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? | |
| Roberto Viccione 13.05.2008 | I was lucky enough to be friends with DJs and promoters when I was getting into everything in Albany, and got my start booking shows. When I wanted to be a DJ I got a shareware copy of eJay for free and practiced my ass off. I made a shit ton of mixes, gave them to everyone I knew: friends, promoters, DJs, etc.. Then I bugged the hell out of a friend of mine for a gig. He wanted me to show up to the venue an hour early and just screw around on the gear so I could prove I knew what I was doing. I did that, he gave me a shot, and, as they say, the rest is history :-) So, do just that. Make friendly with the DJs and promoters at gigs. Make mixes, and push them. This is the day of the internet, so you can get data aaround the world really fast and efficiently. Do it. Also, be prepared to do it for free (though never offer) and take the opening sets (though never ask). Go to the evening s, bring friends, show that people will come with you. Make business cards, make a website, do whatever you can do promote yourself in the best way possible. And then be prepared to be rejected, insulted and turned down at every turn. :-) Read your audience, too. By that I mean the promoter and the DJs. Some promoters want their asses kissed, some don't want to bother with anyone without some balls behind em. Some DJs will nurture and help the younger crowds, some are the most arrogant, self-aggrandizing bastards you'll ever meet. So, well, yeah, that's a start. |
| Alex Mayer 13.05.2008 | the way to break out of the bedroom is to do just that. Break out of that bedroom. Get out, meet people, become a regular at a club, hang out with (or at least chat up) other DJs, promoters, bartenders, club owners, anyone in the scene. Invite ppl to the afterparty at your house and spin for/with them. Get it out there that u can rock a set. Promoters get a thousand promo mixes a week. Find a way to make them listen to yours. I've got all the hook-ups i need. I can play out as soon as i feel confident with my skills. I mean, im not terrible; i have some clean mixes, but I want to be 100% all the time before I throw myself out there. |
| mohammed farhan 13.05.2008 | I would agree, just talk to promoters they always organize the events and find the people to play. Also just going to clubs and asking them if you can play there. |
| Chris Dececio 13.05.2008 | good question! first what i did was to practice alot. the goal was to play set of 5 hours with minimal erors. when i succeed that i start to ask people do they know someone who organises gigs. when i find that person i give him my promo set that i made i tell him if he believes that i am good he can call me any time to play in some club! and something like that happened just week after my meeting with him. and after that if you are good people will start to call you and all after that is pure music! |
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