Ableton Forum

Aiiiiight...

With Live 5 here and a new more mechanized generation of fresh minded DJs about to hit the clubs for their first gigs, I feel the topic of DJ names must be discussed.

I come from the rock band side of the tracks. Over in rock band world, the topic of band-names is an ongoing one; fraught with difficulty, pain, and worst of all... regret. But every once in a while there is a triumph. The band Triumph notwithstanding, every once in a while you hear of a band with a really great name.

My first DJ gig is in late August I must start promoting soon. Now, I must decide who I am. Since I became addicted to Ableton over the last 14 months or so, I started penning my compositions under the moniker DJ Precious. I started doing so because I think it's a funny name. It's everything that I am not. But, in rock band world, if you name your band something you think is funny, well, that's the kiss of death.

So I'm second-guessing my decision to become DJ Precious. I've even caught myself Name-Storming, an act that can only lead to a tailspin of confusion before long where all names sound both good and terrible at the same time.

My indecision was further exposed the other day at work when my coworkers started making fun of me, saying how gay they thought DJ Precious sounded. They started calling me DJ Pink Tu-Tu. My confusion so ingrained at this point, I started to like and consider using the name DJ Pink Tu-Tu.

So I'm wondering where you all stand on this issue, and also what you think are some of the best and worst DJ names.

Worst = DJ Rap
Best = Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine

Thanks everybody,
DJ Pink Tu-TU

DJ "Anything" rubs me the wrong way. So does the word "disco."

I personally don't jockey, or even spin, discs or disks, other than the hard drive type!

I'm searching for a new description of what I/we do. Music (including live percussion), video, lighting... all done with Live.

MMA - Multi-media artist?

P.S. I come from the rock side of the tracks, too. But with a former band called "Copycat," it's nothing to be proud of!

One of the names I most admire is Marilyn Manson, which I realise is a rock band world name, but I think the reasons why are applicable.

Manson has himself not just a name, and music, but a huge persona, an image, and while he hasn't to my knowledge treated it as such, a brand. The clothes, the stunts, the whole thing combines to make a far wider reaching specticale than most bands or artists would dream of attempting.

So, I suggest you think carefuly about what you stand for, whatever it is, what you want to do, and pick a name that you can create some sort of buzz around.

Good luck.

What sort of thing are you playing btw?

Name yourself so that when people hear the name they can make a wild guess at what you might play.

I remember when Billy Nasty was starting getting bookings and a couple of my mates booked him because huge thumping minimalist nastiness was the in thing that week. Because of his name It sounded like he might be a speed fueled cone thrasher. I can honestly say I know 2 local promoters that booked him on name alone!! (plus knowing he had done a few other known clubs of course)


so if it's funky grooves - DJ Zeke le Freq
intense techno stomping - DJ headmelter
prog arpegiation - DJ hippyfool

etc.

how about DJ "Name"

DJ "Disco"...

Jammin' "DJ Direct Input" here.
DJ name generator.

i worried about this for a while. eventually decided just to go with my last name (hench). it helps that it's one syllable & reasonably catchy; i'd be a little screwed if my last name were jingleheimer...



www.henchmusic.com

How about the name of your first pet,
followed by the name of the street
you grew up on?
mine would be "DJ Blue-Blue Birchmount"

i know how you feel, as i used to struggle
with that whole dj-name thing:
nom (yes, name), datura, spaz, rapture, and wino have all
appeared on a handful of tapes, cds, posters,
t-shirts, and websites....blah blah blah
(and i'm being literal when i say handful!)
i like the name wino the best 'cause i despise
the whole superstar dj thing....
think i'm gonna just use my own name
sooner or later.

colin_h wrote:How about the name of your first pet,
followed by the name of the street
you grew up on?
mine would be "DJ Blue-Blue Birchmount"

That would make me DJ Shandy Cotswold

Now that's the sh*t right there.

Ah the old favourite pet/road combo

"Snowy Downs"

more porn star than Dj that one.

DJ Jingleheimer... Now that has some potential.

My DJ/Porn name is Peggy Penn.

The only problem with using your real name is that you can't make T-Shirts. Plus there is no sense of otherness.

The gig I'm doing is opening up for a friend's band at a little chill club in Williamsburg called the Blue Lounge. It's a small room, but I really like it.

Best= Claude Van Mouse (That's my mock DJ name)
and 2nd best= Dr. Funkenstien, "Ja, today everybody we are going to learn how to get funky. I vill be your guide, Dr. Funkenstein"

Worst= hmmmm... Dj scratchy mcgee (that's actually not that bad)

What about:
DJ Wonka
DJ Boneronymous
DJ Victory Dance

Greetings

Soulman wrote:

colin_h wrote:How about the name of your first pet,
followed by the name of the street
you grew up on?
mine would be "DJ Blue-Blue Birchmount"

Fluffy Jackson

I use my last name instead.