[Dynagroove] advice for up and coming djs...

[ALA|Undefeated]

Very well put. Add to that: if you want to stand out from the pile of CD's
on the promoter's desk, be creative with your label and put an insert with a
tracklisting on there. All the silver CDR's with sharpied email addresses
get lost in the mix (pardon the pun)!

be patient, do it for the love, and you'll get yours.

ALA
Undefeated Recordings
Dive Music
San Diego, CA
http://www.djala.com
http://www.myspace.com/djala

On 2/6/07 1:30 PM, "jose at aagfx.com" <jose at aagfx.com> wrote:

> "I was a fierce bedroom jock for a long time. After you mix for the
> love of it for six or seven years, you get it pretty tight and you
> can take it on the road."
> 
> -Derrick Carter
> 
> (I agree with this 100%...pay your dues, work hard and things will
> work out for you)
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 12:45:49 -0800 (PST)
> From: Cade <con at dynagroove.com>
> Subject: [Dynagroove] Funny old dynagroove post / article
> To: dynagroove at dynagroove.com
> Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.62.0702051243410.23693 at yerba.dreamhost.com>
> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
> 
> There was a post n the unbderground house forum that reminded me of this
> article I wrote way back in the day.  I think it is funny not only
> because
> it talks about tapes but also because so much of it is true still today.
> Some of you may remember this from 4 or 5 years ago.  But I think
> some new
> Dynagroove listers might still get a kick out of this...
> 
> 
>                                    Playing Out
> 
> 
> 
> "I don't want to be a DJ, I just want to see how a crowd reacts to my
> music."  Yeah right! Who are you kidding?  You want to play out.  You
> want
> to step behind the decks, look over the throbbing mob and watch them
> sweating and bobbing to the beat.  In this daydream of yours it is 2:30
> A.M. (peak hour), it is your time to shine.  Track after track, you work
> the crowd into a frenzy.  For three hours, not a single body leaves the
> dance floor. Your records entrance everyone.  You have broken
> through. You
> now have a name and recognition!
> 
> 
>         Well, it is a nice dream but the problem is it is highly
> unlikely
> that it will happen anytime soon.  Why?  Because you are an aspiring DJ!
> You've been playing for maybe two years, dubbed and burned hundreds of
> your
> first decent mix, and made sure you have given a copy to everyone you
> know
> who has any remote association with coordinating events.  But still
> nothing
> has come about it other than a few opening slots at a coffee shop.
> Maybe
> you got to play your friend's Internet broadcast a few times? A friend's
> birthday party? Or even better, a BBQ!  But no matter what you do, you
> can't seem to get booked at a production-sized party.
> 
> 
>         Playing out is not an easy thing to do.  Yes, there are
> politics.
> Yes, there is ego. And yes, there is a chance that you may not be
> ready to
> play out yet.  After working some years in the scene successfully, I may
> have some good advice to offer.  My qualifications:
> 
> 
> I have been in the scene for over 10 years.  I am involved with or throw
> at
> least 5 parties a year.  I also host a weekly club night in Los Angeles
> widely known as "Free thinking."  These events range from 100 people to
> 800+.   I DJ a few one off's and clubs a month.  But first and
> foremost, I
> am a dancer.  As I write this article, I am coming to you as a
> Promoter/DJ/Dancer.  I am not a professional at any of these and I am
> far
> from "the best" at any of them.  But I would like to think I am well
> rounded and can offer some solid advice.  I have a few different
> strategies
> that worked for me in as I paved my path through the "House" scene.  I
> suppose a lot of it may work in other genres of music too.
> Regardless, it
> may give you some insight on how things work in regards to pursuing your
> DJ
> status.
> 
> 
> Tape or CD?:  The first thing a DJ needs is a demo.  I am not talking
> about
> that tape you duped hundreds of times and passed out all over the place.
> This mix HAS to be mastered and HAS to be cleaner then Mr. Clean's
> baldhead.  You can't have one off mix. You are unknown and seeking to
> get
> some attention.  There is no room for error because you are on the
> "proving
> grounds".  I know how hard it can be to get that 70-minute flawless mix,
> but it makes all the difference.  I get handed at least three tapes
> or CDs
> a week and believe me, a lot of them have some pretty bad "train-
> wrecks".
> If you even have one noticeable "off" mix, a listener may throw you into
> the same bin as the rest of "those" DJs. (see paragraph below)
> 
> 
>         As a promoter, I get a lot of demos. I cannot stress how many of
> those demos have the same five to seven tracks on them.  When you create
> your demo, take the time to dig out some "b-sides" maybe dig a little
> deeper into your crates and find some stuff that isn't the latest "hit."
> Originality is very important, you don't want to sound like another
> one of
> "those" (as stated above) DJs.  For example, one night on my way to my
> club, I was listening to a demo that had had a pretty popular track
