Top genres

Top 7 of 21 genres

Traditional House
Progressive House
Tech House
Techno
Electro House
Trance
Electronica

Top countries

Top 7 of 108 countries

United States
United Kingdom
Germany
Italy
France
Spain
Netherlands

The best DJ in Russian Federation is:

SEXATION

Who is the best DJ in Bangladesh?
Click to find out

Calvin Harris
and Dillon Francis
worked there... no way!

Dealing with chatterboxes in the booth

Home :: General Discussion :: Dealing with chatterboxes in the boothReply

Dealing with chatterboxes in the booth Posted on: 07.04.2013 by Loyce Mekonen So this has happened to me a lot of times in the past during my short "off bedroom" career. Whenever I get to the booth and start spinning, there's always someone who'll come and have a chat with me. Granted, some times they are just there for a couple minutes and then just walk away after noticing I'm kinda busy. But sometimes there's that insistent chatterbox person who just won't stop talking to me no matter what, messing up my concentration and leading me into less ideal results in my mixes. This actually happened to me last evening at a bar evening where I was being tried out. Since I was spinning mainly deep house/tech house I wasn't so strained in concentration as I would be while spinning an electro house set. But anyway, the sound tech guy comes in and start chatting his ass off about this and that, he was a friendly guy, but I still had to devote a lot of time to the guy out of politeness sake, and didn't know how to just shut him off. Usually some people take the hint when I put on my headphones, lift my hand in a "wait a second" gesture and then I carry on for a couple minutes just enjoying the mix. This particular guy just didn't get it so I ended up not enjoying about an hour of my 3 hour mix, but hoping that at least I could be remembered as "the nice new guy from the other day". So what do you guys handle this?
Loyce Mekonen 07.04.2013	Originally Posted by mdcdesign This is why most DJs have a "DJ's mate" standing in the booth next to them. They basically act as a filter between approaching wankers and the DJ themselves. When I'm doing photography, I tend to make a couple of circuits of the club then return to the booth and fulfil this role until enough time has passed for another circuit; during this time, plenty of people - usually girls - approach the booth, generally to make stupid requests. The DJ's mate then has to evaluate a) the attractiveness of the girl, b) the reasonable-ness of her request, and c) whether or not the DJ is actually likely to have that track. They then pass it on to him and he'll either acknowledge it with a wave/thumbs up to the customer, or say "upstairs" or something, at which point they explain to the customer that they'll have to go upstairs for that particular track. When the inevitable arguing starts to happen, it's the DJ's mate who gets their ear bent, not the DJ themselves, thus allowing the DJ to continue with their mixing. I use the term "DJ's mate" not only for the possible friendship which may exist between them, but also as a rather awesome pirate ship metaphor. Really like the DJ's mate option. I've had few candidates for that though lol. I usually like speaking to the sound techs since they're almost always good guys. This particular guy from last evening wasn't an exception, though it did seem like he hadn't spoken to anyone in ages lol. Guess in the end, the trick is to have some patience and being polite when it comes to it..
Meaghan Machold 07.04.2013	Originally Posted by Patch So you were being tried out, and someone that works at the venue came along and gave you a hard time? Hmmmm..... Sounds like you were being tested in more ways than one, mate. And you ignored him and showed him your hand? Hmmmm..... I wonder what he told the manager/owner after you did that? Gotta keep your wits about you when you're playing in a new venue. People may test you..... This logic is definitely flawed. If anything, what if the manager noticed the DJ talking his ass off to someone for an hour. That would look worse. I highly doubt a promoter or manager would send a puppet or distraction to "test" he DJ with his charisma skills. Anyways OP, I believe you did the right thing. I get people who come up and talk to me all the time (sometimes even the manager for extended periods of time). I just try and focus on my music, nod, and give them short answers but always keeping a smile. Being rude can only lead to bad situations. I like the "put finger up and put headphones on" move... And then I sometimes go "I'm sorry what were we taking bout". It's kind of a nicer way to hint that you weren't listening cause your busy.
