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As good as the others...

Just wondering...

Ever sit in your room or whatever and put together sick mix after sick mix and wonder why you aren't sitting in the same position as where others are? You gotta give it to people like Digweed or Sasha but shit, the last few weeks I have just mixed some crazy shit that I think woulda been on the same lines of them.

So how bout it, anyone else feeling on fire right now?

lol it always happens in your room when you are alone

Being a DJ god in your bedroom and in a club is worlds appart.

These days it's not really based on your skills for the most (with a few exceptions) it's all production based. And even then it's more to do with who you know than what you know.

Cheers
Nem

Getting gigs =\= Being Talented.

Trust me - One of the single worst DJ's I have ever heard in my life plays out weekly at some of Chicago's finest clubs.

It's one of the worst parts of DJ'ing, and I guess it's kind of the "what am I here for?" moment for a lot of people.

If you love doing it (dj'ing), you'll work past this frustration and come to understand as just part of the scene we're in.

Hehe, I'm not frustrated at all. It's just a great feeling when you feel unstoppable on the decks.

I'm also getting really psyched for my first public gig next Wednesday!

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 And even then it's more to do with who you know than what you know.

Which, lets face it, is a FUCKING SHITE STATE OF AFFAIRS!!

The only reason I'm setting myself up with all my kit is because I want to hear music I like and the way I want to hear it.

It's for no one else.

I'm glad I was around long enough ago when music was king and the DJ was a freak.......

Jarv

Yeah the DJ world is a filthy one... I am sick of seeing these douchebags (which are just in there own circle of friends and one of them owns a club) when I go out. The industry is bullshit and filled with politics, no more so than the normal working world though. It's just something you have to get used to, I am more than happy to just keep it in my bedroom (or in my case my study) and throw together some of the best shit ive heard and having noone around to witness or not having record it and just not bother playing out... I will occasionally play out here and there for some fun, but ill leave it at that.

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 it's more to do with who you know than what you know.

Everyone always says this and it's true - but it's also true in just about every other industry to a certain extent. You need to have contacts, but that doesn't mean it's a matter of you either being born with the opportunities or not - you can work at meeting the right people, etc

Yeah there are loads of shit DJs who do well because they're good at networking, they've made themselves good mates in high places etc, but if you can have those skills to get yourself chances AND you then rock the dancefloor when you're on, you'll do even better.

quote:

Originally posted by Stu Cox Everyone always says this and it's true - but it's also true in just about every other industry to a certain extent. You need to have contacts, but that doesn't mean it's a matter of you either being born with the opportunities or not - you can work at meeting the right people, etc Yeah there are loads of shit DJs who do well because they're good at networking, they've made themselves good mates in high places etc, but if you can have those skills to get yourself chances AND you then rock the dancefloor when you're on, you'll do even better.

Unfortunately, the "right people" also often seem to be of the "lowest common denominator" variety of human.

I'm not so sure I want gigs bad enough to befriend a lot of the people "in high places."

this is exactly why i keep telling people that if they want to go beyond the bedroom you need to be out everywhere all the time, meet everyone who matters and get to know them, befriend them

be out and show your support at nights (especially those you want to play at), bring a group of friends with you, it shows you can bring people down with you that will spend money

a major group of my friends now make up a good chunk of the calgary dj scene, it wasn't a coincidence

we all know each other, even if some only talk when we meet at events there's that professional courtesy and respect

get out and network, because it is about who you know, not what you know

being able to mix well helps but it's obvious that always isn't the top of the critera list

it might be different in other cities, but i'm sure most would be similar in ways to calgary

quote:

Originally posted by Timski Yeah the DJ world is a filthy one... I am sick of seeing these douchebags (which are just in there own circle of friends and one of them owns a club) when I go out. The industry is bullshit and filled with politics, no more so than the normal working world though. It's just something you have to get used to, I am more than happy to just keep it in my bedroom (or in my case my study) and throw together some of the best shit ive heard and having noone around to witness or not having record it and just not bother playing out... I will occasionally play out here and there for some fun, but ill leave it at that.

bah!!

fuck them. I say we sort something out for gigs... or as Tony says

"NETWORK"

Speaking of which.... there really needs to be a thread on this. I seriously don't know how to get out there, even though i've heard very few DJs at my level in the local clubs.

quote:

Originally posted by Abhay bah!! fuck them. I say we sort something out for gigs... or as Tony says "NETWORK" Speaking of which.... there really needs to be a thread on this. I seriously don't know how to get out there, even though i've heard very few DJs at my level in the local clubs.

Network. Make friends. Get good at what you do and develop a unique sound and style. Always have fun.

