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Getting your first gig...
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| Kiragan |
How did you go about getting your first gig? Specifically, I'm just talking about a one time gig at a club. The reason I ask is that I recently made a demo and tried to email promoters here encouraging them to download it or send me an address where I could mail a copy. I got absolutely no response. Not even a "You suck, go away." I don't have physical addresses for them, or I would have just mailed copies.
I don't personally know any promoters, and I get the impression that this is going to severely hold me back. "Open Tables" calls around here tend to be a joke. DJs with no reputation get passed over regardless of their talent for friends of the promoters nearly every time. I guess it's true that who you know is more important than what you know.
What is everyone else's experience with this?
Thanks,
Kiragan |
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| Boomer187 |
My friend was a dj at a club and he just got me in.
If promoters aren't working for you work the dj's. Go to clubs you'd like to play at and be around a lot, talk to workers there make friends. Then drop the demo. |
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| Zombie0729 |
| it's always just friends ... of friends. |
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| ex-dj |
yes, since even halfway decent djs are a dime a dozen these days, its almost all who you know. but this should not hold you back if you don't know anyone just get out there and meet people - the djs / club owners / managers / promoters
it will take some time though |
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| bluastigma |
| two of my friends work in a record store, the guy that owns it helped them get gigs in some local clubs. couldnt do much for me though... |
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| DJ_Ikronix |
My best suggestion is to get out into the clubs and network a bit.
Get to know everyone. Security, bartenders, promoters, managers, DJ's...
Bartenders tend to really know what a situation is at a club, and security guys usually have a good handle on it too.
And above all, don't act like a dick, and expect everyone else too. Especially any resident DJ's. They may see you as competition, and react accordingly. |
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| Tranceporter99 |
| Just talk to everyone get to be really good friends and frquent the club and dont tell them your a DJ, and then to one of them [manager, promoter, bartender etc] be like 'im acutally looking for some gigs' and he/she be like 'what kinda gigs' and then be like 'Dj' and then work from there |
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| Raptor |
| throw your own parties. after you built a fan base bigger clubs will higher you. clubs don't give a on how good you are. they only care about how many people you can bring in. this is advice i got from a head promoter from spundae in LA. |
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| Dj_Hypnotiq |
| The best possible way is to get to know a dj. that already has some credibility in the circuit. Which is pretty much how I got my first gig. It's really difficult to get in if you don't know anybody. |
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| Kiragan |
Thanks for the responses. I guess it really is who you know.
Kiragan |
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| Nemesis44 |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ_Ikronix
My best suggestion is to get out into the clubs and network a bit.
Get to know everyone. Security, bartenders, promoters, managers, DJ's...
Bartenders tend to really know what a situation is at a club, and security guys usually have a good handle on it too.
And above all, don't act like a dick, and expect everyone else too. Especially any resident DJ's. They may see you as competition, and react accordingly. |
Agreed.
You have to network like a maniac and get to know people. People also have to like you so just be yourself and don't front too much, but don't be too humble either. Have Demo CDs with you and have enough to give to ordinary clubbers you speak to also. They may remember you and you don't know who they know, they may also be your future following.
Something to remember though, don't ever ever critisise another DJ to other people even if he is e, no matter where you are. Again, you don't know who knows who. A polite silence may be allowed but no more. Let your actions speak for you, people will soon figure it out.
Don't rely on barstaff too much as they often take the CDs for themselves (Not always) but do get your face known without becoming an alcoholic. ;)
A word of advice on throwing your own parties or nights.
To make them work you need to know a e load of people. You may invite a 100 people but don't be surprised if less than 40 turn up. People are unreliable.
It's hard enough if you aren't using a musical theme to get the number up, when you break it down to who you know that likes trance it shrinks quickly.
If you are doing this then try do work as a crew or soundsystem and perhaps offer some free parties. People like free. :)
Just sending on-line demo's isn't going to work with clubs. Most owners/promoters can't be arsed to down load it. They also like to see what you look like, don't think it's just about skills. Meet them in person and it may take a while.
Cheers
Nem
PS
You think getting a gig in a club is hard, try getting signed to an agency. |
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| .Agent_J. |
Have your own party's. Rent out a club, thats how i've started. My first night is on the 5th of march with scotlands number 1 DJ(Paul Mendez)
Most DJ's will see you as competition and i think it's better to get in with the promoters. Don't suck up them, just be yourself and don't let them take the piss out of you, they'll like you better if u don't brown nose.
U should become a promoter urself;) |
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