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the local resident dj.

M

mingster

TRIBE Member
i've been thinking a bit lately about what i know of some of the more successful local resident dj's in toronto, and the same truths might be held in other cities.

i wonder how much of their success is based on social networking, the ability to build hype and fill a room, and how much of it has to do with skill.

i notice lots of residents trying to hand out guestlist like it's going out of style. (not that i don't appreciate it, please don't get me wrong), but i'm just wondering, in the dj world, does your success rest on your ability to draw a crowd? and does your ability to draw a crowd rest on your musical skill, or your social skills? i don't expect anyone to answer that yes, they are a better socializer than a dj, but what do the patrons think? have you noticed any residents that you think skillfully suck, but somehow seem to draw the crowds anyways? if a particular dj from toronto isn't very good at social networking, is it a possibility that he could go unnoticed? or be unsuccessful?

and djs, do you feel pressure from promoters, and clubs to hand out guest list and fill a room? is this a new phenomenon or has this always been the way things are?

your thoughts?
 
M

mingster

TRIBE Member
1. i know that's alot of questions.
2. i know that talking about this might be taboo for some.
3. i do think that toronto is full of talented djs, so please do not misinterpret my questions.
 
P

pr0nstar

TRIBE Member
Yes it does a lot IMO.

Ass kissers are going to be ass kissers, not this is a bad thing, but it's the truth. And they're going to kiss the right ass and get in to some places the other people who don't want to kiss ass would.

I know a lot of local DJs that are far better technically when it comes down to "DJ Skills" that dont' play out often at all.

pr0nstar
 
B

Booty Bits

TRIBE Member
there are TONS of talented DJs in Toronto who won't get a single booking because they're not sociable. they don't go out to clubs regularly, they don't talk to promoters when they do go out, and they don't hand out their demos to anyone who will take them.

its just totally unrealistic to think that talent = bookings.

and of course a DJ who is a popular person will bring out more people to hear them play, and those people will probably talk about how fabulous DJ so-and-so is, and that builds momentum, and then the next thing you know, that DJ has a solid following.
 
S

sweet_e

TRIBE Member
Yes

of course your ability to fill a room and draw a crowd is an important indicator of your success as a DJ.

Clubs are going to book Dj that dras more people cause that means more money for the club. This is also inadvertanly an indicator of DJing skill. No one is going to go a listen to a shitty DJ just because. And Djs giving away guestlist is a way for them to bring in people. Especially since so many of us that go out on a regular basis have become spoiled.

Just out of curiosity how many of you would pay to get in to see local DJs pay and how much Vs an international or out of town guest???
 
M

MoFo

TRIBE Member
It's like that in every form of entertainment. If you're going to sit in your bedroom, no one's going to come knocking on your door.
You need to promote, network and make the right friends.
 
P

pr0nstar

TRIBE Member
True MoFo.

But there is DJs who don't get booked as often as others, because they don't go out and smoooooze...

pr0nstar :D
 
S

sweet_e

TRIBE Member
one more thing

Being a good DJ shouldnt be measured soley on technincal ability. A great DJ can read and work the crowd. And being able to network and socialize are important in becoming a good DJ.
 
M

mingster

TRIBE Member
Re: Yes

Originally posted by sweet_e
No one is going to go a listen to a shitty DJ just because.
Click to expand...


but do you think it's possible that a mediocre, or average dj could draw a big crowd and lots of hype more because of his/her social skills than musical skills?
 
S

sweet_e

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by pr0nstar
True MoFo.

But there is DJs who don't get booked as often as others, because they don't go out and smoooooze...

pr0nstar :D
Click to expand...

then they should go out and shmooze. its all part of the package.
 
K

KillaLadY

TRIBE Member
Right... it's also based on your social skills and communication skills. Just like in any job, people succeed based on these two factors as well, combined with the skill. Sure, some have less skill than others, but their are better at social skills and communicating with people, so they will win.

Just like in any job.
 
S

SPACEMAN

TRIBE Member
the "dj" as it is called in modern culture, is a species slowly on the decline, only to soon fade into oblivion.


the "dj" will soon be extinct, and we will notice the obliteration of the electronic music genre as we know it.


so they say...

az
 
P

pr0nstar

TRIBE Member
I guess this is why I'm becoming more and more of a Techno DJ Snob :p

And why I never really stuck with DJ'n outside my living room.

I love the music, not the smooooz'n and socializing ;)

pr0nstar :D
 
S

sweet_e

TRIBE Member
Re: Re: Yes

Originally posted by mingster
but do you think it's possible that a mediocre, or average dj could draw a big crowd and lots of hype more because of his/her social skills than musical skills?
Click to expand...

i think maybe someone who can build a lot of hype around themselves and bring in x amount of people based on social skills and ability to go out and party, may get recognition and booking in the beginning.
But i think to have any real staying power in the industry you have to have musical talent and earn the respect of other people in the industry.
 
B

Booty Bits

TRIBE Member
i'm of the mind that DJing isnt rocket surgery, so if someone's going to suplement their raw talent with their ability to fill the floor with happy, energetic people, then so be it.
 
P

pr0nstar

TRIBE Member
Re: Re: Re: Yes

Originally posted by sweet_e
i think maybe someone who can build a lot of hype around themselves and bring in x amount of people based on social skills and ability to go out and party, may get recognition and booking in the beginning.
But i think to have any real staying power in the industry you have to have musical talent and earn the respect of other people in the industry.
Click to expand...

This is why I respect Bad Boy Bill a lot.

Very technical. Promotes himself a great deal.
And went with the flow of the music genres over the years.

Sold out IMO, but still a great DJ.

pr0nstar :D
 
E

Eclipze

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by pr0nstar
I guess this is why I'm becoming more and more of a Techno DJ Snob :p

And why I never really stuck with DJ'n outside my living room.

I love the music, not the smooooz'n and socializing ;)

pr0nstar :D
Click to expand...

yeah i'm not good at smooz'n either... i work so hard during the week, its hard for me to make out everywhere on the weekends.. i really don't have the enegry for it anymore
 
S

sweet_e

TRIBE Member
okay but you guys that talk about working during the week and being "bedroom" Djs have to understand that you already made a choice in your life about whats more important and how much time you want to devote to DJing.

Those people that decide this is their sole means of income and want to make a career out of it have more time to dedicate to going out and smoozing. And for them it is important because it is their life not a hobby.
 
C

Casper

TRIBE Member
another thing, if a DJ is playing 'tunes' for the crowd, playing a track knowing the crowd will go off to it, but they would not necessarily play it in their bedroom. is he/she not being true to themselves/their music or selling out?
well, in my opinion to be recognized as a DJ in Toronto, getting bookings, etc., you have to do some socializing (putting your name out there) and play to the crowd, that's part of the job, they are after all ENTERTAINERS.
peace
 
P

pr0nstar

TRIBE Member
I know when I played out, unfortunately I was a selfish DJ :p

I played for me, what I wanted to hear... and I know I could never be a huge DJ, unless it was a room filled with people like me... and that's just scary ;)

pr0nstar :D
 
F

fleaflo

TRIBE Member
Ha! Ha! Sold out. Classic terminology for those who aren't good enough to make it and don't have the drive to make it happen.
 
A

AshG

Member
Mostly its networking and socializing.

Its really not how good you are.
Its not even who you know.
Its who knows you.

That said, once you get some bookings, to establish a reputation that brings a crowd, you have to actually dj well.
Djing "well" means many different things to different parties and people.
 
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