A Special Message (And Mix) From Book Club!

Melbourne night Book Club is run by a bunch of party heroes committed to fostering local underrepresented talent with a focus on female identifying and gender non-conforming (GNC) DJs. Understanding how tough it can be to secure that first gig, they’re here to give new djs and artists a chance to get some of their first paid bookings and learn from other DJs in the scene.

Held at Ferdydurke it’s all super low-key, low-pressure and about having a sick time, not packing out a venue on your first go. They’re more interested in building up artists and vibes. We’re so into what they’re doing we asked them to make us a sick mix, and let us get to know them a little better.

What we’re trying to do at Book Club is propel women and GNC bedroom DJs into the scene but in the least intimidating way possible. I remember when I was starting out as a DJ. It was absolutely terrifying. I had been working in the music industry as a PR assistant and a writer as well as heavily involved in the…er ‘club scene’ in Melbourne and already knew the discourse around female DJs, especially how men went about booking them. The first DJ I played on my own, most of the horrible things I had heard were running through my head and I almost threw up due to nerves. Fast forward a few days later, I told a person I worked with that I had DJ’d over the weekend and he actually asked me, “do you mix tracks or do you stop and start?” Fuck that.

We’re hoping to foster an environment that is low in pressure, which I think Ferdydurke is perfect for, as well as having DJs like myself around to ask for help – without a snide serving of judgement. It’s hard as hell to get your first set and Book Club aims to be a night that books anyone who wants a chance to get their hands dirty with some CDJ2000s and for us to showcase some amazing untapped talent right here in Melbourne. There is no longer any excuse to not be booking female and GNC DJs when we are doing it every month, right?

Here are some of Book Club’s favourite GNC musicians to pre drink to before we get the party started on September 8.

TRACKLIST