Becoming a dj

is it possible to become a dj by getting signed with an awesome track?



or do you need to be getting gigs one way or another to start?



like how did the big names do it because thats what i, like many others on here im sure, would love to do!!!



im from newcastle and not much happening up here on the dance scene!!



just wondering how it could be done?


Usually works now (not all time) alot of labels present themed nights/events and artists off that label play out live and thats basically how you move into djing as a professional.

But in short yeah barring a miracle, gigs are based on producers name and that goes on tracks produced.

A while ago would have been different, djing on 12"s was different and harder then it is now where literally anyone can dj without doing a beatmatching session or knowing anything about intros or outros, with different results lol, but yeah djs are as common as me really, you have to be able to stand out from the masses with a different sound and something fresh, in practice not so easy.


Thats what i saw in trance genre, cant comment on house styles but im sure its basically similar way.

If you doing djing because you like the djing side of it and dont care about whether you head the next crasher or not, local clubs and bars are a good place to get a decent name amonsgt the promoters etc.

I done abit of work at your neck the woods, Clear bar in pudding something or another and at Liquid, you might have to spin tunes you dont really love in your own time but such is the scene, you gotta do what the gaff wants played basically.

But yeah go to likes of them places and go into ‘Genorator’ its in Newcastle and ask to speak to a guy called Wayne Mcdonald, he works for Galaxy, and he has alot of contacts locally, if you give them a ring, he might have a chat with you if you take a decent demo along and explain what you looking for, good guys there helped me alot with a few things at school.

P.S. Why i just wrote a whole new thread for this answer i dunno, its a monday thing lol

Heres number mate… 0191 231 4016

Start your own night and book some big name acts to get people threw the door and give yourself a peak time set where aload of people will hear you, also book some other promoter/DJ’s and see if you can get a set at there night so your name gets about!:cool:

i always found if you have a beautiful irish accent it really helps…sorry michael, i couldnt help it :w00t:

Also you have to make sure your sets out from rest, a few cheeky boolegs that only you have might help with this!

Im forever going to bare that post attached to my name, it does help of course lol, i just wish id have worded it different are maybe not all, would have been best thing to do lol oh well i have to take the stick for it, i will just look out for blunders from other people in the next few months :w00t:

[quote]tommyt (15/06/2010)[hr]i always found if you have a beautiful irish accent it really helps…sorry michael, i couldnt help it :w00t:[/quote]





wahahahaha!

Producers make the majority of their money touring. you will have to network, but producing a few really good tracks will get you thrown in because you already have a name attached. I’m actually thinking of doing a weekly DJ podcast just to get my name out there.

Making friends with local promoters at their nights is a great way to make introductions and get them thinking about you if your really interested in starting to DJ out soon. Hand them a mix to listen in their car or whatever ( make sure that you have track markers. I can’t stand listening to a demo and not being able to cycle through track selection.) They wont always listen, but it is a way to start. Don’t hand them a demo first time u meet them. Make friends first, and when they are open to the idea, hand it over. Promoters don’t care to be sold on you. They have to like you.

Make sure that you have a way to promote yourself if you are playing on a promoters night. Promoters hate if they book a DJ and the DJ does no promotions of the night. The only reason they book you is to hopefully help get more people in the door. They need to know you are 100% onboard with their party. All the social networks, emails, website, all of these things make the world of a difference when trying to pick up DJ gigs.

to howie’s point… Producers definately make most of their money from touring. Learning to DJ is all about beatmatching and track selection. Once you have a great song library and the general skills to DJ, making the crowd love you is what its all about. The trick is making great tunes that other DJs play (which the promoters wind up hearing when they have their DJs playing at a party) and getting them so interested that they look you up to check your availability for DJing at one of their nights.

The music you make is what brings the promoters to you. If it is good, it will happen.

thanks for th comments guys



i really needed to know this!!!