Controllerism and Controller Juggling — This Is What I’m Up To Next

Title: Controllerism and Controller Juggling — This Is What I’m Up To Next

For years I’ve been focused on stability.

If you’ve followed me long enough, you know I care more about reliability than hype. I want the gear to work. I want the music to hit. I want the night to flow without technical drama.

Recently, I had a simple professional thought: always bring a backup controller.

That’s not revolutionary. That’s just discipline.

But something interesting happened.

Instead of seeing the second controller as insurance, I started seeing it as an instrument.

If I already have two controllers set up — one on the left and one on the right — why not treat them like turntables? Why not approach them the way beat jugglers approached vinyl?

That’s when the idea clicked:

Controller Juggling.

Not as a gimmick.

Not as hype.

Not as some dramatic reinvention of DJing.

Just applying the principles of beat juggling directly to modern controllerism.

Two physical units.

Independent control.

Cross-body timing.

Real-time interaction.

I’ve always been stronger scratching with my right hand. That changes the geometry of the performance. The layout forces coordination, rhythm discipline, and visual precision in a way that feels fresh.

And here’s the part that matters most:

This didn’t come from trying to create a trend.

It came from planning for failure.

Backup gear became creative fuel.

That’s the spark.

I don’t need to be the only one doing it. I don’t even need to be the first. I just want to open the door.

If someone else takes the idea and perfects it — good.

If someone builds techniques I never imagined — even better.

That’s how art evolves.

Turntablism grew because people pushed vinyl beyond its intended use.

Controllerism grew because people treated digital gear like instruments instead of toys.

Controller Juggling is just another step in that mindset.

I’ll record a demonstration soon and show exactly what I mean. I could probably film it right now if I weren’t heading to a gig.

For now, consider this the announcement.

Controllerism is still evolving.

And this is what I’m up to next.

— DJ Buddy Holly