Dj Practice

[Gazoo]

Word up,

I recently arrived in Japan, approximately 3 weeks ago. I'm finally getting all my practical details sorted and with that behind me, I'm tingling to continue working on what I'd classify as my alternative skill-set. Specifically being a DJ. I'm well aware that in the entertainment industry, the best way to get ahead is to network which I am working hard at. However, even though the internet and indirect approaches rarely work out to anything concrete, it's an option one should not totally ignore so here I go.

My goal is to maintain the skills I have so far obtained as a DJ - not that I'd rate them as super professional by any measure. I've been doing it on and off for about 5 years and have played a few venues in Denmark, but mostly non-profit stuff. As I already mentioned, it's my alternative skill set - so I engage in it mostly out of the joy I get for both playing and playing for others. There's nothing quite like getting a kick out of dropping the exact right beat for the right crowd at the right time. Point being - it's not really an activity I engage in for profit, but make no mistake - I do take it very seriously.

Anyway - I was wondering if someone has a good idea for where to get a foot in just to play casually or perhaps some places just looking for non-profit talent? Heck - I'd even pay a bit to rent some decks and fool around with.

I should probably note that it's not my intent to undercut current hard working dj's. I'm not really interested in doing a 4-8 hour set and walk away with nothing more than a smile on my face, but I used to play at a couple of non-profit cafe's in Denmark which had occasional dj nights...

Any thoughts?

Gazoo.

[YokohamaTommy]

Greetings Dude!
Good so see a fellow enthusiast.
For me it's a hobby and the occasional friends party, but as I also will be in Japan soon, I figured why not try to make some extra money?
Here's the obstacles (as I see them so far.)

Many of the DJ's in Japan, (at least in the major cities) are often genuinely phenomenal. (IMHO)
I won't even pretend to fool myself that I have anywhere close to the skills as most of these dudes have.
The sound you bring as a foreigner seems to be a good edge, but how do you get in the door without knowing anyone?
Good question, and I unfortunately don't know.

As for me, I'll be having fun at my Brother-in-law's bar.
I would not see it as a way to make any sort of decent living though.
My take on it is, just have fun, work on your hobby, (because that's really what it is)
improve your sound and skill, and if an opportunity comes, just go with it.

Hopefully someone with experience in this area who lives in Japan can offer better advice.
Good luck!

[TheAtomicFunk]

Is their a DJ equivalent to an "open-mic" nite at bars? I was able to network myself into 2 pretty decent local bands that way (While in the US).

[HarryHurry]

My goal is to maintain the skills I have so far obtained as a DJ

They're not skills. Putting on records is not a skill. I know coz I can do that and I'm not skilled.

Making music, however, is skilled. I know coz I can do that and spent most of my life learning the SKILL. But making music (real music, I mean) is not putting on records. And round and round we go....

[shonanfred]

Maybe offer to freestyle rap between sets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHpw6CzprNY
That's what I do.
Fred

[YokohamaTommy]

They're not skills. Putting on records is not a skill. I know coz I can do that and I'm not skilled.

Making music, however, is skilled. I know coz I can do that and spent most of my life learning the SKILL. But making music (real music, I mean) is not putting on records. And round and round we go....

C,mon dude. Let's be nice, like I know you are.
"D.J." does not mean what it meant 30 years ago. DJ's don't just "play records," that's not what we are there for. (If we are even lucky enough to get a gig.) Today's clients expect you to make music. Sure, anyone can place a record on a turntable.
But when's the last time you saw someone only do that?

[shonanfred]

C,mon dude. Let's be nice, like I know you are.
"D.J." does not mean what it meant 30 years ago. DJ's don't just "play records," that's not what we are there for. (If we are even lucky enough to get a gig.) Today's clients expect you to make music. Sure, anyone can place a record on a turntable.
But when's the last time you saw someone only do that?

In Harry's defense, the OP did start this thread with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZjAantupsA
Now excuse me while I dance around the room in a codpiece.
Fred

[HarryHurry]

C,mon dude. Let's be nice, like I know you are.
"D.J." does not mean what it meant 30 years ago. DJ's don't just "play records," that's not what we are there for. (If we are even lucky enough to get a gig.) Today's clients expect you to make music. Sure, anyone can place a record on a turntable.
But when's the last time you saw someone only do that?

