Tweet
So .. anyway, this thread is meant to be my opinion on getting your stuff heard. Being on mercurypromote is a pretty good start. 
I don't have any particularly special qualifications to be passing an opinion, but I do love my music. I run a show on Proton featuring other people's talent (I don't DJ) and also run the audio section of Australia's largest EDM website, and we're hosting the [mp] winner sets. I've come through the rave scene in the early 90's but also industrial parties, then into the golden years of trance clubs, then across into progressive where I've been for a number of years. These days I'm a techier focussed prog head. Close enough.
My personal opinion is that the market has a very high DJ-to-punter ratio, and sometimes it's not the best technical DJ that keeps popping up. It really becomes about exploiting as many outlets you've got for some attention. It's not good enough to mix a CD at home, mail them off and wait for gigs to happen. But you know that.
So to cover the next bit, if you're a DJ trying to get noticed I think you should be asking yourself:
* when I present my promos - do they look like they're professional? What's going to help the promoter to remember when he's got 50 of 'em? Tracklist? Track markers? Did you write the label on with a marker, or are you presenting a whole package?
* when I rock up at a gig I'd like to be playing - am I presenting myself appropriately? Nobody likes someone who comes off like they know everything. Obviously bad form to be rubbing your nose and dribbling to the promoter. 'nuff said.
* how does my mix sound? Did you bother checking your set? It's a musical resume - and should be treated like one. It's cool to ask for help from someone who knows more. It's win-win and much of the time people won't mind in the slightest showing you a couple of tricks. Having an external opinion on sound quality on different musical equipment (computer speakers/car/walkman/hi-fi) doesn't hurt one bit.
* have I been trying to flog it for free? Personal mix hosting sites are good. Respected as 'known-good' sites like [ms] and Proton are much better. Web prescence is nice, but can be complicated depending on your location. On top of that you have to have a growing following to justify the cost and time. Focus on local websites and listen to what they're asking for. Doesn't mean you have to sound like Oakenfold, but you are playing to the crowd at this stage. You're not Digweed, and you often can't get away with it. Yet.
* is my set going to sound like everybody elses? I can't think of any DJ that hasn't used the internet for a track and played it at somepoint. Everything's out there, so if you're going to play downloaded tracks don't choose it by other people's tracklists so much. There's plenty of stuff out there so develop your own style - not someone else's.
I've seen plenty of examples of people sending and handing out promos that are just crap; and generally I take more notice of someone who's made even a slight effort. I'm sure I'm not alone there.
Feel free to add your own and flame me where appropriate.
I don't have any particularly special qualifications to be passing an opinion, but I do love my music. I run a show on Proton featuring other people's talent (I don't DJ) and also run the audio section of Australia's largest EDM website, and we're hosting the [mp] winner sets. I've come through the rave scene in the early 90's but also industrial parties, then into the golden years of trance clubs, then across into progressive where I've been for a number of years. These days I'm a techier focussed prog head. Close enough.
My personal opinion is that the market has a very high DJ-to-punter ratio, and sometimes it's not the best technical DJ that keeps popping up. It really becomes about exploiting as many outlets you've got for some attention. It's not good enough to mix a CD at home, mail them off and wait for gigs to happen. But you know that.
So to cover the next bit, if you're a DJ trying to get noticed I think you should be asking yourself:
* when I present my promos - do they look like they're professional? What's going to help the promoter to remember when he's got 50 of 'em? Tracklist? Track markers? Did you write the label on with a marker, or are you presenting a whole package?
* when I rock up at a gig I'd like to be playing - am I presenting myself appropriately? Nobody likes someone who comes off like they know everything. Obviously bad form to be rubbing your nose and dribbling to the promoter. 'nuff said.
* how does my mix sound? Did you bother checking your set? It's a musical resume - and should be treated like one. It's cool to ask for help from someone who knows more. It's win-win and much of the time people won't mind in the slightest showing you a couple of tricks. Having an external opinion on sound quality on different musical equipment (computer speakers/car/walkman/hi-fi) doesn't hurt one bit.
* have I been trying to flog it for free? Personal mix hosting sites are good. Respected as 'known-good' sites like [ms] and Proton are much better. Web prescence is nice, but can be complicated depending on your location. On top of that you have to have a growing following to justify the cost and time. Focus on local websites and listen to what they're asking for. Doesn't mean you have to sound like Oakenfold, but you are playing to the crowd at this stage. You're not Digweed, and you often can't get away with it. Yet.
* is my set going to sound like everybody elses? I can't think of any DJ that hasn't used the internet for a track and played it at somepoint. Everything's out there, so if you're going to play downloaded tracks don't choose it by other people's tracklists so much. There's plenty of stuff out there so develop your own style - not someone else's.
I've seen plenty of examples of people sending and handing out promos that are just crap; and generally I take more notice of someone who's made even a slight effort. I'm sure I'm not alone there.
Feel free to add your own and flame me where appropriate.
:wink: 
Comment