10 Tips for DJs - Getting Out of the Bedroom and Into the Club
I'm copying this article which originally appeared on
clubplanet.com and get reposted at several electronic music/DJ boards. It's good common sense advice and I think doesn't just apply to bedroom DJs wanting to get into clubs, but is sound advice to keep in mind at ANY point of your career/hobby/or otherwise professional participation in the electronic music/dance scene.
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June 01, 2006
-DJ Wolfie
Brace yourself. This list is not for the faint of heart. You may not like some of it. You may feel that some of these suggestions are not a DJ's job. Well, what's it going to be? Perfect mixes for your underwear drawer, or are you going to put some effort into becoming a real DJ?
Only 3 of the 8 bullet points have anything to do with the actual art of DJing--and they are waaaay down on the list. The rest are useful, pragmatic, and practical tips on how to really make it.
It takes some effort--and some elbow grease--to get your name out there. Follow these simple steps, and you'll be able to play your music in front of a crowd.
As a DJ, you will get your gigs from one of three people: promoters, other DJs, and yourself by throwing your own parties. Of the three, the main person you need to know to get gigs is the promoter. That should be obvious. Now, what isn't so obvious is what promoters care about. Sadly, your mixing ability is usually the last thing on their mind. I have spun at, helped promote, and created over 300 events in the past 6 years. You know what promoters focus on? Getting bodies through the door. I love the scene, I love people dancing, and when I promote, its a game of numbers. I look for DJs that will put bodies into the building.
On a deeper spiritual level, keep in mind that to really be successful as a DJ, it's not about you. It's about the music, the dancers, and the scene. If you're just looking for attention, that type of vibe takes from the scene. The more you give to the world of DJing, the more the world of DJing will give back to you.
Here are 10 ways you can start contributing to the music scene. The more you contribute, the more your DJ career will grow. These tips will improve your DJ skills, get you entrenched in your local scene, and make you the sought after DJ for upcoming events.
The following tips are given in the order of importance.
1. Get an e-mail list together and promote parties.
This is the biggest one of all. 9 times out of 10, the promoter will go with a lesser quality DJ with a mailing list over a talented DJ that doesn't promote. Start a mailing list now. Ask people for their e-mails. Do not give out your card and expect them to join up. Get their card, and then you'll be able to add them for sure. Start a collection of friends on tribe, myspace, or whatever social network site your community uses.
MAKE SURE EVERY PROMOTER IN TOWN IS ON THAT LIST. Then, send out info on what parties are happening. Even if you're not spinning, start sending out the info. Just by having a mailing list, people will start associating your DJ name with great parties. When a promoter starts seeing your name every week on those emails, and sees that you get people out to parties, you will now suddenly be in a whole new category. Once a week, tell your list where the party is happening. Talk about the good parties afterwards. Talk to promoters about giving your list special treatment. Ask promoters to let your list in for $5 less. That will reward people for being on your mailing list.
2. Take pictures and post them on your website.
Fresh content gets repeat traffic to your website. You do have a website, right? If you don't, talk to a toaster until you get over your technology phobia, then have your nephew to set up a website for you. Check out HOTTORRENT.COM--not only is it free, but they have all the tools you need without having to build your own website. They have mailing list functions, photo galleries, and everything else you might need. Be sure that people can add their name to the mailing list as they look at pictures.
People forward out photo links. You want to catch them the second they think "wow, those look like fun parties." Take photos of the pretty people, take crowd shots, make the party look like it's going off. It may be shallow, but you are building your scene with these techniques. After a few photo galleries like this, you'll see a rise in attendance, and people will start to recognize your name. They will also have this impression that you're involved with great parties.
3. Make a list of promoters and DJs you want to know in your local scene, and start working with them.
Your DJ career will come from your circle of friends. It's that simple. So pick DJs and promoters you vibe with, and find a way to meet them. Go to as many parties as you can that they are spinning at or throwing. Say hi to them each time you go to one of their events. After awhile, you'll be a regular, and you'll find yourself being given much more respect from promoters and DJs. Don't ask them for DJ slots until you get to know them. The goal is to become friends and help them throw events, or carry record boxes, or pick up fliers at the airport, or give them DJ rides to the airport for out-of-town gigs. Promoters and DJs really need support staff, and usually can't pay people for this. They end up with a network of up-and-coming scenesters and bedroom DJs that work with them and are on the move.
Don't be a suck up. Be real, be yourself, and be up front that you enjoy what they create for the scene, and be persistent in offering them help. Come at them as an equal. Hero worship is fine from fans, but you're going to co create with these people. E-mail the promoters each and every time they throw a party. Offer to help each time. Promoters deal with many flakes, so don't expect them to welcome you in right away. They want to get to know you, and you have to just keep offering until they let you in to help. You'll learn a lot about the scene, and party politics, and make friends. This will put you as a person and DJ on the map as someone deserving a break on the decks. Then you can ask them for a gig.
4. Make demo CDs.
There are two reasons to make mix CDs. First of all, it's good for you to record your sets, all the time. You'll learn much faster by reviewing your work. Songs are introduced into your headphone long before the mix. Because of this, many bedroom DJs end up doing short blends, without realizing it. When you listen to your mixes, suddenly what you missed jumps out at you as a listener. The other reason for making demo CDs is obvious--you will have CDs to give promoters to let them hear your style, track choice, and mixing skills. Give these CDs to everyone, BUT ONLY WHEN THEY ARE GOOD. Never give out a badly mixed CD with obvious train wrecks. It will do more damage to your career than good. It's easy to get a promoter to listen to your first CD. But if the first one sucks, it's very hard to get them to listen to a second one. Give CDs out to everyone after your DJ mentors give it the thumbs up. Start building that fan base.
