Leaving the Bedroom
Leaving the Bedroom Posted on: 13.05.2008 by Marcelo Alejandro Hi all, I feel as if I'm just about ready to stop being a bedroom dj and start mixing at clubs. How does one (or how did you yourself!) break out of the bedroom and start getting real gigs? | |
| Xavier Emanuels 16.07.2009 | Merged these threads to make one thread where everyone can focus their discussion on this |
| Roberto Viccione 16.07.2009 |
Originally Posted by belchman
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| Lilliana Perris 16.07.2009 | Agreed. Make mates with the other DJ's. They will put in a good word when their is a cancellation etc. Another thing....is you dealing with promoters...is to be professional. Get a decent mix, on a labeled CD with your particulars. Hand it to him when he is not too busy. Remind him that you gave him a demo when you see him. (DON'T NAG!) Also, they need to listen to a good few demo's, so it would be in your interest not to just burn it to disc as one long file. I put search index in mine and put it like 30 secs before the mix.....so he can skip through the mixes. This helps.....really does. Get yourself a decent myspace page or something where they can lookup your info when you get Googled. (yes.....they do that too!) I played for free for SOOO long. Once I got a free gig at a big party (just before the headliner) and really outdid myself. I still have that mix and its regarded as my best. I was called the next asking if i would be their resident. I then started charging....but they paid me peanuts. I got fed-up and moved to another Organisation (they really wanted me and was more my style). I upped my fee and got more gigs than ever!! Seems that if you charge too little, they regard you as amatuer. So yeah....in conclusion, use these tips as a guide mate and feel your way through your situation. Its sometimes better to do things the hardway! Good LUCK!! |
| Roni Batchan 16.07.2009 |
Originally Posted by DvlsAdvct
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16.07.2009 | Find a evening
that plays what you do, schmooze and ply them with cds. Be good, play better music than other people. If everyone plays what you do then it's going to be tricky getting gigs. |
| Roberto Viccione 16.07.2009 | First you use the search function. Second, read those threads, where we rehash this over and over and over again. Third, follow their advice. Get your name out there, make mixes, burn CDs, find people who are DJs in the scene you want to be involved in, etc. etc. etc.. Then, come back with more questions and use the search function before asking. I have way too much time on my hands. |
| Roni Batchan 16.07.2009 | Cheers man, that's mega useful! do you reckon it would be useful for me to send a promo mix to clubs and promoters? I've put a load of mixes together, but nothing perfect, and I thought perfection would be the key to sell myself best.. although I always believe a mix of 10 good songs, beatmatched perfectly etc isn't standing out at all - how do you reckon I can be more creative with my mixes, without going overkill on Traktor's FX? |
| gilbert hatem 16.07.2009 | It might be tough for you right now, not impossible though. I'm not sure the laws in the UK but here you wouldn't even be allowed in the club to talk to anyone. What I did is started talking to other DJs in my scene. Tricky though, you can't seem to eager. Save all that for the promoters. Got them to help out with some remixes. They liked my tunes, and DJ sets. Then I waited, soon (it always happens) so DJ cancelled on a gig. So they needed an opener, they called me, jumped on it even though I had other shit to do. Get your foot in the door, that's how I did it. Everyone has their own way though. |
| Roni Batchan 16.07.2009 | Hi, I'm 17, and DJ with Traktor etc etc I've DJ'd alot of events at school (proper music, replacing the mobile-disco...!) and also at other events out of school which I've organised, or at parties etc. I'm mega keen to get into the club scene (I'm from Newcastle UK) but the nature of my style (Electro-House, very mangled..) means that I wouldn't really be suited to working my way up through the pub/bar scene particularly. What do I do? Do I put together a creative mix to give to Club owners, and if so, how should I approach that to make it a bit different and stand out? Or.. do I grit my teeth and play Cascada and Basshunter down the local? I hope this thread could be useful to anyone else in my position! And I look forward to everyone's thoughts with great anticipation! Cheers Belch www.myspace.com/belchofficial |
| Roberto Viccione 24.03.2009 | The thing with "slaving over a mix" is that when it's done you can now do it. You've learned a new technique, or a bunch of new mixes to add to your repetoire. And if you mix it live you can do it live again, most likely. So now you've benefitted yourself. Also, I would never put mixes up in the MySpace player, but upload to a server for a link. They probably won't ever check those. |
| Penni Rigor 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by djhipnotikk
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| Penni Rigor 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by Kaon
I usually try to make my first evening deal on population. It's risky, but if you do your promo work, offer female incentives(illegal in NJ), and play good music, you'll get a second shot. Ask for a very low base price to play(they love saving money), then say: "I get a buck(or whatever) for every head after 100(or whatever the club size). I raped a club one evening that underestimated my following. Which brings us back to the mix....GET IT OUT. Make everyone remember your name.
