OCTOBER BOOK CLUB: MARK RONSON’S 'NIGHT PEOPLE: HOW TO BE A DJ IN '90S NEW YORK CITY'

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Image: Penguin Books Australia.

Our October Book Club pick is Mark Ronson’s Night People: How to Be a DJ in '90s New York City.

From as early as the introduction, Night People: How to Be a DJ in '90s New York City (Night People) by Mark Ronson transports you. The book - which explores the early life of British American DJ Mark Ronson - documents the moments that define and make you who you are. It is about finding your worth in things you feel naturally inclined to; in this case music. 

Focusing on the power of music and the bonds it creates, as well as the community it forms, Ronson’s writing is very powerful in the way that you feel you are there. That you have a presence within the text, as well as exploring the setting or scene presented from a bygone era. Linking to memories you have, and how music creates that sense of nostalgia, something most of us can relate to. 

We've all been on a dance floor, whether it be at a school function, or our eventual experiences in clubs and house parties. Night People paints a very vivid picture. You feel immersed in the past and feel the passion and wanting that Ronson experiences. There are parts that suggest this book could even be a love letter to music. Ronson’s appreciation towards the craft is something I feel we as listeners, and now readers, can really respect. I also love the connection between Ronson and his stepfather, mother and father, and how there were key moments in his life with them that truly made an impact. Nurturing creativity and the belief that you have something special you can contribute to an ever evolving world, is quite beautiful and a key point within the book.

Overall it was the insight we gained, as well as the behind-the-scenes look into the DJing world, that truly captivated me. Starting from his initial days learning the craft; we are also learning. You are there over the years, trying to navigate and find out how you’ll make your mark on the industry.

As someone who loves music and what it contributes to life, I found this to be a very poignant book. It is a part of the history of music, exploring a period of both time and place that many of us weren’t privy to. With advancements in technology there are elements within this industry that you could believe are somewhat lost in time; elements that are so important within this text.

Mark Ronson’s Night People: How to Be a DJ in '90s New York City is available through Penguin Books Australia.