5. Spin with DJs that are better than you to learn new skills.
If you mix with good DJs, several things will happen. First, when you tag team practice, it will make you more comfortable when you're in a club environment, taking the decks and dance floor over from another DJ. You want to practice this. It'll trip you up if you haven't played with other DJs.
Next, practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. So find great DJs, ask them to coach you, and learn why their mixing sounds so good. Last, once you start growing as a DJ, many times these DJs will get you gigs once you're ready. People help out their friends. When they see you doing well, they'll often times make a call and say, "He's ready." A promoter is much more likely to hire you if an established DJ vouches for you.
6. Keep current on your music.
Buy at least 2 new songs a month, or better yet, buy at least 1 new track each week. You need to be checking the download sites, and hitting the record stores regularly. Buy from several different places. This will make you a better DJ, with a more rounded record box. You are only as good as your tracks. Do your homework, put in the maintenance time on your collection. read up on charts in your genre, and be familiar with what's new, what's old, and what's overplayed.
7. Throw your own parties.
One great way to get out there is to simply find a space, talk to a bar with a club, and start throwing your own parties. When you bring in other DJs, they will think of you in a new light. If you get them gigs, often times they will help you get gigs in return. Promoters will want to hire you since you'll start having a draw.
8. Buy or get access to a sound system.
The first person a promoter calls is the sound guy. If you're the sound guy and a decent DJ, well, isn't that convenient for the promoter When I started out DJing, I realized that if I had a sound system and made myself and the speakers a package deal, I would spin out much more often. It worked great. I was always the sound guy and opening DJ. So, I would show up, bring the gear, spin, and then meet the headlining DJs for the night. I priced myself as cheap as renting the gear, only now I would bring the gear, instead of the promoter having to deal with picking it up, setting it up, and all that hassle. This jump-started my career, and soon I was on every bill, playing at every party.
I spent about $1,500 bucks on speakers, and after 10 gigs, the speakers were paid off. After that, I made money on those exact speakers for well on 6 years. My early career is completely owed to having the sound system. Even if you can't buy a sound system, find someone who owns one that trusts you to borrow it. Make a deal where you split the money 50/50 for them owning and you managing rentals on it. Then, you can make yourself useful to the scene. One note- if you go this route, you must show up on time, and follow through on your commitments every time. No one wants to work with a flake. Your reputation is everything in this musical freelance environment.
9. Go to parties.
This may seem obvious too, but I am amazed at how many bedroom DJs want to spin, but hardly ever go to clubs. When you get serious about being a DJ, you need to know the lay of the land. Go to parties outside your normal bubble. See what scenes are happening. Go to all types of parties. Know what venues work with what styles. Listen to what's being played, and think about how your music fits into the larger picture. If you support other promoters events, they are more likely to support your events. Listen to people talking about other DJs, and what they like and don't like. When you go to spin your music, spin what you love. If you know what the overplayed tracks are, you can avoid them in your sets and stand out more as a DJ. You can also sound more unique by knowing what sounds and influences are underplayed. Sign up for every mailing list imaginable. You want to have your finger on the pulse of the scene.
10. Be nice.
Look, I'm going to come out and say it. The music scene, and the party scene is all about being social. Just be nice. No one wants to work with jerks. Promoters will hire cool DJs over jerks all the time. Who would you rather give money to: someone you like or someone you don't like. As you venture out into the scene, don't engage in gossip. Avoid flame wars on websites.
Be real, be friendly, and keep a positive attitude. Win the war, not the battle. If you lose your time slot for some reason, don't yell and scream at the promoter, or other DJs. Show grace, and say "Bummer. But I totally understand why that's happening, and no problem. I'd love a chance to spin for you some other time." You'll be brought out so much more when you're a drama-free zone.
One time at a small festival of 1,000 people, I had a DJ that pulled all sorts of drama around scheduling. He was worried about losing his slot, and was a total prick about it. What he didn't know, and what he was shocked at when I shared with him later on how our crew works, is that we were just gearing up to play Electric Daisy Carnival- a 30,000-person massive. Had he actually lost his slot, and been nice, I would have made sure he got a slot on the next bill, which was a huge event. Instead he kicked and screamed, got a 45 minute slot, and cut into another DJ's slot, and fell right off our "DJs we use" list. The DJ who lost the 45 minutes to him did so with good grace, and got the E.D.C. gig. Be nice.
I hope these pointers help inspire you to get moving on making your dreams a reality. Music, dancing and DJing is a great creative outlet. You don't have to have Motzart's musical skills. You can still add to the scene in many personal, powerful ways. The main thing is to get out there, start meeting people, and make it happen for yourself and your scene. Do not sit around waiting for the phone to ring. You're attracted to music for a reason. Express it. Somewhere down the road, people will be cornering you at events, talking about how much they love what you contribute to the scene, and thanking you for bringing such joy into their lives. Play the music you love, and do the work needed to make the night a success. The world genuinely will be a better place with your full contribution to the scene.