Originally Posted by Kaon
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| Virginia Ortiz 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by djhipnotikk
edit: but i agree- 1 hour is better proof you can play continuosly |
| Harold Jaras 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by mpetersen3
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| Reece Murray 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by DvlsAdvct
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| Penni Rigor 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by mpetersen3
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| Virginia Ortiz 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by BodegaBrad
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| Penni Rigor 23.03.2009 | Cool man, good luck. Whatever name that sticks in peoples heads the most is gonna work. I changed my name a time or two, but people still would call me by my other name...even tho it was one of the corniest around. |
| Hertha Fang 23.03.2009 | Most just call me by my last name, Petersen. You are right about the mixing, that does have to be me, thanks for the reminder. (no sarcasm) |
| Penni Rigor 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by eightyseven
As far as song selection....Sorry, I can't tell you how to DJ. Just be you. Afterall, that's what your trying to sell. It's gotta catch the promoter/managers attention in the first few minutes, or else it could become a drink coaster. oh yeah...we can't give you a name bud...I feel it has to be given to you. What do your friends call you? I got BodegaBrad, because my name is Brad, and I live above a Bodega. I'm always in one grabbing a 40oz or sandwich...so the name stuck. But I've had others thruought my days. |
| Elaina Hoerger 23.03.2009 | standing outside a gym handing out CD's is a great idea! i've never thought of that... believe i might start doing that |
| Hertha Fang 23.03.2009 | Will do regarding the promo art. I know a bunch of guys who are graphic designers so that shouldn't be a problem. I am going to make a shortened 30 minutes of straight bangin' tracks and just have it be very punchy and go hard almost the whole time excepting 1 or 2 tracks for a quick cooldown. If my avg. track is around 4-6 min do you believe I should be rotating alot of tracks (~15 w/ very little initial buildup between songs) or should I just let it stay lower around maybe 7-10 tracks? When I get home I am going to start making my myspace. I need to finalize my name. I currently am using DJ NikNak but it seems kinda annoying to me because everytime I tell it to someone they say "Nik Nak patty wack". Which could be a problem for being taken seriously, having a comical name. So I guess I am up for name suggestions even though I have given you guys little to go on. |
| Penni Rigor 23.03.2009 | Downloading now. I'll give it a spin on the train ride home and report back. Yeah, I'd stick with a 30min promo. Hell, I've even stood outside gyms and handed out my CD in earlier days. They were lovin' it for workouts. Promo is promo. |
| Virginia Ortiz 23.03.2009 | i believe its highly dependant on the place you live. how many people, how many people in the scene, how much competition etc. when i left the bedroom i basically just told every person i knew (pre facebook days) that i was keen to play music anytime anywhere for free. eventually someone saw me (and midifidler) playing some crazy dnb down in the basement of a death metal castle and asked us to play at a gig. and it just grew from there |
| Hertha Fang 23.03.2009 | Thanks for the info, I am believeing of burning a 30 min mix instead of a 1hr. mix as this would let me focus on making it as perfect as possible, and I feel like if people want more they can check out the contact info/myspace. Would you guys give some of my current hour mix a listen and tell me what you believe, I really don't want to be a microwave dj and leave the bedroom prematurely, but everyone I know who has heard this has liked it although they are lay people, and I want some more experienced opinions if you wouldn't mind. http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=4173 |
| Penni Rigor 23.03.2009 | The most important part of DJ'n is the music....so, make a short mix to pass out to everyone. Start banging them out all over campus with your contact info. Everyone loves a free CD. Also, go to Kinkos and print your own flyers and drop them on peoples windshields in the campus' apartments/dorms' parking areas. For myspace, I used this: http://www.freecodesource.com/ I have my full length mixes in a different section than "your music". I used the above link to create links to "mediafire" and similar share sites. Beware, some sites rub and won't be allowed on myspace. Mediafire.com has worked for me so far. I don't have the best site, but it works. Money....I wouldn't worry about it for a while. You can try to charge, but like you said, experience pays...but it really depends on how much work you have to do. Either way, I wouldn't expect alot, esp. not from the festival. Goood luck. |
| Catrina Swisher 23.03.2009 |
Originally Posted by DvlsAdvct