> on it.
> At the club the opening DJ plays the same track again shortly after, the
> headliner plays it.  I then pack up and go home and pop into my
> stereo the
> newest demo handed to me that night.  The first track was that same
> track
> I
> had heard three times earlier that night!  I thought to myself, "Man,
> this
> !@#$% track again!?"  Not that it was any fault of the DJ, because the
> track was a good one.  Keep in mind, promoters get a lot of demos and
> many
> have the same taste.  Take the time to try to be a little more unique
> with
> your demo.  When I get a demo that is more unique with it's track
> selection, it tends to keep my attention longer.
> 
> 
>         DON'T ROCK THE CROWD! "What?," you say.  I'll say it again.
> DON"T
> rock the crowd!  You are not playing to a group of dancers on this demo.
> 75% of the demos I get is some DJ getting behind the decks and "banging"
> away for 70 minutes.  Most of us listen to music in our cars and it
> can be
> rather difficult to "bang" away to for very long.  I find the smooth
> more
> intelligent mixes tend to stick around longer.  Anyone can put on the
> "hits" and "bang" away, proving once again that they are another one of
> "those" DJs.  A nice smooth mix will also allow the promoter to hear
> your
> programming abilities and skill.  Most of us know the harder we bang the
> easier the mix is.  In the end, a promoter wants talent behind the decks
> of
> his party.  This also helps with another point I will bring up later
> on in
> the "Promotions" section (guys, pay attention!).
> 
> 
>         I advise CD over tape. I made the mistake of making my last
> demo on
> tape and I would say 60% of the people asked if they could get the
> demo on
> CD.  Remember, even if it is a CD, it is still best to get it mastered.
> (Not your "Radio Shack burn", with the color print out stuck on top
> either.)
> 
> 
> Attitude:  This is very important.  I cannot stress how many times I
> have
> been turned off by a DJ's attitude.  One of the worst things you can
> do to
> a promoter is consistently pester them.  I hate hearing things like,
> "When
> are you going to book me?" I have been in the position to where I have
> wanted to book a DJ had not gotten around to him yet.  But sure enough
> every time I saw him, it was, "When are you going to book me, when
> are you
> going to book me?"  It got to the point to where it was uncomfortable to
> even say "hi" to him.  Promoters have enough pressure to deal with when
> throwing an event.  The last thing they want is pressure from a DJ
> who is
> trying to muscle their way into their event.  Remember, promoters are
> always stressed.  They have venues and money to loose, but most
> importantly, severe lack of sleep.  You think you're grumpy when your
> mom
> calls at 8:00AM Saturday morning?  Try working full time and throwing
> parties.  Grumpy is an understatement.  Whew.  Sorry, had to vent there.
> Where were we?  Ahh yes.
> 
>     I have also found that DJs who are too aggressive are hard to
> work with.
> They will complain about their time slot, who is playing before/after
> them,
> how much they are getting paid, and even stuff as trivial as where their
> name shows up on the flier.  Most promoters got into the party throwing
> business for fun and to watch their visions come to reality.  When a DJ
> with bad attitude not only makes the event less fun for the promoter but
> also ruins his/her vision, do you think that DJ will be returning?
> If you
> checked "yes," then know that you are (as stated above) one of "those"
> DJs.
> 
>         As a DJ, I have had a lot of success by just being very
> cooperative.
> If the promoter tells me I am opening, I am cool with it.  It's not the
> best slot, but hey, at least I get to play.  I take what they give me
> with
> a smile on my face and make the best out of it.  I know for a fact I
> have
> been asked back not only because the promoter liked how I played, but
> how
> cooperative I was when I worked with them.  A promoter likes a solid DJ
> that is easy to work with.  There are lots of solid DJs out there that
> scoff at opening or closing a party.  We ALL have to do our time.  I
> have
> been playing out for 3 years now and I still get opening slots.  But
> hey,
> I
> am playing out!  Believe me it is much more fun than griping about not
> playing out.
> 
> 
>         Competitive attitudes can really damage your chances too.  I
> have
> had
> DJs tell me "You book "so and so" and I am a better DJ than they
> are!" or
> "Why don't you book me? I am better than most of the people you're
> booking."
> 
> 
>    I am sure I do not need to explain how insulting and
> unprofessional this
> behavior is.  If I do have to explain, then you may be (the dreaded) one
> of
> "those" DJs.  Remember that you are only one of many DJs trying to get
> booked by the promoter.  Let the other DJs shoot themselves in the
> foot by
> being overly aggressive.  You can take on the "laid back, cool person"
> roll
> that the promoter will truly appreciate.
> 
> 
> Promotions:  If you have the talent and you heed the advice from above,
> than this is the final step in getting yourself booked.  Promoting
> yourself
> is probably the most fun besides actually playing throughout this
