Daryl Northrop

If you can organize any kind of DJ showcase event, even a small one, you will likely be flooded with other DJ’s and promoters who will want to know you. It’s a great way to make more connections in a less awkward kind of way.

I am certainly willing to come and do some shows in southern MD!

monica abreu, post: 38555, member: 4552 wrote:
Hey everyone so I’ve been djing for almost 8 months now and I think I am finally ready to start getting my name out there and start playing in public.

I want to start out kind of small like at parties, small store openings/events etc…I feel that starting smaller will get me used to playing live, get me more comfortable with myself, and i’ll build up from there I don’t want jump into anything and get myself into something I can’t handle yet until i’m ready, but I definitely plan on working hard and working my way up to bigger things! But I don’t really know how to approach on how to even getting a small gig. I am planning on posting an ad and i just made some business cards but I was wondering if since I’ve never played in public before, if I should offer to play for free so I can start getting my name out there?? And also any advice on what I should definitely put in in my ad? Thanks ^_^

Btw if anyone wants to listen heres the link to my mixes !

https://soundcloud.com/djhyyer

You are def on the right track by starting with parties and smaller venues. One thing that has worked for a lot of people has been to run their own parties when they are starting out. You likely know several other DJ’s who are getting started and are hungry for gigs – try to locate an arena where you can run an “open-decks” night. Word will spread like wildfire, and it will be a great way to make contacts in the DJ community.

DevilsCaretaker, post: 38334, member: 9081 wrote: Yeah man… I may do something like go to a half step rap track or break (64 bpm) then travel up to 70, then Trap for a few to smoothly transition genres and then drop some Dubstep. Just remember the songs are more important than the mix, so fade out and drop on the one if need be. They’ll interpret the fade as a change 9x outta 10 anyway.

YES TO INFINITY! This is one of my main principles that I try to mix by. A smooth/clever transition is great, but, I’d rather hear an entire night of simple transitions from one great track to another vs a night of super technically complex transitions from one dull/played-out song to another.

here’s mine!

https://www.facebook.com/DJDarylNorthropb

NietzSKY, post: 37972, member: 4553 wrote: Backseat DJs annoy the hell outta me. Hey Daryl, jus’ sayin’, you need to play more of that DJ Shadow AND mainstream bangers to really get the ladies moving on our dance floor!

AAAAAAAAGH! I’m going to be cutting edge and totally mainstream at the same time! because I’m DJ FUCKING BATMAN, THAT’S WHY!

D-Jam, post: 37559, member: 3 wrote: I can’t comment on the UK, but here in Chicago, this is what I see that adds to the decline:

1) Too many spaces that are all the same. Right now, if you want to hear mainstream music, get bottle service, and be around the typical melange of fake people and office folk out on the weekend, you have way too much choice. If you want a relaxed dress code, better music, and lower costs…then you’ll have an issue.

Every new space is cookie cutter. They hire some interior designer to make it all fancy, fill the staff with the club chicks that used to be all over town on the weekends, charge too much money for entry and drinks, and especially destroy the dance floor with booths. Not to mention the lack of diversity in music.

I’ll even add now how many non-club spots are adopting club thinking. My friend works at a Tilted Kilt, but on weekends they put on a DJ, light show, and try to get dancing happening. Um…it’s a breastaurant full of male customers. Hello? Dive bars and college bars are now putting in booths and offering bottle service. Everyone has gogo dancers. Where’s the diversity?

2) The Economy. People are unemployed, strapped for cash, etc. $20-$25 entry for unknown local DJs and $10 a drink is ridiculous.

3) Gender discrimination and racism. If you’re a slender pretty Caucasian girl, then the world is open to you. Doors open, covers are bypassed, and people hand you free drinks. It’s become so bad now that hot girls in packs now expect the free royalty treatment. That or they’re now all working for clubs.

On top of that, if you’re fat or thicker, then expect to wait outside. If you’re a man and not showing you have loads of money to spend, expect to wait outside. If you’re a minority…then expect some crap like a longer wait or other politics.

4) Festivals offer more. We’ve talked about it here on the forum. Many have chosen that $50-$100 ticket for a massive lineup of big names over the crap the clubs offer.

5) Plenty of booths, no dance floor.

6) The music is getting old. The Guetta/Harris sound is getting tired, but DJs are still stuck pumping crap because suits believe it makes money.

In all honesty, the only way clubs can fix all this is to simply abandon the Miami/Las Vegas bottle service glam thing. It’s tired and done. In the past we used to pay $10-$20 to get into a spot and dance for hours to good DJs playing good music. The clubs were not fashionable, but dark and dank…with a killer sound and light system. The new generation is sick of Jersey Shore wannabes all over and clubs acting like you’re worthless if you aren’t a trust fund baby or an aspiring model.

Let them die. It’s how new innovations are born. Let the era of bottle service glam corporate nightclubs die. Bring back the rave culture that ruled the scene.

^^^^NAILED IT^^^^^