Not convinced:

1. Yes, I'm very, very nice.
2. DJ should mean what it meant 30 years ago, and even then most DJs were a pain in the aass interruption to THE MUSIC
3. DJ should be there to just play records. Let the music speak for itself. DJ interference is rarely an improvement.
4. I'd dream about a DJ only putting on a record, then shutting the f&ck up.

[HarryHurry]

Word up,

Any thoughts?

Yeah, what a daft way to intro a thread. 'Word up'?? WTF??

I know you're a kool DJ and all that, but can't you just speak right? A simple Dear Sir or Madam or Hi or even Hey would be good.

[YokohamaTommy]

Yeah, what a daft way to intro a thread. 'Word up'?? WTF??

I know you're a kool DJ and all that, but can't you just speak right? A simple Dear Sir or Madam or Hi or even Hey would be good.

You sir, are phunky phresh in ephect.
(annoying, ain't it?)

LOL

[HarryHurry]

You sir, are phunky phresh in ephect.
(annoying, ain't it?)

No, I would be proud to be...that...

[Effected After]

They're not skills. Putting on records is not a skill. I know coz I can do that and I'm not skilled.

Making music, however, is skilled. I know coz I can do that and spent most of my life learning the SKILL. But making music (real music, I mean) is not putting on records. And round and round we go....

I've been a DJ of the 'putting on records' variety. I did it for three years back home. I was doing weddings and stuff. Easy as hell. I've also made music - I've played guitar for over half my life now. But that all being said, I don't have anything near the skillset to do what real DJs do, mixing tracks to make new music. It's very difficult, and if you don't think so, you've obviously never tried.

My point being that you are only showing your stupidity with these comments. Which is pretty much the same with everyone of your comments, so its not like I'm surprised.

[HarryHurry]

I've been a DJ of the 'putting on records' variety. I did it for three years back home. I was doing weddings and stuff. Easy as hell. I've also made music - I've played guitar for over half my life now. But that all being said, I don't have anything near the skillset to do what real DJs do, mixing tracks to make new music. It's very difficult, and if you don't think so, you've obviously never tried.

My point being that you are only showing your stupidity with these comments. Which is pretty much the same with everyone of your comments, so its not like I'm surprised.

I don't think you like me....

[Effected After]

I don't know you. I only know your comments on the site here, and they are generally ignorant. You may be a perfectly fine bloke in real life. So it's not that I don't like you, I just don't like what you say.

[Trichophyton-in-my-pants]

Sure, anyone can place a record on a turntable.
But when's the last time you saw someone only do that?

Last night, and every night before that. Err... while out.

Newsflash: Nobody gives a crap about your mixes. Unless they are phenomenal.

[HarryHurry]

Thanks KG. Your support in my time of need sustains me....

[Effected After]

Well, personally, I'd say your comment here is pretty ignorant, so what's the difference between you on your very shaky high ground and Harry?

Mainly the fact that I am awesome, and he's a moron. But other than that, not much.

Harry posts a few duds, but also gives a laugh now and again, whereas you are a bit of a misery when all's said and done.

I'm 'a bit of a misery' because I call people on their stupidity. I can live with that. I can honestly say though, that I've never had a laugh from Harry's posts. If you have, all the power to you. But I generally find your posts to be as moronic as his.

Edit: I may be mistaken on you actually - I was thinking of keeptrying.

[Jerimiah Beam]

So it's not that I don't like you, I just don't like what you say.

He's not a jerk, he just sounds like one?
He's not an idiot, he just comes off that way?

Well I think that's what we say to little kids... you know, 'you're not bad, you just did a bad thing'. But when we say it to grown-ups, it's sounds rather condescending. Or overly PC or something.

I think the a.ssholes on this site tend to be a.ssholes in real life. Let's call a spade a spade!

[Effected After]

He's not a jerk, he just sounds like one?
He's not an idiot, he just comes off that way?

