seen tons of shit storms over the years mostly from Chicago djs. Now You can't get anyone to give an UN-produced thought. What I gathered from the safety dance is people don't want "trouble". 

I had an interesting conversation via inbox, with a Chicagoan who attended the  ATL Weekender this year. I witnessed a few live sessions myself to see  if my theory was any different than before. I decided to hunt a little deeper to reference mixes from SOME of ATLS djs. My mix findings (mostly outdated) pretty much confirm what I have felt  all along. I didn't stop there. I decided to ask FB questions about ATLs Djs and it's evolving event. Well lets just say my intuition was screaming, as Chicago people gathered to wait and watch, instead of adding their thoughts to the post. I wasn't asking for a comparison to Chicago's dj's or CFP to HITP.

My expectation for  Chicago Djs playing this event, would be to get looser and step out of "the Chicago norm" tunes, when addressing other peoples markets musically. This doesn't mean not representing. It means that "we" might represent some of Chicago's underground producers and push the narrative of unknown or under referenced music a bit further, for the sake of our music and it's djs / producers. I heard wonderful unknown tunes from the many Atlanta djs all weekend, so the assumption would be that our djs and those from Chicago, were vibing off of their tunes. Unfortunately I didn't hear anything new or different from the streams I witnessed of SOME of our home team. I get first hand, that  you can almost perfectly blend music that you play ALL THE TIME.  I also get the idea of presentation and performance, but then there's the idea that ATL knows the same tunes you reference all the time, because THEY ONCE DID TOO. You easily get people hoping up and down and while it looks good, you never thought to push them or be the difference?  People HERE used to allow the dj to take them on a journey, because they trusted us. What I continue to see from ATL is a level of receptivity from the crowd that says enlighten us, take us higher. It's in the body language and look of the dancers and audience.  We all are, of course at a point where people don't take risks on djs they haven't heard of and don't have the attention span to learn new and  different music. So what happens when "the populars" (here) are all playing singalong top 40's of house and you're supposed to be underground, but follow THAT lead? All the producers and editors have to wait 10 plus years (let it fall lady alma) for one of our creations to "pop", because you're scared. No it doesn't have to be fresh off of traxsource to be in rotation, but it does have to be different than the 1000's of dj who seek to do nothing more than repeat someone else's set. It's exactly why rare grooves, disco, and vinyl "SEEM" to  win overseas. One of the reasons why I was drawn to house music is because I was lead to believe that there was creativity and freedom of expression. Though I know, we are in a period where people pleasing for likability far outweighs breaking new music and challenging a group of people to be educated and grow. 

I wouldn't dare to think that ATL is more of an international city than Chicago is, is it? Does ATL win because they have a city that created a respected music industry, that included a variance of soulful genres and artists? Donnie, India Arie, Outkast, Usher, TLC, Indigo Girls, Cee Lo, Arrested Development, Anthony David.... umm this could get long! How about that fab Moodys record store that keeps a stock of underground goodies  and heavily aids those seeking soulfulness. Or is it the ever growing amount of venues that HOST nights specifically geared toward SHOWCASING soulful house, afro beat and other underground sounds and  bands. All of these things lead me to believe that a better experience would be had at The Weekender, than the same djs and sounds that flood our few venues and many festivals here based on, you guessed it politics. All these things lead my inbox to be flooded with dialogue that suggests, my sound is more like theirs, than my own city. 

I once again am led to wonder, where I should be if not Chicago?

Photo credit Demetrius Williams of Usual Suspects Photography.

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10 Comments
@EfabulousHB link
9/11/2018 10:34:20 am

I had to leave Chicago in order to find the creative Chicagoan within me. You've evolved and I don't think that playing music in Chicago is your final stop, it's just your beginning. If you love music, then love music loudly and let those who conform - conform whilst you adapt change grow and expand. I wouldn't say these things if I didn't live it. Though my love and knowledge of music was vast when I lived in Chicago, when I stepped out of the suffocating choke of Chicago and moved to the East Coast and to England, musically I learned about a world I never knew and it made me a better DJ and made me appreciate music a hell of a lot more.

May your journey in music keep evolving. All the best.

Reply
Fathom Dj
9/13/2018 03:56:47 am

I feel like everything is in preparation for something greater. I receive this and thank you!

Reply
Fathom
8/22/2019 03:20:32 pm

Well it’s almost been a year since I posted this and the question of where to if not Chicago is finally answered. ATL here I come. September ?

Reply
Sandra
9/11/2018 12:08:32 pm

I've heard about the ATL Weekender for a few years. One of my best friends attends faithfully. I told her "why go there when I hear house music here, what is the difference?" She stated "they don't play the same music you hear in Chicago, it's soulful, it's different". She was right.

It started with Moods Music. Whoa, what an experience. Soulful, different music flowed from the speakers. Artists I've never heard - DJ's I've never heard of. It was inspiring. I'm dancing in a record store, for hours, with no dance floor. They also have a separate room where they have live bands or DJ's. I'm in love.

The DJ's that took me to another place - Salah Ananse, DJ Be, Earl Mixxin Mckinney. I think Salah and DJ Be are from ATL and Earl is from Detroit. They played music outside the box. Some folks crave different, and I'm one of them.

No offense to the Chosen Few here in Chicago, but it's the same. Same DJ's, same music, same everything. I hear the same thing that's played at the picnic that I hear all year round at the clubs. I get it - some folks like the top 40, but what about us other folks?

You are someone I consider as going outside the box. You have to experience it for yourself to see what the hype is about. I'm a new fan and will go every year, just to hear what's new.

Reply
Fathom dj
9/13/2018 03:54:58 am

?

Reply
Kevin Hicks
9/11/2018 01:10:37 pm

when I'm listening to Chicago I Love it, ATL Love it, Miami Love it Ibiza Love it every place including NYC-Jersey Love it all of them when I return home I want and need to combine ALL of them into a wonderful combo of sounds that make my ears smile ,all those different places have issues with that genre that I dig, when I'm listening I forgive, and combine all and my ears smile...(MOODS is a great store)

Reply
Fathom Dj
9/13/2018 03:54:35 am

Are you a Dj?

Reply
Baron
2/9/2019 03:43:36 pm

Moods Music is definitely an experience! I haven't seen anyone in Chicago come close to what Daryll has created with Moods. Before I started to purchase music online, I would hit Moods when I would go to ATL. If any of my my friends were going, I would send them with a list of music to bring back that I couldn't find in Chicago record stores.The House scene in ATL seems to be more free to me. Just my opinion and I may catch a lot of flack for that statement. People just seem more connected and vibe is kinda indescribable.

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Demetrius link
9/12/2018 06:35:03 pm

AMAZING post! I felt the same before moving back to Atlanta - I was constantly hearing the same tracks being played by countless DJs in different festivals I would frequent...then I moved back to my city. Atlanta has a diverse sound. On any given weekend you can her soul/rare grooves, Afro house, the Detroit sound, Chicago sound, classics...you never get bored of the music here. I am forever in love with the diversity.

Reply
Fathom dj
9/13/2018 03:53:59 am

Thank you very much for the image use and the insightful comments.

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    fathom spits

    when i come to the jam 
    know who i am
    aint bout the flim flam
    no i dont give a damn
    about where you been 
    or what you rocking
    when the tunes hit
    we'll see whats popping
    not stopping
    though i did slow up
    to be more precise 
    and detailed 
    catch a close up
    or maybe get a glimpse
    nobodies hoe
     but the game got pimps
    i stay exempt
    and stand in the light
    fame got glimmer
    but my glow just right

    ​

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