Adapting to your area's tastes?

[Erik Mitchell]

Okay so first off sorry if I should've posted this in the DJ section.

I feel that this topic is not really a technical issue or anything of that sort, but rather of an opinion.

Anyway, so I live in Denver and am working on getting more play time... yadda yadda what DJ isn't trying to get more gigs? However I do play a style that is how I like to describe techno / minimal with a progressive vibe. Maybe kind of similar to Dubfire or Steve Lawler. However, it seems there's not much of a techno scene here and more people tend to be drawn to house music in particular tech-house.

So to sum this all up, is it wise to adapt to your location's preference of music or should you just play what you think sounds good? Please don't flame me too much for asking this haha

[3ibb3]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

play what you are passionate about and if it's good people will come

[lilsensa]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

Be like a chameleon.

[godisadj]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

play what you are passionate about and if it's good people will come

+1

Your right about the Denver scene and the lack of minimal techno sound. If your desperate, start connecting with other DJ's that play your style in other states and find another scene.

If you haven't already done so, start a podcast, upload mixes on every site imaginable. Get your name noticed.

[Jenks]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

look, i hope i'm not rude here, i'm trying to be as helpful as possible with the following post because holy crap are you guys missing the boat here-

Anyway, so I live in Denver and am working on getting more play time... yadda yadda what DJ isn't trying to get more gigs? However I do play a style that is how I like to describe techno / minimal with a progressive vibe.

However, it seems there's not much of a techno scene here

you're high on crack dude. denver has a ridiculous minimal scene. UDDERMADDNESS parties!!!!

go out more imo, you're completely missing the boat on a wicked scene there. i'm floored by the comments in this thread.

Your right about the Denver scene and the lack of minimal techno sound.

either you guys are not going to the right parties, or you don't know what minimal techno is (which i guess is more the case since you mentioned dubfire and steve fking lawler and mnml in the same post, get a grip on mnml imo), denver is seriously on the techno/mnml map. i only travel there a few times a year and i know this.

FFS, Cassey and Konrad Black are there for Uddermaddness saturday night!!!!! GO OUT!!!

[tiddles]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

[Garrick]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

not to mention that the comment about exploring outside of your area isn't a bad idea as well. this forum is a great place to start meeting people and collaborating. look how quick jenks hooked you up with something. and it's in your area. tomorrow. suggest you get some proper rest tonight, young man.

as for dj'ing, play the type of music you like or you won't enjoy yourself anymore. or you could be like tiesto who i'm sure started off playing minimal and he changed to trance because he saw more people liked it

[Huggie Smiles]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

I move to Detroit or Berlin would appear to be a good strategy.
It worked for Ritchie.

[Steve Graham]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

IMO, its always good for a dj to be versatile in be able to adapt to the crowd he/she is playing in front of.. having said that, you never want to completely change your style or compromise your artistic integrity just to get gigs

[lilsensa]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

^^Like I said, be like a chameleon.

[Erik Mitchell]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

IMO, its always good for a dj to be versatile in be able to adapt to the crowd he/she is playing in front of.. having said that, you never want to completely change your style or compromise your artistic integrity just to get gigs

This is what I was thinking in a way. I'm not looking to completely transform the music I play, however I am trying to think of a way to grab some "house-heads" attention.

As for that Udder Madness party I already knew of it and will be there, James Zabiela will be rocking the main floor that night as well!

Udder is basically all we have going for a minimal scene which is like once a month type of deal. As for other styles of music (house + dubsteps big here + fluffy trance or electro) there's something going on every weekend Thurs Fri Sat.

Maybe organizing my own event may be the way to go... (Could use some tips on that)

Jenks, what would you call Lawler / Dubfire stuff? I know it's not minimal like M_nus but you can't call it prog house anymore can you? I'm so horrible at genres these days

[kassios]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

Be your self ......Where i live is mostly mainstream ....although lately it's been evolving ......but i still stick with the sounds i like and thus in 10 years i got about 4 gigs ..........

[ShawnD64]

Re: Adapting to your area's tastes?

i have some experience here i guess. cause i started my dj'ing here in boston at a mainly house (funky) night. but i was very early on, and i played some very chill music, as no one in boston really plays what i was ... and the promoter wanted some chill stuff, and she really liked it. as time grew on i wanted to play some upfront music (techno/tech house) and asked her to play a later slot. was a bit nervous as to how the house crowd would respond....

but what i realized is that not only are their tons of cross over tracks, but good music is good music. and if it makes you dance it will make others. what i would do if i were you, would be start out the night with some cross over tracks to get people moving the just drop the hammer with what ever you want. people will embrace a new sound ... thats what happened to me (sort of... most people dont dance where i play, but i did get some nice feedback)

this is my favorite example of a cross over track... housey baseline that can transition to what ever genre you want!

Daniel Mehlhart - Wach Werden - Original Mix