Well I think that's what we say to little kids... you know, 'you're not bad, you just did a bad thing'. But when we say it to grown-ups, it's sounds rather condescending. Or overly PC or something.

Hate the sin, not the sinner. I'm perfectly willing to accept that he may be a good guy - I've never met him, so I really have no clue. I've been on other forums, where I've met people in real life, and found them to be very different from their online personality. Some were morons on the site and really cool guys in real life, and some were cool on the site - and morons in real life. It's impossible to tell without meeting them.

I think the a.ssholes on this site tend to be a.ssholes in real life. Let's call a spade a spade!

That may be true, but without meeting the person, there is no way of knowing.

[TheAtomicFunk]

Hate the sin, not the sinner. I'm perfectly willing to accept that he may be a good guy - I've never met him, so I really have no clue. I've been on other forums, where I've met people in real life, and found them to be very different from their online personality. Some were morons on the site and really cool guys in real life, and some were cool on the site - and morons in real life. It's impossible to tell without meeting them.

That may be true, but without meeting the person, there is no way of knowing.

Without meeting the person, what you know is all you have to go on. And based on all I know of HH is that he is a belligerent, pantywaist tool that loves to make himself the center of attention through thread derailment.

He may be a smashing dandy of a chap in real-life. If that's the case then he must have some serious transference issues that should be addressed by a therapist.

Me I think he's simply the jerk that he is here in real life as well. But of course rather more subdued and suppressed, since we all know that some of the things he says as Mr Internet Tough Guy would get his face caved in out in the real world.

[YokohamaTommy]

Not convinced:

1. Yes, I'm very, very nice.
2. DJ should mean what it meant 30 years ago, and even then most DJs were a pain in the aass interruption to THE MUSIC
3. DJ should be there to just play records. Let the music speak for itself. DJ interference is rarely an improvement.
4. I'd dream about a DJ only putting on a record, then shutting the f&ck up.

.....

[HarryHurry]

Without meeting the person, what you know is all you have to go on. And based on all I know of HH is that he is a belligerent, pantywaist tool that loves to make himself the center of attention through thread derailment.

He may be a smashing dandy of a chap in real-life. If that's the case then he must have some serious transference issues that should be addressed by a therapist.

Me I think he's simply the jerk that he is here in real life as well. But of course rather more subdued and suppressed, since we all know that some of the things he says as Mr Internet Tough Guy would get his face caved in out in the real world.

You sound upset....

Would this help...?

[Gazoo]

Wow... I'm quite blown away by how quickly this thread went from constructive feedback to a lesser flamewar. Let me start off by saying thanks for the thoughs from all concerned, and yeah - the situation is as I expected - its stiff competition all around. I just came back from Womb and I'd agree, the people playing there are definitely in the upper-class of dj's. Impressive stuff...

I'm gonna have to chime in with the crowd to say HH - perhaps you should work on creating more constructive criticism instead of belittling peoples hobby/work and making completely irrelevant negative comments on how a post is started. Seriously HH, who the f*ck cares how the post starts? But I really should just ignore you. It'll work out better in the end.

Again - thanks for the feedback!

Much obliged!

[HarryHurry]

Wow... I'm quite blown away by how quickly this thread went from constructive feedback to a lesser flamewar. Let me start off by saying thanks for the thoughs from all concerned, and yeah - the situation is as I expected - its stiff competition all around. I just came back from Womb and I'd agree, the people playing there are definitely in the upper-class of dj's. Impressive stuff...

I'm gonna have to chime in with the crowd to say HH - perhaps you should work on creating more constructive criticism instead of belittling peoples hobby/work and making completely irrelevant negative comments on how a post is started. Seriously HH, who the f*ck cares how the post starts? But I really should just ignore you. It'll work out better in the end.

Again - thanks for the feedback!

Much obliged!

Word up

Just giving my opinion. I think I'm allowed to. As you're allowed to disagree.

Sorry, gotta go and put on a record (I mean DJ...)

[Jerimiah Beam]

Hate the sin, not the sinner. I'm perfectly willing to accept that he may be a good guy - I've never met him, so I really have no clue. I've been on other forums, where I've met people in real life, and found them to be very different from their online personality. Some were morons on the site and really cool guys in real life, and some were cool on the site - and morons in real life. It's impossible to tell without meeting them.

