AAJA in Deptford
South-East London collective, grassroots venue and online radio station AAJA, this weekend (30 Oct - 1st Nov 2020) are running a 48 hour global livestream to unite the underground, electronic community across the world. With DJs broadcasting from NYC, Tokyo, Oslo, Sydney, Berlin, Ibiza and more, the global radio takeover will keep the music playing long after the venue shutters its doors at the strict 10pm curfew.
I got a chat with owners Sam and Owen, longtime friends and DJs themselves about how artists are adapting to Covid-restrictions, keeping live streaming interesting - with innovative ideas? Also the technicalities of helping other artists move studio's into homes. & so on ... best pp
Everson & Patch
About AAJA
Independent venue AAJA in Deptford opened in Sept 2018 and became popular amongst locals as a community hub for day & night DJ sets. As a live streaming event space, AAJA was broadcasting to the online world even before lockdown, as listeners could enjoy DJ sets happening live in their under the arches space from home, as AAJA transmit directly from their venue mixing desk to their online community radio station in real time.
When lockdown happened AAJA kept in touch with their resident DJs via WhatsApp, they shared tips on livestream from home - keeping the AAJA airwaves on whilst the venue itself fell silent. The community radio kept the scene connected, grew the station as more and more DJs were keen to get in touch and show off their home setups, not to mention communicating with each other on AAJA’s chat room.
From March 1 to April 30 2020 AAJA’s online music streaming hours increased by 92% and this year listenership grew by 303% with a 176% increase in unique visitors (the audience remains heavily local with 92% of listeners in London.)
AAJA now has a collective of 100 DJs and whilst the majority are south-east London-based and fellow Lewisham residents, AAJA has now connected with DJs internationally.
When lockdown happened AAJA kept in touch with their resident DJs via WhatsApp, they shared tips on livestream from home - keeping the AAJA airwaves on whilst the venue itself fell silent. The community radio kept the scene connected, grew the station as more and more DJs were keen to get in touch and show off their home setups, not to mention communicating with each other on AAJA’s chat room.
From March 1 to April 30 2020 AAJA’s online music streaming hours increased by 92% and this year listenership grew by 303% with a 176% increase in unique visitors (the audience remains heavily local with 92% of listeners in London.)
AAJA now has a collective of 100 DJs and whilst the majority are south-east London-based and fellow Lewisham residents, AAJA has now connected with DJs internationally.
Hello guys, can you explain how the idea of a 48 hour global livestream started?
We have a great community with Aaja, we wanted to expand this globally with our extended friends and the music heads that are living around the globe. We also wanted to highlight the importance of radio/streaming through the pandemic, uniting people and keeping the music rolling.
We have a great community with Aaja, we wanted to expand this globally with our extended friends and the music heads that are living around the globe. We also wanted to highlight the importance of radio/streaming through the pandemic, uniting people and keeping the music rolling.
Uncle Dugs
Why did you want to reach out to DJs based outside of the UK?
We have a great global network of musicians, DJs and MCs that were looking for a channel to share their music. Enabling DJs to stream remotely via aajamusic.com opened up opportunities for these extended friends around the world to join the family.
AAJA as a venue is based in South London, how did lockdown help develop your global network of contacts?
During lockdown AAJA residents began to do their shows from home, and our community grew substantially. We think that with many people confined to their homes being a part of AAJA and broadcasting remotely gave people a much needed creative outlet and positive routine.
Fabio & Grooverider
Fabio & Grooverider playing is amazing, they're clearly flying the flag for South London's music heritage and good on em! How did they get involved?
AAJA in Deptford Lewisham has always been about creating a space to honour and encourage South East London’s rich musical heritage.Fabio and Groove rider got involved via Voice MC. Voice hosts a regular rave(in normal times) in the arch called From the Vaults, bringing amazing DJ’s and MC’s to our humble railway arch. Voice MC also MC’s Fabio & Grooverider regularly.
We have also seen the likes of Pro Green, Billy Daniel Bunter, Ragga Twins, Ashley Walters, DJ Food, Ranking Joe amongst many others pass through the arch.
The 10pm curfew is having a big effect on nightlife in England, in what ways has it affected AAJA?
The 10PM curfew has had a big effect on AAJA and all other grass roots music spaces & hospitality venues. The regulations are a mixture of closing earlier, but also providing table service, which means more staff and costs. But, we are still open and here 7 days a week 10AM to 10PM with live radio shows. Pop by for a beer and enjoy a show.
The takeover aims to raise awareness of the #WeAreViable campaign, what’s this campaign all about?
The #WeAreViable project is a campaign to return to live entertainment, safely as soon as possible.
‘#WeAreViable is a movement created to bring together and unite all corners of the entertainment industry to help safeguard its future and deliver a safe return to normal.’
Birdee
How has AAJA as a venue been operating differently since Covid and do you think the pandemic has brought the electronic scene together?
Like every venue in London we have had to adapt accordingly with the government guidelines. Even though our capacity inside the venue has been more than halved, it’s been amazing to see the local music community still come and support us.
Along with this, we have seen our online community grow and witnessed an overall togetherness within the larger electronic music scene. We’re sensing another summer of love (fingers crossed).
For the time being, it’s really important that we support each other, keep pushing music and doing events where we can (safely). Supporting musicians by purchasing their music, signing up to services like Patreon and following live streams.
How much do you think the pandemic will change the electronic/dance scene? Could it possibly (wash your mouth out) push it forward into a positive?
We guess one positive is when anything is stopped so suddenly and for a period of time the community can take a look at how it could do things better when it restarts again. There is still so much work to be done but we love the efforts of artists, labels and spaces to work on diversity within their lineups and teams.
And the future of nightlife?
We think it will return to normal eventually, and what a party that will be. Hopefully there is a quick way to get spaces back open, protecting jobs and protecting the UK’s most vulnerable.
Cheers guys - best pp
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