I’ve never regretted a single moment spent digging through crates. Back in the day, it was physical record shops like Gramaphone in Chicago or the many hidden gems in New York and London. Today, it’s a mix of vinyl shops and digital platforms like Bandcamp, Discogs, and specialized digital stores. But the philosophy remains the same: if you want to find the gold, you have to dig where others aren't looking.
Your signature sound as a DJ isn't what you play; it's what you choose to play from the millions of options available. It's about curation, not just collection.
Avoid the "Charts"
If you only play what’s in the Top 10, you’re going to sound like everyone else. The charts are a useful indicator of what's popular, but they aren't where you find your identity. Your signature sound is found in the b-sides, the forgotten classics, and the obscure labels that only put out a few hundred copies. I still spend hours looking for those records that have that specific "Vernon" feel—warm, intentional, and groove-focused. I often look for tracks that failed to find an audience when they were released but sound perfect for today's dance floors.
Develop Your Ear
Crate digging is a skill that takes years to master. It’s about learning how to scan a track and know within seconds if it has the "bones" of something special. Don’t just listen to the peak-time drop; listen to the intro, the outro, and the way the bass sits in the mix. Sometimes a track that seems mediocre at first has one incredible, hypnotic element—a shaker pattern, a vocal fragment, or a specific synth texture—that makes it worth having for a specific transition.
I also pay attention to the credits. If I find a record I love, I look at who produced it, who the engineer was, and what other labels they worked with. This "genealogical" digging leads you down rabbit holes that algorithms will never show you.
Respect the History
When I’m digging, I’m also educating myself. I’m looking at the labels, seeing the history of the sound, and tracing the connections between cities and eras. Understanding the lineage of a sound helps you contextualize it in your sets. It’s not just a file on a drive; it’s a piece of a larger story. When you know the history of a record, you play it with more intention and respect.