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How do I promote myself in NYC? (Prog Trance)

I started DJing about a year ago in tiny little lounges and hooka bars in Brooklyn NY and would like to move up to the city now. I know its very hard but I cant definitely say I have more skills than 80 percent of these little guetta/afrojack/deadmau5 heads who dont even know beatmatching. Most of the gigs are booked based on how big of a crowd i can bring, because everything here is about money obviously, which I understand is inevitable and necessary. Trance in NYC is tough to promote, and an unfillable niche. So how can i get in somewhere to play prog trance? I def have the skill, the library, and an APC i use to DJ with ableton.

align yourself with the right promoters, not the best ones but the right ones

Go to the parties that the smaller promoters are playing, go to all of them and you'll start to recognize who's who. Become friends, profit.
I wouldn't go out on my own calling up clubs trying to get a booking, just not going to happen unless like you said, you already have a loyal following.

Also, dissing on other Djs isn't really the right mind set. Despite your opinion onf where they are now, they managed to get there through work, skills, and networking. And those 3 guys got famous through producing really.

way more skills, pro DJs clearly don't know what they are doing.

Re: How do I promote myself in NYC? (Prog Trance)

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Originally posted by desolationAngel I def have the skill, the library, and an APC i use to DJ with ableton.

That's not skill.

Get some 1200's, vinyl records, and learn to DJ the right way.

I wasn't shitting on those DJs they're good producers I'm talking about the little mainstream house heads that play in my area with no talent just crossfading back and forth - I know vinyls are true talent I'm not there yet.

Re: How do I promote myself in NYC? (Prog Trance)

quote:

Originally posted by desolationAngel I cant definitely say I have more skills than 80 percent of these little guetta/afrojack/deadmau5 heads who dont even know beatmatching.

quote:

Originally posted by desolationAngel I def have the skill, the library, and an APC i use to DJ with ableton.

I'm sort of confused. You have more skill than people who don't even know how to beatmatch, as you say...yet, you use a program that beatmatches for you...

Do you know how to beatmatch?

if it wasnt for this guy above me and Core NYC..id be a nobody right now lol

i think this guy should come out to the warehouse tomorrow to see some of NYC's finest talent..just sayin lol..we put tape on our crossfaders lol

You have to wear a big animal head when you spin.

quote:

Originally posted by gmoney44 if it wasnt for this guy above me and Core NYC..id be a nobody right now lol we put tape on our crossfaders lol

my thoughts exactly

like everyone more or less said earlier, its about networking go out to different parties see which ones you like an what fits your style an introduce yourself to the promoter you should always have a demo on hand with you because you never know and lastly its not advisable to rag on other djs cause everyone is networked some how an some way so word does travel fast and if ppl hear you raggin on others they might think of you as a problem and that doesnt really help your chances of getting booked ... just my .02

Tru!

+1 million on meeting and going out to local parties....meet all the djs and fans and promoters.

The smaller promoters have room for you- we throw non-paying gigs but we throw A LOT...with experience and exposure, paired with networking youll start to find the right avenues to grow.


Everyone is very different. What one person does to succeed wont necessarily contain all the components that another needs to...so just be open minded, excited and never lose the love of the music and the art of DJing. Because youre going to have to have to suck it up for a long time and understand that making a living at this takes a while. And may not ever happen- but it doesnt mean you should EVER stop.

play at the corner streets of harlem...hey if biggie did it, so can you.

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Originally posted by edubbz play at the corner streets of harlem...hey if biggie did it, so can you.

True but he had 7 MAC-11's, about 8 38's, 9 9's, 10 MAC-10's...

This dude has 1 year of DJing in hipster BK. Granted he's better than guetta & deadmau5 but still...

look at all the gigs Rory has now.. this kid for god knows how longs has been handing out CDs at parties and constantly handing out business cards..NON STOP WORK..do that, make promos online and networking networking networking..u gotta know the right people..

from playing with core i went to massive for a lil bit, then got hooked up at pacha, then in brooklyn, then with lucas, and always with Eco..thank god for TA lol

Re: Re: How do I promote myself in NYC? (Prog Trance)

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Originally posted by zizack I'm sort of confused. You have more skill than people who don't even know how to beatmatch, as you say...yet, you use a program that beatmatches for you... Do you know how to beatmatch?

Yes I used to work with CDJs for a long time until they broke - I completely understand what you guys mean about the networking but I simply dont know where to go aside from Love and Cielo although those are big time venues with probably big promoters - Im not looking to make money by DJing I just want to get my name out there. Id play for free I dont mind - I just want to play trance - not house like I am forced to do now. Can anyone point me in the direction of where to go to connect with promoters and check out some talent?

Start small and build. There's a lot of trance parties that showcase local talent (Uplift, Trance Mansion, Eklectronic etc..) that can get you started. Go to these shows and ask the door person who's in charge or who you should be talking to about possibly getting booked. When you find the right person to talk to - look at it from their eyes as both a business and an art. These people are doing it for the love, but because they're putting their own money into it they need to watch the bottom line in order to keep it going. As such they're primarily interested in booking someone who respects this by promoting the party as hard as they can to get the word out, and who plays the right music with regards to the timeslot and crowd. Focus on your strengths (i.e. if you come from LI you hit an entirely new crowd and that's a selling point), and show confidence. Tell them you can email or give them a demo if they'd like, but don't push that from the start. The unspoken rule of the business is that if you can bring heads, you must be decent behind the decks so try to work that angle if you can. Instead of just telling them you can get the word out - describe how you'll do so through your email list, social network promotions, forum posts, and anything else you can think of.

