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DJs vs. Producers (pg. 11)
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| colione98 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Evolve140
See this seems like something someone was replying to that was a response to my original post, which it seems like people stopped reading and just scrolled down. I meant everything I said, but I should mention that I'm friends with the best DJs in this town, but they're just so far and few in between the mass of hipster, trendy little kids who have NO idea how to mix, have NO background in the scene or whatever you want to call it. You know good dance music if you've spent a tremendous amount of time listening to it. The DJ who jumps into the scene and starts DJing after a year or 2, will most likely have disastrous results. Of course there are exceptions. I have a DJ friend who I consider the best in the town, who has been spinning for 20 years, and who listens and has history in almost every genre. The past couple years (we worked together about 5 years ago for 2-3 years), he has picked up his production game. I showed him a few tips on mastering and got him locked into compression, and all he ever tells people now is how much I helped, which makes me very happy. Too many DJs know they want to produce, act like they're going to, and flunk out miserably. Fine, don't produce. But don't act like you ing know it all, especially when almost all these people will dance just to make themselves look like they're socially worthy of being in the room. I'm one of the few people who will really dance, just start it moving if no one is dancing in the room full of DJs. Do I have to pretend I like it a little more, subconsciously? Yes. If I sucks bad enough, will I still dance, no. But if it's decent dance music I'll at least start dancing, to let people know it's OK to have a little fun, even if this isn't your favorite ing song. The opposite happens at a huge party, when everyone is dancing and the song sucks ass, I'll sit there with my arms crossed (which people mistakenly perceive as a sign of disrespect or dislike but actually has to do with you using both sides of your brain to think about what's happening). But it's because I'm listening best I can, trying to find a reason to dance to the track. So, if you can find a balance between that, you're good. Even though you don't always have to assume if you DJ you have to produce, I think it's fair to say that since there are SO many DJs, more of them should actually consider making their own music instead of just emulating every other DJ, or acting like just because they dropped a track first, they're so much cooler. It was already on the BP charts, who cares who in this little town dropped it first, both of you still lack the still and music ability to take the work to spend finding tracks. I've talked to little newbie DJs, and asked them how much work they put into finding tracks, told them that's HALF of what a DJ does is his work finding new music. Their answer? Maybe 2 hours a week. A DJ is not a jukebox a good crowd needs to trust a good DJ, to let them enter new music, it's a surrender almost. But if it sucks, it sucks, and you don't have to spend the whole night trying to make yourself like the music, leave the party. I think to truly DJ well and produce well, you need history with dance music, and you need a true love and appreciation for every genre. So yes, the DJs in this town who are amazing, truly are, but the amount of kids jumping on the bandwagon, and asserting themselves as new, fresh and original, are truly ignorant, deprived of dance music culture, and fooling no one.
edit: bit of a tangent but had to get the thought out. glad to clarify anything if needed. |
I totally get every word brother and there is definitely a lack of history knowledge of all genres...
But to be honest, your original post sounded as if you were discrediting djing as an art form and pushing the production game. And you did mention that you no longer saw the meaning in just being a dj...
But glad you expressed deeper thoughts. |
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| Looney4Clooney |
um the dj band wagon was in 2000. The production bandwagon was in 2005 and the mastering bandwagon was 2010.
One thing i can't stand is when djs play their own tracks because they are their own. Honestly man, i don't care. it isn't like anyone will know, they will just kinda sigh and say , thank god i have this ing large dosage of drugs in my system that i can find such bad music danceable. Way too many djs play their tracks when they really should be playing tracks from good producers that people will enjoy more. again it is an ego thing. They play their track because they are djing for them, not the crowd. You can't hear your track on a big system and how it translates from the dj booth so that isn't an excuse. So ya, please stop doing that. |
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| Evolve140 |
| quote: | Originally posted by colione98
I totally get every word brother and there is definitely a lack of history knowledge of all genres...
But to be honest, your original post sounded as if you were discrediting djing as an art form and pushing the production game. And you did mention that you no longer saw the meaning in just being a dj...
