How do I get gigs?

I think I am good enough to play. I know one dj who barely even knows how to beatmatch and he will be playing at at 500+ person event. How the hell!?

Can someone explain this to me?

Do people know your a DJ, as in people who organize events? The first step is to get your name out there, promo CDs ect to promoters, club managers and event organizers will all help to get you a spot, because if people don't know who you are or what you can do they can't hire you.

you said you know a guy who plays at there events, do you know him or know of him because if you do know him, ask his help to get you a spot, its not that hard to get a friend to drop your name to someone who has the power to give you a spot.

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Originally posted by Shini Do people know your a DJ, as in people who organize events? The first step is to get your name out there, promo CDs ect to promoters, club managers and event organizers will all help to get you a spot, because if people don't know who you are or what you can do they can't hire you. you said you know a guy who plays at there events, do you know him or know of him because if you do know him, ask his help to get you a spot, its not that hard to get a friend to drop your name to someone who has the power to give you a spot.

I am friends with him. I have asked him many times and he always says he will but nothing has happened. I can't go to club managers because I am underage (and don't have a fake ID).

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Originally posted by s3nate I have asked him many times and he always says he will but nothing has happened. .

lol. So typical.

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Originally posted by s3nate I can't go to club managers because I am underage (and don't have a fake ID).

even more typical

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Originally posted by s3nate I think I am good enough to play. I know one dj who barely even knows how to beatmatch and he will be playing at at 500+ person event. How the hell!?

sadly its got nothing to do with how good you are, if you know the right people you will get gigs make friends with the right people and they will ask you to play.

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http://www.prizelive.com/r/sleepydragon

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Originally posted by s3nate I am friends with him. I have asked him many times and he always says he will but nothing has happened. I can't go to club managers because I am underage (and don't have a fake ID).

Well there your problem your to young I dont think fake ID will help this other dj will obviously know how old you are.

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Originally posted by s3nate I am friends with him. I have asked him many times and he always says he will but nothing has happened. I can't go to club managers because I am underage (and don't have a fake ID).

Practise a little more, and when you're old enough to play in a club, steal his job.

You can't expect to let people play you in a club when you're not even old enough to get in as a regular visitor...

I don't really care for playing in clubs. But there are all age events and this dj gets to play in them. I guess I just got to keep talking to promoters and just wait for my time.

So how did you all get your first gigs?

Last edited by s3nate on Jan-05-2008 at 19:55

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Originally posted by s3nate I am friends with him. I have asked him many times and he always says he will but nothing has happened. I can't go to club managers because I am underage (and don't have a fake ID).

No one will help you the way you can help yourself. Don't expect him to get you a gig because he won't. People care about themselves and well, they care shit all about helping anyone else most of the time. Basically, the fact that he knows you're better than him and if he is really as bad as you claim, he surely won't want to risk getting his spot replaced by you.

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Originally posted by jupiterone No one will help you the way you can help yourself. Don't expect him to get you a gig because he won't. People care about themselves and well, they care shit all about helping anyone else most of the time. Basically, the fact that he knows you're better than him and if he is really as bad as you claim, he surely won't want to risk getting his spot replaced by you.

I must look like a real asshole right now

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I don't want to take his spot. I just want to play out.

Yeah, but that might be what your friend is thinking. Job security, right?

I think I just have too much competition in ATL right now. There are a lot of DJs vying for gigs, and only so many venues to hold them...

[rant]
On the demo side of things, its hard to get the whole package done by myself. I have the CD split, burned with Cue sheets, and sounding good, but packaging is a pain to do. I can print B&W inserts for slim jewel cases, but I don't have an affordable way to put labels on the CD-Rs that are in those cases. Is there a good, cheap way to label the CD itself? Should I just let the CD-R go unmarked, and let the paper insert do the talking for me?
[/rant]

S3nate: When it comes down to it, getting the first gig comes down to asking for it. Go into a venue (after scoping the place out, learning what the other DJs are like, being buds with the owner, etc), find the owner and offer him/her your demo. Ask them to "Let me know what you think about it", and leave contact info (preferably on a business card or on the CD insert). No call in a week? Go back and talk to the owner in person.

I was lucky that I found a venue in Hickory as it was just opening up. I saw a newspaper ad that said they were looking "only for the funky people", I figured "I'm DJ Funktion. Why not give it a shot?". I went in, brought some demos, connected with the owners, and a year later I still play at the venue regularly.

My first residency was a nightmare, so I won't repost how that went, but I got that spot in the way. Hang out at the venue, show some interest in the DJ booth, and who knows what can happen?

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