quote:

Originally posted by Sadface I get WAY more satisfaction from the "great set" comments at the end then from playing some track only I like to an empty or non-moving floor.

You know you can get the same comments by playing only music you like?

lol, everyone in this thread is acting like it's just one way or the other, you have to chose a side, you either play crap that stupid people want to hear and get booked or you play obscure shit in your basement by yourself. That simply isn't the case in the real world and in practice. You can satisfy both, and there is PLENTY of leeway in either direction, lots of in-betweens and compromise to be had.

Another thing I've learned over the years is to never doubt people's intelligence or willingness to be introduced to something new. I try not to 'dumb down' my DJ sets and play what I would consider 'more accessible' music just because I feel like thats what people might prefer. More often than not people are interested and happy to hear something different and fresh.

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quote:

Originally posted by ******** Seplling don't demonstrate intelligence and educatoin - knowing does.

quote:

Originally posted by Clovis I try not to 'dumb down' my DJ sets and play what I would consider 'more accessible' music just because I feel like thats what people might prefer. More often than not people are interested and happy to hear something different and fresh.

I wish I could get that feeling when playing out, instead of always feeling like I'm already probably pushing it.

quote:

Originally posted by Clovis You know you can get the same comments by playing only music you like?

Of course, lol. It wouldn't be on my HD if I didn't like it. The key in my sentence was "stuff ONLY I like," which is the wrong attitude. The crowd has to like it too or I'm doing it wrong.

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My Soundcloud

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael I wish I could get that feeling when playing out, instead of always feeling like I'm already probably pushing it.

Of course, it must be much harder for you in Ohio man, respect! Like I said, everything here is relative to where/who/what.

I've had my fair share of shitty reactions and people just going wtf at the music I play, but you minimize them by understanding whatever audience you are playing for and by avoiding situations where they would not be receptive to what you do.

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quote:

Originally posted by ******** Seplling don't demonstrate intelligence and educatoin - knowing does.

The bottom line with all that has been said is...
Know the event that you are playing and read the crowd.

Nem

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https://www.mixcloud.com/Calvin_Karass/

quote:

Originally posted by Clovis Of course, it must be much harder for you in Ohio man, respect!

merci beaucoup

quote:

I've had my fair share of shitty reactions and people just going wtf at the music I play, but you minimize them by understanding whatever audience you are playing for and by avoiding situations where they would not be receptive to what you do.

Indeed! It's something I've gotten better at in the past few years, but something that is always actively on my mind when I'm playing. The best thing I've done to minimize that sort of situation is by running my own damn nights.

Bas and/or Clovis, I have a question since you're both in the same area I am. When you guys first started out, were you guys doing it the way you do it now back then? What I mean is before you became established and created a following, was there ever time you had to do it their way? Serious question here, because for all I know I could be going about it the wrong way. At what point did you guys change it up, and say this is what we want to do?

Here's how I'm viewing things, as the new guy. Clovis, let's say for an example you're a club owner. And in your club the music is Hip Hop, Top 40, Kiss FM stuff. Now let's say I frequent your establishment quite often, but in my mind I think your place could benefit with say one night of edm. Any or all genres of edm. I sent you demos, I bugged you about it everytime. Then one day, you decided to bring me in for a try out and see what happens. Now, would you let me get creative or would you Insist on Top 40, or some other form of mainstream? in other words, would you tell me what to play? Remember Clovis, you're an average club owner who really knows nothing about the dance world. Here you an individual myself, no established name, a very small following, would you let me do my own thing?

These are the kind of issues which I deal with when looking for a gig. Because I'm not established, or most of the time it's the stereotype. One place in particular. I'm sure you guys are familiar with V2O in Long Beach. Pretty nice club, which is mostly Hip Hop. A few years ago I noticed that they brought a pair of dance dj's for the patio. Not every night, but a few times a month. So I started sending demos, and talking to the club staff. Came to find out that the owners had placed a ban on us. Turns out the previous guys were more into drinking then doing their job. Make a long story short, that's how they portrayed the edm Dj. After some lobbying and free tickets to concerts they let me come in and prove we aren't that way. Of course they did give me some freedom, but they insisted that I play the mainstream too. I did exactly that, and have performed a few more gigs for them. I haven't been there in a while, so I really don't if someone else got in, or they simply don't do it.

