Page 38 - Zone Magazine Issue 007

opinion spotlight
its not a popularity contest
IT’S NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST - Aspirations of an Old Skool DJ to the Nu Skool.
These days my DJ schedule isn’t as hectic as it once was as my last gig in the great Opium Club in Barcelona in Feb 2013 which was amazing, considering giants like Tiesto, Sander Van Doorn had played there. I still have a huge passion in the music scene and focus my energy in helping my son now who wants to follow in my foot steps to becoming a recognised DJ/ Producer & Remixer. He has seen me play over those years and when he decided he would love to learn. I thought it would be a great moment to pass my knowledge down to him. I remember him giving me his first mix to listen to and I told him its good, but not quite there yet son, and to keep at it, to encourage him. I was determined to help him shine and realise his potential.
Guidance to me is very important as there is also a dark side as they would say to the performing of a DJ which I
think young DJ's need to be made aware of. I also think a lot of the le DJ's these days can let their ego run out of control.
Personally I think a big ego will kill your talent. Don’t get me wrong if you are doing well it’s great for your confidence and self-esteem but you need to control it! People will just not want to work with you or provide you with gigs. You need to keep grounded. Enjoy what you do but don’t be smug about it! We all know how well you are doing from your 50 posts a day on Facebook and your constant shares on SoundCloud.
I think there is a lot of confusion these days about why the younger generation are DJing. I have noticed that a lot seem to want to do it out of ego, and how many Facebook likes they can get because of it! This isn’t what DJing is about at all! It’s not a popularity contest, it’s about the love, and the passion for playing & creating music.
It’s very hard in these times to make a living from just DJing alone, personally I think production is the way to go as this is what will make you stand out from the crowd and make you unique. There has only ever been a handful of DJ's who have gone on to true global success. I certainly think with the right guidance a young inspiring DJ can certainly make a name for themselves. Again I’m a true believer if you work hard enough that someone will make you shine. Don't be disheartened if they don’t, keep at it but personally i think it’s who you know in
this business. I find a lot of DJ's and young
producers these days are being exploited because of their inexperience and their lack of guidance. There are definitely certain people who all have a part to play in this, as some have no real interest in their talent but on how much coin they can make from them. It sickens me that clubs asks them to play for FREE or if they sell a 100 tickets you may get 15 minutes spin, but only if you sell the tickets, and even the lucky ones who do get on the decks for hours on end only paying them as little as €20 to €50, and then to be told if you are not happy that we have 20 other DJ's behind you that will play for FREE!
Look, even I played in the early days for FREE, but I also needed money to buy the latest tunes for my next gig and back then it was vinyl so I could be paying up to £50 for 1 tune. The clubs these days make enough money either by entrance fee or at the bar to pay these DJ's a decent wage for their hours of spinning! Punters are coming to hear them play that’s why the club is busy! I do understand there is stiff competition out there from rival club owners, but taking advantage of young inexperienced DJ's is just immoral. These people shouldn't be allowed work in the business and will be exposed eventually.
I keep saying it but guidance is the key. Find someone who is willing to take an interest in your talent and not what they can make off you! Make sure they are willing to put their sweat and tears into making you stand out! Don’t let anyone take advantage of you or guide you in a way you are not comfortable with. Be grounded and don’t let this all go to your head or no one will want to work with you let alone let you play at their club! Be smart about everything you do and be very careful who you to talk too. Never disrespect any fellow DJ's or Producer’s on their performances, mixes etc, you are all in an elite club so be happy you are a part of it! If you are asked to do a gig for FREE make sure it’s for a recognised club with an amazing line up which will be good for the CV. Stay clear of the haters and the jealous people who want to only drag you down and piss on your parade! Jealousy is a terrible disease. Believe me the more you put in, the more opportunities that will come from it. Stay focused!
Just do it for the love of music, how music makes you feel and the joy of making people dance
Words By Warren Coakley
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