Well I've been checking out the sets mixed by tranceaddict residents and I'm starting to notice a really ugly pattern developing in many DJs' track selection - very little innovation, almost no willingness to experiment and try something new. It is very easy to take a bunch of tracks that have been played by all the trance "gods" (I hate it when people call DJs gods) and just mix them together. Of course you'll get a decent response from the masses but you have to take a step back and see if there is anything that makes your set unique and distinct in any way. As a DJ, your responsibility is to expose the people to new music and unheard tracks, not to be a human jukebox playing all the latest trance anthems - and yes, PVD, Mauro Picotto, Tiesto and the likes DO make trance anthems ... no matter how much you wish to see your style as "underground", it's not. Be brave and show some guts ... play something that nobody else has heard before ... mix up your styles ... experiment. Bring some life into the boring stagnant style that trance has become.

BTW. a big shoutout to DJ Dawn for not being one of the followers ... I immensely enjoyed his Hardtrance history mix, and also his new June mix - just because he did not resort to playing anthems. Respect.

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For Dj's i think they should try to do a little more then just mixing records and throwing in some new tunes that no one has heard of before... do something that will fuck shit up (in a good way), like adding in some different effects or something.

play the music you love.
and play the music how you like to hear.

if that makes you unique then good for you.
if it doesnt, then tough shit just do what you love.

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quote:

Originally posted by skywarp I'm starting to notice a really ugly pattern developing in many DJs' track selection - very little innovation, almost no willingness to experiment and try something new(....)Be brave and show some guts ... play something that nobody else has heard before ... mix up your styles ... experiment. Bring some life into the boring stagnant style that trance has become. BTW. a big shoutout to DJ Dawn for not being one of the followers ... I immensely enjoyed his Hardtrance history mix, and also his new June mix - just because he did not resort to playing anthems. Respect.

Well, thanks a lot! I see your point here, but if you would've asked me about the June mix, I'd still consider it "full of anthems". The problem is that many people ask me for mixes when I'm DJing and they want the tracks they know. So I do this monthly "best of" mix, to please them. I like these mixes a lot, but they are still different from what I play in a live situation...as you can see from my setlist @Loveparade (this is still different from other Livesets, cause it's THE LOVEPARADE)
But you are right about people not being willing enough to experiment. When I see the tracklist of many mixes, I don't even bother to dl, cause I know the tracks inside out. Unknown tracks in the list don't scare me away, they make it more interesting...
So come on, fellow DJs!

BTW, there will be a new Hardtrance-History ID contest very soon...see you there

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RetroActive 4

respect, skywarp. now ive heard the same from you and sasha both!

i dunno about alexander coe's credibility, but you're a TA.. so.... onwards i troop!

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I think its more than track selection...I wanna see more people experimenting with the tracks themselves...I know a lot of people dont care for scratching with trance music, but damn...do something creative...anything other than just beatmatching and bringing in the new song. Fuck with the EQ's a bit, bring in parts of 2 songs, add some effects, switch back and forth between 2 songs.

Im constantly looking to add some spice to my mixing...just experiment guys!

I think we can learn from other types of music / DJ's. My friend spins DnB and he does some very interesting things that can be applied to trance music to liven it up a bit. Im sure the same can apply to hip hop DJ's.

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hey dj dawn..where can i hear your stuff?

there is a thread in the Amateur DJ forum, called "DJ Dawn's Livesets". I always just have one mix up at a time, not enough webspace for more. But the dl is fast. Grab the June Mix soon, I'm going to up a different set in the next days.
I'd be happy if you leave some feedback in the thread. Just tell me which tracks or transitions you liked/disliked and maybe the reasons...
greets,
Dawn

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RetroActive 4

skywarp
you have never heard any of my sets so don't go on dissing me man
lol

so whats up
havn't talked to you in a while
how was that gig w/ liberator

I'll agree. I'm putting together another set for my dj resume come this autumn, and I find I'm having difficulty picking non-anthem tracks, however tracks that are incredible. I like diversity in my sets, and also I try to emphasize crazy mixing abilities. Granted it might not be how I spin in a club/party, but it will be more likely to get me recognition as a distinct dj first, then play what I want later.


Skywarp, I find it hard to be very distinct in the trance scene unless you produce your own stuff, period. I am convinced to make real money in this business (not like that is the ultimate goal) you have to be original, and producing is soo huge. It's hard to be distinct too without sounding retarted, you have to be very wise in track selection. What happens is you get dj's thinking their different because their mixing DJ Scot Project tracks (hard trance) with fucking Dumonde (more melodic/anthem) and they think that makes them distinct. The momentum just gets fucked.

I could go on and on for hours. For now I'm sticking with track selection, mixing abilities and entertainment factor as myself being a distinct dj. It's not up to my standards yet, but I will be! =) thanks Skywarp.

Jon

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quote:

Originally posted by halo20 I'll agree. I'm putting together another set for my dj resume come this autumn, and I find I'm having difficulty picking non-anthem tracks, however tracks that are incredible. I like diversity in my sets, and also I try to emphasize crazy mixing abilities. Granted it might not be how I spin in a club/party, but it will be more likely to get me recognition as a distinct dj first, then play what I want later. Skywarp, I find it hard to be very distinct in the trance scene unless you produce your own stuff, period. I am convinced to make real money in this business (not like that is the ultimate goal) you have to be original, and producing is soo huge. It's hard to be distinct too without sounding retarted, you have to be very wise in track selection. What happens is you get dj's thinking their different because their mixing DJ Scot Project tracks (hard trance) with fucking Dumonde (more melodic/anthem) and they think that makes them distinct. The momentum just gets fucked. I could go on and on for hours. For now I'm sticking with track selection, mixing abilities and entertainment factor as myself being a distinct dj. It's not up to my standards yet, but I will be! =) thanks Skywarp. Jon

so true. thats one of the main reasons i rather be a producer in the long run.... thats the only way you get your own "sound"

and i think everyone has to deal with that at first, wanting to play all the anthems, because it seems they're the best tracks
often the case. im just starting to realize that now - the other thing is its really hard like you said, to find good music, that you like, which not everyone already knows.

i mean there's a lot of music out there, but a lot of it is shiet. so here's good luck to you and me john, and the other bedroom djs who endeavour to find the same excellent underground tunes

and yea there were some anthems in dj dawn's set, but i liked very much still

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what trainspotters are.

quote:

I like diversity in my sets, and also I try to emphasize crazy mixing abilities.

Crazy mixing abilities like what? or just good transitions?