Shane’s on a mission to be better

Simple, quiet, but most of all driven, Shane “DJ Dash” Collymore is aware of the challenges in the entertainment scene, but he is determined to share his love for music with those willing to listen.

The aspiring sound production engineer and businessman said he is using spinning his music as a stepping stone towards where he really wants to be.

“Being a deejay is something which happens naturally and I see myself as more than a deejay. I see myself as a sound engineer and setting up at events and so on, but I will always be a crazy music lover,” he told Bajan Vibes.

Shane confessed that if not a DJ, he would still find himself in the entertainment scene. “I love entertainment, I really do, so it would have to be something based around entertainment. I would be involved in probably marketing or event marketing. So it would still be related to entertainment.”

He has full support from mum Linda Collymore, who he called his biggest fan. “Anything that I do or did, she was always backing me. I am most grateful for the support system of my mom. I would not have gotten here without her support. She never said what I was doing made no sense; she has just always been backing me.”

He said he started out in photography back at the Barbados Community College. “But when I finished school, I really wanted to do the DJ thing, and it just came natural,” he said.

Some of his proudest moments include not only performing at weddings but at exclusive corporate events. “I work a lot of weddings, especially being employed at Sandals. I have been to places that I thought I would not have been, but I got there through deejaying.”

He said he taught himself through YouTube and watching other DJs play at events. One of his inspirations includes DJ Puffy, but he also likes the work of DJ TLM because of how he breaks down the craft to be the best.

The 27-year-old described himself as an old soul and said he likes to cater to the older generation when he plays at parties. “Music is a memory and to me it is a picture used to bring back memories in life. I always like to bring back memories which help people know what they were doing at that time.”

DJ Dash holds an Associate’s Degree in Mass Communication and says his age is a good one, though he feels he could be doing more and is willing to do what it takes to get himself there. Despite what others his age may say about the lack of opportunities in Barbados, he says there is a lot to capitalize on locally in the entertainment scene. One challenge he faces is with payments from clients.

“People expect you to give of yourself freely. People expect to get free services, but I have to tell them I paid for my equipment. While these issues help to make me a better businessman, it is not fair because I believe in my capabilities and talents.”

His advice to artists is to remember that it is a tough dog-eat-dog world and they must have tough skin. “It’s not easy but if you like what you do, you will definitely get through. You just need to find where you fit and stick to it. Keep positive. I just try to keep positive, even in bad situations. It’s all about your mindset because eventually you would get that break. Don’t let it get to you. Just remain humble — that is what I live by.”

He added that he believes that when something does not work out, he knows there was a reason behind it and something better would manifest. (MR)