Try to go out as much as possible to network and meet people but also understand that in the end it's your actions that define you, not who you know. Your job is to make sure that when you introduce yourself to a new promoter they already know who you are. These guys watch everything (including the forums), and are always keeping an eye out for new talent. Promote your events well and be consistent in your gigs (making sure that they're not too often, and not too close together) in order to build each one as much as possible. Take your time and be patient, and don't get discouraged. Lastly, use whatever makes you most comfortable behind the decks. People on the dancefloor are judging you by what comes out of the speakers, and that's who you're playing for.

Produce a great track.

Everything everyone has said is absolutely true, but it seems like until you produce a big track, you won't make it to the "next level".

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Originally posted by diabloargentino Produce a great track. Everything everyone has said is absolutely true, but it seems like until you produce a big track, you won't make it to the "next level".

It seems to me the OP is asking about DJing gigs, not being a producer. Production is one way to get your name out, but they're not mutually inclusive. Good producer =/= good DJ, and vice versa.
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+1 to all that's been said already. Really know that everything takes time + diligence-- getting your name out there, contacting people-- it all has to be built from the ground up. Most of our established locals have been passing out demo CDs, demo sets, building their networks for years, even if they "know people." This applies to pretty much all parts of the industry.

TA is a good start, but really reach out to people individually. Lots of people read these boards, but you can't wait for them to come to you. Promoters already get people competing for their attention. Also, people talk. Consequently, first impressions matter, and in the interest of being bluntly helpful, saying that you're better than established mainstream DJs doesn't really promote yourself. Even if it's not what you intended, you come off as arrogant. Promoters want to work with realistic people with their feet on the ground & their head in the game. Your ability should speak for itself, and your efforts to get yourself out there have to be based on a solid foundation of skill.

quote:

Originally posted by Lira Yin It seems to me the OP is asking about DJing gigs, not being a producer. Production is one way to get your name out, but they're not mutually inclusive. Good producer =/= good DJ, and vice versa.

This is the reason why so many DJ's who don't produce need ghost producers. They want to get their name out there and making a decent track is one of the best ways to get recognition but they can't make a decent track on their own, however they are good DJ's (in some cases lol)

Does everyone really think that I wrote I'm better than deadmau5/guetta/afrojack? Lol no I meant to say that the kids in this city who only know those artists and play only their mainstream music that they hear on BPM really don't know that there are inner workings to EDM other than "ghosts n stuff". I never meant to say I'm better than deadmau5 that's just ridiculous.

I feel like producing good tracks/getting gigs go hand in hand. If you make a track that goes top 10 on beatport, has 100,000+ hits on youtube, etc. then chances are people are going to be hearing your track and wanting to know more about you. (not saying that this means the track is GOOD, but at least it's getting recognition). you can use that momentum to help you book a gig.

im neither a dj nor a producer, but im just speaking as part of the EDM community. when a DJ i havent heard of before has 2-3 tracks that i really like, i immediately start looking him up to see when he's going to be around so i can check him out live. im assuming that its the same way with a lot of other fans.

either way, definitely wish you luck!

quote:

Originally posted by desolationAngel Does everyone really think that I wrote I'm better than deadmau5/guetta/afrojack? Lol no I meant to say that the kids in this city who only know those artists and play only their mainstream music that they hear on BPM really don't know that there are inner workings to EDM other than "ghosts n stuff". I never meant to say I'm better than deadmau5 that's just ridiculous.

I reread your initial post, and I can see where you might not have meant it, as I mentioned. But there's still room for misinterpretation. Bottom line is, there's a lot of helpful advice in this thread atm, and humility is always something good regardless of what you said. Not to mention, those "deadmau5/guettaheads" make up a big percentage of people who spend money to go to clubs & become fans, like it or not-- you might not want to alienate them too hard, either. It's just stuff to keep in mind if you want to pursue things seriously.

@ diablo: I can def see where you're coming from, and Z makes a good point about DJs getting ghost producers, too. It's true, that's how people often get headliner booking in gigs-- for being producers and DJs. For DJs who aren't producers however (plenty of locals started by just straight DJing, and started producing after they became more established as local DJs) and who want to get exposure locally, the more traditional path is what I focused on. Consider this: for every headliner who produces, there's opening/closing/side-room support by good DJs who may not produce, who can bring loyal local crowds.

disclaimer: I'm speaking second-hand from what I've been told of the experiences of good friends & past collaborators who are DJs, and also from my own observations/deductions. Some things are common throughout the industry.

quote:

Originally posted by diabloargentino Produce a great track. Everything everyone has said is absolutely true, but it seems like until you produce a big track, you won't make it to the "next level".

ehhhh, the "next level" is completely relative though. If you are a bedroom dj just getting started, the next level is maybe playing at a small get-together with friends. Then maybe the next level is playing on a small local party somewhere. None of those jumps requires producing a great track.

I am definitely far from producing I lack general musical education and don't know how to play synth or keyboard. I know I have the ear for sure for it though. I played local parties for months in lounges and a pretty decent club in Brooklyn although it shut down now. None of these things help me excel in my preferred genre tho as the demographic here isn't interested in trance and that's a shame. I just want to play somewhere and be appreciated - money's not even an issue.

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