She Spins ‘Em: Female DeeJays
She’s got skills.
At Dallas’ hottest dance clubs women are getting noticed behind the turntables, says writer Shannon Sutlief.
“The instructional video on how to be a female deejay has a fairly stereotypical cartoon protagonist: She has flowing blond hair, pouty lips, penetrating eyes,” she said. “When she comes on the screen, everyone giggles.”
One female deejay nicknamed “Wild in the Streets” opened for her favorite band who praised her song selections which she reveled in.
Cybrina Flux takes “Rocket Radio,” her Friday night show on KNON to Crave in Deep Ellum once a month in Dallas. Things weren’t always easy for Sabrina Steiner (her real name) behind the decks at clubs and on the air, according to Steiner.
“I’ve been told by many people because I don’t play or look the part of the female I get a little more respect from the male end of the industry,” said Ronin, who spins on Wednesdays at Zubar, in a recent article.
Still, the sight of a woman behind the turntable can be a surprise, said Sutlief.
Dallas’ first female deejay has been Mary Kehoe, who started spinning records in 1986 as Mary XTC, writes Sutlief.
“I feel like I was pretty lucky because I met really great guys and I hit it off with them,” said Kehoe in a recent interview.
The challenges for a rock-and-roll deejay are a bit different, wrote Sutlief. Good luck beating her at her own game, though, say experts. The truth is that any deejay gig comes with its pitfalls, according to research.
Then there’s Patricia Rodriguez, the epitome of do-it-yourself, states Sutlief.
“These women are mixing it up and stepping out from behind the turntables,” said writer Alison Powell. “The cult of the deejay has made an impact on music far beyond anything we imagined back when it was just about a bunch of guys lugging boxes full of records.”
“I was a deejay – more so because I was a woman,” said Megha.
