how the hell to get sets in clubs?

[BHAZ]

step 1. network

step 2. network

step 3. network

[Otis the Rigger]

All of these are valid points...speaking as someone who's promoted, played, and lived in a myriad of different scenes over the past decade [Philly, NYC, Chicago, Louisville, Nashville, and now Dallas]. Persistence is key but patience is as well. You have to be mindful of the audience and venues in which you wish to play or play for. The key thing in that aspect is "when in Rome...do as the Romans do." Be flexible, adaptable, and open to learn as much as you can about your craft, the genre(s) you wish to play, the locale, and its clientele.

Don't just DJ. Produce as well. Do as much as you can with the sound you work with. Be a double threat. A triple threat...and so on.

Visibility and networking is always paramount. Attend conducive events often.
And yes, always be professional. I always liken being in a scene to politics; a lot of hand shaking, forming of alliances, maintaining neutrality in the face of Clubland beef and drama, and always putting yourself out there....letting people know the persona and concepts which you wish to project out there.

Don't come off being too eager, but show your motivation.

Make sure your work [studio recordings, DJ recordings, etc.] are made accessible to all....Always bring demos and copies of shit whenever you're out someplace...you never know what could fall into your lap....

[Roos]

All good suggestions in here.

The only thing I can add is that while it may seem hard to get a gig, you've actually got an upper hand on most Dallas club DJs. Doing school dances and mobile DJing is some of the best experience you can ever have in playing for a crowd. THAT is very valuable for getting good gigs. A lot of Dallas DJs only want to play for themselves or other DJs, meaning they aren't willing to bend a little or play a little mainstream. You have dealt with mainstream and requests and such, so you're already ahead of them in many ways.

And if/when you get a gig, remember... play for the girls. Once the girls dance, the guys buy drinks, and the bar makes money which in turn will make you money. A philosophy to live by if you want to work regularly and last a long time.

[Otis the Rigger]

Originally Posted by Roos

And if/when you get a gig, remember... play for the girls. Once the girls dance, the guys buy drinks, and the bar makes money which in turn will make you money. A philosophy to live by if you want to work regularly and last a long time.

agreed. A point I failed to mention. Girls [hot ones in particular] at parties lure more dudes...More dudes lure more girls...and so and so forth.

[matias]

Originally Posted by Otis the Rigger

More dudes lure more girls...

hmm this is not necessarily a true statement lol

[Otis the Rigger]

Yeah...a good mix of both helps...ha ha

[Ottica B.]

Originally Posted by BHAZ

step 1. network

step 2. network

step 3. network

So true. It won't just fall in your lap but Otis your right too. Where the girls are the guys are.

[Eric Scholwinski]

also, if you fit in with a "crew" that also helps in ways. (different sounds etc..)

good luck bro, this city is like "crabs in a barrel" for dj's and gigs. But it can be done, whatever style of 'dance' music you play, go to those parties / clug gigs and give the mix cd to the resident dj's.

and like brian (bhaz said) Network.

[Ottica B.]

Oh yeah Networking is also something you should consider.

[matias]

hey don't forget to network!

[J. Fees]

The only thing I can add is that while it may seem hard to get a gig, you've actually got an upper hand on most Dallas club DJs. Doing school dances and mobile DJing is some of the best experience you can ever have in playing for a crowd. THAT is very valuable for getting good gigs. A lot of Dallas DJs only want to play for themselves or other DJs, meaning they aren't willing to bend a little or play a little mainstream. You have dealt with mainstream and requests and such, so you're already ahead of them in many ways.

And if/when you get a gig, remember... play for the girls. Once the girls dance, the guys buy drinks, and the bar makes money which in turn will make you money. A philosophy to live by if you want to work regularly and last a long time.
__________________

this is perfect. and since music is cheap these days, don't dj one style, which you already figured out, but may lack edm in your crates. If someone asks/offers you a house gig, if you only play hip hop, then you can't. I was more of a hip hop/pop/party dj, but when a house gig came through(the official policy was to play no more than 3 hip hop songs an hour), i had about 20 house records and said 'cool i can do it'. I went and bought about 20 more and i was playing house, even though i had never really been into house. I really learned alot from that experience, and eventually i went back to playing what i was into. But, if i hadn't taken that gig, i would still be on the sidelines.

lots of 'i's' in there, sorry

[Roos]

Originally Posted by J. Feez

this is perfect. and since music is cheap these days, don't dj one style, which you already figured out, but may lack edm in your crates. If someone asks/offers you a house gig, if you only play hip hop, then you can't. I was more of a hip hop/pop/party dj, but when a house gig came through(the official policy was to play no more than 3 hip hop songs an hour), i had about 20 house records and said 'cool i can do it'. I went and bought about 20 more and i was playing house, even though i had never really been into house. I really learned alot from that experience, and eventually i went back to playing what i was into. But, if i hadn't taken that gig, i would still be on the sidelines.

lots of 'i's' in there, sorry

great examples and advice.

