HOW TO GET BOOKED AS A DJ?

Robert Henke · Post by **Robert Henke** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:47 pm

Why does a DJ also need to be producer? Two very different skill sets IMHO.
A good DJ has to know which track to deliver to the audience in which moment, (s)he needs to have an overview of what goes on musically, has to understand the needs of different audiences etc... A producer mainly should listen to his /her inner voice and produce the music (s)he likes!!!

I think the advice to make a CD is fine for a producer but not for a DJ.
I personally know why I am not a DJ. I am completely lacking all of the above mentioned skills. Not even talking about beat matching....

Rob

DJ Etain · Post by **DJ Etain** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:53 pm

Robert Henke wrote:Why does a DJ also need to be producer? Two very different skill sets IMHO.
A good DJ has to know which track to deliver to the audience in which moment, (s)he needs to have an overview of what goes on musically, has to understand the needs of different audiences etc... A producer mainly should listen to his /her inner voice and produce the music (s)he likes!!!

I think the advice to make a CD is fine for a producer but not for a DJ.
I personally know why I am not a DJ. I am completely lacking all of the above mentioned skills. Not even talking about beat matching....

Rob

Yeah sure there are a lot of ways to interpret what constitutes a DJ, and as much as I happen to agree with your above statement, the industry today pretty much dictates that being a successful DJ means you have been a successful producer as well. I personally agree that mixing live is an artform and a skill that should warrant success on its own but nowadays the rules have changed. It's like so many musicians these days who are getting booked to do "DJ sets" rather than actual concerts. For electronic music producers it's the same. You do a DJ set to play your music to a live audience!!

ollyb303 · Post by **ollyb303** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:55 pm

Robert Henke wrote: I think the advice to make a CD is fine for a producer but not for a DJ.

I'd say you need a demo CD whether you are trying to get gigs as a DJ, or trying to get signed as a producer, but these are two very different CDs.

If you trying to get signed as a producer, the CD I described in my previous post is fine (and Etain's tips are good as well).

If you're trying to get DJ gigs a simple mix CD is fine - I master mine myself for this purpose.

I agree with Robert that you don't need to be a producer to be a DJ or vice versa. I know plenty of successful DJs who do not produce their own music and many producers who have never done a DJ set.

Robert Henke · Post by **Robert Henke** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:59 pm

@ Etain:

But then there comes the question why you are doing what you do!
I thought, first comes what you want to achieve artistically, and next comes how to achieve that. If I am a producer, I will not do a DJ set, unless I really know what I do and enjoy it. If I am a DJ, I should focus on becoming a good DJ. I am not denying that there are many of us, who are good in both fileds, but there are way to many boring DJ mix compilations out there. Who has the right to tell us what to do? Why do we what we do? If the only aim is recognition, then maybe becoming a mass murderer is more efficient.

Rob.

ChiDJ · Post by **ChiDJ** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:00 pm

Robert,

At least in my city, Chicago, the DJ's that get booked and make the bank are all also producing big records:

Guetta - BLack Wed
Sasha
Deep Dish
Marco V
Justice - DJ set NYE
Jeff Mills
Robbie Rivera
Dead Mau5

etc.

I agree with DJ Etain. IMHO, we're making the money off our DJ sets / shows and NOT the music. But the "DJ blah blah producer of the hit song blah blah" is what promoters are using to sell the gigs.

Tod

DJ Etain · Post by **DJ Etain** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:01 pm

ollyb303 wrote:
Robert Henke wrote:
I agree with Robert that you don't need to be a producer to be a DJ or vice versa. I know plenty of successful DJs who do not produce their own music and many producers who have never done a DJ set.

Hmmmm...I guess it depends. I always get asked for a sample CD of my own music from promoters I get in touch with. They are never interested in mix CD's. But like you I know quite a few successful DJ's who've never produced a thing in their lives. Before I started producing I felt that my DJ career was lacking something. But that's just me.

ChiDJ · Post by **ChiDJ** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:04 pm

Robert Henke wrote:@ Etain:

But then there comes the question why you are doing what you do!
I thought, first comes what you want to achieve artistically, and next comes how to achieve that. If I am a producer, I will not do a DJ set, unless I really know what I do and enjoy it. If I am a DJ, I should focus on becoming a good DJ. I am not denying that there are many of us, who are good in both fileds, but there are way to many boring DJ mix compilations out there. Who has the right to tell us what to do? Why do we what we do? If the only aim is recognition, then maybe becoming a mass murderer is more efficient.

