Welcome to the 12th interview in our series, ‘Stories About Records’ where we ask our members and some of our favourite Djs about their most cherished 45.
This is not about perceived or discogs monetary value but personal value that is tied up in memories, stories, love, loss, life, family and a passion for this particular 7″ vinyl record.
We want to know what the record is, what it sounds like and why it is so important to you.
If you’re interested in being apart of this series drop us an email or sign up for our Newsletter to be informed when these wonderful stories drop.
Now to the interview and it’s great to present Dj D from Sydney, Australia.
Firstly, tell us about yourself as a Dj and Collector of 45s, how long have you been playing and collecting, why 45s, what was the first 45 you were given and also the first 45 you bought? Do you still have them?
First up, cheers for having me on, absolutely love this concept 100!
I’ve been getting down on the DJ tip for some time, often referred to as ‘Australia’s premiere female turntablist’, my dj name ‘DJ D’ being an abbreviation of the name I used at my first gig in 1988 (DJ Diana) and also my nicknames through high-school (Dee Mac, Deej) gained from spinning many a 7” & 12” vinyl, pre-cued cassette tapes and of course making mixtapes.
Over the last couple of decades, I’ve achieved a number of titles, including a few from the Technics DMC Championships – in 2005 placing 8th at the National and in 2015 placing 3rd in NSW, as the only female competitor in both cases, and in 2020 placing 8th in the National Title and receiving a gold record and endorsement from Pioneer DJ at the finals.
Most recently I also placed 8th in Kokane’s ‘Monkey Wasn’t Fonky’ DJ Competition in 2021, so I guess 8 is the lucky number.
My love of the 7” format began in my toddler years, not having many toys I often played with my dad’s vinyl collection, stacked out of their covers in those retro racks those coloured labels were like candy to me.
Around this time, I was also the human remote control for our retro wooden entertainment cabinet that housed a multi-stack vinyl player selecting 7s for the grown-ups to listen to while they caught up over coffees and treats.
Growing up, if I was a good girl, mum would buy me a 7” from the local supermarket where they were stacked at the checkout counter much like candy bars are today.
I had inherited a bunch of 7s from my sister who used to have a record stall in the 80s and also adopted many of my dad’s collection that span from the 50s to early 70s.
A first for me on the 45 tip – a read-along-storybook ‘The Pussycat Tiger’ released in 1972 with 7” record that I now play for my son, one that my elder sister had grown up listening to.
I also recall my first gifted 7s from my sister being the Hoodoo Gurus limited edition 6 single set released in 1985 who we’d just seen live and also met at a Record Store appearance.
One of the first 7” vinyl records I recall my mum buying for me from that supermarket checkout stand was The Bangles ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ released in 1986; having always had a fascination with ancient Egypt, mum often comparing my long fingers to figures in those early pyramid drawings.
There’s another first that I’ll mention in the next part of this interview, and yes I still have all the 45s here, many of which I took to cleaning and sleeving as one of my favourite activities through lockdown.
What is your most cherished 45? Why is it so important to you? What is it’s story (label, year, artist, musicians), where did it come from? Is the B-Side any good?
Naturally I have many that are cherished, however, this has to be my most cherished memory with a 45, 1989 Tommy Boy Australian release of De La Soul’s ‘Say No Go’ from 3 Feet High and Rising.
Cherished memories for a couple of reasons: it’s the first 7” that I ever tried to scratch and loop with those horns and that intro beat – this all went down quietly behind a closed door, as I didn’t want to get in trouble from my big brother for potentially destroying his turntable and big sister for potentially destroying her vinyl!
This release, along with other tracks from 3 Feet High and Rising, solidified my love of sampling, often having this LP on repeat while I battled with cartridge through Super Mario Bros on my original Nintendo system to save the princess whilst having my ears opened to a plethora of amazing samples with thanks to DJ Maseo.
Moments that still influence what I do today, with my radio show being much like a freestyle journey on the 1200s through time, with original samples of hip hop defining where to next.
I was also honoured to be in a 2021 dj live stream with DJ Maseo, bringing such memories full circle whilst giving my hydraulic turntable ‘more bounce’ a whirl.
Oh and that B-side?
Perfect for scratch practice being an instrumental remix for say no go; and that saying I grew up with?
Besides, b-sides are always better!!!
Check Out Dj D’s 2020 set for The Forty Five Queens Live Stream Special
Find Dj D at the following sites: