id probably say no. most of them have to work other jobs.

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i work as a producer for the number 1 radio station in the city
that pays my bills, i dj really for the fun since i re-invest everything back into it

but that's covering employee pay, flyers/advertising, equipment payments/upkeep and various other expenses that come up on top of constantly updating my music

one of my good friends makes good money as a dj, but he's playing 2 clubs, top 40 & electronic, 4 nights a week on top of going to college and working as a manager at a tanning salon chain

if you want to be a working dj, prepare to work... very hard
but if you're persistant and work hard, it can pay off in the end

i'm only beginning to see my hard work paying off now after a couple years really into it

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Last edited by Tony Morello on Nov-12-2005 at 11:57

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello i work as a producer for the number 1 radio station in the city that pays my bills, i dj really for the fun since i re-invest everything back into it

DJ for fun? You are a badass now stfu.

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The other point that people are missing with this thread, either that or I'm hijacking it, is that there is a big learning curve to playing out.
In some respects it's nothing like playing at home and just because you can spin pretty well infront of your mates, doesn't mean that you will be able to pull it off infront of a crowd.

There is great value to be placed on spinning in a club in terms of what you learn. You can DJ for 5 years and then start playing out for 1 and I will almost guarantee that you will learn more in that year then you did in 5 at home.

And until you have been playing out to people you don't really know how to DJ, you just know how to mix.

Experience playing out is valuable and sometimes you have to weigh up what it will do for your overall DJing and not just in terms of short term compensation.

It's my guess that a lot of the guys talking about money and the right to be paid, don't play out, have been very lucky or live in a place where there isn't an overflow of DJs. If that statement is not correct then my most sincere apologies.

Cheers
Nem

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i'm looking at this from an established dj's perspective

i've paid my dues, i've played the free parties in weird locations on some of the shoddiest setups
(flimsy card tables DO NOT make good tables to set gear up on)

i've earned my place and the respect that comes with it in my scene

i've been around a bit and obviously i feel my time is worth something at this point

basically, what i've been trying to say

everyone is worth something, be it if you're making a couple thousand for a 2 hour set or a couple free drinks or free entry to a future event, everyone should be compensated in some way shape or form for the time and effort put into it unless of course if the event is a fundraiser or another non-profit event

yes, it's a totally different world outside of the bedroom

quote:

And until you have been playing out to people you don't really know how to DJ, you just know how to mix.

couldn't agree more

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this is a really awesome thread....


i'll read up and respond later...

i never ask for money in gigs (i've never mixed at a full-on night-club yet)... i always say just "pay me whatever you want"

i go by the honour system... this way is probably the way to go. as it puts the onus on ppl to pay u, but ur not telling them I WANT MONEY.

quote:

Originally posted by b i n k u n if you start playing for free for some promoter...how are you going to ask for money the next time around? that promoter will just continue to look for free DJs then...especially if you did decent, then he'll think he can find other decent DJs for free and just give up on you. start small, be it asking for small pay or free drinks from the bar, etc. but never let things slide because it will be that much harder to put your foot down the next time. and dun be afraid to ask what your pay is, any decent promoter will have already worked out the budget for the dj fees, but won't necessarily tell you. just make sure you do so before the night begins. being stiffed is the worst feeling ever.

good post. i am NOT an advocate of playing for free, although i do know a bunch of people who are. the worst 'deal' i got for playing in a bar was free drinks that night, and access to the vip lounge any time i went to that club. i played there a few times, became friends with the residents/manager/bartenders, and after a while i started getting some pretty nice paychecks.

if you show to them that youre worth something, in the way you act, carry yourself, your confidence, they will most likely tell you that they can work out some sort of compensation, be it free stuff or pay.

never sell yourself short.

razzi.

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quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 There is great value to be placed on spinning in a club in terms of what you learn. You can DJ for 5 years and then start playing out for 1 and I will almost guarantee that you will learn more in that year then you did in 5 at home. And until you have been playing out to people you don't really know how to DJ, you just know how to mix.

spot on with this...it's a whole 'nother world. being able to capture different crowds is something that takes a LONG time to perfect. i know i'm not cut out to be a full-time DJ and i totally respect those that are and can.

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 It's my guess that a lot of the guys talking about money and the right to be paid, don't play out, have been very lucky or live in a place where there isn't an overflow of DJs. If that statement is not correct then my most sincere apologies.

i guess i will have to plead guilty on this. i am very lucky to have come into contact with EDM in the US and the UK and be able to bring it back to my hometown (Taiwan) where there is an extreme lack of good local trance DJs. as expected, there does exist a big difference in the supply and demand of DJs as well as the level of talent.

however, while i totally understand why a DJ would play for free, be it cuz he loves the music or cuz its the only shot he has at showing the promoter what he has, i still stand by what i say...respect the occupation of a DJ and those that DJ. i'm not saying be a dick and ask for a paycheck before u have earned it, but whenever there is money involved, it is best to be professional about it.

it has become quite silly that a dj can earn upwards of 20,000 USD a nite for 2 hours, but if u are providing a service, u should get some sort of compensation. it could be money, drinks, or just a good network opportunity to meet someone in a place to help you...just dun let yourself get run over.

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quote:

Originally posted by b i n k u n it has become quite silly that a dj can earn upwards of 20,000 USD a nite for 2 hours,

Not if the market will bear it.

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