Loyce Mekonen 07.04.2013	Originally Posted by Patch So you were being tried out, and someone that works at the venue came along and gave you a hard time? Hmmmm..... Sounds like you were being tested in more ways than one, mate. And you ignored him and showed him your hand? Hmmmm..... I wonder what he told the manager/owner after you did that? Gotta keep your wits about you when you're playing in a new venue. People may test you..... I'm pretty sure that this guy wasn't part of the "test". Albeit, his own opinion will count. What I was trying to say is that most of the time take the hint when you start to cue up a track and give you a minute. This guy didn't (he was kinda high though lol). I was very polite with him and actually chatted with him for an hour, but I felt kinda uncomfortable while doing so.
Shawn Vanhaitsma 07.04.2013	Originally Posted by Patch So you were being tried out, and someone that works at the venue came along and gave you a hard time? Hmmmm..... Sounds like you were being tested in more ways than one, mate. And you ignored him and showed him your hand? Hmmmm..... I wonder what he told the manager/owner after you did that? Gotta keep your wits about you when you're playing in a new venue. People may test you..... He talked him up for an hour and he was polite. I see this as a bonus and he did the right thing. As for bystandards, I usually say hi, nod smile and go back to what im doing. Sometimes I get on myself about it because then I feel im not hitting the right tunes because THIS person obviously isnt interested in dancing lol
Loyce Mekonen 07.04.2013	So this has happened to me a lot of times in the past during my short "off bedroom" career. Whenever I get to the booth and start spinning, there's always someone who'll come and have a chat with me. Granted, some times they are just there for a couple minutes and then just walk away after noticing I'm kinda busy. But sometimes there's that insistent chatterbox person who just won't stop talking to me no matter what, messing up my concentration and leading me into less ideal results in my mixes. This actually happened to me last evening at a bar evening where I was being tried out. Since I was spinning mainly deep house/tech house I wasn't so strained in concentration as I would be while spinning an electro house set. But anyway, the sound tech guy comes in and start chatting his ass off about this and that, he was a friendly guy, but I still had to devote a lot of time to the guy out of politeness sake, and didn't know how to just shut him off. Usually some people take the hint when I put on my headphones, lift my hand in a "wait a second" gesture and then I carry on for a couple minutes just enjoying the mix. This particular guy just didn't get it so I ended up not enjoying about an hour of my 3 hour mix, but hoping that at least I could be remembered as "the nice new guy from the other day". So what do you guys handle this?
Nancey Inderlied 08.04.2013	They call them "punters" for a reason.
Valeri Holderness 07.04.2013	theres this one dude who promotes for me and will talk non-stop if he gets in the booth. NON-STOP. it can definitely reduce the quality of my set. I usually just tell them that i'm just mixing right now and that i'll chat with em later. that being said, it can really be hard to not come off as rude or arrogant in these situations
Loyce Mekonen 07.04.2013	Originally Posted by mdcdesign This is why most DJs have a "DJ's mate" standing in the booth next to them. They basically act as a filter between approaching wankers and the DJ themselves. When I'm doing photography, I tend to make a couple of circuits of the club then return to the booth and fulfil this role until enough time has passed for another circuit; during this time, plenty of people - usually girls - approach the booth, generally to make stupid requests. The DJ's mate then has to evaluate a) the attractiveness of the girl, b) the reasonable-ness of her request, and c) whether or not the DJ is actually likely to have that track. They then pass it on to him and he'll either acknowledge it with a wave/thumbs up to the customer, or say "upstairs" or something, at which point they explain to the customer that they'll have to go upstairs for that particular track. When the inevitable arguing starts to happen, it's the DJ's mate who gets their ear bent, not the DJ themselves, thus allowing the DJ to continue with their mixing. I use the term "DJ's mate" not only for the possible friendship which may exist between them, but also as a rather awesome pirate ship metaphor. Really like the DJ's mate option. I've had few candidates for that though lol. I usually like speaking to the sound techs since they're almost always good guys. This particular guy from last evening wasn't an exception, though it did seem like he hadn't spoken to anyone in ages lol. Guess in the end, the trick is to have some patience and being polite when it comes to it..
Lannie Kutay 07.04.2013	Yeah I always talk to the sound techs, they are cool and they know I'm working. Talking to patrons sucks.
Lang Abriel 07.04.2013	Always get in with the sound tech's, especially when building a reputation...If a venue is shorted, the booking manager is usually not on site, so the sound tech may very well give you a last minute call, atleast from my experience.
