I’d say that ours is a passion indeed. Sure nice to make money doing what you love, but even then I think the passion is more important.
So, don’t toss your old shoes yet, keep doing those gigs that make you money and get you out there and in touch with the active scene. Meanwhile it seems you are already setting new goals for yourself. Don’t think the t-shirt is gonna make the difference. Changing aliases is tricky but an option.
It’s always a question whether people are coming to see you specifically or come expecting a certain genre night. In the last case (most often too), it really doesn’t matter what alias or t-shirt. If they expect hardstyle and you come and play minimal techno (under your own or another alias) they won’t be happy. And if you play at a minimal techno night and start doing hardstyle you’ll have them confused too.
I can only see it being a problem if you are the only DJ on the ticket and people come to see you and it’s not clear what the genre for the night will be.
Personally I wouldn’t worry about alias and t-shirt too much at this point as far as your minimal techno goes. Wearing another t-shirt could be a wise move, but only to break the association. As your new direction takes off, you can always decide to create a new image (which I think will encompass a lot more than just a new T, but that’s just me).
Wish you luck with your process. Be sure to enjoy the journey, listen to your heart and follow your dreams, you’ll be ok!
Greetinx.
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