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Posted by daeus on Feb-27-2009 14:37:

Dj'ing and your day job

So how do people balance DJing and also if they need to, I take it most do, work during the day?

Is there a point where you have to turn down gigs because of work and you think this could restrict your progress in your DJ career.

From what I've read DJing isnt just about playing its about promotion and always pushing to run nights with venues.

Posted by n3lly on Feb-27-2009 15:42:

Dj'ing is about production, as well as promotion obviously. But production is where it's at. Eddie Halliwell etc are a rare bread of DJ.

my 2 c

Posted by daeus on Feb-27-2009 16:59:

Production, as in music production?

I do produce too and agree that it helps allot to produce tracks but I'm talking about when you want to be in several places to DJ and this is when working a day job will become an issue.

I've made out from reading other djs accounts that theres no real way to "win" Djing for a career as it can be hot and cold then next minute, unless your a superstar.

Posted by Nemesis44 on Mar-02-2009 19:03:

There was a time when I made a living from just DJing but those days are gone.

Yeah it can be hard as hell to juggle but it can be done.
I produce tracks, DJ out regularly, work a day job and I am a parent so not much time left in the day for me.

A lot of it boils down to prioritising and structuring what you want to do to make sure that your time is managed well.
I also end up burning the midnight oil a lot when my daughter and wife go to sleep. I have found that some sacrifices are needed but you will need to work out what those need to be for you.

I do sometimes have to turn down gigs because of work and family commitments i.e. daughters Birthday. But I have a slightly different position than you I imagine as I have been doing this for donkey's years and already have the connections.

If it's just a question of balancing work and DJing, should be easy, see work as a means to an end and then DJing as what you were meant to do.
I am assuming that you are younger than me, but just be aware that it gets more complicated as you get older.

Just don't fall into the idea that you are living to work, you work to live. That said you still need to support yourself so it's all about work life balance.

Cheers
Nem

Posted by Imagin on Mar-03-2009 07:49:

With my line of work at anytime i can be called to go just about anywhere.... so its very difficult to promise myself somewhere only to be told by work "hey you need to come in immediatly".

But thats part of the 24/7 mentality of my line of work.

Posted by Nemesis44 on Mar-03-2009 13:46:

I definitely see how that could be a problem.
I have no answer for you I'm afraid.

Cheers
Nem

Posted by EgosXII on Mar-03-2009 13:52:

quote:
Originally posted by Nemesis44
If it's just a question of balancing work and DJing, should be easy, see work as a means to an end and then DJing as what you were meant to do.
I am assuming that you are younger than me, but just be aware that it gets more complicated as you get older.

Just don't fall into the idea that you are living to work, you work to live. That said you still need to support yourself so it's all about work life balance.

Cheers
Nem

very true, wise words
good to hear you can balance it, and are commited to both your life, and your work-life, as you say, so many people fall into the work IS life trap and it's always scared me; good to see someone who keeps up the passion in the real world