Reader of the Week: Marjorie Light

This self-starting feminista brings a worldwide repertoire to the Los Angeles music scene

By Aynsley Karps
Published: August 18th, 2008 | 12:25pm

Marjorie Light, aka DJ Gingee, describes her eclectic music style as “multi-ethnic B-girl dance punk.” Unlike other DJs, Light has an extensive music background, which lends to her original sound. The 25-year-old Los Angeles native, who studied in India for a semester in college, plays numerous traditional instruments made in the Philippines, India, and Indonesia. Light talks about sticking close to her roots, which includes the running of a grassroots art and music show called Magic Garage.

How did you get involved in DJing?
I got college credit learning to DJ because I designed an independent study course where I taught myself to spin, MC, do graffiti art, and study the history and sociology of hip-hop and other musical subcultures. Now I teach DJing at an after-school arts program for teens.

Why the name DJ Gingee?
Gingee is a nickname my dad gave me, from a Brazilian jazz song called "Dindi." I listened to bossa nova and jazz growing up because of him. Gingee is what my family and close friends have called me since I was little, so it brings out this intimate, familial part of me. And for some reason, I associate that name with being a naughty, troublemaking, rebellious little girl, which is what it feels like to be a female DJ sometimes.

What’s your favorite instrument?
The Kulintang, which is a set of Filipino gongs from the southern Muslim region. It's my favorite because it's an indigenous instrument that existed before Spanish colonization and because it's simultaneously percussion and melody. I also played and danced with a Balinese Gamelan orchestra for three years and studied the Indian Tabla, Nepali Madal, and Harmonium here and in India.

Where was the coolest place you've played?
I just played at Grrl Night at Proof Bar in Santa Ana, California, with three female DJs and an all-female band. Besides being an awesome venue, it was great to be in a situation where everyone from the promoters to the performers were all female.

Speaking of cool venues, tell me about Magic Garage.
Magic Garage is a ridiculously awesome, underground music and art show that I founded with my mom and brother in 2006. The idea is that the whole house functions like one huge interactive art piece. We had been using our mom's garage in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, as a music practice and art-making space, so we had the idea to throw a show there. This past March, we had six bands, three DJs, spoken word poets, singer-songwriters, an experimental upright bass player, and a comedian. We also had work from professional and amateur artists, and art-making tables. I love the fact that it's something I do with my family and close friends.

Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
I'll be a successful DJ, producer, and musician on my way to international stardom, of course. Or I might become a women's studies professor.

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Check out more of Light at MySpace.com/marjorielight.

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