Music selection for a mix sent to promoters

One thing I noticed here recently is that everybody is talking about hour long or more mixes for promoters to listen to. I am pretty confident in stating that no promoter is gonna listen to an hour long tape. They simply get too many tapes and have WAY too little time (someone correct me if this is wrong). For bands I have made (live) recordings, mixed down their 4-5 best songs into one 3-4 minute compilation to send to venue owners and promoters. If they are lucky they will listen to half of it before deciding yes or no. The bands originally wanted to send a complete album to a promoter. What happens then? They will skip listen to a few seconds of every song. Rather have one good mix they might listen to continuously for 2 minutes.

I would say, perhaps per genre, but that is your choice, to prepare some tracks by cutting out about 70% so they are maybe intro, verse, chorus, outro and then mix into the next one. If you want to show off scratching, do so early in the mix. Try to keep your mix to a few minutes with as “many” tracks as you can fit in (based on the cutting and slicing you have done). A promoter is interested in your general musical selection, so the more tracks you can present in a short time the better the idea he gets. Furthermore they will probably have a good listen to your technique (are you a beatmatcher, are you an fx user, do you talk). And finally, by preparing that way and presenting a promoter with a 4-minute demo, you are really saying “hey, I respect and value your time”, which will be greatly appreciated.

Have a nice (also short) text to go with your demo. Something along the lines of presenting a short demo to show your musical direction and technical skill and then a link to a full length mix on soundcloud or something.

Just my two cents.

Greetinx,
C.

I would do one per genre. I like the mini + full mix idea. Make you track markers go to the beginning of the mix, so that even if the skip the (rest of the) track, they still get to hear your mix before the next track.

Greetinx,
C.

I wrote an article on this you might find helpful:

http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/05/how-to-succeed-at-djing-demo-mixtape-press-kit/

I’ll agree many promoters aren’t going to listen to a whole demo. Many will listen to the first few blends to make sure you can technically mix, then shuffle through the rest of the disc or file to see what you’re playing.

I personally think you should make your demo sound like your style, BUT also custom-make it to fit that promoter’s NEED. So if you know he needs opening DJs for his bigger headliners, then don’t hand him a demo full of prime time bangers. If you want to make that kind of a mix, make it for your fans…but handing a promoter that will only show you don’t know how to open.

Also bear in mind now that many promoters are going to think less about your “talent” or “skill” and look more into your POPULARITY. Too many will take in a mediocre DJ if he/she will bring people out, even as an opener.

http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/03/how-to-succeed-at-djing-part-2-play-the-popularity-game/

It’s not to say you’re hopeless if you have no following, but this also speaks volumes as to why you should custom-make the demo to that promoter. Also be sure to visit his/her night on a regular basis. Get to know the night, the regulars, and especially the sound. You pumping a mix that doesn’t fit their vibe won’t help you no matter how good it sounds.

http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/04/how-to-succeed-at-djing-part-3-get-involved-in-your-scene/