Getting onto the scene.

[nickashby13]

Hi all,

I notice that most people on this forum are US based however that shouldn't be a problem.

I just wanted to get your opinions on what im doing and the best way to put myself out there should you think I sound good enough, none of my friends are really into music like I am so im hoping a group of people like me might be able to give me a few pointers. Also any tips on how you approached your first gig once you got it. (a daunting situation for me at the moment)

I have done a few partys in the past but this has been playing to a varied crowd, I want to get into bars and clubs with a kind of specific genre or clubnight, somewhere im not going to get requests for stupid tracks that I dont have. I have uploaded a few mixes now to soundcloud recorded in one take with tunes selected as we go, there not perfect but lets face it thats how it would be in a club right...??

[Evolved]

If there is a venue that you think would bring in the type of crowd you think you are hoping for. Then just got directly to the club management and ask them how they book DJs. Tell them what you have if the conversation goes in that direction and see what they say. That would be the fastest way I think. A sure way to get things started.

[ben mills]

If you want to get out there and play in clubs you need to be friends with the DJs and promoters that are currently playing in the clubs. Get involved in the scene for a while before even mentioning playing somewhere. Just go support for a while and figure out how the scene works where you live.

[Ocie]

As evolved and ben have stated, network, network, network, and support the scene you want to involved with.

If you're trying to use your mixes as a tool to help land gigs, they should be PERFECT. Your best work. Good EQ work, blends, and a flow to your mix. Also, make them about an hour long. Promoters might night listen to the mix in its entirety, but after skipping around they should still be listening to a damn good mix.

Best of luck!

[dlove]

hi Nick, I don't think you have to be bezzie mates with the DJ's and promoters to get a gig, but you should support your scene by going to nights. I myself have asked young DJ's (with a good style) to play, based on seeing them on the dancefloor a lot.

Also, promo mixes don't have to be perfect - I'm testament to that. I do all my mixes off the bat, sometimes they've got a few mistakes, but it's never stopped me getting asked to play. I suppose it depends on what genre you're into - for example, minimal house leaves no room for error, afrobeat can tolerate the odd off-timing. Personally, I don't mind a few mistakes when I'm listening to other DJ's mixes; for me, it's all about the flow, the energy.

One thing I will say is, if you have a clubnight you want to play, don't hassle the promoters/DJ's on the night; introduce yourself and ask if you could send them an email during the week - be professional. I've seen so many wannabes flunk it because they've made a bad impression following the promoter about all night, wanting to talk about getting a gig. Do it in the cold light of day.

[Ocie]

dlove makes a strong point. the flow and energy make the mix more than technical skill ever will. i've landed gigs even though the mix i had the promoter listen to wasn't my best work, he loved it because of how i brought in totally different genres and kept it fresh throughout. put out mixes that you're proud of, first and foremost.

and yeah, don't annoy owners and promoters. being polite and courteous will take you very far.

[dlove]

When I'm listening to potential DJ's with other promoters, even if we notice a few mistakes, if the vibe is exciting/invoking, that DJ gets asked over the perfect but boring mix.

[nickashby13]

Thanks guys.

If you ever have time and fancy a listen then please do, any feedback is welcome good or bad.

http://soundcloud.com/nickashby13

[DJ ATX]

somewhere im not going to get requests for stupid tracks that I dont have.

One thing I want to tell you based on my experience and experiences of DJs I have had the pleasure to get to know over time. Take it any way you like.

1) Unless you are playing large festival or a big headliner at the club, YOU WILL GET requests. Get used to it. That is what a DJ is part of DJing.
2) If you read the crowd well and know what to play, when to play them, in the order that the crowd can groove to, the lesser requests you will get.

Get used to requests they are a part of DJs life. YOU ARE NOT THERE PLAYING FOR YOURSELF, THERE IS A CROWD INVOLVED!! I am not saying you should be a jukebox, but DJing is the service/entertainment industry. Taking request is part of coming up. Once you get to the status of Afrojack, Tiesto, or have a really good name to where you are booked every night and commanding $500+, you are going to have to SELECTIVELY entertain requests. And yes, they will be stupid from ones perspective. Yes you will not have most of them, although being a well rounded DJ you should have popular well known tracks and be able to cross genres. Not saying you should have hundreds of thousands of tracks.

[jgatsby]

Show up to different nights and meet the promoters, be friendly, get them to know your name on a "not being pushy to me because he wants a gig" basis. You can definitely say you're a DJ and that maybe one day you'd like to play one of his/her nights, but leave it at that. If promoters see your face a few times, think you're cool, and then you give them a great mix and show you have pull, they'll fall in love with you and you'll get a lot of calls.... or something. Maybe I made that love part up, but hey, I seem to have promoter seduction skills

Also, anytime you're going to places where promoters, other DJs, and big fans of your style would be, burn 20-200 CDs of whatever mix you're using to promote yourself currently. Have your website written on it, etc. I know you probably hear this a lot, but if you keep just putting those CDs all over the damn state things will eventually happen, trust me.