the bedroom guys need to realize it's almost a totally different ballgame once you make it to the club and it starts becoming a job more than a hobby

i didn't like what i was starting to have to play week in and week out, the bullshit politics, and having to appeal to the lowest common denominator to get people through the door on a consistant basis

it's not a life for everyone, it's hard work and a lot of commitment

but if you work hard and know what you want you will get it

and like allied nations said, no matter your skill level, you are bringing your talent and skill along with all the hours you have invested in your craft, you shouldn't walk away empty-handed from a gig, even if it's just a couple comped drinks, you never should have to pay to play

if you do, you're not ready to play out

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Last edited by Tony Morello on May-01-2006 at 19:40

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello and like allied nations said, no matter your skill level, you are bringing your talent and skill along with all the hours you have invested in your craft, you should walk away empty-handed from a gig, even if it's just a couple comped drinks, you never should have to pay to play

Agreed. If you're doing it for free it should just be a one-time thing. Let the club owners try you out and if they want you to play again, start charging. Playing for free all the time is not just bad for yourself, it's bad for DJs all around. If everybody started charging at least a basic price, DJs would be better off everywhere.

It's not about the money, it's about making a point.

quote:

Originally posted by dj_palm doesnt it has something to do with your skills too? its not like driving the bus or being a teacher now is it? if ur good an famous (so u make people come) u will of cource earn more. if no-one know u or heard of you u wont make shit nomatter how good you are, if ur that lucky to get a dj-job. thats it here in norway atleast. dont think any of the djs here earn any.

Even if they don't sell, alot of time and effort was put into it, and it's unfair that the DJ doesn't get paid. 50/hour should be minimum IMO. Think of it this way - if your day job was working at a gas station, and nobody came, would you accept not getting paid? DJs that draw more people should obviousely be paid more, but there needs to be a minimum. Otherwise DJs will continue to get exploited.

but in the real world there is this thing called money, you need money to do things, and lately everyone is needing more and more

money = good

so if you're good at what you do, be compensated for it

if you think you're not ready to ask for payment for your time, then you're not ready to play out

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quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello if you think you're not ready to ask for payment for your time, then you're not ready to play out

I agree. But it seems everyone is eager to play out and they're willing to do anything - even letting themselves get screwed over.

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello you never should have to pay to play if you do, you're not ready to play out

Agreed, but you'd be shocked at the amount it occurs around here.

As for me, the only consistent cash I see for playing is $150 a night for my (semi)-monthly 4.5 hour sets at a club back in my home town. Other than that, it's all over the place. Most I've made is $600 for 12 hours on NYE a few years back, but that was a one time gig, and a HUGE party that made far more cash than that.

Beyond that, I've played plenty of gigs just for the sport of it... Most of those just being college house parties, but some of those have been some of the best nights I've played out in my life that no amount of money would ever compare to.

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ RJT Agreed, but you'd be shocked at the amount it occurs around here. As for me, the only consistent cash I see for playing is $150 a night for my (semi)-monthly 4.5 hour sets at a club back in my home town. Other than that, it's all over the place. Most I've made is $600 for 12 hours on NYE a few years back, but that was a one time gig, and a HUGE party that made far more cash than that. Beyond that, I've played plenty of gigs just for the sport of it... Most of those just being college house parties, but some of those have been some of the best nights I've played out in my life that no amount of money would ever compare to.

ah house parties... wish i could remember them

but yea, basically, if people are making money off you it's not bad taste to ask for some

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quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello ah house parties... wish i could remember them

Lawl... Quick story from one I played about 8-9 months ago now:

The whole night had been insane and almost surreal, but at the same time somewhat of a "standard" scene. A few kegs, about 70-100 kids crammed in a basement sweating their balls/tits off respectively, and the smell of weed/sweat/booze/cigarrettes/slutty underclassmen combined with the thick scent musty basement permeated the air, and for some reason all these kids who never listen to house music just decided this was EXACTLY what they wanted to hear...

The whole night had been amazing and my mixing was spot on, so I was feeling pretty good heading into the last hour and a half of my set, and I dropped Group Therapy - My Own Worst Enemy. I had been beatmatching/selecting what tune I would drop next, and finally I pulled the cans off my ears right at the break where the tune drops into the conga/bongo breakdown, and I look up, and every single person in the basement is literally pounding out the conga line on whatever surface they can find, as hard as they can. The sound of them pounding out that percussive line overpowered the sound system we had set up in the basement (which was no slouch), and all you heard was these kids just drumming along. Finally, the track kicks back in, people go nuts, and I know immediately that this is a moment I'll never forget as long as I live.

/hijack for sentimentality.

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rob thats fucking fantastic! i cant wait to have a similar moment

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ RJT and I look up, and every single person in the basement is literally pounding out the conga line on whatever surface they can find, as hard as they can. The sound of them pounding out that percussive line overpowered the sound system we had set up in the basement (which was no slouch), and all you heard was these kids just drumming along. Finally, the track kicks back in, people go nuts, and I know immediately that this is a moment I'll never forget as long as I live.

Haha aww man, that's fucking awesome. I'd love to hear more stories like this I reckon.

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quote:

Originally posted by s3nate You should be HAPPY if you can even do a warm up in a club for free. Hell you should be happy if they let you play if you PAID them.

maybe for you...

anywhere from 50-200 depending on event.