DJ Busking: Why you should…

Usually, I tell people I know that the girl/roommate is sick/ sleeping, and I still need to practice, so I figured I’d go outside and do it.

Also guys, during the winter, I’d definitely suggest finding a pair of gloves you can dj with. I have cold blisters on my hands, damn full-metal build 4trak.

DJ busking is, IMO, the best transition out of the bedroom. You’re playing in front of people, it assists greatly in reading different types of people/tastes in music (Outside I crowd read by the style of dance people are doing, i.e. if I see someone shuffling, afrojack is the next song, if I see crumping, I’ll toss on some 2 chainz or something next, if I see more standard club dances I’ll go for some shermanology, and to make the jump I’ll use congorock as a transition track, etc.)

Little kids are also amazing when DJ busking, for they are almost a guaranteed crowd builder. I’ll bring a milk-crate or something that could be used as a steps tool, and usually bring them over, put their hands under mine, and start scratching. Also, when I see them dancing I’ll hop out from behind the booth and start dancing with them, and that usually causes groups to stop in their tracks.

It’s a bit different from standard booth djing, and all about having a personality/ adding showmanship to your performance.

1) Since most cities have noise ordinances, I would recommend using chargable power sources as opposed to gas-powered. 2-3 Schumacher XP-2260 12V X-Line Portable [I][SIZE=12px]Power Unit[/SIZE][/I]will get the job done for about 4.5-6 hours (I’d really recommend 3, when your laptop needs to be charged it starts eating up a lot of juice. 2) The block rocker is chargable, and once it starts to get low on juice I just hook it up to the power supply and go from there. 3) It’s all about the noise ordinance relative to the city you are in. Some cities will require permits, DC has a gray area regarding this issue. I’ve been told both by cops, and am really starting to feel it’s up to the discretion of the cop. Research noise ordinances relative to your city, for the law is not universal in every area. 4) Use discretion on which areas you are setting up in. I would be very hesitant to set up in Anacostia in DC, or certain areas of Baltimore. If I am playing during club hours, I set up in a well-lit, high traffic area. During the day, I usually stick to the art/cultural districts of DC. 5) While I mainly play harder techno/rave music, I do adjust sets accordingly based on how well I believe they will do. Suggestion: Flo Rida has used Levels as a beat, as well as Bingo Player’s Cry(just a little). If I’m in the middle of a hard dance set and I feel I might want to transition to hip hop, I will usually go Organ Donors => Bingo Players (Out of My Mind/Don’t Stop the Party) => Steve Aoki/Kid Cudi Pursuit of Happiness => Flo Rida Cry => from there. When I am trying to transition into something more palatable to the masses, I utilize a lot of remixes that are similar in style to what I am playing, and then bring it into bullshit (Like Hangover, or the Whistle Song, etc.). 6) It’s all about the showmanship. I’ll run out from behind my booth and start dancing with people, I’ll scratch a little, remix/mashup a little, etc. Show people you aren’t a human ipod, and you should do lovely. I’ve always been fond of kids (Have 3 younger siblings that I’ve helped raise) so I’ll usually make a point to dance with kids, and even bring a milk-crate, invite them behind the decks with me, and put my hands over theirs and start scratching/put the headphones on them. Not only do people love this, you could be inspiring a little DJ without even knowing it =D. While that whole ”be yourself” advice is generic as shit and really doesn’t say much, just allow your personality to shine through in your djing out there, and give it a human feel. While a cop might initially come to shut me down, there has to have been at least once instance where I’ve humbled a cop and he’s turned the other cheek. -I wish you the best of luck in the endeavor.