But glad you expressed deeper thoughts. |
Yeah, sorry about that. Had to get that first thought out to let it develop a bit. The ironic thing about that drunken thought was that the top 2 DJs pretty much, that I respect the most and who influenced me the most, don't even produce. But god damn, can they find some bad ass music to play! And that helped me as a producer endlessly.
Found this in a Facebook group,
http://www.facebook.com/groups/313837045293695/
FAKE Live Acts & Ableton DJ's
a lot of it is in Spanish but awesome group. And serious Justice, ing seriously? Wow. |
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| Vector A |
| quote: | Originally posted by Looney4Clooney
Others have no game and have the kind of face gringots would hire and enjoy ing brain dead 18 year olds. |
:stongue: |
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| cryophonik |
| quote: | Originally posted by Looney4Clooney
so like ,
honestly guys
djing at 50 ? I mean nobody loves music that much that they would be willing to live that lifestyle at that age.
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Wrong. I just saw this on my local news.
BTW, I hear that she was nominated for a "Grammy." :happy2: |
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| meriter |
| quote: | | Originally posted by Evolve140 |
Depressing.
Also, nice jean-jacket |
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| Evolve140 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Looney4Clooney
um the dj band wagon was in 2000. The production bandwagon was in 2005 and the mastering bandwagon was 2010.
One thing i can't stand is when djs play their own tracks because they are their own. Honestly man, i don't care. it isn't like anyone will know, they will just kinda sigh and say , thank god i have this ing large dosage of drugs in my system that i can find such bad music danceable. Way too many djs play their tracks when they really should be playing tracks from good producers that people will enjoy more. again it is an ego thing. They play their track because they are djing for them, not the crowd. You can't hear your track on a big system and how it translates from the dj booth so that isn't an excuse. So ya, please stop doing that. |
the DJ bandwagon is back. it's commercialized now. |
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| Storyteller |
| quote: | Originally posted by Looney4Clooney
One thing i can't stand is when djs play their own tracks because they are their own. Honestly man, i don't care. it isn't like anyone will know, they will just kinda sigh and say , thank god i have this ing large dosage of drugs in my system that i can find such bad music danceable. Way too many djs play their tracks when they really should be playing tracks from good producers that people will enjoy more. again it is an ego thing. They play their track because they are djing for them, not the crowd. You can't hear your track on a big system and how it translates from the dj booth so that isn't an excuse. So ya, please stop doing that. |
I'd consider this as a compliment when applying it to myself. I've only once dropped my own track at a gig and even hardly do it when I'm spinning at home or on the fm-radio for fun. Maybe I should start making more danceable music :p |
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| Evolve140 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Storyteller
I'd consider this as a compliment when applying it to myself. I've only once dropped my own track at a gig and even hardly do it when I'm spinning at home or on the fm-radio for fun. Maybe I should start making more danceable music :p |
Clooney does seem to know the scene every well, but isolated in terms of his perspective, mostly accurate if you can tolerate the wild tangents-- especially the way he weighs in how much significance drugs have in the night out, and the criterion he mentioned for reading the crowd. I'm surprised everyone doesn't know that... very insightful. Just wish he didn't go off on tangents like he does. But I do the same thing, heavy drinker.
Tbh Storyteller, you make some great ing house music, stuff I've really admired, so I'm surprised you've only played out one track. I've pretty much only played out one track too, but if you're like me, it's because you know you're on a nice S-curve up, getting better, and perfecting your art before you bestow it on the crowd. Kudos, you do make some sick stuff though. Luckily I do have about 3-4 tracks that are ready to be blasted out, and I'm sure you do too. Just gonna keep doing my own thing, and you should to, which I know you are. We're doing it properly (doing our own thing), while most other producers are simply humans that emulate art very effectively. |
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| Storyteller |
| quote: | Originally posted by Evolve140
Clooney does seem to know the scene every well, but isolated in terms of his perspective, mostly accurate if you can tolerate the wild tangents-- especially the way he weighs in how much significance drugs have in the night out, and the criterion he mentioned for reading the crowd. I'm surprised everyone doesn't know that... very insightful. Just wish he didn't go off on tangents like he does. But I do the same thing, heavy drinker.
