DJ's
As Promoters
by
Rob
Wegner
Sasha and Digweed
Photo Courtesy Steven Ratz, Jr.
September 2003
"People think my career
started when I sent that tape to Renaissance. I'd actually been
working hard for seven years before I got to that point. I was
putting on parties and booking DJ's around me to get my name
on the flyer. I knew I had to do it for myself. I knew no-one
was going to come knocking on my door. I knew it was up to me"
- John Digweed (in
How to DJ by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton)
How many of you learned how to
beat mix and/or scratch but can't seem to move beyond the bedroom?
Unless you plan on remaining a DJ hobbyist, you must be proactive
about your DJ career - and becoming a promoter may be the answer.
To begin, DJ jobs are highly
competitive. A club that's opening in my area recently received
close to 200 audition CD's from DJ's seeking a residency. As
this demonstrates, DJ positions are scarce. It may be easier
to create your own job.
I'm not talking about opening
your own nightclub just so that you can DJ. Instead, I'm talking
about throwing parties - where you and several friends are the
entertainment. As your parties grow in popularity, you may get
to the point that you can invite some of the more popular local
DJ's. This will give you an opportunity to network with established
DJ's that may return the favor.
Becoming a promoter will give
you leverage. You won't necessarily be perceived as competing
with DJ's for jobs. In fact, they will most likely see you
as a potential employer and treat you with greater respect than
other DJ's.
The downside is that promoters
take risks. From permits to advertising to equipment expenses
and event insurance, promoting involves a degree of business
savvy that may not be suitable for the artsy-fartsy DJ. Thus,
forming a team with other DJ's and/or promoters may alleviate
some of the organizational burden.
After some time, your events
may build a loyal following. The kind of following that a club
owner would love to own. The kind of following that makes a club
owner forget that he's got roughly 200 audition CD's sitting
in his desk.
Club of the Year
Disc Jockey 101 Nightclub of
the Year 2003 - Webster
Hall (New York City). "Built in 1886, designed by renowned
architect Charles Rentz, Webster Hall was described as the 'Jewel
of the Village' by Eugene O'Neil. It was where the original bohemians,
like Emma Goldman, Marcel DuChamp and Margaret Sangor, created
unique costume balls to benefit nascent social and political
causes." This led to the reputation of New York's Greenwich
Village. From Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra, the venue has a
tradition of featuring the world's biggest performers. Today,
the DJ's are the performers. Webster Hall features live DJ mixes
on Sirius Satellite Radio.
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