Not an actual solicitation for offers, just advice on how to go about it, with a few points regarding Switzerland. I've heard from a couple of DJs here.
After updating my collection, I'm now putting together a few mix CDs and was going to go around town, dropping them off at a few bars and clubs, anything else I should do to sweeten the deal?
I guess buisness cards might be a good idea, or maybe a CD-rom/DVD with all info contained.
Do I need some sort of performance license for covering licensing fees? How much is it?
I'm not looking to do this full time, nor am I looking to build a full time career out of it, so I'm hoping I don't need to sort out anything like a business. What I've done so far has been cash in hand, with a form to sign at the end of the night, I have no idea what it's for. Can I get away with this sort of arrangment? Suits me fine.
It's a strictly selfish casual affair, just looking for a few places to play music loud, and maybe get a few people dancing, so, not looking to "work the circuit", doing weddings and whatnot. Just looking for small bars/clubs etc. I won't be making any sacrifices for my full time job, which limits my options of course.
And finally, the tough one, how much can I get? I was happy with my current rate of 100CHF with free meal and beer, but I don't want to sell myself short. It's a cheap night out though.
In essence its more 'who you know' than how good you are.....
Mix cds are a waste of time in my opinion, i worked full time as a dj for 7 years or so in London without giving a single cd out, whereas i would often see Mr Bedroomdj giving out his cdrs every week but still gets no work.
What do you play? (please state genre as well as mention a few producers, i.e. 'funky house' means different things in in different places)
Do you use CDs or Vinyl or both?
Just poping out for a couple of hours, will continue with this later.
Luckily, things aren't a total blank in knowing people, which got me thinking in the first place. Luzern's a fairly small town, and I've a few contacts on the scene, and a few friends who'll recommend me to the right people, but I thought a mix CD might give them something to listen to, mostly because of your next question.
Uhm, always have difficulty with that one, don't really like to stick to one genre, I tend to say eclectic dance, but I'm not sure what that means, never knew what to put on the flyers. If you've ever heard of Solid Steel, that's the sort of stuff I'm aiming for, sort of. I'm particularly fond of electro and there's a strong electronic vibe through pretty much everything I have.
I've always disliked how dance is split into all these different sub genres, and particularly don't like the rather standard house that seems so prevalent in every bar and club. Instead of complaining, well....
Used to be strictly vinyl, but I've since got Scratch Live, so all the music is now digital, though I still use the decks.
I agree with SC, I have never bothered with mix tapes, but then I play punk, punk rock, rockabilly, psychobilly etc. so a mix tape would be a waste of time anyway.
Get to know other DJs, club owners and bookers, invite them to your sets so that they can see (and hear!) you in action, show them that you can get people on the dance floor. Or maybe ask a fellow DJ if you can play a set with them? That's how I started.
I am by no means a full time DJ, I usually play once a month in small-ish clubs in Thun and in the Kofmehl in Solothurn, always cash in hand, plus free drinks and usually a bite to eat too. I really do it just for fun, I love to see the crowd dancing with smiles on their faces.
At the moment I use 60% CDs and 40% Vinyl - kind of depends on the club though. If the DJ booth is on or close to the dance floor, you will get beer spilled over your records...
world-class dj's under the !K7 label are playing in Zurich on Friday night at The Hive
"K7 is pleased to announce the first set of dates for its international label tour. The tour will include world class electronic musicians and !K7 artists Joakim and Swayzak, and represents the first venture of the label groups new events agency."
In Switzerland, who you know is more important than what you know and it took me 3 years to penetrate the scene but that's how the scene goes. Talking to DJs are a pain in the arse as most DJs whom I've met are arrogant SOB but they are a few who are really down to earth and would really talk to you.
I suggest built your name up. Giving to clubs might helps but there is a better avenue. Read how Smokin Jo' got her break? I did the same way.
Giving out mix CD does but in the age of ableton and other DJ software, the first 3 songs are crucial. I've listened to tons of Mix-CDs but only a handful have really grabed my attention and make me want to listen to whole 60mins. Oh and do try to play a little a wide plethora of a certain genre. House alone is being divided into so many sub-genre.
Ok, so to chuck in my opinion I would say the following:
1) Def. the network is a big thing, I Dj'd here in Zurich for a couple of years and got lots of stuff through my network and also by going to the right places for my music.
2) A demo CD, in my opinion, can help. It helped me in the past, but I also had a very good design/image which made a difference and as said before the first 2/3 tracks are essential and shouldnt wait too long for the mix.
