Alex Moschopoulos
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Alex Moschopoulos
ParticipantHere’s an 80s classic that many Americans really don’t know of…
Title: The Sun Always Shines On TV
Artist: A-ha
Label: Warner Bros.Genre(s): Pop, New Wave
Year released: 1985If you ask most Americans who have any viewpoint of 80s music, they’ll only think of “Take On Me” when the band A-ha comes up. I’ll even be honest, I never even heard The Sun Always Shines On TV until a few years ago…which speaks of how bad Top-40 radio has been in the USA for generations.
My first experience with The Sun Always Shines On TV was when my wife would stream radio stations from her native Slovakia. I was marveled by the tune for its raw power and depth. I think it just has a lot of what I like about trance in it.
ParticipantOk, let me toss in my insight…
1. I have no idea, or desire to learn, how to use CDJ’s
I don’t think there is anything wrong with not wanting to use CDJs, but I’d tell you that you should be able to use them if the need arises. I like that you’re seemingly more into life performance with Ableton, but in Chicago you’ll be limited as to what you can do. It’s tough to play an Ableton set in venues where you’ll get trixies begging you to take their requests.
Also, are you doing more with Ableton than just playing tunes? If you’re only doing straight DJing with it, then you won’t impress many people. Make sure to craft a performance that will get you noticed. You could move into the smaller underground realm of things.
2. I have no friends, Like literally none, not one.
Well, you’re new in town. Chicago has a decent nightlife with plenty of small things happening you could work your way into, and of course the bigger event venues where the bigger names roll though.
Unfortunately, you’re going to hit the issue of “How many heads can you bring out?” and thus be limited. The scene here is a bit divided. You have the big clubs with bigger names or notable promoters, then you have some small underground pockets, and then loads of trendy bars or hipster bars.
Why don’t you check out Porn N Chicken on Mondays? Join their social media and get to know the people. Toss up your sets as you make them. You never know, they might toss you a bone. The Trap House at the Mid is another growing thing that came out of some local guys.
Are you producing on Ableton? Remixing? Make that known and other DJs might take interest.
3. I work 3rd shift 🙁
That could pose some problems…but again, see what’s happening on weeknights and work your way in.
Good luck!
Participant…but for some reason I can’t just go to a club for the sake of going to a club. If I’m not djing, I get bored and fed up. Anyone else ever felt like that?
I’ve felt that way, which led me to not going out to clubs unless I was playing.
I found that actually hurt me, and I ended up posting an article on here addressing that mistake.
https://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/04/how-to-succeed-at-djing-part-3-get-involved-in-your-scene/
Like it or not, unless you’re pulling loads of people (and can use it as a selling point), many promoters won’t care about you if you’re not showing any real care about their efforts. The DJ who hangs out regularly at events is more likely to land a spot versus the guy who just shows up once with a demo…and never again.
Now…if you still would rather not go out if you aren’t playing, then focus on other endeavors that might help build you a fan following.
ParticipantWhen playing live…take a walk around. I’m not talking if you’re just doing a 30-60 min set, but if you’re playing a longer period. Put something on, EQ it to where you think it should be, get another tune ready, then take a quick walk around the dancefloor.
This is so you hear things as the crowd does, and you might end up adjusting when you’re back in the booth.
Beyond that, I use my EQs to keep things smooth. Like deathy mentioned, I use them also like crossfaders.
I also think clarity is crucial. Pounding the bass might sound fun, but it’s amateurish.
ParticipantThis sounds like a weekend question article…hint hint.
ParticipantGerdB, I actually went and picked up that Spen and Typheni tune. Nice share.
Ulysses, I’d love to see if you play any of that cool stuff you post anywhere…because it would be a refresher from the garbage the radio focuses on. You in Europe? US? Somewhere else?
ParticipantI think I posted another remix of this before, but this one caught me recently and I had to buy it.
