Sixteen-year-old Elise Dembowski exists on the social periphery of her high school, failing at every attempt to manufacture a likable persona. After a suicide attempt and a subsequent summer of isolation, she discovers an underground nightclub called Start. There, she meets a warehouse party promoter named Vicky and an aspiring DJ named Char. Char introduces Elise to the technical mechanics of mixing vinyl and digital tracks. Elise spends her nights learning to beatmatch and reading crowds, finding that her lifelong obsession with obscure pop and indie music transitions into a functional skill behind the turntables.
This book serves teenagers and young adults who feel alienated from traditional social structures. Readers find a technical look at the labor behind DJ culture and the specific relief of finding a niche community. The story provides a blueprint for moving past social rejection by focusing on a difficult craft rather than seeking peer approval. It leaves the reader with a realistic perspective on how creative obsession can provide a sense of utility and identity when social standing fails.
Practical, inward-looking and clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2013
- Language
- EN
