Last night the DJ saved my life

"Last night a DJ saved my life with a song." This is part of the lyrics of a track I remember from my phase as an 18-year-old going out to clubs. Obviously, I'm most familiar with its remix, as the original was released in 1982. I remember that time as a teenager — finishing up high school, when some of the "cool kids" advertised nightclubs, celebrated their birthdays in lounges of said nightclubs, and some knew the bouncers because they were out every weekend.

I'd never been part of the cool kids. At that age, you envy the cool kids, and I felt like only the most special people got put on the guest list. In my head, the story went: If you make it onto a guest list, you've made it big. If you have a lounge and order bottles of alcohol that get brought in with sparklers, you've made it big. In retrospect, I'm thinking: made it big WHERE? What is the accomplishment here? It's not like I grew up in Hollywood or New York City, where these people might be printed in tabloids or anything. And even if so: why was that a big deal? But I guess it's normal, as these were the VIPs for the night, the people that got special treatment, and I guess it's natural to envy that status.

I remember not going out before midnight, because who would want to be at a club before 1am? Only losers do that, is what I was told.

To my dilemma, because I'm not a night person.

When I worked at a start-up after university, I made friends with a co-worker and found out she taught herself how to DJ during the pandemic. I'm still floored by how good she's become, and she keeps spinning turntables at gigs for some bigger clubs in the city. I was so excited I told her I'd want to come to a set no matter what. I'd never had a friend who was a DJ. My younger self would have been over the moon.

Then came the phrase my 18-year-old self never thought she'd hear:

"Let me know and I'll put you on the guest list."

Wait, what? I'm at an age where I could pay the entrance fee, but here I am, friends with the DJ and on the guest list?

Did I just "make it big"?

The first few gigs I went to see her, she had the opening sets around 11pm. Which I thought was amazing! Obviously, there aren't that many people there, so the atmosphere is unique and I'd say, as a DJ, it's less rewarding than when you have a crowd that appreciates your choice in music, tracks and transitions.

I'd just go — alone when I didn't find anyone else who wanted to join me to dance to her music — and then I'd head back home once her set was finished. After all: I'm friends with the DJ, so I wasn't truly alone.

I even got invited to her wedding and, to my surprise, the "who's who" of the club scene in Zurich showed up and made for a crazy 4 day party. Not that I knew any of them, but my younger self would definitely have said I made it. I still enjoy listening to DJ sets when running, but it's not the same as experiencing the drop with a crowd and going wild over it.

Thankfully, times have changed and, especially in summer, there are more day raves or day parties that allow you to dance, enjoy music, have a good time with friends and still get to bed at a reasonable time. I do like a good party. The alcohol is not what matters to me, but the music, vibes and people, so these concepts that allow me to experience this are what I'm after.

Currently, Rundfunk, in Zurich, is a great open concept that unites club mixes, chill outdoor bar vibes, and a great setting.

On my bucket list is still to make it to a bakery rave — one that happens in the AM at select cafés or bakeries.

Guess then we'll have to sing: "This morning a barista and DJ saved my life with a song."
xoxo, F