Underground Music – DJ Gigs – Catch 22?

Made In Machines, post: 38695, member: 2335 wrote: The only option I can see is making a name producing if you manage to get signed and then hopefully you’ll be in demand from the nights you love and respect and also where your style of music will be appreciated. Of course I love producing and am always working on it but haven’t managed to get signed as of yet. I want to play out the music I love more than anything in the world really but I just can’t seem to catch a break.

Any thoughts or Ideas?

You have hit the problem I’ve hit in my past. I tried producing a few times, but found I didn’t have a passion for it. I sat there with Ableton Live in front of me and only seemed to think in terms of “I need to do this so I can get the kinds of DJ gigs I want”.

Not good…and it’s why I stopped. I didn’t want to bastardize the music I love because I wanted DJ gigs. For me, I pulled back into a hobbyist/blogger mode. However I was in my mid-to-late 30s, so it was ideal. I can’t fathom a younger guy in his late teens or early 20s doing this.

First off…are you aged 21 and up? If not, then you’ll be limited. Many places won’t allow underage DJs to come in.

Second…have you tried the underground promoters? Or are you simply giving up and assuming it’ll be impossible? Are your sets mainly the “big night” stuff that the underground headliners play? Or can you slow it down/quiet it down into opening sets? Most underground promoters want local guys to be openers…not headliners.

Third…have you looked into joining them as a promoter? When I promoted, I had loads of guys handing me demo CDs, wanting to play, but they didn’t want to pass out flyers, share email lists, or do anything more than show up and play. Why would any promoter care then unless this guy is guaranteed to bring in a packed house?

You should see if those underground promoters need people to help advertise, run nights, do the logistics. You should also look to the rave scene and not just the clubs. Many neophytes got their start in the rave scene.

Fourth…are you looking only in “get in the booth and play”? What about podcasting, blogging, and other ways to grow in the industry? If you’re only out to get in the booth and have people scream for you, then you’ll never go anywhere…not unless you’re promoting events or producing music.

You can see why I backed off. At my age I didn’t want to work a second full-time job just to get that hour or two in the booth. When I was younger, it was easier.

suck out, grab local gigs, introduce the sheep at various times music you like, go back and play the top 40 bs, make a name, gather a following, play more underground stuff in your sets, more people will follow and say, after 5 to 10 years maybe you will have the force to name drop to a promoter. OR, do you time pounding pavement, handing out flyers, helping the promoter, network, build his scene and maybe he will in 3 or 4 years give you an opening, maybe sooner. but dont expect to get paid much, but expect many drunk infused drugged out patrons, and maybe, just maybe, you will able to headline a spot and Jesus pose. or just go back to the aforementioned and be a mobile guy, and transition to a wedding guy and make a livable income. gosh, i should be getting paid for this!