Oh, and what Eric said about 'crews' may work for some, but keep in mind that most clubs would rather hire one guy than several... unless of course they think having several guys will get more promotion out for them. But you have experience in mobile/dances and that far outweighs being part of any crew. As well, you get to keep all the money as opposed to splitting it several ways.

When I get a gig, I always tell the owner that while my name probably won't bring them a crowd, I will read the crowd, keep them there, and keep them coming back as long as the bar keeps the night consistent. Consistency is the key. Once they start switching things up, which TONS of clubs like to do, then you start losing your regulars and it's harder to get them back. Get a gig, establish yourself for two or three months until you build a crowd, and stick with it. However, if you get a gig at a place that already HAS a crowd, then bend to satisfy them.


Post up your mixes if you can. I'd like to hear em.

[thekrispdj]

Originally Posted by NeedleSharp

so i really dont even know how to try to pursue getting a set in a club... been doing mobile shit with parties and high school dances for about 4 years and been DJing for 7 years. i have 2 cds to give out with pretty good mixes (a dance mix and a hip-hop mix) who do i give it to? what clubs do i start out at? i would be cool with a hip hop weekly and a few dance gigs here and there but i need help!

It's real easy. The first thing you do is make sure that you can KINDA match beats. Then what you do is put together a set of the most lifeless music on the planet full of top 40 remixes and mash-ups of songs that are already hits. Make sure there is lots of "hooks" and stuff for people to sing along. The less complex the better. No one wants to hear eclectic stuff.

Put some eye liner on and a Von Dutch trucker hat, take pictures and plaster that shit all over myspace. You might take some photos of you posing behind the decks, regardless if you can beat match or not. Eye-liner and a white skinny tie would be great here!

Then what you do is give a CD out to everyone with a flyer that points people to your website. Put some sort of chick on there thats halfway naked. But random blurbs about what people have said about your mixing skills. Doesn't matter if they've said it or not.

Make sure that you kiss the promoters and club owners asses. Show them your flyer and give them your mix. Just keep bugging them.

Before you know it you will have full fledged tours across the world with your name in lights opening for Tiesto! It's all in how you market yourself. Actually being able to mix two records together is all subjective.

[Roos]

Originally Posted by thekrispdj

It's real easy. The first thing you do is make sure that you can KINDA match beats. Then what you do is put together a set of the most lifeless music on the planet full of top 40 remixes and mash-ups of songs that are already hits. Make sure there is lots of "hooks" and stuff for people to sing along. The less complex the better. No one wants to hear eclectic stuff.

Put some eye liner on and a Von Dutch trucker hat, take pictures and plaster that shit all over myspace. You might take some photos of you posing behind the decks, regardless if you can beat match or not. Eye-liner and a white skinny tie would be great here!

Then what you do is give a CD out to everyone with a flyer that points people to your website. Put some sort of chick on there thats halfway naked. But random blurbs about what people have said about your mixing skills. Doesn't matter if they've said it or not.

Make sure that you kiss the promoters and club owners asses. Show them your flyer and give them your mix. Just keep bugging them.

Before you know it you will have full fledged tours across the world with your name in lights opening for Tiesto! It's all in how you market yourself. Actually being able to mix two records together is all subjective.

I hope that was all sarcasm.

[transplant]

Originally Posted by Roos

All good suggestions in here.

The only thing I can add is that while it may seem hard to get a gig, you've actually got an upper hand on most Dallas club DJs. Doing school dances and mobile DJing is some of the best experience you can ever have in playing for a crowd. THAT is very valuable for getting good gigs. A lot of Dallas DJs only want to play for themselves or other DJs, meaning they aren't willing to bend a little or play a little mainstream. You have dealt with mainstream and requests and such, so you're already ahead of them in many ways.

And if/when you get a gig, remember... play for the girls. Once the girls dance, the guys buy drinks, and the bar makes money which in turn will make you money. A philosophy to live by if you want to work regularly and last a long time.

Originally Posted by J. Feez

this is perfect. and since music is cheap these days, don't dj one style, which you already figured out, but may lack edm in your crates. If someone asks/offers you a house gig, if you only play hip hop, then you can't. I was more of a hip hop/pop/party dj, but when a house gig came through(the official policy was to play no more than 3 hip hop songs an hour), i had about 20 house records and said 'cool i can do it'. I went and bought about 20 more and i was playing house, even though i had never really been into house. I really learned alot from that experience, and eventually i went back to playing what i was into. But, if i hadn't taken that gig, i would still be on the sidelines.

lots of 'i's' in there, sorry

All good points.

I whore myself out stylistically for the mighty $$$. lol.