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Posted by Limit on Mar-30-2007 21:41:

how do you get a gig?

any help on this topic would be nice? how do you guys go about getting a gig to play at?

Posted by Stu Cox on Mar-30-2007 22:41:

Go to the events you want to play at, hassle promoters, give them demos, hassle them a bit more...

Generally build contacts in the scene and impress clubbers with your demos as much as promoters. At first you'll probably find that every gig you get will be off your own back by persuing the promoter, but after a little while people will approach you and quite often it'll be the contacts you least expect who you'll end up getting gigs through!

Posted by nefardec on Mar-30-2007 23:25:

sleep with a lot of people who have connections

Posted by idoru on Mar-30-2007 23:29:

Volunteer to help with flyering, go to every event (or as many as possible) as that promoter is throwing and show up early and leave at the very end, make sure they notice you. Hand them a demo once they get to know you.

Posted by Mr. Tippy on Mar-31-2007 01:24:

How I got my first gig?

I had recorded a set, which I gave to the girlfriend. She played it in a promoter's car with him, and I got booked because of it.

Keep in mind this set wasn't good enough by my standards, so it wasn't for distribution. I guess it was good enough.

So getting a demo to the right people worked for me.

Posted by Omega_Blue on Mar-31-2007 12:25:

UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT A B A B SELECT START

Posted by Stu Cox on Mar-31-2007 14:24:

quote:
Originally posted by Omega_Blue
UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT A B A B SELECT START

hahaha

That reminds me, I was thinking the other day that someone should make a Nightclub Tycoon computer game - you have to run club nights, book DJs, handle police raids and make sure there's a good cycle of illicit substances in your club

Posted by Tony Morello on Mar-31-2007 14:56:

how to get a gig

1. support the night you want to play at

be a common face, the promoter notices

2. be a friend of the crowd

screw giving your cd to the promoter (most go on recommendation anyway)
give your cd to the crowds, the people who'll be paying cover to see you play, without a crowd you're not much as a dj

Posted by s3nate on Mar-31-2007 16:22:

quote:
Originally posted by Omega_Blue
UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT A B A B SELECT START

I lol'ed

Posted by orangejuice on Mar-31-2007 16:43:

quote:
Originally posted by Omega_Blue
UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT A B A B SELECT START

contra??

Posted by Pinokio on Mar-31-2007 18:52:

quote:
Originally posted by Omega_Blue
UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT A B A B SELECT START

jajajaja

Posted by Stu Cox on Mar-31-2007 19:48:

quote:
Originally posted by Tony Morello

2. be a friend of the crowd

Yes definitely - from time to time the club might ask the people on their messageboards etc who they want to see, if your name gets mentioned then it could give you a decent chance of your dream coming true.

I don't want to advertise another website on here and I dunno how popular it is in the States, but there may well be a DSI group (www.dontstayin.com) for a particular party or for your local scene where you can get your face known a bit and you can bet that the club promoters will read it from time to time... useful if you're not sure where to start making contacts in your area.

quote:
Originally posted by Tony Morello

screw giving your cd to the promoter (most go on recommendation anyway)
give your cd to the crowds, the people who'll be paying cover to see you play, without a crowd you're not much as a dj

Yeah promoters definitely go on reputation more than anything else, but it's a good starting point of contact - you say "Hi, I'd love to play at your night, can I send you a demo?"... whether they listen to it or not, you've still made contact there so at least they'll know your name when they hear it again.

Posted by Rick D on Mar-31-2007 20:00:

quote:
Originally posted by Stu Cox
hahaha

That reminds me, I was thinking the other day that someone should make a Nightclub Tycoon computer game - you have to run club nights, book DJs, handle police raids and make sure there's a good cycle of illicit substances in your club

w00t for that, i love tycoon games

Posted by Spoonz on Mar-31-2007 20:46:

quote:
Originally posted by moondog
w00t for that, i love tycoon games

nightlife tycoon lol

Posted by Tony Morello on Mar-31-2007 23:32:

quote:
Originally posted by Stu Cox
Yes definitely - from time to time the club might ask the people on their messageboards etc who they want to see, if your name gets mentioned then it could give you a decent chance of your dream coming true.

I don't want to advertise another website on here and I dunno how popular it is in the States, but there may well be a DSI group (www.dontstayin.com) for a particular party or for your local scene where you can get your face known a bit and you can bet that the club promoters will read it from time to time... useful if you're not sure where to start making contacts in your area.

Yeah promoters definitely go on reputation more than anything else, but it's a good starting point of contact - you say "Hi, I'd love to play at your night, can I send you a demo?"... whether they listen to it or not, you've still made contact there so at least they'll know your name when they hear it again.

if you're totally not known whatsoever, then a cd is a good opener, make sure you be in personal contact with the promoter often, if you stay fresh in their mind you have a better chance at getting booked (especially if i actually listen to your cd and it's good)

i for one enjoy discovering and developing hidden talent

Posted by Ray_Chappell on Apr-01-2007 07:22:

Re: how do you get a gig?

quote:
Originally posted by Limit
any help on this topic would be nice? how do you guys go about getting a gig to play at?

I've been a promoter and a DJ, and I think the best advice is to get to know the promoters, the key cliques in the area, and do your best to help them out. I started out handing out flyers for promoters, helping DJs from cliques get gigs anywhere I could, and doing my best to volunteer everywhere I could helping people out.

Be a regular at every event, get to know other DJs getting gigs, and be a friend to promoters. Then you'll have credibility to ask to spin a few gigs for free and if you make the crowd happy, you'll be a staple. People will want to see you and after that, you're set.

Good luck!

EDIT: Get a website and post demos for people. It makes fans happy to have a new mix in their CD player is a good place for promoters to check you out. Get a GOOD website, too.

Posted by Stu Cox on Apr-01-2007 11:29:

Re: Re: how do you get a gig?

quote:
Originally posted by Ray_Chappell

EDIT: Get a website and post demos for people. It makes fans happy to have a new mix in their CD player is a good place for promoters to check you out. Get a GOOD website, too.

I'm gonna be offering special rates for basic websites for DJ & producers from about June onwards to give up-and-coming DJs/producers without a lot of money to spend the chance to get a simple but professional site, starting at �100 (under US$200) including a domain, hosting, space for about 7hrs of mixes/clips of your music @ 128kbps mp3 (~4.5hrs @ 192kbps, ~3.5hrs @ 256kbps or ~3hrs @ 320kbps), email services and everything else you need to get going.

Sorry for the quick plug, but I thought it was relevant and that some people would find it informative

Also, loads of people rave about how much their MySpace page helps them (I've gotta confess I've given mine absolutely no time whatsoever, haven't done anything other than register it), so make one and keep it up to date (I'll also be offering tailored MySpace layouts for very reasonable rates at some point, but that's a little way off yet so I'll let you know more when I've sorted out the details!)