Hate is a strong word. I don't hate him or what he says on this forum. But I do think he's an as.shole. Just like I think Tokodon//howdoyoupronouncememe//hisa is an as.shole. The reason I think so is because they act like as.sholes on this forum, they know they're acting like as.sholes, and they enjoy it, they love the attention it gets them. So you see, I'm pretty sure that one is an as.shole in real life, and I know for a fact that the other one is.

Gazoo, I offer my most sincere apologies for discussing such negativity in your thread. I wish you the best of luck as a DJ.

[Effected After]

Hate the sin not the sinner is saying. I don't care enough about what they are saying to actually hate it, but it sounds better than 'mildly dislike the sin not the sinner'

[SidSnott]

You sound upset....

Would this help...?

LOL...very droll.

[shonanfred]

LOL...very droll.

The word "droll" just isn't used enough these days.
Fred

[AshVanguard]

i was hoping I could find some good advice here, I have been a DJ for 10 years and have played many many big clubs round europe and Singapore, but am at a loss for where to start here, none of the big clubs reply to emails (the way i am used to getting gigs apart from word of mouth) I have played at a few bars/small clubs alreayd but stil havent been paid. I was getting say 400 euro for 90mins back in holland and dont expect that much here but at least a bit. If anyone has any real advice i'd be happy to hear it.

[Gazoo]

It's been a while - Anyway I never got to say "no need for the apology" Jerimiah. It happens quite often. Have someone waltz into a thread and walk over others ideals with words and it's bound to kick up some dust.

And yes HH - you're completely entitled to your opinion - perhaps less so to your snide remarks. But take comfort, I can clearly recognize spiteful wit when I see it - so at least you're skilled at something

As for my suggestions after being here for 6 months AshVanguard - well... First of all - I must admit, I'm surprised you book gigs by mailing clubs. Not that I have any experience in that area - I would just expect it to work as poorly as it does with most other professions. As in - not great. So I'd love to hear if you've actually booked a lot of gigs in other countries using mail...

My impression is that Tokyo is unfortunately a bit of a hype-zone. Pick up a flyer from any "up and coming" dj, and you'll see a carefully constructed tale of unarguable points such as "busiest dj in town", or "he/she has done it all" or "his/her hunger for success is getting him/her straight to the top". All kinds of PR speak that, in general, is just empty fluff. I suggest two things:

1. First and foremost... Make connections. If I wasn't leaving in about 3 weeks, I'd be more than glad to meet up and introduce you around. I might be coming back next year, but that's still iffy at this point. But get out there. Go to clubs/bars/events and chat people up. You'll find that a number of people are in the entertainment biz as a promoters or dj's or something else, and while that makes the whole industry much more overcrowded than usual, it also makes it kind of easier to get into. Partially because finding other likeminded people is quite easy, but also because the emphasis on artistry is a bit off. I could get much deeper into this, but I got better things to do

2. Try to discover newly opened places. Established clubs and bars usually have a fixed rotation of artists. Getting in either requires knowing someone who has a foot in the door, or being so "famous" that the door will open for you. Find a less known place and chances are, the owners are eager to get new talent in to set up events. This will require more work on your part, since you'll be part-time organiser, but it is a way to get in and again - make new connections...

Good luck!

[wernst]

Ashvanguard: promoters and event organizers hardly reply to emails, it sucks, tried it myself and had no luck. They are either not interested or arrogant. Next thing I will do is go to them in person, but like gazzoo said, better to have someone introduce you.

[Booker]

for the love of god, one of you has to have serato scratch live........

can i borrow the box...???

i'll pay you.

[AshVanguard]

thanks for your help, in Europe (Holland, Belgium, England) its not just email but once you know someone you email them and make bookings etc. I agree the face to face thing is useful but in order for it to work i think i has to be done on a grand scale (talk to LOTS of promoters) the problem with that lies with the fact you have to pay to get into all these clubs in the first place as as suchy that makes it very expensive. Also i don't like in tokyo but im only 80m away. thanks for the info anyway
peace