The point I'm trying to make here is, because I'm not established or at the level you guys are at, I have to do the things to get there. If they want to play a certain way, with the potential of future gigs, then that's what I have to do. Maybe the next time around the reigns won't be as tight, and I can have freedom. I like to play different things, I don't like to play the chart stuff all the time, but if that's the way of paying your dues, then that's how I have to do it.

No matter what you play, whether you spin mainstream, house, trance, even hip hop, you're already promoting that genre. If they like it, they'll buy it.

Yes I know I should get out and explore the LA scene. But what is the ratio these days? What level do you look for? I for one don't feel I have what the scene wants. Yet. Soon enough that is the goal. Along with writing, and producing my own material.

Last edited by Brandt Slater on Mar-19-2010 at 00:51

Let's write novels.

quote:

Originally posted by enydo Let's write novels.

You know what dude, I'm asking a simple question that is all. Picking the minds of those who have done it. That is all. I'm not asking for favors or anything of the such. Why be an ass.

i rarely browse the dj booth anymore, but this has been an entertaining read.

quote:

Originally posted by djkatmaus You know what dude, I'm asking a simple question that is all. Picking the minds of those who have done it. That is all. I'm not asking for favors or anything of the such. Why be an ass.

Way to overreact, novel-writer.

quote:

Originally posted by djkatmaus Bas and/or Clovis, I have a question since you're both in the same area I am. When you guys first started out, were you guys doing it the way you do it now back then? What I mean is before you became established and created a following, was there ever time you had to do it their way? Serious question here, because for all I know I could be going about it the wrong way. At what point did you guys change it up, and say this is what we want to do? Here's how I'm viewing things, as the new guy. Clovis, let's say for an example you're a club owner. And in your club the music is Hip Hop, Top 40, Kiss FM stuff. Now let's say I frequent your establishment quite often, but in my mind I think your place could benefit with say one night of edm. Any or all genres of edm. I sent you demos, I bugged you about it everytime. Then one day, you decided to bring me in for a try out and see what happens. Now, would you let me get creative or would you Insist on Top 40, or some other form of mainstream? in other words, would you tell me what to play? Remember Clovis, you're an average club owner who really knows nothing about the dance world. Here you an individual myself, no established name, a very small following, would you let me do my own thing? These are the kind of issues which I deal with when looking for a gig. Because I'm not established, or most of the time it's the stereotype. One place in particular. I'm sure you guys are familiar with V2O in Long Beach. Pretty nice club, which is mostly Hip Hop. A few years ago I noticed that they brought a pair of dance dj's for the patio. Not every night, but a few times a month. So I started sending demos, and talking to the club staff. Came to find out that the owners had placed a ban on us. Turns out the previous guys were more into drinking then doing their job. Make a long story short, that's how they portrayed the edm Dj. After some lobbying and free tickets to concerts they let me come in and prove we aren't that way. Of course they did give me some freedom, but they insisted that I play the mainstream too. I did exactly that, and have performed a few more gigs for them. I haven't been there in a while, so I really don't if someone else got in, or they simply don't do it. The point I'm trying to make here is, because I'm not established or at the level you guys are at, I have to do the things to get there. If they want to play a certain way, with the potential of future gigs, then that's what I have to do. Maybe the next time around the reigns won't be as tight, and I can have freedom. I like to play different things, I don't like to play the chart stuff all the time, but if that's the way of paying your dues, then that's how I have to do it. No matter what you play, whether you spin mainstream, house, trance, even hip hop, you're already promoting that genre. If they like it, they'll buy it. Yes I know I should get out and explore the LA scene. But what is the ratio these days? What level do you look for? I for one don't feel I have what the scene wants. Yet. Soon enough that is the goal. Along with writing, and producing my own material.

Am I seriously supposed to answer all these hypotheticals?

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quote:

Originally posted by ******** Seplling don't demonstrate intelligence and educatoin - knowing does.