Otherwise known as DJ Lomang, Chinese-American Jan Lo developed his DJ skills while earning a Social Psychology degree at Yale University. With over 12 years of experience, he has played in major cities across the world including LA, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong. His DJ repertoire includes celebrity parties for the likes of Spike Lee and private events held by Nike, Diesel and Mercedes. In addition, DJ Lomang has shared the stage with music giants such as Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan. After eight years in New York City, Lo now resides in Beijing where he teams up with China’s three-time DMC Champion DJ Wordy for the monthly Hotpot dance parties. Before celebrating the two-year anniversary of Hotpot, Lo visited the students of The International Montessori School of Beijing to discuss the world of music and life of a DJ.
Daniel Walton, 10, Australia
Why did you choose to be a DJ?
Ever since I was young I liked to listen to music. I also like to dance and like it when other people dance. It’s a way to have fun with your friends.
Winking Lee, 9, Singapore
Is it hard to DJ?
In the beginning, it does take a lot of practice, especially if you want to do scratching. But like anything, the more you work on it, the more you practice, the better you get. If you’re interested, it just takes practice; and if you like it, then it doesn’t seem like you’re practicing.
Daniel Shen, 11, USA
When you spin or scratch the disk, won’t you damage it?
There are different kinds of records. Your parents might have an old record that doesn’t need a computer. These aren’t designed for scratching and DJing, because the disk might get damaged. The new records and needles are designed for scratching and DJing. This record is a special kind of record, called a Serato record, which is connected to the computer. Any song, MP3 or CD can be played on this special record.
Maikah Bulpitt, 10, USA
Where do you get the records?
Now, no one listens to records so they’re harder to find. In Beijing, sometimes small coffee shops have them. In New York, there are a few record stores, but it’s getting harder because most people listen to MP3s. More and more people use laptops and these special records that connect to a laptop. I don’t think old records will ever make a big comeback; they’re more for music purists.
Roger Loh, 11, Singapore
How do you travel safely with heavy equipment?
I am lucky, because most clubs or lounges already have the turntable, the mixer and other equipment. So right now, I just need to bring my special record and my computer.
Niklas Jaakola, 10, Finland
Have you been to many different countries?
I’ve been to a few. I’ve been to France, England, Japan, Korea, Thailand, China and I grew up in the United States. I get to travel, so it’s fun.
Erica Guo, 9, Canada
How many songs do you usually play when you’re at a party?
A few hundred songs and I usually play for around two to three hours. You want to keep everyone interested, so you have to play different types of music. Some people like reggae and some people don’t. I try to play a lot of songs, so everyone can be happy.
Edvin Andearreason, 12, Sweden
How many kinds of music do you play on the turntable?
Any kind of music. That’s the amazing thing about the special record and the laptop – any music you have, you can play! My computer has maybe 15,000 songs, so I can play it day after day.
Cailin Booth, 11, Canada
What kind of music do you like?
I like hip-hop. I used to live in New York and a lot of people there like to listen to hip-hop. But I like a lot of music. At home, when I’m trying to study or read, I like to listen to jazz. There’s also pop music, rock, reggae and upbeat dance music like trance and electronic music.
Erica Guo, 9, Canada
Do you wear headphones?
I do. I plug the headphones in so I can hear the next song in the queue; you don’t want everyone else to hear the next song. If you don’t have the headphones, the audience will hear two songs at the same time. You don’t want that.
Niklas Jaakola, 10, Finland
Do you ever make mistakes when you’re at a party?
Usually now I don’t, but when I first started DJing, I did. There’s a technique called beat matching or blending where you play the music a certain way so it’s hard to know when the first song stops and the second song begins. So, sometimes I’d mess that up. Or I would forget and play two songs at the same time.
Johnny Hu, 9, China
Do you get anything fromparties, like cake?
Sometimes there’s cake, but I don’t get paid in cake.