Title: Do You Feel Me (Longplay Mix)
Artist: NY’s Finest
Label: Bass Line Records
Genre(s): Deep House, Soulful HouseJust like the artist name, this tune has “NYC” smeared all over it. Just that vibe…it’s hard to explain.
ParticipantHere’s what I have for this week:
Title: Precious (Jeremy Juno Remix)
Artist: AM2PM
Label: Purple Music
Genre(s): Deep House with a tech twistJust something about the dark minimalism of this tune that works so well with the vocals…thus allowing it to not become bland.
ParticipantAnd one for Ulysses…a cut from KMD when he was into his “Black Power”/Public Enemy vibe. I still loved it.
(told you all I’d be all over the place today)
Title: Rise ‘N’ Shine
Artist: Kool Moe Dee ft KRS One & Chuck D
Label: Jive/RCA RecordsGenre(s): Rap
Year released: 1991I remember catching this one on the music video channels back in the day, and while I was a total househead, about to start DJing, I ended up buying this tune first on cassette, then later on vinyl. It definitely felt like KMD was trying to imitate the Public Enemy vibe, but it was a good tune, and I think of it when I think of rap music back in those days when gangsta rap was starting to grow.
ParticipantHere’s one buzzing in my head this week:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xStXWgliOgY
Title: Generate Power (Wild Pitch Remix)
Artist: Photon, Inc.
Label: Strictly RhythmGenre(s): House, Deep, NYC
Year released: 1991Funny how this was released in 1991, when so many DJs really didn’t catch on until 1994. I look at this tune as one of the big anthems of that mid-90s time when NYC ruled the house sound, and Strictly Rhythm put out most of the anthems of the time. While Photon, Inc. was really an alias for acid pioneer DJ Pierre, “Generate Power” just proves he can go way beyond tweaky 303 masterpieces.
The Wild Pitch Mix was a b-side dub that at least in Chicago saw most of the love over the original version. It’s a timeless tune to this day.
ParticipantGerdB…I’ve been astounded at how many Jellybean tunes I’ve only now noticed in my life. I remember in the 80s they played “Who Found Who” a lot, but never knew how much more he did.
Ulysses Wolfgang, that cover of “Finally” is insane. Did they post that version for sale or anything?
Randy, that one just makes me think of the exposure I’ve had to groups like Country Joe & the Fish. The 60s must have been a wild ride in how much music evolved and changed in those ten years.
ParticipantHere’s a little help Randy. Post a clip or something so we can all hear. 🙂
ParticipantI’m going to be all over the place today, but this one is for Graham Scott. One of my all-time faves from the trance/hardbag explosion of 15-17 years ago:
Title: Time to Burn
Artist: Storm
Label: Zeitgeist / Data RecordsGenre(s): Trance, Hard Trance, Techno, Hardbag
Year released: 2000I remember long ago when I acquired some CD of “music of Ibiza”, and included was a data CD with bonuses, one of which was a montage of performances at what looked like Creamfields with the usual suspects like Pete Tong, Carl Cox, Sonique, and others…but it was all with this tune as the soundtrack. I just remembered running out to seek the tune and playing it like crazy when I picked up a vinyl.
Wildly enough, Storm is a German duo of Markus Löffel and Rolf Ellmer. They have also been known as Dance 2 Trance, Tokyo Ghetto Pussy, and most famously Jam & Spoon. In many ways the two have been noted as the “fathers of trance music” with their famous cut “Stella” (as Jam & Spoon), so it’s wild they bounced around different sounds under different names.
ParticipantUlysses, variety is the spice of life. As Gerd mentioned, it allows us all to see into others’ tastes and scenes. Very interesting stuff you posted.
Gerd, your picks are smooth…as always.
ParticipantOne more for today…but it’s trance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fPhpF11A1E
Title: Homesick
Artist: Ben Nicky
Label: Vandit
Genre(s): TranceIt’s what I like. Hard rhythms, rolling basslines, and uplifting synths. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of this sound.
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