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Your Signature Track Lately? (pg. 11)
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| DJ RANN |
| 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. |
I think he's just saying it was a long way of writing a simple question. There's no simple or short answer though.
However, My first bit of advice (and honestly I'm not trying to be disrespectful or anything), is change your DJ name). It just sounds like a rip off or piss take of that other guy and either way it won't have any longevity. As a promoter or label owner, I just wouldn't take it seriously, unless you were doing some form of parody act.
Back to the question: I've got friends who have made it high up the ranks based on their productions (even the ones who were mediocre at best at mixing) and others that have plugged away for ages, slowly bulding a fan base and really cornering or pioneering a niche sound.
Others I know have made it big from putting on their own night. Just look at Robtronik - I see him everywhere now (and not that being a good guy doesn't go far too) but his compression nights really built his own career.
You have figure out what you want to stand for and then how to go about bringing it to people. If you do something that everyone is doing then you obviously you'll only get as far as the next guy, unless he's better connected than you.
Oh and that's the last way. Be someone famous already, then take up DJ'ing. It worked for Sam Ronson and she's at DJ'ing. |
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| djkatmaus |
| I came up with the Katmaus name after watching a Tom and Jerry cartoon. I didn't take it Deadmau5 or anything like that. I ran the name by a few people and they thought it was kinda cool. So I just kinda stuck with it for now, until I find something better. Unfortunately, I can't use my real name because someone has it trademarked. Along with the DJ title in front of it. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by djkatmaus
I came up with the Katmaus name after watching a Tom and Jerry cartoon. I didn't take it Deadmau5 or anything like that. I ran the name by a few people and they thought it was kinda cool. So I just kinda stuck with it for now, until I find something better. Unfortunately, I can't use my real name because someone has it trademarked. Along with the DJ title in front of it. |
Fair enough, and I want you to know I wasn't having a go. Just that's what it natrally appeared to me when I saw the same. Also, probably becuase there's a few people on here that have done pisstake names of that same person. |
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| djkatmaus |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
Fair enough, and I want you to know I wasn't having a go. Just that's what it natrally appeared to me when I saw the same. Also, probably becuase there's a few people on here that have done pisstake names of that same person. |
No not all. I never took it that way. Fact is, anything that was said in this thread or in other threads for that matter, I never took personally or anything like that. Hopefully the others wouldn't take it personally either. If there's one thing I've learned about the music business is, you can't take comments seriously. Well unless it is something serious which could jeopardize a relationship with a client or something of similar nature. I look at the threads as an advice tool.
LOL. When I DJ, I don't walk out with a mouse or a cat helmet on my head. Funny thing is, when I came up with the name, I never knew Deadmau5 existed until I was at a gig and some girl came up to the booth and asked me if I was related to Deadmau5. I had to ask her who's that, what's that? For a second, I thought she was telling me she saw a dead mouse on the floor or something, and maybe I should tell management. Oops. :D
Anywho, I really don't have a problem changing the name. My concern right now is finding my niche. |
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| woscar |
| 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. |
1. Stop thinking that you have to do any of these things in order to get somewhere.
2. You need to pick the parties and clubs you play at better. Why would you go offer your services to a club that only plays hip-hop and top 40 ? It's obvious that your music won't be well received. I'm sure you can find a small place with people that go there precisely because it doesn't play hip-hop or top 40 . That's the place and audience you want to play for.
3. Stop trying to cater to "what the scene wants" and start doing what YOU want.
Just my personal opinion. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by djkatmaus
No not all. I never took it that way. Fact is, anything that was said in this thread or in other threads for that matter, I never took personally or anything like that. Hopefully the others wouldn't take it personally either. If there's one thing I've learned about the music business is, you can't take comments seriously. Well unless it is something serious which could jeopardize a relationship with a client or something of similar nature. I look at the threads as an advice tool.
LOL. When I DJ, I don't walk out with a mouse or a cat helmet on my head. Funny thing is, when I came up with the name, I never knew Deadmau5 existed until I was at a gig and some girl came up to the booth and asked me if I was related to Deadmau5. I had to ask her who's that, what's that? For a second, I thought she was telling me she saw a dead mouse on the floor or something, and maybe I should tell management. Oops. :D
Anywho, I really don't have a problem changing the name. My concern right now is finding my niche. |
I know what you mean - I have a friend that was making music for years, but had not yet broken through and when he finally got to the point of being able to put his name out there on some quality production, by coincidence some DJ with the same name suddenly sprang out of nowhere and registered/trademarked every possible connotation of that name and became semi famous, meaning he had to change his name, even though he'd built up a following under his name.
I with woscar on this - find what you love and do it regardless of what anyone thinks, and either other people will like or not. Don't play gigs where you know you're going to have to play stuff you hate. |
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| delusional |
| I failed, " Don't play gigs where you know you're going to have to play stuff you hate." |
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| djkopernikus |
| Hideo Kobayashi - Listen To The Voice (Original Mix) |
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| archaudio |
| quote: | Originally posted by enydo
Let's write novels. |
+1 |
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| chewy dragee |
| quote: | Originally posted by djkopernikus
Hideo Kobayashi - Listen To The Voice (Original Mix) |
HAHA - Almost the only on topic post here...
;) |
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| Nemesis44 |
@DJKatmaus
When you said
| quote: | | 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. |
You actually answered your own question. The fact that you haven't been there in a while or made contact with them would probably be reason enough for them to get someone else.
If I want more gigs I actually got to the places I want to play and talk to the people in question and perhaps slip in an 'oh by the way' type thing. But I will also target my victims.
People in the industry have a very short memory, and unless you did something amazing you will be forgotten very quickly. You have to build a following.
Woscar and the guys actually have a point with some of the things they say as you will not be building a following playing music that you can hear anywhere. Even if you play top 40 you have to put your own twist on it to be remembered.
Take Tony Morello, he's been given a hard time in this thread for pretty much nothing, but lets look beyond that for a moment. He is playing what he does because of the WAY he does it not just because of what he plays.
A lot of DJs have played what they don't like before they made it. And lets face it, it actually helps you master the craft as you will not have an emotional connection to the music and you can look at it more analytically.
You can pretty much take most of the things in this thread and they will often be true in a certain context but will be irrelevant in another.
You just have to be honest about your reasons for DJing if only to keep your own mind straight.
Are you an entertainer or are you a trailblazer.
Neither is wrong and there will be crossover areas in both.
You are there to fulfil a need and it is totally supply and demand, if people want a good time then entertain. If people want to expand their horizons then set the trail a blaze... and this all boils down to the ultimate DJ skill which hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet which is...
READ THE CROWD!!!
cheers
Nem |
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| djkatmaus |
@Nemesis
I totally get what you're saying. The last few gigs I did (5 to be exact) I started doing my own thing. The crowd was getting into it. Something different that they normally never hear. I remember the patio (my stage) was jammed up until closing. I talked to a friend who's the manager there, and basically told me the owners don't see the need for EDM. When this place first opened they had two rooms. One for hip hop/ top 40 crap and the other was House. Somewhere after a few years the House music was gone and hip hop took over the entire place. Every once in awhile you might see and edm guy. But that's it and I haven't seen one since.
I guess my whole point for playing this club was to reclaim lost turf and bring back EDM. Like you said a trailblazer. Oh well, I'll just keep doing my thing, something has got to give. |
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