People wanna do business w/ people they like.

quote:

Originally posted by Ricky Tan People wanna do business w/ people they like.

exactly, you have to be approachable, personable, people have to like you

that's why you become EVERYBODY's best friend, not literally, but when people talk to you, they should feel like they are the only thing in the world mattering to you ATM

smile, wave, shake hands, work the room when you're out, don't stay in one place, go around and introduce yourself to groups of people, drop off a couple free cds here and there

make yourself known

Get to know some of ur favorite locals in the city that you think are good and look friendly and not full of themselves. Make promo's monthly and give it to them. If they listen to them, they will give you feedback and see your improvement from set to set.

Connections are important, but they have to be with the right people. Lots of people say they can help but really they cant do shit.

Get to know some of the promoters in town, give them ur promos as well
etc etc.

I hate this shit aswell hehe, but once u have that magical gig, it becomes easier cause people see what ur capable of doing

gotta remember that nightclubs are a business and owners / promoters priority is to make money. their concern is not "is this guy a crackin dj?" but "will this guy get the punters in?"

you could be the greatest dj, if you can't get people through the door you're worthless in the club world

THat's all so true...

It's all about people skills really. In the end, the average person doesn't know what a good DJ is. But if htey like you, they'll attend.

Ofcourse, it helps if you can get them discounts on drinks...

quote:

Originally posted by RJT Unfortunately, the "right people" also often seem to be of the "lowest common denominator" variety of human.

Some are, some aren't. I know loads of really really nice people in the industry with a lot of influence. Admittedly these people are rarely the big promoters, but they've got the respect of the big promoters so if you can impress them, word gets passed on.

I also know a lot of complete wankers! But again, in any other industry you have to deal with people you'd rather not - you just have to get on with it.

i went to every club in my city and ended up getting 3 nights every week... networking, demos, and having some talent got the gigs. i never thought i'd be playing in these clubs, but i bit the bullet, walked into the clubs, and put myself out there... it paid off! by the grace of god, i was in the right place at the right time and i got some steady gigs.

the one place (gay bar) was unhappy w/ there dj, but didnt go looking for a replacement ~ i showed up and they liked the demos. they gave me a shot, the crowd loved it, and they let the other dj go (i play there 2x a week). if you wanna play house/trance, check out some gay bars, they love the music and you can do your thing and get paid.

i heard of another turntable dj (hip hopper) in town and went to see him. i introduced myself and said i was an aspiring vinyl dj. he told me he was looking for a vinyl dj to work under him (he has 2 amp/speaker/light setups). he let me open for him and the next thing i know, he gives me 1 night a week at a local club and other various gigs when they pop up. im strictly hip hop when working for him...

that's how i got my gigs

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello get out and network, because it is about who you know, not what you know

I'm tired of hearing this......!

Surely it's about who you know AS WELL as what you know.

Jarv

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello you could be the greatest dj, if you can't get people through the door you're worthless in the club world

Again, questionable I feel.

It depends on how high you want to go of course but.....

If you're the greatest DJ you will get people through the door regardless. Fuck sake, the public aren't stupid, they don't hear good music and pass it by just because it's played by Jonny Noname.

Where I come from, the local scene thrives on the venue, the attendees, the vibe. Most of the time I don't care who's playing - unless he/she is doing a crap job, and neither does anyone else. I already know they're not famous so I have no interest in them. They're getting paid to do the set - they're happy.

This new breed of DJ is selfish, caring only about themselves, networking and 'befriending' in a false manner just to get more gigs. The word befriend stinks of falseness and shallowness when used in this context. I make friends with people I believe to have good honest qualities, like myself.

I'm damn good at the job I do, and I'm extremely highly valued.... reason? I make sure I deliver an extremely high standard, the highest standard I'm capable of. I put all my effort into it. Others I see around me 'befriend' senior members, they waste their focus on this passtime, I beleive, because the skill they have at their job, and the standard they deliver does NOT speak for itself.

Like Stu said, it's the same in all industries, but make no mistake, that doesn't make it excuseble. I'm talking about basic human values here.

What happened to letting the music speak for itself?

YEAH! DAMN FUCKING RIGHT I'M ANGRY!


Jarv

So remember children. Whore yourself and play cheesy music if you want to survive. Otherwise be thankful that you like music for music and you don't need to resort to DJing to pay your bills.

quote:

Originally posted by Zild ...Otherwise be thankful that you like music for music and you don't need to resort to DJing to pay your bills.

WTF, I dunno about you but since I have gotten into this whole dj'ing thing, it's made paying bills a lot harder!

I know a few DJs whose only job is DJing they don't hold down a regular job. They put up with a lot of bullshit and play a lot of shitty music. Just saying be thankful that isn't you.

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