“In music the passions enjoy themselves.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
The Lebanese are renowned for their many talents, and music is definitely one of them. With so many outstanding DJs in the country, we thought we’d shine a spotlight to highlight some of the best talents in the field by launching the DJs of Lebanon. It’s a way to thank them for providing the soundtrack to some of the best nights of our lives and keep the beats going and going and going.
DJ Rima Taha AKA Artemis has found that through composing music digitally she can control many instruments at once – and she likes it that way! She’s always turned to music as a sanctuary and a release and as one of the few female Lebanese DJs, she now she plays around the region, and online. Check out our interview with her:
How did you begin your DJing career?
How I started my career is kind of a tough question. There was not a real thing that made me start, it just happened. All I did is follow the stream of my life. I remember I used to play music when I was a couple of years old with my mom’s kitchen pans, then one Christmas they got me a small guitar, then I moved to piano and I fell in love with this instrument. I’ve always wanted to take control of everything and I think that was the main reason why now I am into electronic music. I hate not having something under my direct control, and the only way I had to play the piano and guitar all at once was using a computer to compose.
Who and what are your inspirations for music?
Everything around me inspires me, especially the fact that I live in an area in Lebanon where nature is quite an inspiration itself. There are lots of artists that I listen to,and all good music is an inspiration, from rock to soul, from chill ambient to electronic progressive, from Arab to Indie etc… My main influences would be Pink Floyd, The Doors, Bob Marley, John Digweed and many more.
How would you define your genre of music?
I love the kind of music that leaves a footprint on the general scene, the kind that goes from the ear into the depth of the soul, the kind of music that makes you tear and smile. It can vary from the melody to the beat to the groovy sounds and then again to the heavy ones.
Where can we listen to you play?
I have a show every 15th of the month at Beattunes. I don’t have residency meantime due to the commercial traffic in most of the clubs we have in Lebanon. I am very aware of what kind of evens/clubs I commit to. This does not mean you won’t find me anywhere, I play a few events but fair enough (quality events). People might follow my events updates through my Facebook page/Twitter.
Do you have any albums?
Well, I am working to get my studio done. The ideas for the album are there and hopefully I can deliver what I want soon someday.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’m a big dreamer, with head high and feet on the ground. Quoting Carl Sandburg, “I don’ know where I’m going but I’m on my way”.
What was your favorite event or show you ever played at and why?
To be honest each event filled my all with different experiences. I love every event I’ve played.
What is the worst part of being a DJ?
There are a ton of pitfalls in the business, least of which is the fact that you are in an environment where 95% on the people you are dealing with are drunk, high or a combination of both. Logic usually goes out of the window fast, so you have to have a knack for dealing with people and staying focused on the task at hand. If my heart was not in it, I probably would not have lasted past the shady promoters, occasionally getting stiffed, and technical disasters. But the good far outweighs the bad.
What is the best part of being a DJ?
I get to do what I love every day and have met some amazingly talented people. I get to see people enjoy music as much as I do. There really isn’t much better than that in my book.
Do you have some hobbies? Can you tell us more about those?
I like to swim a lot and chill in the sun (I’m a summer lover) and when I’m not on the beach I’ll be having BBQs with my best friends or doing any outdoor activities… not forgetting of course that I like clubbing too 🙂
Where can we follow any news or updates, do u have a fan page?
Of course:
http://facebook.com/artemisofficialpage
http://twitter.com/artemisofficial
http://mixcloud.com/artemis-official
What’s your favorite tune on your iPod?
Lily Wasp (original mix) – Petar Dundov
How would you describe Lebanon in one sentence?
Beautiful and divine yet so complicated to live in.
Comments
BeirutNightLife is not responsible for the comments that users post below.