Thoughts on Emo Nights

It’s crazy to think we did our DJ night for 9 years from February 2011 to February 2020. Every month, sometimes twice when we’d DJ at Sage, a Thai place in Brooklyn. Every time it was with friends we knew or yet to meet every time we hung out and always, no cover. Or it was helping out a friend’s bars or closing em down when rent or the churn of NYC real estate took another victim. I loved never having to pay for special guest DJs. The bands just showed up for some free drinks and a fun night out. No backstage or a stage at all was required. Requests flowed throughout the night and depending on the crowd morphed and changed with each song that was belted out in unison and then someone’s memory was jogged for another song or band and they rushed to the DJ booth to write in their requests before rushing back to their group for the last chorus. Always free and always an adventure to play all eras of the most misunderstood genre in the city I called home for 16 years. This wasn’t the only part of Washed Up Emo. It was an outlet to be able to meet fans of the podcast, help a new band out or debate about IsThisBandEmo.com. For the countless people we met or DJ’d with it was amazing and humbling. Now, on the eve of 9/11, a day I never like to remember and now in a pandemic, the music and the fun takes a pause for reflection. I miss a lot about those nights for 9 years, which people forget, was a full 3 years before the pop era of DJ nights took hold. We were out every month sharing this music from the 80s through today. Even though we may never DJ again, for those that still go forth with this “endeavor,” you can have your “night.” It’s been a fun ride. When we can meet again, I’ll take the memories of your friendship and will continue to share this music and misunderstood genre forever.