dj ness bio

“Talking about music is like dancing about architechture…”

Being a fan of all forms of music...Vanessa, a.k.a. DJ Ness, remembers starting her love of real dance music back in 1984 when she was 5 years old--listening to Madonna’s “Material Girl” in daddy’s car. Little did she know, there was a house music revolution going on in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois. This would be her future passion and lead to an important turning point in her life. Vanessa has played many instruments, notably the piano, cello and upright bass, but has also toyed around with the flute, the violin, keyboards, and synthesizers. From making mix tapes in her bedroom and recording pretend radio shows with her friends, her desire to become a disc jockey surfaced long before she ever knew the meaning of the words.

It wasn’t until March 1997 (just after her 18th birthday) that she discovered dance music culture at an underground party in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Mesmerized by the ability of the DJ to control their crowd with the music, she wanted to know more. Attending events became a weekly outing for Vanessa and her friends. From nightclubs to raves to the radio, she began observing the positive and negative aspects of the Arizona scene. The music was good and the people were great. However, it quickly became apparent to her that female DJs were very few and far between, especially in Phoenix.

Vanessa’s love for the scene led her to join forces with GrooveTribe in June 2000, a local production company who does a variety of music and dance events. The group of musicians, DJs and music lovers is most notable for brining world famous headliners weekly to Kind Fridays at Club Freedom in Phoenix Valley (not to mention their New Year’s parties!). As a personal assistant to their creative director, she gained much experience in the planning, promotions and productions of music events.

In August 2001, under the guide of many mentors and sheer determination, Vanessa bought her first turntables. After hours of practicing almost everyday, DJ Ness (titled after her family nickname) was booked for her first gig in November 2002 at an historic hole in the wall tavern called the Sail Inn. Since then she has played alongside DJs such as Dieselboy, DJ Rap, DJ Irene, DJ Dara, Miss Lisa, Aphrodite, DJ Icey and Bad Boy Bill to name a few. Her favorite and longest residency was with Kind Fridays, from december 2002 to November 2003.

All styles of music were alluring to DJ Ness, so it is very hard for her to classify herself at first. She found the most diversity in house music though, and rocks a dance floor with anything from deep soulful sexy house to tribal, progressive tech house. Her biggest inspiration is her tight knit support group of local DJs in the Phoenix Valley. “I would not be where I am today without the love and support of our local scene,” states Ness. “Especially those old schoolers who have sat down with me and given me much needed advice”

DJ Ness has a limited edition release of her recent show on OXYGEN radio with Ethan Klein in Houston, Texas recorded December 2003, scheduled for release in early February 2004. For more info, booking or a CD, please contact djness@care2.com

and stuff...

GrooveTribe--Feeling the funk since 1994
SheJay.net--Uniting Women in the music industry