Meaghan Machold 07.04.2013	Originally Posted by Patch So you were being tried out, and someone that works at the venue came along and gave you a hard time? Hmmmm..... Sounds like you were being tested in more ways than one, mate. And you ignored him and showed him your hand? Hmmmm..... I wonder what he told the manager/owner after you did that? Gotta keep your wits about you when you're playing in a new venue. People may test you..... This logic is definitely flawed. If anything, what if the manager noticed the DJ talking his ass off to someone for an hour. That would look worse. I highly doubt a promoter or manager would send a puppet or distraction to "test" he DJ with his charisma skills. Anyways OP, I believe you did the right thing. I get people who come up and talk to me all the time (sometimes even the manager for extended periods of time). I just try and focus on my music, nod, and give them short answers but always keeping a smile. Being rude can only lead to bad situations. I like the "put finger up and put headphones on" move... And then I sometimes go "I'm sorry what were we taking bout". It's kind of a nicer way to hint that you weren't listening cause your busy.
Trista Karle 07.04.2013	Just leave the cans on ad nod as rude is it is sometimes has to be done... Ad usually start moving with the beat performing some odd routine making it uncomfortable and to let them know likely aren't going to get in your zone or just shit your pants
Meridith Betsinger 07.04.2013	It's your gig, you're your own boss when you're in the dj booth. You have to manage your time, the people with who you interact, the flow etc. Hints don't work especially not with guys (didn't you already realize that?), so if someone is talking your hear off then politely tell them that you don't have the time to talk with them.
Doreen Schurle 07.04.2013	This is why most DJs have a "DJ's mate" standing in the booth next to them. They basically act as a filter between approaching wankers and the DJ themselves. When I'm doing photography, I tend to make a couple of circuits of the club then return to the booth and fulfil this role until enough time has passed for another circuit; during this time, plenty of people - usually girls - approach the booth, generally to make stupid requests. The DJ's mate then has to evaluate a) the attractiveness of the girl, b) the reasonable-ness of her request, and c) whether or not the DJ is actually likely to have that track. They then pass it on to him and he'll either acknowledge it with a wave/thumbs up to the customer, or say "upstairs" or something, at which point they explain to the customer that they'll have to go upstairs for that particular track. When the inevitable arguing starts to happen, it's the DJ's mate who gets their ear bent, not the DJ themselves, thus allowing the DJ to continue with their mixing. I use the term "DJ's mate" not only for the possible friendship which may exist between them, but also as a rather awesome pirate ship metaphor.
Loyce Mekonen 07.04.2013	Originally Posted by Patch So you were being tried out, and someone that works at the venue came along and gave you a hard time? Hmmmm..... Sounds like you were being tested in more ways than one, mate. And you ignored him and showed him your hand? Hmmmm..... I wonder what he told the manager/owner after you did that? Gotta keep your wits about you when you're playing in a new venue. People may test you..... I'm pretty sure that this guy wasn't part of the "test". Albeit, his own opinion will count. What I was trying to say is that most of the time take the hint when you start to cue up a track and give you a minute. This guy didn't (he was kinda high though lol). I was very polite with him and actually chatted with him for an hour, but I felt kinda uncomfortable while doing so.
Shawn Vanhaitsma 07.04.2013	Originally Posted by Patch So you were being tried out, and someone that works at the venue came along and gave you a hard time? Hmmmm..... Sounds like you were being tested in more ways than one, mate. And you ignored him and showed him your hand? Hmmmm..... I wonder what he told the manager/owner after you did that? Gotta keep your wits about you when you're playing in a new venue. People may test you..... He talked him up for an hour and he was polite. I see this as a bonus and he did the right thing. As for bystandards, I usually say hi, nod smile and go back to what im doing. Sometimes I get on myself about it because then I feel im not hitting the right tunes because THIS person obviously isnt interested in dancing lol
Brunilda Kora 07.04.2013	So you were being tried out, and someone that works at the venue came along and gave you a hard time? Hmmmm..... Sounds like you were being tested in more ways than one, mate. And you ignored him and showed him your hand? Hmmmm..... I wonder what he told the manager/owner after you did that? Gotta keep your wits about you when you're playing in a new venue. People may test you.....

<< Back to General Discussion Reply

Copyright 2012-2023 DJRANKINGS.ORG n.g.o. Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan	Created by Ajaxel CMS
Terms & Privacy