Hey EDM lovers young and old, it’s your man here – DJ Daryl Northrop! I’m here to share my experience and knowledge with you about one of the most daunting challenges of the DJ/EDM scene. Is it becoming a super-star world-renowned DJ or the best producer out there? No. The challenge is landing your first club gig and putting together your music for that night. My unscientific research has shown me that the majority of bedroom DJ’s never play out at a paid gig. Shocking, right? Well, I’m here to tell you about some steps you can take to get over that obstacle,lay down a mix that will keep the crowd going, and get you on the short-list to be booked again.
First off, where can you find your gig, or better yet, create your gig?
Sure, it’s easy as hell to find all the big clubs in town where the well known local talent, and the special guests from out of town play, but those places are not for you, not yet at least. As someone just starting off, you will need to be a bit craftier at finding a place for your first few gigs. Lets run some options, shall we? Option 1 – an established promoter than runs an open-decks event. These are events where a portion of the night is set aside for newbies to come and show their skills (Example – GLAS Mix Projectdoes this in the NOVA/DC area) Option 2 – organize your own EDM event at a community arts/music venue. This will take a bit more coordination and planning, but you can work with your friends and other up and coming DJ’s who are just as hungry as you to start playing out. Often they are non-profit and rely on donations, and usually do not allow alcohol sales, just so you know. BloomBars in DC is an example of this type of venue. You ain’t gonna get rich off these gigs, but they are a great way to start a regular event that features you, your mixes, and gets you noticed by club owners. Option 3 – DJ Busking. Yep, I’m talking about setting up your gear and a mobile PA system of some sort in a public place and just getting your mix on right then and there. Sounds crazy right? Well, it kind of is, but it works, too. Warning – check with your local government and other buskers about the regulations surrounding this. All you need is your DJ gear, a power source (battery, or nearby outlet – get permission!), and some amplification and you are set. Pick a place that gets a lot of foot traffic and is in the area where you want to end up DJ’ing. Example – 14th and U Street NW in DC. DJ NietZsky and I busked in this very spot! People will stop to talk to you about what you do. Be sure to have your business cards ready!
First off, where can you find your gig, or better yet, create your gig?
Sure, it’s easy as hell to find all the big clubs in town where the well known local talent, and the special guests from out of town play, but those places are not for you, not yet at least. As someone just starting off, you will need to be a bit craftier at finding a place for your first few gigs. Lets run some options, shall we? Option 1 – an established promoter than runs an open-decks event. These are events where a portion of the night is set aside for newbies to come and show their skills (Example – GLAS Mix Projectdoes this in the NOVA/DC area) Option 2 – organize your own EDM event at a community arts/music venue. This will take a bit more coordination and planning, but you can work with your friends and other up and coming DJ’s who are just as hungry as you to start playing out. Often they are non-profit and rely on donations, and usually do not allow alcohol sales, just so you know. BloomBars in DC is an example of this type of venue. You ain’t gonna get rich off these gigs, but they are a great way to start a regular event that features you, your mixes, and gets you noticed by club owners. Option 3 – DJ Busking. Yep, I’m talking about setting up your gear and a mobile PA system of some sort in a public place and just getting your mix on right then and there. Sounds crazy right? Well, it kind of is, but it works, too. Warning – check with your local government and other buskers about the regulations surrounding this. All you need is your DJ gear, a power source (battery, or nearby outlet – get permission!), and some amplification and you are set. Pick a place that gets a lot of foot traffic and is in the area where you want to end up DJ’ing. Example – 14th and U Street NW in DC. DJ NietZsky and I busked in this very spot! People will stop to talk to you about what you do. Be sure to have your business cards ready!
All of the options I have listed above do these things: They put YOU in charge of your reputation, YOU learn important lessons about organizing and working with venues, and YOU start building your ‘DJ Resumé’ that you can point to when you approach club managers and the promoters that work with them. Nothing inspires confidence more than to point out that “hey, I started something from nothing and have grown it steadily over the past 6 months, let me do the same for your club.”
So you’ve built your reputation and your following by using one or more of the options I spoke about, now you are in to your gig. This is why, as DJ’s, we do what we do. Mixing for the dancefloor has a special kind of magic and we want to be that special something that makes the night great. When you have your chance to get behind the decks, what are you going to do? Are you going to be paralyzed in fear, train-wreck all your mixes, and ruin your reputation? It could happen. But let me share some techniques to raise your chance of dropping a killer set that will leave people wondering when they can hear you mix again.
What is expected of you?
