Hailing from Las Vegas, USA, Miss Jackalope has been playing DNB since 1996 and has been heavily involved with the Twitch DNB scene for time, she has developed an interesting style of chat and tunes and her streams are always guaranteed to deliver banging beats and good vibes.
We caught up with her to get her views on the scene and what being a part of the Twitch community means to her.
How did you discover Twitch?
Some of my computer security friends went for a huge Twitch presence in like 2018. I watched their streams for a bit, then Covid happened, I wasn’t playing out, so why not go on cam? I’m terrified of cameras, so my husband Zziksdotcom and I worked on setting up a DJ studio with a camera.
Who were the first DJ’s you started watching?
Sleazylistening, DjDaedalaus, Strange Manner, Johnbbeta. Most of the people I first watched weren’t DJs- but security people showing off tech stuff like Synshop, 1o57, and the DEFCON security conference channels.
When and how did you first think about performing on the platform?
The convention I play for went virtual…and some of my friends were egging me on. Since Zziksdotcom and I had created a DJ studio for a computer security conference I play for we developed that out a bit. This was in August 2020.
What would you say are the most positive things about DJ’ing live over the internet?
Lotsa new friends, live tech support (thanks, chat!), and tons DJ practice! No pressure, its only on the Internet. Live TV is hilarious anything that can do wrong will go wrong. Left on cams, pets, failing tech, and wardrobe malfunctions.
And the negatives?
Twitch is a very lonely place if you start streaming for the wrong reasons. Don’t change who you are to be a Twitch streamer. Don’t beat yourself up for how many Followers or viewers you have.
Unsurprisingly, there is a fair amount of drama on Twitch in the little communities. Some of it is real world leaking into Twitch and some of it is Twitch leaking into the real world. It is its own thing, for sure.
What stream teams are you part of, and how did you become part of them?
United by Breakbeat – I volunteered to help support this team for my regional location of the USA. Basically, I made a lot of friends on Twitch and it got noticed.
What does it mean to be in a stream team?
Community building – support and representing the team in everything you do.
How much of a challenge did you find setting up initially?
My partner, Zziksdotcom is the mastermind behind all the tech in my stream. He was laid off for a bit due to Covid and had a lot of time to become an official OBS Ninja, so he just took it all to the next level. Mic and mixer levels were a challenge, we went through some buying and selling of studio equipment to get the right things to work.
Followers was hard at first just to get to the required Affiliate 50 as I didn’t know anyone. I sat in as many channels and made as many friends as possible, a lot of those initial friendships I still have!
My internet sucks. There’s a challenge.
The interactive chat while streaming has bought performing to a whole new level. You have a fan base that can reach out and talk to you while you play. How do you find that?
I am the resident DJ for the DEF CON computer security conference in Las Vegas – the largest hacker conference in the world. I also met a lot of people by moderating chats, and making new friends in chatrooms as I went. I also have a fanbase on Twitter (@djjackalope) and Instagram (@djjackalope).
So, on the subject of subscribers and donations, those ‘bits’ must come in useful in terms of keeping equipment running and buying new music?
All donations go to new music, equipment, keeping things from falling apart, and occasionally some ice cream for me and zziksdotcom. Its hard having a weekly show and trying to keep things new or having new ideas so the easiest way to do that is to have new tunes. That said: Donations are never expected, but always appreciated and I will always try and stretch every Bit/Sub I get as far as it will go.
Do you see ‘Bit’ donations as an immediate reaction to how your performing, and what you’re playing?
Yes! Absolutely! Bits and Hype Trains (Hi Tray!) are a lot of fun. I love being on both sides of them and being able to show streamers that I like instant support.
What is the role of the ‘mod’, or moderators within individual streams, and how important are they to you?
Live streamers have enough to worry about with failing internet, the next mix, OBS being possessed by demons, DJ equipment doing what it is supposed to, much less worrying about some bot selling fame in your chat.
Do you feel like you’re being exposed to more new music now, as artists and producers can send stuff to you live while you’re streaming, ready to debut ‘in the moment’?
I haven’t had that happen yet- but I’d definitely listen to it first, although it may depend on the source. I’m a try it before you buy it sort of person!
There is a Twitch D&B community out there that is growing daily. This is a really exciting time to be broadcasting from home! (discuss).
This gave everyone an even playing field. Producers who have been DJing for years are now on the same platform learning how to operate OBS like the beginner opener DJs. It’s a fresh fair start for all the DJs. Its so fun to watch and learn from everyone’s streams, see what everyone is doing, what they are mixing on and how they are doing it.
What are your views on the longevity of D&B on Twitch post pandemic?
I think there will definitely be a core base of people both DJs/fans that wasn’t there before. The numbers will drop as people can start going out to IRL parties, but I think there will always be a home to go to.
What would be your counter argument to those who might say that Twitch could damage ticket sales in clubs, because people might choose to stay in during the current climate?
I think that no matter what happens with the pandemic people like to BE at the club, be hanging out in person with their friends, and watch what chaos happens.
How can people find out more about you as a DJ, and do you think using Twitch right now will help you get back out into the ‘real world’,
missjackalope.com / @djjackalope Instagram and twitter / mixcloud.com/missjackalope / djjackalope@gmail.com
Sometime, I’ll do a Twitch AMA (ask me anything) and see how that goes! I’d love to have promotors consider my weekly Twitch shows as an audition to get me into their clubs and to play their raves. That’s so much better than a mixtape, I think. See how the DJ is LIVE.
What would you say to somebody with no experience of Twitch who might be looking to try it?
Don’t be in it for money. Be in it for you. Play the same as you would for 1 person as you would for 100.
Any last comments you’d like to make or anything I’ve missed which you feels needs a mention?
Thanks for taking this opportunity to interview all of us! I am thankful for the DNB community as well as the Twitch DJ community for being so welcoming to everyone. I hope that Twitch builds their DJ community out as well as continues development to keep all of its members safe from people who want to make it a negative place via hate raids or harassment. I think a lot of us have probably made some friends for life over the past couple of years and that’s pretty cool.