Tbh Storyteller, you make some great ing house music, stuff I've really admired, so I'm surprised you've only played out one track. I've pretty much only played out one track too, but if you're like me, it's because you know you're on a nice S-curve up, getting better, and perfecting your art before you bestow it on the crowd. Kudos, you do make some sick stuff though. Luckily I do have about 3-4 tracks that are ready to be blasted out, and I'm sure you do too. Just gonna keep doing my own thing, and you should to, which I know you are. We're doing it properly (doing our own thing), while most other producers are simply humans that emulate art very effectively. |
Oh I think I can manage and put L4C's posts in perspective just fine :). Thanks for the compliments although I don't think I really deserve them. A lot of the times I am just copying things I've heard with a mild spin. |
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| DNA_pl |
| quote: | Originally posted by Looney4Clooney
so like ,
honestly guys
djing at 50 ? I mean nobody loves music that much that they would be willing to live that lifestyle at that age. To be quite frank , i think any one that djs seriously and is over 30, well i will even say 40 just because 40 is the new 30, but like there is just something weird about that. The dj should be the same age or a little older than the people they are catering to. |
I agree. Few months ago I went to the club and some (I don't want to say which because still, I respect him) ~45 year old DJ played. I couldn't stop thinking about his age and that he is simply .... too old for this, that he already had his "5 minutes" of career. I was even thinking that it's actually quite sad because he had some amazing tunes 10 years ago and he just earned (at least I thought that) enough money to doesn't have to DJ at the age of 45. I just couldnt imagine myself having 45-50 year old, pretending to be young and cool and playing in front of 18 years old "crowd". 45-50 year old - come on. How can you identify with such crowd - it's 30 years difference which is ... huge. They may have a 1-2 years old children for which you could be a grandpa :D
It's like you said - when you have 45-50 years, you ... should have a wife that will tell you where you put your glasses :D When 50 year old person tries to fit into 2-3 decades younger generation - it's just ... sad.
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And I hate when producers (especially average) are DJs. They play their own, crap tracks, they use DJing as self-promotion. For me, DJing shouldnt be a marketing tool. It should be all about playing GOOD music, making a good party. And by good music I mean, good both for the DJ and for the crowd. This will make both sides happy and enjoying their evening.
So, I hate DJ who is playing own tracks, I hate DJ who is playing only latest stuff, I hate DJ who can't build the tension, can't switch the tempo, can't switch the genre. So if you're a DJ and you're playing your own, latest released crap tune and your whole set is 128bpm electro-progressive-uplifting-crap be careful ;D |
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| cryophonik |
| quote: | Originally posted by Storyteller
Thanks for the compliments although I don't think I really deserve them. A lot of the times I am just copying things I've heard with a mild spin. |
Bull. Your tunes rock!
| quote: | Originally posted by DNA_pl
I agree. Few months ago I went to the club and some (I don't want to say which because still, I respect him) ~45 year old DJ played. I couldn't stop thinking about his age and that he is simply .... too old for this, that he already had his "5 minutes" of career. I was even thinking that it's actually quite sad because he had some amazing tunes 10 years ago and he just earned (at least I thought that) enough money to doesn't have to DJ at the age of 45. I just couldnt imagine myself having 45-50 year old, pretending to be young and cool and playing in front of 18 years old "crowd". 45-50 year old - come on. How can you identify with such crowd - it's 30 years difference which is ... huge. They may have a 1-2 years old children for which you could be a grandpa :D
It's like you said - when you have 45-50 years, you ... should have a wife that will tell you where you put your glasses :D When 50 year old person tries to fit into 2-3 decades younger generation - it's just ... sad.
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It's sorta funny reading this discussion from a musician, non-DJ perspective. As musicians get older, the tendency is generally to stick with the music that you wrote/played in your prime (usually late teens through 20s), and your style just sorta gets stuck in time. Your audience generally ages with you, so when you're in your 40s and 50s, you're playing to a core audience that is more or less the same age bracket. Sounds like older DJs are on a quest to always stay current and sustain the younger audience. |
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