Givin’ Them What They Came For
The crowd screams my name, under the collective cries of “DJ SHADOW!” I hop behind the DJ booth. I load up a record and hop on my hind legs to work the table. The electronic noises of the buttons I hit as a warm-up overpower the crowd.
“Now,” I cry,”Pony Rock is in the house, the beats of Drum and Bass, whatever the hell ya call it! Let’s get this party started!”
I spin the disc and start my first song, headbanging along with it. I am completely cloaked in shadows, as I usually am, that required some bedsheets and a lot of Sharpie. Meanwhile, the lights dance around me, after all, I’m a one-pony band, and I am the star of the show, for better or worse. The Post-Dubstep music fills the air as I do some things at the table to make the remix perfect.
I am huge in Equestria, the competition being DJ-Pon3, who’d I’d taken inspiration from, and Neon Lights, who also took inspiration from Pon3. That mare has been making music for quite some time now, since she got her cutie mark, I’ve heard. It doesn’t hurt that she’s also a couple years older than us.
Tonight’s nightclub I stopped at, which I did in between tours, is a brightly-lit bar with a neon blue backsplash. They call it ‘The Bronze Rail’, which is a small brick building with some cool art on the side wall. They never disclosed if the art was graffiti or a paid commission, they never took it down though.
I had gotten lost in my thoughts, so before I knew it, the first song was over. The records had stopped spinning, and I coax the applauding crowd again.
“I see you ponies enjoyed that one! I knew ya would! Next, we’re goin’ for some Hardcore Techno, prepare your hooves for some fast-paced tapping!” I swear, someday, I’m going to enter a bar filled with nobles who hate my music and these rehearsed words will sound funny. I would probably be the one to actually try to play Techno in a bar full of nobles.
I start up a 170+ BPM song, which I was crazy to actually try to perform, somehow I really bucking did it. I add in some effects and some synthetic guitar. It was basically a Magïchead song at this point.
The Bronze Rail had some good options, and I would try those out later. Meanwhile, I will perform.
I pump my hoof in the air and start working the deck with one hand, showing the crowd to do the same. They concur, and scream louder.
Upon finishing the Hardcore Techno song, I bring out a new record.
“Alright, I understand ya liked that one! I personally do too, it’s one of my favorites. Let’s have some Trance, somethin’ a little slower. I’m super happy for this one!”
I play, true to my word, a slower song. The crowds didn’t like the ballads as much, but I always played them as a much-needed break, usually after some Hardcore Techno, which I’d just played. After all, my mind’s been needing a break for a while, it’s been needing a break my whole life. I turn towards the crowd and silently hope my cloak doesn’t fall off. It’s never happened before, but it’s a distinct possibility.
After the slower song, I bring out the last record.
“I’m gonna play one last record for ya guys! As per usual for my nightclub gigs, ya get 4 songs. My last one is some Old Dubstep, usually not something you’d hear, but I like all electronic! Here we go!”
I start up an Old Dubstep song, these didn’t usually rely on bass drops. They were usually just generic Drum and Bass, but I still loved them. The crowds did too, I knew what the crowds wanted, and I was going to provide it. Especially since I didn’t even know what I wanted 75% of the time.
The song finishes, and I finally relieve pressure off my hind legs.
“You’ve been a great crowd! Thanks for listenin’ to my awesome music, and remember to tip your bartenders!”
I pack up my records and bring them backstage. I also drop my cloak back there. Since nopony knew what I looked like, I could easily blend into crowds with barely any forsight. I never had meet and greets, and in general just wanted to keep myself hidden. I notice my set manager behind the curtain.
“Hey Shad0W,” he says,”killer set there! I wish I had your musical talent!”
“I’ve stopped at this bar before,” I say with venom in my voice,”I’ve told you to call me Compact Disc backstage. Also, I don’t even think I have that much musical talent anyways.”
“Hey, CD,” he says,”you seem to be selling records. Tells me you’ve got some musicality there.”
“Just tell me, how much musical talent did Shawn Mendes need to sell out charts! I’m just one of those people the critics love that has no talent. Also, don’t call me CD, call me bucking Compact Disc!” I turn and head towards the bar.
I slip into the crowds unnoticed. My manestyle is brown with spikes at front, with a short tail behind me. I possess a grey coat and some oddly shaped black eyes. I make sure to keep my things back there so that no one notices me. The only thing that might give me away is my shape and my cutie mark, a pair of blue headphones. I keep my cutie mark visible to everyone; rather, I drew it on my cloak so it was still visible.
I take a seat and examine the salt and pepper shakers while waiting on the bartender. Eventually, he comes to me.
“Killer show that Shad0W put on, wasn’t it?” I say.
The bartender nods.”It was, you kind of look like him, big fan?”
Now it’s my turn to nod.
“Yeah, Compact Disc, was it? What can I get you?”
“I don’t care, something strong please. Otherwise, I don’t really give a shit.”
The bartender nods again, and I receive my drink. 20 alcohol by proof, something incredibly strong.
After a couple, I head outside with my records and start on the road back to my house. The Broze Rail was local, so it didn’t take long to get to my house. It was right up Bridleway, and I always went to The Broze Rail for local gigs. I start my journey back to my house.