3) business cards are a good idea you can get them cheap from vistaprint
4) The other thing is as a DJ, do you bring your own network/fans? That's also something to promote.
5) Smaller clubs/bars might give you a chance although I think chf100 is low depending on the hours/length.
I had a gig for 2 hours at chf1500 and also 4 hours at chf300 so it just depends on the place.
It can help to say to an owner/manager that you would play the first time for free and if they like it, you can sign up for more but paid.
Kiss100 legends (back when kiss was actually good and did not sound like capital fm lol)
Peoples need for the pigeon holing of genres, subgenres and hybrids etc.... never fails to amaze me. "I only play new-age-afrofunk-deep-tech-underground-bashment house " LOL
From a promotors point of view all he cares about is getting heads through the door.
Speaking from experience, i would only ever put an unknown dj on the flyer if he can either sell tickets before the event or will spend several weeks out in the rain at 4am hanging out flyers to punters. I am not fussed if his set sounds like the grand national or not. Big name djs get booked because they get heads through the door not because they are great.
If you can prove to the promotor that you can get people to go to his club night he will book you all the time.
By all means make mix cds, but only give them to ravers and make sure you have your contact details on the cd. Make sure its on the cd itself and not just on the cover/wallet e.g email, mob, myspace addy etc....
Find a regular night that you think your set would fit into nicely.
Go every week.
Be one of the first in and last out in order to hear every dj from the warm up guys to the main set and listen to every tune played.
Watch the crowd reaction, so when you finally get to play at this event you know what tunes get rinsed 6 times a night and what djs forget to play .
My first big gig in london i managed to land a 2-3am set in the main room at MOS. I had been going to that event every month for a year and knew all the djs boxes inside out and came with a set that just raped everyone. One tune i noticed never ever got played, and when i dropped it........i got 6 reloads. They made me resident dj for the next year and everything just steam rolled after that.)
Once you feel you are ready to funk up their clubnight, find out who the promotor is and tell him what you can do for him. If you can come up with what you have promised he will start doing things for you.
I could go on, but this subject is so vast its crazy. I am currently writing a book about djing/promoting, it wont be ready for years if indeed i even finish it. Until then feel free to pm me whenever if you have any questions.
Also speak with friends, ask if people have contacts.
Be aware of what your wearing when you meet people from the clubs, it may seem a bit ****, but they will also judge you by your style and look.
I have some contacts within hiphop and house clubs here in Zurich and some bars as well. My biggest success was just going to speak to people, but I also had a certain following of friends who would come to each gig and dance away which helped sell, and also would turn up with my demo CD and say "im a DJ from London, etc etc" always helped dropping London in.
im not sure how much success you have had with that method. Personally I think thats a waste of money, if your lucky enough that they listen to it without meeting you first and then on top of that decide to hire you, I would be amazed.
I've experienced that countless of time during my residency. "I'm a big DJ in London" is the usual tag line, can I play tonight, and of late, the favourite tag line is, "I have a record label!" If you want to use those lines, you better and must be able to back it up. With internet, it is so easy for one to check your credibility.
Actually what Lee Diamant said is so true especially in Switzerland. Almost all Swiss DJs have name dropped. I've seen it plenty of times on posters and flyers. One DJ has "Kinky Malinky" on every posters and flyers. I think one shouldn't put "OXA", "Kinky Malinky" or "MAD" under ones name unless one is the resident DJ of the said club.
Just to clarify, I never went to a club here and said "im a big London DJ" it just helped for me to say, im a DJ from London, I never said I played in big places etc etc. In fact when asked I mostly said that the DJ scene in the UK is crazy, every second person is a DJ and I just played in local bars and clubs not big events.
I didnt take anything personally, just wanted to clear up in my defence.
Just the idea, that someone is from London and is a DJ adds some extra value and will help get gigs. It also meant a lot of the time, people would actually listen to my demos and not just say they would as they were
Cyrus, try to make people talk about you as a DJ. Built your name up.
A simple tip, the next time you're in a club, don't just limit to the owner and DJs, give your CDs the punters as well. Some might use it as a coaster but maybe 1 or 2 might like it and spread the word for you.
Good Luck.
Mate, in no way was my reply being aimed at you.
I was just refering to DJs whom I've met, knocking on my console door and blags beyond his/her creadibilty. As far as I know, Big DJs don't do cold calling themselves.
also something I did with the Demo CD, you can buy CD's which look like vinyl, for example here http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR109515 , which added a nice touch!