Alex Moschopoulos
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Alex Moschopoulos
ParticipantA little food for thought…
Just yesterday, I was at the venue where I’d played my second-ever DJ gig. I was there as a guest, not as a DJ.
It sounds like you’re still rough around the edges, a rookie. Plus you’re not the resident in that venue…was the other guy the resident? If so, then he’s going to have a leg up because it’s really his crowd.
Everybody I’d failed to impress in my gig was dancing like crazy when he played.
You don’t really know if you impressed or not. If you were the opening DJ, then your role is different than his. Your role is to get everyone comfy and into a groove so the next DJ can take it up to the level of insanity. If you didn’t send people out the door then you did a great job as an opener. Give yourself some credit. You might have merely set them up for the next guy to easily rile up into a frenzy.
I swear if it wasn’t for the awesome food, I’d have run out of there and gone home crying 🙁
I guess I’ll have to practice some more first.I think the only times I’ve ever felt “jealous” or what not was when I could tell the next guy or girl wasn’t that good, but they simply had the popularity. That they had the charisma to bring a crowd out and support them, even if they played horribly. I think the bad feelings inside me mostly were me feeling like that marketing was becoming more important than skill or what not.
HOWEVER, in many cases where I was “outdone”, I didn’t get jealous, but more looked for inspiration. I’d study what that DJ was doing compared to me, and if I was willing to do that. So if it was a DJ playing cheesy pop that crowds can easily embrace, then I’d decide it’s better for me to not be popular and instead be happy in my music selections. However, if it was more on technique, creative programming of known and unknown tunes, and even promotion tactics…I’d get inspired and tried to up my own game.
Jealousy will hinder you in anything in life. You only need to compete with yourself, and look to others to learn and be inspired from.
ParticipantOk, ran across another favorite and I’m posting it as a third:
Title: Daylite
Artist: Gypsymen
Label: E LegalYear released: 1992
Genre(s): HouseGypsymen was one of the many aliases of Todd Terry. Not sure if he did it for artistic reasons, or to circumvent record contracts and thus be all over the place. I first heard Daylite on a Bad Boy Bill Hot Mix tape and missed on getting the vinyl back in the day, but was excited to find it on Beatport.
It’s just a funky little number by the master himself.
ParticipantI have one more for you today. I’ll tell ANY DJ this…if you don’t have this tune in your collection, go buy it now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEL-dZRCxy8
Title: Energy Flash
Artist: Joey Beltram
Label: TransmatYear released: 1990
Genre(s): TechnoI’ll never forget the first time I heard Energy Flash. I was mesmerized, and ran out immediately to pay $11 for a copy of the vinyl, which was an import off R&S. Originally, the tune was released off Derrick May’s Transmat label. What’s funny is that in an interview with Beltram, his original intention was to make what he thought was “cook dark house”, but what ended up happening was that labels and publications saw it as part of the new dawn of rave techno coming over the scene in the early 90s. I can’t blame them…after all, by that time Transmat and anything out of Detroit was seen as “techno”.
Regardless of what you call it, Energy Flash is a truly timeless piece of music. You could pull it up, play it in a modern set, and it’ll fit right in…as well as make your crowd go nuts. I personally see this tune as my favorite piece of dance music for all time.
If you don’t have it…go get it now.
ParticipantI’ll continue d-M’s talk of Scooter with their big hit BEFORE they were Scooter…as Celebrate the Nun:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2yCHnU1S90
Title: Will You Be There
Artist: Celebrate the Nun
Label: Parlophone Records, EMI ElectrolaYear released: 1989
Genre(s): Synthpop, new waveBack when I started DJing, there was a small subculture of DJs pumping new wave and synthpop. It was “eurodance” before the actual term, but it was mainly those seeking the European sound over the urban sound of house. It also added variety to the musical landscape.
I first heard Will You Be There from a local DJ who specialized in that new wave/synthpop sound, and was happy later to land myself a 12″ of it. Funny enough it wasn’t until 2006 or so that I saw that video and recognized the members. Celebrate the Nun was the original music project containing the original Scooter members and fourth member Britt Maxime. They started in 1985 and kept going until 1992, when it seemed synthpop and new wave lost flavor with the times.
Story goes that the males of the group composed Hyper Hyper and wanted to dive more into energetic techno sounds, but Britt didn’t care for it and thus left the group…thus they renamed themselves Scooter. The rest is history.
June 18, 2015 at 11:26 pm in reply to: Promoting Parties or something… I'm not exactly sure… #2213051ParticipantOK…first, learn to make paragraphs. Believe me, it’ll help you in many facets of life.
Second, try searching the wonderful blog for loads of info – http://www.digitaldjtips.com/?s=promoting+event
I did a 6-part series a while back that could help you. Here’s part 1: http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/09/how-to-promote-events-throw-your-own-parties-part-1/
ParticipantSome great stuff here guys. Love the variety.
ParticipantI do…all the time. 🙂
ParticipantI’m not talking OS. Believe me, I usually never update Windows until the first Service Pack is released.
I’m talking about not updating your Serato or Traktor software for YEARS.
My colleague is using Serato from 2012, and is afraid to update. Seen stories like this elsewhere too. Just seems a bit…paranoid.
ParticipantMy pick for this week…something smooth for the summer:
Title: Waste My Time
Artist: Cafe 432 featuring Maecelle Duprey
Label: Soundstate RecordingsThis sounds more like a tune you’d hear in a hair salon or clothing store, but I love this kind of smooth house. It shows that everything doesn’t need to always be “loud and pounding” nor “boring and minimal”. It’s the ideal soundtrack for the sunshine and slowed time of summer.
ParticipantPosted…came into a busy morning here at the office.
I have a track I’ll add when I come back from lunch. 🙂
ParticipantThanks for the love everyone. 🙂
I’m thinking I’ll dive into 1994-1995 in the next Looking Back mix. All those old Strictly Rhythm anthems.
ParticipantSome great stuff this week. I add mine later today if the topic is still open.
ParticipantHere’s mine for this week:
Title: Keep On Lovin ( Main Vocal Mix )
Artist: Paolo Barbato featuring Kieth Thompson
Label: Ocean TraxJust a great summer tune for my ears. Pianos always win my heart.
ParticipantBob…I’m surprised how many old school tunes from my high school years are suddenly being remade, like how Target is pumping a new “Groove Is In The Heart”. Here’s when a comedy show made fun of the original.
Gerd…cool track, but hard to watch the video at work. Damn open plan office. 😉
ParticipantDidn’t notice it was an old topic. Oh well.
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