Samira

Thanks to Amber for this link to an article that mentions SISTER SF.

This morning i received an email from a friend of mine, who took pretty serious issue with my Dragnet posting.� i guess i felt surprised at first, but then accepted it as an opportunity for dialogue & decided to share it here, in case anyone would like to add their thoughts. ======================= here’s the message i received: “Although you may think that the concept of an “all-female crew” is a superfluous thing in this town, the moment you leave this city behind, it quickly becomes apparent that female artists are not treated/viewed as equals to their male counter parts.” I hate to be evil here, but if you guys are so concerned with pushing a feminist agenda, and you openly admit it is unnecessary to do it here — why not go someplace else & do it there?� Why preach to the choir here? Just imagine if a bunch of guys got together in SF and touted themselves as an all-male crew… “Brother” …couldn’t imagine it, cuz it wouldn’t happen.� There is virtually no male pride in SF, unless one happens to be flaming gay. I’m just saying, if you want to look “political” you should probably go to a place where gender wars still exist… …which is, admittedly, most of the world. But not here.� Here it (Sister) seems like a tired gimmick (which, surely, will still suck in a lot of the laggers, but is that really what U are trying 2doo…?) Personally, when I am listening to a musician, I’m not paying attention to the gender — I am listening to the sounds… …if we are to be equal, it has to come from both sides. again, sorry =========================================== and my response: hey you– nice to hear from you :-) and don’t apologize: you are absolutely entitled to your opinion. Read the statement again: “Although you may think that the concept of an “all-female crew” is a superfluous thing in this town, the moment you leave this city behind, it quickly becomes apparent that female artists are not treated/viewed as equals to their male counter parts.” Just because female djs have it better here than anywhere else in the world [which becomes quickly apparent when playing out of state], doesn’t mean there is no work left to be done here.� in fact, we’ve come so far that it is easy to forget that we still have a ways to go. if it wasn’t for my exposure to less female-friendly environments, i probably wouldn’t be as aware of the subtle ways in which SF still treats female djs with less respect:� women are still objectified.� women still get paid less.� women still have to work harder to get booked. again, it may *seem* like a superfluous thing but it is, in fact, not. also, sister is hardly pushing a *feminist* agenda. unless you believe that creating a space for up and coming female djs, providing a website that is filled with djing resources, and throwing an annual drag party are considered feminist. this is not about being anti-male.� it is about being pro-female.� and, considering the hundreds of emails we receive from women all over the globe, as well as locally, we feel it is worth the effort. finally, i appreciate that your appreciation of a performer is solely linked to the music, not the person, what ever shape, sex, gender they are.� not everybody is like you, unfortunately. many people will still pack 1015 folsom to “hear” a topless dj trainwreck all night.� the Nitevibe dreamteam had not a single woman in there.� � i could go on. our drag party is a very special event: it is both a celebration of our 9 years of being a crew.� it is also a celebration of those guys in the scene who have supported us throughout the years.� because without them, we wouldn’t have come nearly as far as we have. call it what you will. you call it a gimmick. to me, it’s reminder. i hope you’re enjoying the summer so far. cheers sam

“i agree. like sister sf, and witches brew, that is a quality all female dj crew. That is understandable. They are there because of their talent and their love for what they do. But if you’re just trying to sell a dj because they are female. like portia surreal, thats where, in my opinion it, becomes ridiculous and uncalled for. ” DallasDanceMusic Discussion Forums

came across this live journal entry yesterday. note to self: do some writing. frustrate Samira was one of the DJs at this weekend’s party. I’d never seen her before and she was probably my favorite, though she spun in and out with some random blond guy who wasn’t on the schedule… I read up on her some and find she’s mainly associated with female DJ groups here in the Bay. Why does that bother me? I have no idea. The concept of a ‘female DJ group’ is almost as disgusting as one only of males. The underground music scene doesn’t need suffrage. At least the electro-techno-tech house doesn’t… Or does it? Are female DJs really asked by promoters to wear ’something tight’? I’ll admit that watching a person spin records can be pretty sexual, but — come the fuck on, now — my eyes never stray from his or her hands… Anyway. I could be more forgiving if she hadn’t been wearing makeup, I guess. It’s wrong for me to assume that people I admire share my thoughts on gender. I still may seek her out for another couple of parties, though. www.livejournal.com/users/luminesc/86964.html

Live @ the Galaxy Club (Opening Set for 10 Sui) This is a live & unedited recording of my opening set for UK breaks DJ/producer 10 Sui (TCR, Botchit & Scarper, UK). it was recorded at the Galaxy Club in San Francisco on December 8, 2002. Many thanks to Nate Stephens for donating his time & allowing me to share his photos online. Here’s the photo gallery of that night.