Always, always, always know what is expected of you for a gig. Sometimes the promoter or club manager will spell everything out to you in the form of an ‘Event Sheet’ or ‘Advance Notice.’ If so, great. But often, you may get little more than “hey bro, your sets starts at 10pm.” If so, time to pepper the person with questions: When should you be there? What type of music is expected (don’t want to show up with electro to an all drum and bass event!), who is playing before/after you, how are transitions handled, do you need to bring your own gear (controller/cdj’s/needles for turntables), how and who pays you, who is your contact at the venue (often it is NOT the person that booked you, fyi). Getting these questions answered will not only make the night easier and more enjoyable for you, it sets you apart as a professional who is organized and considerate, and can be counted on.All of the options I have listed above do these things: They put YOU in charge of your reputation, YOU learn important lessons about organizing and working with venues, and YOU start building your ‘DJ Resumé’ that you can point to when you approach club managers and the promoters that work with them. Nothing inspires confidence more than to point out that “hey, I started something from nothing and have grown it steadily over the past 6 months, let me do the same for your club.”
Always, always, always know what is expected of you for a gig. Sometimes the promoter or club manager will spell everything out to you in the form of an ‘Event Sheet’ or ‘Advance Notice.’ If so, great. But often, you may get little more than “hey bro, your sets starts at 10pm.” If so, time to pepper the person with questions: When should you be there? What type of music is expected (don’t want to show up with electro to an all drum and bass event!), who is playing before/after you, how are transitions handled, do you need to bring your own gear (controller/cdj’s/needles for turntables), how and who pays you, who is your contact at the venue (often it is NOT the person that booked you, fyi). Getting these questions answered will not only make the night easier and more enjoyable for you, it sets you apart as a professional who is organized and considerate, and can be counted on.All of the options I have listed above do these things: They put YOU in charge of your reputation, YOU learn important lessons about organizing and working with venues, and YOU start building your ‘DJ Resumé’ that you can point to when you approach club managers and the promoters that work with them. Nothing inspires confidence more than to point out that “hey, I started something from nothing and have grown it steadily over the past 6 months, let me do the same for your club.”
So you’ve built your reputation and your following by using one or more of the options I spoke about, now you are in to your gig. This is why, as DJ’s, we do what we do. Mixing for the dancefloor has a special kind of magic and we want to be that special something that makes the night great. When you have your chance to get behind the decks, what are you going to do? Are you going to be paralyzed in fear, train-wreck all your mixes, and ruin your reputation? It could happen. But let me share some techniques to raise your chance of dropping a killer set that will leave people wondering when they can hear you mix again.
Choosing music and pacing your set.
This is the core of the evening. This is what will set you apart. Real talk time – since you are likely new to the DJ world, you probably are not the headliner at the event, so do not prepare as if you were. That’s just the way it is. It’s time to play your position, and prove to the club manager, the promoter, the other DJ’s, and most importantly, the audience, that you can lay down a killer set that is just right for your set time, and for the people coming on after you. Step one: Know your headliner. Listen to their mixes and tracks they have produced. Do not, under any circumstances, play one of their tracks that they have produced or remixed. You are likely poaching from their set. Step two: If you are the opening DJ or one of the early DJ’s for a night, try to pick tracks in a complimentary genre but with a slightly lower energy level than the headliner. Example – if your headliner is a drum and bass DJ, try to keep to spinning slower breaks, uptempo house, and breakbeat tracks. Busting out a 175bpm “Amen break” drum and bass anthem at 10:30 at night will not win you any friends. Again – play your position. Another example – if your headliner is known for vocal house, then you can start the mood off right with more minimal house/tech-house type tracks to lay the foundation, but not steal the thunder of your headliner. Being a good opener will not only win you points with the headliner, and make it more likely they will request youto open for them, but it will prove to the venue and promoters that you are serious about being a team player and can be counted on.
This is the core of the evening. This is what will set you apart. Real talk time – since you are likely new to the DJ world, you probably are not the headliner at the event, so do not prepare as if you were. That’s just the way it is. It’s time to play your position, and prove to the club manager, the promoter, the other DJ’s, and most importantly, the audience, that you can lay down a killer set that is just right for your set time, and for the people coming on after you. Step one: Know your headliner. Listen to their mixes and tracks they have produced. Do not, under any circumstances, play one of their tracks that they have produced or remixed. You are likely poaching from their set. Step two: If you are the opening DJ or one of the early DJ’s for a night, try to pick tracks in a complimentary genre but with a slightly lower energy level than the headliner. Example – if your headliner is a drum and bass DJ, try to keep to spinning slower breaks, uptempo house, and breakbeat tracks. Busting out a 175bpm “Amen break” drum and bass anthem at 10:30 at night will not win you any friends. Again – play your position. Another example – if your headliner is known for vocal house, then you can start the mood off right with more minimal house/tech-house type tracks to lay the foundation, but not steal the thunder of your headliner. Being a good opener will not only win you points with the headliner, and make it more likely they will request youto open for them, but it will prove to the venue and promoters that you are serious about being a team player and can be counted on.
Preparing your set.
