Best way to get noticed?

**oliosky** · 05-27-2012, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by elliot1106

For some reason I refuse to believe deadmau5 would buy fans

Why? The guy is a mainstream music corporate stooge just like those other clowns, its not like hes some pasty nerd noodling about with ableton in between marathon redtube sessions any more.

**elliot1106** · 05-27-2012, 09:41 PM

**MarioMHJV** · 05-27-2012, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by oliosky

Why? The guy is a mainstream music corporate stooge just like those other clowns, its not like hes some pasty nerd noodling about with ableton in between marathon redtube sessions any more.

ROFL Although that's what he'd like you to think!

**rotebass** · 05-27-2012, 11:55 PM

Excision... tssk tssk

**rdale** · 05-28-2012, 12:10 AM

Even though I rarely go out anymore, and have little interest in playing out, I still have a small flash drive with four sets and my contact info on it to drop off to a promoter if I want when at a club. You never know when you are going to met someone cool, that you would love to do something with. Since you want to play out you can up the number and pretty much put one in the hands of anyone handing out flyers. The social media will come into play later when they are looking at the contact info, but you will have made it easy as they now have everything they need in one spot.

**Bassline Brine** · 05-28-2012, 12:15 AM

As much as the whole buying fans things has gotten out of hand (who honestly knows what is up with all those statistics? There's got to be some reason, and I honestly don't see those big names actually buying fans about it).

But some people have said it.

It's not what you know, or what you're doing. It's who you know. As much as we'd like to think otherwise, making those direct people to people connections is entirely what this is all about. Being the best turntablist in the world won't get you all that far if you're not willing to go out and push yourself on people. It's an egotistical business really, something where we all have to be showing ourselves as the guy to get.

My best advice? Have a soundcloud so that people can check out your mixes if they want to, and you can also tie that into having a nice website if you're so inclined. Next, have business cards and/or CD's to pass out to people when you're talking to them, so they can go and check your sounds, either on CD or via soundcloud links. If you are just doing a few demo cd's for promoters and club owners, make sure that they are specific for what those nights you want to get billed for are playing. You don't want to give a hardstyle mix to someone that's looking to book deep house, and vice versa.

Really, just start going out all the time to the places you want to spin. BECOME a regular. Start talking with your local promoters and the people who are running the nights. See if they want help on their street team handing out flyers, or helping out with promo on social networking sites. Start from the bottom up basically. Then, start working them and showing them your mixes.

Once you get enough time with that, you'll probably have also made some more friends in the scene. Maybe not people you see everyday, but the people who are also constantly going to events. At that point, those are the people you also want to start having hear your mixes on a semi-regular basis, and to talk to them about getting some pressure on the promoters to book you. As much as it's a silly facet, the more people you can bring in the more likely you'll be brought back to a lot of parties.

And then onward and upward from there. Don't overstep yourself or think that you are "better" than the next guy. Always work hard for it, because arrogance about it leads to failure. Maybe the kid mixing who can't transition worth two shits is terrible on the decks, but he might have the best A game behind the scenes and some amazing contacts. Give EVERY DJ props for getting up there and working it, even if they are learning. Don't shit where you want to eat.

That's my two cents.

**teambama** · 05-28-2012, 01:08 AM

Some good info so far.

From A perspective of someone who books acts & also plays live. Passing out cd's & media kits are fine. But 85% of the time they end up in a box, in a back office & never get listened to. Be sure to get a email from the promoter or person who books gigs. Send the email right away, within a day after talking to them. Make the email short & sweet. Direct. If you write to much they will prob just hit delete. Give a few links, soundcloud ect ect.

Think about it someone who is busy can click a link then listen while doing other things.

If you want to play a nice venue/club, offer to stage a small set for free. A hour or less out of your life to get the end goal of playing somewhere is well worth it & promoters like it.

Hope this helps some. I have had a few drinks & am very tired after working four 15+ hour days in a row. So please ignore any bad grammar or spelling mistakes.

Jeff