Tango in the Spring: 1-4 October 2010 Canberra Australia

DJ interview: Tim (Chanop) Silpa-Anan

“Tim started DJing in Canberra six years ago and has contributed significantly to the musical knowledge and appreciation of the Canberra tango community. As one of Canberra’s most popular DJs, Tim regularly DJed for the Tango Social Club of Canberra and was an occasional guest DJ at Club de Tango’s Friday night milonga in Glebe, Sydney.

He was also both host and DJ for Canberra’s weekly milonga Tango Tostado for five years, and is now co-host and DJ for Canberra’s weekly milonga El Boliche. Tim estimates he has 400-500 tango CDs, dominated by classic tango including D’Arienzo, Pugliese, Di Sarli, Troilo, D’Agostino, Tanturi and Biagi. He also has some more unusual tango like later Golden Age tango from the 50s, 60s and 70s; Piazolla; and music from the modern orchestras. He has a soft spot for Pedro Laurenz and D’Agostino with Vargas, even though they are a less frequent visitor to his turntable.”

I enjoy … keeping people on the floor despite their fatigue by playing irresistible music.

What first made you interested in tango DJing?

Out of necessity.

What do you like best about DJing?

I like many things about it, but firstly being able to dance to the music I like. Also I enjoy playing with people’s mood and keeping people on the floor despite their fatigue by playing irresistible music.

What do you consider when selecting music to play?

To make my friends and people I know get up and dance.

What music won’t you play at a milonga?

I don’t play the music I don’t like. Other than that, it all depends on the occasion.

What’s your worst DJing experience?

One time at a milonga I was DJing, someone came and asked me “Could you play D’Arienzo for me next?” My answer… “??? I’ve just played D’Arienzo!”. Well, I don’t know it qualifies as the ‘worst’, it was certainly a fairly annoying moment for a DJ!

How much do you dance when you DJ?

Depends on the night, I dance from a couple of tandas to half the night.

How did you find DJing at Tango in the Spring 2008?

Last time I had the job to send every one home: the last afternoon farewell milonga. After a great night on Sunday with Lisa taking the DJ role, it was really great to see that everyone at the afternoon milonga still had a great time dancing. It was a relax and chill out atmosphere, kind of. Seeing everyone enjoying tango was the best pleasure for me.

What are you looking forward to as a DJ at this year’s Tango in the Spring?

Seeing everyone enjoying the dance and music has always been my goal.

What is your current favourite tango song?

This is difficult, but if I have to pick one, it would be Seguime si podes by Pugliese,  since Jane and I used that as our bride and groom entrance song late last year.