> process.
> The best way to promote yourself is to be seen.  If there is a
> particular
> event that you want to play, make sure you are at it.  Make sure you
> introduce yourself to the promoter thank him/her for her work.  Tell
> them
> what you think of their party.  Make sure you are sincere though; it
> would
> be bad if the promoter senses that you are blowing smoke up their ass.
> After a few of these encounters, casually hand over you newest "Mr.
> Clean"
> mix and simply say, "If you got time, take a listen and let me know what
> you think."  But don't pester the promoter after this (see attitude).
> There have been times when people have given me a demo and then harassed
> me
> about what I thought off it.  I will be honest, about 70% of the demos I
> get I am not that into.  It may not be my style, it may be poorly mixed,
> or
> it may just be played out (see Tape or CD?).  I don't want to be put in
> the
> position of giving my opinion when it may not be a very nice thing to
> say.
> The best thing to do is always be friendly with the promoter and never
> mention the demo. If the promoter makes no mention of it he has probably
> hasn't listened to it yet or didn't like it.  No sense in asking and
> putting the promoter in an uncomfortable position. The solution is
> simple.
> Just make a new one and give it to them.  Maybe they will like that one
> better or get around to listening to either one.  The passive aggressive
> roll tends to let the promoter you're serious without pestering.
> Yes, it
> is a slow process, but persistence will pay off.
> 
> 
>         It is good to be seen out. Personally I don't like to book
> any DJ
> that I don't feel supports me.  If I see a certain DJ at every one of my
> events dancing and getting down I will feel a little more connected with
> him/her.  I will feel like they appreciate my event and feel the same
> about
> the music as I do.   What I do not understand DJs that come early to my
> event and say, "I would really like to play for you sometime."  They
> hand
> me their demo and bio, then leave.  Gee, he would really like to play
> for
> me but not support me?! Mark them in the "one of those" DJs category!
> 
> 
>         As mentioned in the above Tape/CD area it is good to have a
> smooth
> mix.  Why you ask?  Quite simple.  Girls love them!  No I am not talking
> about sex.  Well, maybe I am in a more indirect way.  The most
> successful
> promotion I had ever done was through the ladies.  I didn't do it on
> purpose, but in retrospect, I see what happened.  One of my first mixes
> was
> a smooth mix that I made for those "afterhour activities."  I ended up
> making hundreds of copies of this mix and gave most of them out to
> women.
> My first booking came out of this tape.  A promoter was hanging out
> with a
> girl while my tape was playing and he thought it was pretty good (not
> incredible, mind you).  But two weeks later, he was talking to a couple
> other girls and my name came up. As the story goes, the girls could not
> stop talking about how much they liked my newer tape.  (None of these
> girls
> were more the casual acquaintances.)  The next time I saw the
> promoter, he
> asked me for more demos. The next thing I knew, I was booked to open his
> next three parties.  From those opportunities, I got others.  I think
> men
> tend to be a bit more competitive when it comes to DJing.  Giving my
> tape
> to women simply because I thought they would appreciate a smooth sensual
> mix more so than the men, indirectly put my music into promoter's ears.
> Women are the true power behind the scene anyway.  As the story goes it
> took all the evil in the world to get Eve to eat that apple but it only
> took a woman to get Adam to eat it. Right? *wink* OK.. I know Har Har..
> It's tuff to be witty on paper!  Anywayyyyy..
> 
> 
>         The best way to promote yourself is quite simply, throw your own
> party and play it.  It is, however, very tacky (in my, oh so, humble
> opinion) to give yourself a prime slot.  A solution for this is to get
> partners and let them insist you play a good slot.   *wink* Getting out
> there, passing out fliers, and meeting people will quickly get you some
> recognition.  Work hard on your events. Try to pull them off
> consistently
> and bookings will quickly follow.  People will book you on talent and
> association.  The best thing about playing your own event is being
> able to
> pick DJs who will enhance your performance.  (Not to mention, all the
> free
> tapes and CDs you get from others.)
> 
> 
>         Please know this was written as an opinion, with a smirk on
> my face,
> but in seriousness, it covers a lot of points that "up and coming" DJs
> should take into consideration.  All of the above was written from
> experience. If anyone has more to add please, feel free to email me at
> con at reelhouse.net .  Actually, what I need some advice on is playing out
> of
> town.  I have only been booked out of town about three times.  Any
> advice?
> 
> 
> Cade
> 
> 
> 
> -------------------
> ~It is my great accomplishment that you all underestimate me~
> http://www.dynagroove.com
> http://www.myspace.com/dynacade
> cade at dynagroove.com
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