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Forum: General Discussion

Tópico: Djing At a Bar/Club help

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Hey everyone,

So I have some serious confusion on what to do here. I attend the University of Delaware and am getting very serious into Djing! I was hoping to get the forums input on what I can do in my situation. So obviously there are a few bars on campus that have dj's spin and play music as well as getting bands to do gigs etc. I really would like to be able to do something like this but do not know how to go about this with giving myself the best possible chance of landing a decent gig. Unlike some people I am honestly not looking to make money from my Djing. I am looking to play my music and have a great time doing something I love. As I digress...haha what can I do to become a dj at this bar. I have thought about simply emailing the bar online and asking if there were any oppurtunities for me to dj but what do I say? Would I offer to bring in a demo of my work? Not only that but I am under 21..would they even let me DJ? Haha i apologize for being general in my description but any help on this topic would be GREATLY appreciated!

Here is a of some of my work - www.soundcloud.com/djtsquared

Let me know if this is even the right type of music to play at a bar because it has more of a club feel to it.

Also and lastly, if I were to get a gig for a night at a bar or nightclub..do they provide lights speakers etc? All I have are two turntables, a mixer, a laptop w/ soundcard, music and 2 400 watt speakers. I don't think that would be loud enough to fill a bar or club by any means nor do I have lighting? Thanks again in advance for any input on the matter.

I look forward to hearing from you

-Todd Toso (Dj Tsquared)
 
Mensajes Tue 16 Nov 10 @ 2:06 am
1. Burn a mix CD and give to the bar manager
2. Offer to do a gig for free.

By offering to do a gig for free you can make the argument that they can still pay their regular DJ and if they don't like you he can take over... So they have nothing to loose.

Roy
 
Here in NJ you can perform in a bar under 21, I've seen bands do it. Sounds like your starting off with what allot of people have, you should be able to get by with that in a small / medium sized bar.
This is the time of year to find work in your area especially, so have some cards made up if you don't already and hit the bricks. I wouldn't work for free in a bar, but you could do some private parties for nothing just to get your name out there.
Word of mouth is the best advertising!
 
Corr3ect in the above post, except for Maine you can work in a bar as a musician or otherwise DJ/KJ at 17 years old, under 17, you can still work there in the presence of your parents.
 
Ask the bar mgr/owner if you can open the night for the regular dj. If you do OK, you'll probably get to step in, in case the normal dj can't make it one night. Try that with a few clubs and that should get you going. Also, get some friends on facebook and then let the bar mgr know that you might be able to get some people to come hear you spin. They always like that.
 
Hey everyone again thanks for helping me out with your thoughts and opinions!

I am at some point get in touch with the bar manager and off to open for the DJ who spins there now and most likely for free?

Also, I was wondering if I am going to need to provide my own speakers or lighting etc or is that something that more or less that the bar should have?

Thanks again!
 
That all depends on the bar. Go in there one night and check it out. Not too obviously mind you.

Always a good way to check the vibe out, especially amongst staff, customers, manager, DJ etc. See how the people react to the music. Does the DJ use the mic? Is he good at it?

I've been offered places in the past and have walked in on a night to speak to the manager, but have ended up looking round the place and walking out again. But then I have an established presence and can afford to choose. But understanding the place will help you in how you approach the situation...

Roy
 
That makes sense thank you. But, unfortunately, since I am under 21 I can't go inside the bar at night and check out the music scene and vibe to the place you know what I mean? So I guess my best bet is to offer the manager a free DJ and give him a cd of some of my mixes and possibly an hour long set? Thanks again.
 
NEVER DO A GIG FOR FREE....then they will expect that...Trust me on that one...keep the free gigs for friends...
 
First thing you wanna do is get some experience and start building some rep. Make a demo cd then make a ton of copies, make a FB or promototion page, play some house parties and start passing out your mix cd's, get some free business cards from vista print.com with your information and pass those out (or put in a sleeve or case with your cd). This was the strategy I used in my college town. After rocking a couple house parties I was approached by a member of a fraternity, just for the heck of it gave him my card, a month later he called and wanted me to do a gig. Good thing about working with a frat is at their parties they always bring a sorority. Once you get your foot in the door if you are good the only place you can go is up. I got my first club gig because of this. They hosted a party at a night club, I played there and the manager said he liked my stuff, slipped him a business card and bam. I play their on the weekends now.
 
I need to move my ass where you guys are apparently. In my area, the best way to try and get a club gig/residency is to first, go to the club on the weekends and basically become a regular. That way the managers, staff, security etc. all recognize you on a first name basis. Then one day, in passing, give the manager a press kit (a biography like what you would put on the aforementioned promotional site/FB fan page, a mix CD, some photos on a disk or flash drive of you that you would want to use for promotional flyers etc. and business card/s). Then pretty much it is a hope and pray waiting game....Since I quit my last residency earlier in the summer (due to lack of payment) I have tried everything mentioned above and one of my local DJ friends suggested the press kit idea. So far I have at least gotten one call-back off of that method where the others all failed. You have to show them you are there to MAKE money for them, not TAKE it from them. Hence the becoming a regular, bringing people there all the time, spending money etc. Most managers that I have come in contact with could care less about anything but money.






Michael

P.S. If all else fails, you can always pay some hot chicks to follow you around to bars/clubs and "influence" the manager with some "mic work", lol.
 
That would certainly impress me if I saw you with hot chicks following you about... I've seen your photo, lol
 
Hey guys thanks again for all the responses. I would like to add that I have played many gigs already for house parties and a fraternity as well as a sorority who wants me to DJ their formal for the fall. SO, according to what you all said it seems like I am already in a pretty solid position. I have a facebook page as well :

>>> http://www.facebook.com/djtsquared#!/pages/Dj-Tsquared/139809799370538

and and myspace page :

>>> myspace.com/djtsquaredmusic

Anyways, it looks like I could have a decent shot at getting a regular job perhaps opening for the regular DJ. Thanks again for all your help!

You never cease to amaze me.

-Dj Tsquared
 
unwanted24hrs wrote :
NEVER DO A GIG FOR FREE....then they will expect that...Trust me on that one...keep the free gigs for friends...


Friend of mine went to the next town. Offered to DJ for FREE in every bar/club, some said no straight away, some said yes, some um'd and ahh'd. Those that said no he argued for the case of paying the regular DJ so they could chuck him off if he was no good.

He know works that town 4 nights a week and on Saturday plays in 2 places - 1 bar then a club. The other clubs that wouldn't take him are now asking if he has any nights free...

He's not working for free and on the basis of this technique, is now a full time DJ.

So I would disagree with the above statement. He is, by trade, a salesman. And the best salesmen sell themselves first. So you've gotta have the balls, the attitude and the skills to pull it off. It can be done!!!

Roy
 
What I tell new people starting out. Leave out this is my 1st anything. Tell them what you have done, don't tell them what you haven't done. If you bomb they can find someone else. If they like you, then your good to stay.

Also free anything is not the way to go.
Examples:

I brought in a projector one night for a club, then it was expected I 'd bring it in every night for the same pay.

I played video at another bar that never a video DJ before to show them what I could do, they expected that every night and same pay as previous DJ with no video.

-David
 


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