NIKKI CHONG

MENTAL HEALTH & MUSIC

DJ MINI SERIES

As dance music seems to have started glimmering back to life, and perhaps a disco filed summer is suddenly on our hands again, the excitement brewing in pubs and table service gigs feels palpable. The expectation for that night out we’ve been waiting for all year is building. As festivals announce line ups once more, and venues toy with the idea of welcoming back gigs, I wonder how the party starters are feeling.

I find myself reflecting on a chat with Niki Chong a few months back, where we talked about the impact DJing inevitably has on the mental well-being of artists. Over the past few years Nikki has shifted from her roots in Australia where she worked in a venue as a lighting technician and first learnt to mix, to an artist in her own right here in Liverpool.

Her sets are meticulous, detailed with soul and distinctly quick. Nikki connects to the dancers before her, transforming anybody into a two-step shuffler. Only playing music she adores Nikki reminds me of the friendship art can bring us. “There’s no point moulding to other people and what they want,” she tells me, “People should come to see you for you.”

Sometimes I feel like other people are so talented or I think ‘I could be practicing more’, I feel like I’m lazy.

Although armoured with her self-love, Nikki shares that she too wavers in moments of doubt. “I do feel the pressure that I’m not doing enough,” she tells me, “sometimes I feel like other people are so talented or I think ‘I could be practicing more’, I feel like I’m lazy.”

In a society where we never seem to be moving fast enough, productivity becomes currency. Our worth as not only artists, but as people can be reduced to production and work load. It seems, for many of us, if we are not literally pouring our heart, mind and soul into every minute perfecting our craft we are worth less as a creator.

“I’m twenty eight now,” Nikki explains, “so sometimes I see these people who are twenty and they’re more connected to social media in ways I don’t understand so I feel this pressure to compete with twenty year olds.”

The pressure of social media is not a new conversation I have had with artists in recent years. “Social media makes me think other people are doing more,” Nikki says. And in some ways, she’s not wrong. Up-keeping an online presence is tiring for artists, adding extra hours of work onto the creative process.

People say to pick an aesthetic and run with it. But I don’t know where to start

Sometimes, the hassle of social media will deter artists from putting their work out to the world. The pressure to have an “aesthetic” and become a branded, consumable version of your authentic self is exhausting to say the least.

“I wouldn’t even know how to start branding myself,” Nikki tells me coolly, “People say to pick an aesthetic and run with it. But I don’t know where to start.”

In addition to the demand for branding, social media allows an insight for expectation on artists. There is a sense of performance anxiety for artists. For Nikki this buds in the form of production. “I feel like [producing] is the next step which is expected. I would love to learn it without the pressure of having to put anything out.”

The freedom bedroom or self-taught artist have to create, play with and explore music is a rare enjoyment in life. However, the anxiety of time management, expectation to deliver and the pressure of keeping your online presence “relevant” can over ride the fun of it all.

I think I forget that I have been doing a lot. I have been doing really well for myself!

“Working with a routine, structure and an end date is sometimes more manageable. But with producing there is no end date so I’ll just put it off. Because no one’s asking for the result I’ll just do something else instead. I don’t know why it makes me so anxious.”

Procrastination is a popular escape from anxiety, and something often not addressed within the creative world. For DJs who live in a constant state of high energy and productivity, it is important people like Niki are speaking up about this.

It is important to take a moment to reflect on our highs. To ignore the ‘to do’ light and let ourselves enjoy our art. All too often we can get consumed with our insecurities and the demands of the external world. “I think I forget that I have been doing a lot,” Nikki realises, “I have been doing really well for myself!”

This celebration of self is a beautiful part of our conversation. I appreciate the moments we take to soak up the successes sometimes. Nikki also points out to me that allowing ourselves to take it steady, makes our process more enjoyable. And when our process is enjoyable, we allow our art to become exciting, fresh and joyful. “If you really enjoy something that’s when something good happens,” she tells me, “You need to enjoy it otherwise it’s not authentic.”

I see this authenticity within Nikki, not only in her uplifting, soulful sets but in her honest conversation too. And I realise, as we draw to a natural plateau and end to our chat, her words are more important than I think she realises.

Her strength to be vulnerable, and honest with both her highs and lows creatively resonate not only to me but many other creative souls I have met. And this connection to one another’s paths is what will pave the way for a more loving, a more genuine space for artists to thrive.

Words Mary Olive