Rob.

I happen to love production and DJ'ing. And I only play music that I love. (I'm not a very good opening / warm-up DJ because I can't help but build the floor to a frenzy).

I was a producer first and got into DJ'ing as a vehicle to play my own stuff, but I instantly fell in love with both!!

I have thought about mass murder too. It's still on the table.

Robert Henke · Post by **Robert Henke** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:05 pm

@ ChilDJ:

I do not question that it is like you describe, I just question if it has to be like this for everyone. Maybe i has to do with my personal experience and how I came to the music business. Basic Channel etc... we all just made what we wanted to do, and the idea to make big money or even a living out of it was not the motivation. And I think this kind of freedom is essential if you want to find your own way. Better do a McJob for a while and keep music as hobby, then trying to push in an oversaturated market. Chances are good that you'll get disappointed. I'd rather play in front of 20 real fans then being booked to a huge thing where people could not care less about what I do.

Rob.

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DJ Etain · Post by **DJ Etain** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:06 pm

Robert Henke wrote:@ Etain:

But then there comes the question why you are doing what you do!
I thought, first comes what you want to achieve artistically, and next comes how to achieve that. If I am a producer, I will not do a DJ set, unless I really know what I do and enjoy it. If I am a DJ, I should focus on becoming a good DJ. I am not denying that there are many of us, who are good in both fileds, but there are way to many boring DJ mix compilations out there. Who has the right to tell us what to do? Why do we what we do? If the only aim is recognition, then maybe becoming a mass murderer is more efficient.

Rob.

Like I said earlier, I love being a Dj and have been for 12 years, but never really felt true fulfillment until I started producing. And although I haven't been producing that long, the times I have played one of my own songs out and seen people dancing to them has been extremely rewarding, so I want to continue doing it. And the times I have sat for hours and hours alone in my studio working and then actually come up with a track I am happy with, the first thing I feel compelled to do is share it with someone. I love the whole process: writing, producing, engineering, mixing, performing, so I guess for me the ultimate will be to be a success doing all of it

Robert Henke · Post by **Robert Henke** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:09 pm

in this case: GO! and good luck !!!

Rob

DJ Etain · Post by **DJ Etain** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:10 pm

THANK YOU!

ChiDJ · Post by **ChiDJ** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:14 pm

Robert Henke wrote:@ ChilDJ:

I do not question that it is like you describe, I just question if it has to be like this for everyone. Maybe i has to do with my personal experience and how I came to the music business. Basic Channel etc... we all just made what we wanted to do, and the idea to make big money or even a living out of it was not the motivation. And I think this kind of freedom is essential if you want to find your own way. Better do a McJob for a while and keep music as hobby, then trying to push in an oversaturated market. Chances are good that you'll get disappointed. I'd rather play in front of 20 real fans then being booked to a huge thing where people could not care less about what I do.

Rob.

[/list]

Well, I've always had a day job and I don't expect to get wealthy from my music. But, I live for it. The thrill of having your song played to a crowd, (of 10 or 100 people) and watching them vibe off your creation is the best drug in the world. DJ'ing / performing live is a close second.

And my point was not about making money, but just getting booked.

And I don't think it's wrong to dream of a summer residency in IBIZA!

I would drop the McJob in a heartbeat.

Tod

ChiDJ · Post by **ChiDJ** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:21 pm

I think it also is a real example of the state of our industry and the de-valuation of music media.

Our Music has no tangible value unless we perform it in a physical venue.

ollyb303 · Post by **ollyb303** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:22 pm

ChiDJ wrote: The thrill of having your song played to a crowd, (of 10 or 100 people) and watching them vibe off your creation is the best drug in the world. DJ'ing / performing live is a close second.

Performing live will always be the best feeling in the world for me. I love DJing as well, and it's very, very nice when someone plays one of my tunes (especially as I get to dance to it for once!), but live performance is just something else. Just thinking about it makes me horny.

aleme · Post by **aleme** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:47 pm