I recently received an email from Paul L. from San Diego Ca which read:
“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to follow what I love and become a DJ. Do you have any advice you can offer an up and coming DJ?”
This is the question I get asked the most so I thought I would answer this in a blog.
Ten years ago if you would have asked me this question I would have given a more optimistic answer but since the economy is in dire straights, my answer may not be pleasing.
Choosing a career as a DJ is a turbulent one in the best of times. Now since both the economy and the music business are in server decline, a career as a DJ is even more daunting. Not say it can’t happen of course.
The first thing I would suggest is get a day job and work on your music on the side. DJ’ing is a very competitive business; ask the people who do it now. You are only as good as your last music production or your last set.
You should use the web as much as you can to promote yourself as a DJ. Find promoters of club events and email them a demo 30 min mp3 mix along with a digital bio. Include nice photos so promoters can put a face to the name.
If you are not producing your own music you will have an extremely hard time making it in the DJ biz. I started making songs before I was ever offered a DJ gig. I believe if I had never produced music, DJ’ing would have been an uphill battle. There are 1,000’s of DJ’s who don’t produce trying to get their foot in the door with club promoters and resident club DJ’s. Producing your own tracks will make you stand out from the crowd. If you produce good songs then the resident club DJ’s may recognize your name and even play your music. This is a great way to become established.
Make sure you get a nice looking website where people can go to view your bio and music productions (should you have any).
Hope that helps you get started.
Till next time
- Dave
Tags: Breakbeat, Breaks, Dance Music, dave london, DJ, DJ Dave London, filthy rich, house, mp3, yes mate recordings, yesmaterecordings.com