Hobby or more?

[Patch]

Work hard play hard

That sums it all up nicely.

[protocol]

Hey guys, got a little subject I'd like your views on.

I am currently at University in the UK, studying Biochemistry in the 2nd year. I'm also an aspiring DJ and beginner producer.

The problem is work at University takes up a lot of time (especially heading into 3rd year, I should be expected to have barely any free time) and so does playing out at gigs, or learning ableton from youtube videos etc (normally nights finish at around 3-4 around here). I also find that time I spend djing/learning to producing etc is a lot more enjoyable, and not mind numbingly boring like my course. With all this is mind I find it hard to concentrate on my studies as I always want to be refining and learning more about DAWs and sound engineering, playing gigs and become a better producer.

I quite frankly hate my course at university and whilst tonnes of people advise not to drop out of school to pursue the music entertainment industry it has crossed my mind before (even though I know a career is not guaranteed), I feel like I want to pursue what I enjoy at a music production college (such as point blank in London) rather write a dissertation about proteins next year...


How do/did you guys at university (or work) balance out workloads with producing etc?

Has anyone actually experienced what I want to do before?

Cheers.

I have the same dilemma, being in university for some years. Just get it done, go 100%. It should be your priority so you can get a career and not work shitty jobs. Leave music as a hobby for now. You can leave it and pick it up right where you started.

Plus with that career, you can have more money to buy sweet gear and not have to worry about paying the bills.

Basically this sums up everything everyone has already said, but I think it's all true.

[loverocket]

it is much easier to focus on your skill as a dj/producer when you have a good paying job and do not have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck... people have made it on hustle alone but i'm not willing to do that

i agree. stay in school, finish and then see what falls into place. its not easy to make $100k a year DJing/Producing.

>

[Karlos Santos]

Just wondering where you are living/studying in UK.

Your forum name is a take on Purple Aki a notorious criminal from Liverpool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akinwale_Arobieke

[city_boy07]

Just wondering where you are living/studying in UK.

Your forum name is a take on Purple Aki a notorious criminal from Liverpool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akinwale_Arobieke

what a nice fellow....

[balakoth]

music is one of those things that you have to put 100% into to make it FULL-TIME... you get what you put into it...so that being said, part-time practice = part-time success...

you are already in your 3rd year I would not drop out. You can at least have something to fall back on if music doesn't work out.

Myself, I have been dj'ing since 2000 and graduated college in 2004... some years I am more active then others... I try to get an hour/day practice in but sometimes that is hard with the demands of wife, kids, & my dog... I probably average 1-2 gigs a month... enough to put a little extra money in the bank and to keep my presence known in my town for future gigs

but that is enough for me and my lifestyle...you can put more into it then me and be more successful

And even full time.. really isnt much. I have a buddy who organizes and performs 4 nights a week in a Band, DJ, Hip Hop type style setups. Music isnt something you just go.. Hey.. I like music.. I probably have no clue what im doing now, but.. Yeah

THis isnt like going to college and getting a job after.. And I like that, because then the world would be flooded with even more mediocre talent than it already has

[balakoth]

i agree. stay in school, finish and then see what falls into place. its not easy to make $100k a year DJing/Producing.

>

Or Likely... for most of us :P Only reason people make it now, is because they are completely idiotic in their asking price.. and club owners are starting to get a clue

[purpl3aki]

Just wondering where you are living/studying in UK.

Your forum name is a take on Purple Aki a notorious criminal from Liverpool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akinwale_Arobieke

Haha, I knew someone would get onto it.
Yeah I'm from the Northwest.

Thanks for your views guys.

Think I'm gonna stick with it and see how my next set of exams go.

[Ryan Ruel]

And let's be honest, DJ'ing/Producing is age limited... in MOST cases (I know there are exceptions).

Once you hit 40 and maybe have a family or other life obligations, I doubt you'll be interested in DJ'ing at clubs until 4am like you were when you were in your 20's.

Heck, I'm 37 and don't have much interest in going out. It gets old, just like we all do

Most everyone I know in the scene around my age is in the same boat. We still DJ, love the music, and do some producing, but it's a side hobby. And it's great that way!

[Nicky H]

When I was at uni it was the some of the biggest partying of my life - which uni you at?
Study a few days a week, set up parties in cellars of student houses for the rest of the week...

Happy days.