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Posted by soundwave on Mar-30-2004 01:15:

how to play out???

Lisen I have never played anywhere but my bedroom and house parties. I've done the passing out demo thing with no results. Where i live (mystle beach SC) there are a bunch of clubs and all the dj's I've heard play the same breaks over and over again it could be too, that i don't go out much because the clubs here suck. Some are good technicly some are not. Why can't I get a gig!!! Not the sickest dj but my records are good and my style is original. Mabye I just really suck and don't know it or just misunderstood artist. any advise would be greatly appeciated. I just want to be heard. I bought vidoes read dj books and it isn't helping.

Posted by jdat on Mar-30-2004 14:47:

If you think you're going to get a gig because you're giving out demos .... please .... stop smoking.

Get out and meet the crowd, try and get to know the promoters club owners event organizers etc etc. And oh and just so you know don't bash other people. It won't help.

If you're just a random person giving out demos, you're gonna be one random cd ending up in the bin or as a coaster for the coffee table.

Make the initial contact and then give a cd.

Posted by ^^666^^ on Mar-30-2004 20:22:

got 3 words for u...man...
network
network
network

it ain't hard at all to get into da scene my man.
may be u need to be in the party scene for better results!

Posted by soundwave on Mar-31-2004 00:23:

thanks

thanks for all the reply's and I will not stop smoking! I wasn't tring to bash the scene here its just a bit claustrophibc(for ME). I quess I though demos were enough. To each his own peace.

Posted by Psygnosis on Mar-31-2004 02:32:

Unfortunetly "it's who you know, not what you know"

i know it sucks, i wish it was the other way round.

Posted by conk on Mar-31-2004 02:59:

quote:
Originally posted by ^^666^^
network
network
network

For some it comes more naturally than others, and some are just lucky. Work your ass off.

Posted by Inertia on Mar-31-2004 03:25:

try to see if your local scene has a webpage or something similar local DJ's use to promote themselves, ie. host mixes and such. become an active participant in your local scene. go to the clubs, know them, the crowds, and also, meeting other DJ's doesn't hurt either. in my eyes, it's actually more fun than it is work. look for the club you can most cater to, while sticking to your own tastes. go, reasearch, have fun, and if you become the next Sasha, remember us TA's and send us VIP passes and airplane tickets.

Posted by brian on Mar-31-2004 17:13:

Re: how to play out???

quote:
Originally posted by soundwave
Lisen I have never played anywhere but my bedroom and house parties. I've done the passing out demo thing with no results. Where i live (mystle beach SC) there are a bunch of clubs and all the dj's I've heard play the same breaks over and over again it could be too, that i don't go out much because the clubs here suck.

Score! A fellow SC TA. Always good to know I'm not the only person in this state that's into electronic music.

Unfortunately, the others are right about it being more of luck and who you know. I've been a bedroom DJ for about 1� years and still haven't played out anywhere yet. Sure I've gotten rather good, but it's going to take more than just sending out demos for me (or anyone else) to get a gig.

Just by luck I met this guy in passing the other night that was with another friend of mine and he's into electronica as well (mostly breaks). These two people have formed a local promotion organization that hold events to promote local bands and talent -- he's been a vinyl user for three months or so and has already played out, but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that he's part of this local promotion thing. We talked a little later and I told him about the type of stuff I play, how long I've been doing this, etc. and he offered me a spot either in May or later this fall at one of their events.

I've been waiting for an opportunity like this for quite a while now -- but it just goes to show you that, unfortunately, it's more of who you know. Just get out and meet some people; stick around at clubs after most everyone else leaves and talk to the DJs and some of the other folks there too. I myself am very shy with new people, but maybe this will serve as an example of how much it can pay off to network with people. Don't be afraid to promote yourself to others.

Good luck mate. Let us know how things go. And hopefully this state will develop a healthier scene in the coming years.

Posted by Allied Nations on Mar-31-2004 18:00:

it is allll about who you know...

try and get to knwo the djs as well... even know they are competition, they really help a lot, usually they at least can hook u up with people etc.

i have one freind who has a recidency and now hes takin my other freind up to, just to be nice, by letting him open up etc..

trust them, they are djs..

Posted by Magnus on Mar-31-2004 21:00:

Everyone here has pretty much said it all. It really is about who you know and networking. Get to know people, introduce yourself (I know that is hard sometimes if you are shy, like myself), and before you know it you will meet the right person. That is how is started for me. I met a promoter and the rest is history. However I don't get NEARLY as many gigs as my friend who started spinning at the same time as me. This is because, like 666 said, he networks his ass off constantly. Because of this in only 2 years time, he has opened for some of the biggest names in the industry.