When it comes down to the nitty gritty of planning your set, there are many strategies. Some DJ’s like to plan their set down to the millisecond. Some dislike pre-planning at all, feeling that it stifles spontaneity and creativity during the night. I use the middle option. If I have a one hour set, I generally load 1.5 or 2 full hours of music so that I have some options. Often I can start my set in one of two places, either a slightly slower, lower energy zone, or I can jump into a faster/higher energy zone right away based on the mood of the crowd, music played before me by other DJ’s, etc.
When it comes down to the nitty gritty of planning your set, there are many strategies. Some DJ’s like to plan their set down to the millisecond. Some dislike pre-planning at all, feeling that it stifles spontaneity and creativity during the night. I use the middle option. If I have a one hour set, I generally load 1.5 or 2 full hours of music so that I have some options. Often I can start my set in one of two places, either a slightly slower, lower energy zone, or I can jump into a faster/higher energy zone right away based on the mood of the crowd, music played before me by other DJ’s, etc.
Tips for set success:
- Practice, Preparing your set.When it comes down to the nitty gritty of planning your set, there are many strategies. Some DJ’s like to plan their set down to the millisecond. Some dislike pre-planning at all, feeling that it stifles spontaneity and creativity during the night. I use the middle option. If I have a one hour set, I generally load 1.5 or 2 full hours of music so that I have some options. Often I can start my set in one of two places, either a slightly slower, lower energy zone, or I can jump into a faster/higher energy zone right away based on the mood of the crowd, music played before me by other DJ’s, etc.
- Practice, practice- yes, we’ve heard it a million times. But why? Well, when you are up in the booth at a new venue, early in your DJ career, with a crowd waiting to be entertained, it can be damned nerve-wracking. Practice makes you more comfortable with the tunes, the transitions, timing, everything. Remember, this is supposed to be fun, right? No point in getting so twisted up by nerves that it’s an exercise in terror.
- Stack the decks – literally. Here’s a tip that has worked for me many times. It often takes me the first 15 or 20 minutes of my set to really relax and get into the flow of the music. So, I stack the first 15 or 20 minutes with songs and transitions that I know well and that flow together.
Keep an eye on the crowd – Especially for us DJ’s that use laptops – avoid Serato-face at all costs (staring blankly at the screen as if you were editing a spreadsheet).
If possible, set your laptop to the side. If not, make sure to be watching the crowd, and let the crowd know you are having fun! This is not permission to Jesus-pose for a full hour, but if you are into the music, nodding your head and some DJ booth dancing are a good way to share your energy with the audience! Wave to the crowd! Say hello to the people who pass by the DJ booth. Remember, you are not a machine that just plays music, you are one of the people at the venue helping make it a memorable night.
Here’s a mix I did that puts together the concepts I’ve gone over. It flows from slower, lower energy tracks into faster, higher energy tracks, yet periodically pulls back on the energy level to let the dancefloor catch its breath, go for a drink, socialize, etc. Hope you you enjoy it! If so, download and share!
Alight – class dismissed. No test. No homework. I hope all of this information has helped you get to where you want to be. Feel free to follow up with me via email at DJDarylNorthrop@gmail.com
DJ Daryl Northrop is a breaks, house, and electro DJ based in the Virginia suburbs of DC. DJ Daryl Northrop spins across the greater DC region, from Jimmy Valentines to Backbar at the 9:30 Club, and on to Paradox in Baltimore. He is also co-founder of the EDM collective Dancekraft which hosts genre-bending, innovative parties at venues in the DC region.
Alight – class dismissed. No test. No homework. I hope all of this information has helped you get to where you want to be. Feel free to follow up with me via email at DJDarylNorthrop@gmail.com
DJ Daryl Northrop is a breaks, house, and electro DJ based in the Virginia suburbs of DC. DJ Daryl Northrop spins across the greater DC region, from Jimmy Valentines to Backbar at the 9:30 Club, and on to Paradox in Baltimore. He is also co-founder of the EDM collective Dancekraft which hosts genre-bending, innovative parties at venues in the DC region.
Daryl brings a fun approach to underground dance music, lighting up the dancefloor with rare tracks, remixes of classics, and more. Anyone can play Top 40 remixes, or the Beatport Top 20, but when you want style and innovation, DJ Daryl Northrop brings a music experience not to be missed!
DJ Daryl Northrop’s mixes can be heard at:
https://soundcloud.com/dnorthrop
http://www.mixcloud.com/dnorthrop
Blog: http://teamdaryl.blogspot.com
https://soundcloud.com/dnorthrop
http://www.mixcloud.com/dnorthrop
Blog: http://teamdaryl.blogspot.com
For booking, contact: DJDarylNorthrop@gmail.com or call 703-261-9341
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Copyright 2014 DJ Daryl Northrop
Copyright 2014 DJ Daryl Northrop
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