Tips for booking gigs/getting a spot playing in clubs??

[djexspensive]

Hey guys,
I've been dj-ing for about a year now and i've gotten to the point where i really wanna get into the local club scene. Ive been doing a lot of private parties/small events and always get really good response/reviews. I don't want to sound over confident but I feel i can definitely handle myself behind my equipment and get the crowd going.

I started a soundcloud (http://soundcloud.com/dj-exspensive) and facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dj-Exs...05076139572287) in order to draw some attention to myself and its worked a bit, but nothing in terms of local bars and clubs.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how/who to contact in regards of trying to get myself into a club and how to go about doing it? I would really appreciate it!

[deevey]

I started a soundcloud (http://soundcloud.com/dj-exspensive) and facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dj-Exs...05076139572287) in order to draw some attention to myself and its worked a bit, but nothing in terms of local bars and clubs.

Change name to Dj-cheap :P

Sorry couldn't resist

[manchild]

Where u from? and what kinda clubs are trying to play at?

[guiltyblade]

1. find a bar/lounge/club that you want to play at.
2. Frequent it. Become a regular. Bring people with you.
3. Find manager/booking/owner hand them Cds/business cards talk them up. tell what you can offer. Time, people, and music.
4. Continue going out
5. Hopefully you get a chance, and ACTUALLY PRODUCE. This is crucial. Lots of people will try you out on a early set. The key is produce, get everyone out and play a good set. If you can bring a crowd of 15-20 people yourself randomly on a early set or slow night this is key and huge.
6. Build a reputation.
7. Hopefully book more gigs.

This is how i've grown very quick in chicago. I went out a lot partied with a lot of people and made friends with them. I supported them in their things that when I played they felt that had to support me. They paid it forward.

[xtianw]

be a part of the community you wish to entertain

the rest will fall into place.

theres no shortcut that can be found either.

you'll need to spend months hanging out with these people, getting to know them, and most of all

YOU MUST CARE ABOUT YOUR SCENE

if you don't, everyone will see it and know it and nobody will even think about giving you a dime otherwise.

be a part of your scene and care about it before you start asking for paychecks.

[guiltyblade]

making friends with other djs actually can go a long way.

[haze324]

Guiltyblade summed it up perfect.

There's a few threads here that discuss this.

[djexspensive]

Thx everyone! @manchild i go to school in london ontario which is a university town. There are tooonnnss of bars and clubs. I really would love to get into the bigger ones but anything would be awesome right now. @deevey hahaha i know. My real name is Spencer, and when i started dj-ing Dj exspensive was a joke, but it kinda just stuck.
Which raises another question, I really do want to change my name (ive yet to come up with something im 100% happy with) so should i hold back on getting myself out there until i finalized a name?

Also I live downtown and hit bars every weekend but never know who to talk to when im there... would sending an email be advisable?

[scamo]

I highly doubt it.

I couldn't really give you any advice, as I've never even DJ'ed to a crowd. But, if I were to imagine I were a club owner, I'd probably not even read emails from people I don't know. Plus, if someone wants to get to know me or work for me, they should have enough balls to seek me out in person.

My suggestion would be to try to get to the club you'd like to DJ for a goot time before the crowd comes and ask for the owner/ manager and just say hi, you are a DJ and would love to DJ in his fantastic club. Ask him what you would have to do to get in or even have a chance. If he is friendly, he'll give you the 5 minutes and you should listen good to what he says. If he is really interested in you, he'll ask you about your background and experience. That is one step in good direction. Have a selling story about you ready and rehearsed, if he does ask.

Well, at least that is how I would think it could go.

scamo