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| Roberto Viccione 24.03.2009 | Get business cards made Print a mix CD or two Get promo art/photos for yourself. If you want to promote yourself you need to go where you want to be. Want to be a club DJ? Guess what! Go to clubs. Talk to DJs, get your mixes out there, meet people, shake hands, buy them drinks, talk them up. Don't walk in just looking for a gig. Talk to the promoter, approach people. Convince your friends to go to the club with you so you can at least show you have some sort of a following. Show you have energy. Offer to help promote, anything. Want to be a radio DJ? Contact the radio people. If there is a similar show see if they will have you on as a guest. Start a podcast showing you can do announcements, and get a listener base so you can show them you can bring listeners to their station. If you want to find out what their standards are, ask them. Try to find past mixes or playlists from this kind of week. Look those songs up. Hell, if anything, provide a mix and see what they say. Any kind of promotion is good. MySpace/Facebook or any other DJ networking site will help somewhat, as long as you provide a professional, clean looking site. Legality isn't something you need to be terribly worried about. If you aren't selling your mixes you'll probably never hit a blip on their radar. Hell, if you are selling you're mixes you'll probably never hit a blip on their radar for legal reasons. BUT, I would say not to sell them regardless. |
| Hertha Fang 24.03.2009 | Any tips/articles on promoting myself? I'm not very good at pushing myself but I feel that I am definitely ready to start getting out there. I am going to send in some stuff to the college radio station and want to get a gig for an on campus "International Dance Music Party" that is being hosted as part of an international week on campus. I need to make myself look legit, because of the old catch 22 with working, that no one wants to hire a dj that has no experience. Also do you guys believe I should ask for money even with my first few gigs? Also regarding the International Dance Party they are having, do you believe they will be expecting "European" house, or some more far out stuff, like Indian club music, etc. Ed. I am making a myspace music account, does anyone know of any good layouts, articles, etc. and what the legality/risk of putting up a mix is? |
| Alessandra Dussinger 27.01.2009 | my first gig was when my friend called me and asked:"hey, wanna dj toevening
?" i told i'm not a dj, but she said "come on, you will try, it's fun". it was like 6 yrs ago. and since then i got hooked up and played alot of small fucked up venues. i was never a real 'bedroom' dj as i havent had any dj gear in my house until few months ago when i bought vci100. i played with cds, vynils and now im digital. i dont understand why you believe that a 'real' gig is soooo important ? the first gig will never be good, don't expect much. and as you said you won't be the main attraction, so expect few girls and few drunk lads dancing who don't give a shit about your mixing skills. this gig is only for you to improve your skills live and to fight the fear of mixing in front of people. consider it as a practice. and i believe you can call yourself a professional dj when you get to play in big venues every weekend. because of what i read here, you consider everyone who dj's in public a professional. then i'm pro from my first day ! i don't consider myself pro now, tho i played in all major clubs in my country. anyway, what i wanted to say is don't worry that much, just enjoy, have a laugh, practice and enjoy your free drinks at a party hahaha |
| Belen Wermes 27.01.2009 | ^^haha! |
| Xavier Emanuels 27.01.2009 |
Originally Posted by duerr
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| Paul Davison 27.01.2009 | @luv2xra Ya I've read other posts as well. I haven't seen a post dedicated to first gigs yet. I was hoping maybe we could share more stories. |
| Belen Wermes 27.01.2009 |
Originally Posted by RSDJMoniker
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| mohammed farhan 26.01.2009 | Dont forget people to read the posts from other threads about djs and their experience. A lot valuable information was given by other members in those sections |
| Yuonne Cauthron 26.01.2009 | Regular club gig does not a comfortable "doesn't care" DJ make. |
| Belen Wermes 26.01.2009 |
Originally Posted by miyuru
agree 100% ... I'm never totally satisfied with my work, it pushes me to work harder and improve upon my skills no matter how good I get. The moment an artist (DJs in this case) gets comfortable and overly confident with his work is usually the point that their work begins to suffer. comfortable artists do not make good artists. confidence is valuable, but insecurity goes along way too. If you're your own worst critic, that's an amazing valuable gift to have and will push you further than artists who are cool with reaching a plateau and staying there. |
| sinior cliff 26.01.2009 | I was scared shitless at my first gig which was back in 96. I was doing trance at a desert party my buddy was throwing believeing that maybe a couple hundred people would show up... next thing i know, there's over a thousand people here, the wind is blowing sand everywhere, and I can't seem to tell which way is up (for many reasons). I remember trainwrecking a couple of times and all I remember was panic. Over the years, i learned to relax and be more patient, which is something i still struggle with today. I took a haitus between 99-04 to go to school and sober up and whatnot. I got back into it a couple of years ago and the nerves are still there but I've learned to harness it and channel it through. I guess what i'm trying to say is, relax and have fun, cause the more fun you're having, the more fun the audience is gonna have. |
| robert chanda 26.01.2009 |
Originally Posted by cheft
I really should start reading the dance music press. |
| Joesph Vincze 26.01.2009 | Great Article on Carl Cox and his journey from vinyl to digital. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...1-2902,00.html |
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