Chasing dreams DJing

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
1

Chasing dreams DJing

How many of the djs on here are actually living a good life DJing by this I mean traveling playing in big club for the music they love etc

I hVe big ambitions to travel the world DJing and getting people to feel my mixes and my tunes that I am producing how I think about it all these djs living the dream why can’t i they are just putting the work in
I DJ now just at home but I was working all these shit jobs I realised I need to chase my dreams I am only 19 so in September I am doing a music technology course level 3 or a music production course level 3 at a music college

I know most have these dreams but how Many on here have actually tried to chase there dreams in DJing and how it worked out in the end

2

DJ is like any entertainment profession (acting, live bands, circus…)

There are countless people chasing after the big hit and many fail. There is no difference. You can be a wedding DJ and be happy about it, you can be a actor for children oriented play and be happy about it.

It depends on your taste.

3

Yes I agree I wNt to know how people have got where they are today

4

Hard work and knowing the right people are the only way, knowing the right people will get you a lot further.

Doing both production and DJing, as just DJing will not.

5

Network network network network

Know the right people and you can do pretty much anything in life.

6

I dont know alot of people in the industry but hopefully going to a music college will change that

7

Probably not the right crowd, you need to be in the clubs making friends with the influential people.

Seriously, who you know is like 80%+ of it.

8

I don’t think music school will help you with that. When people look for DJs, they don’t check their school degrees and they probably won’t help you with a job either even if they promise you they will (it could be bullshit). In my honest opinion, and it’s very possible that I’m wrong, I think it’ll be a huge waste of money and time. If you’ll go to school, go into something that will be other than music related in case your “dream” doesn’t come true. But at the same time, chase your dream. Like everyone says, connections is the key.

9

There are DJ-specific schools. I know here in Denver there’s a school that at the end of your level 2 classes will have you DJing in a local club, and at the end of level 3 will have you DJing a half hour or so at one of the bigger clubs. I’m not sure the costs or anything, but that’s a good way to make DJ-related connections. Mostly though, hang out at clubs or parties where people are actually playing the music you want to play. Get into the scene that way.

10

Music college will help as it will teach to me to produce and learn about the technology of music

11

Like what has been said already, everything in life is about who you know. Where are you from? If your passion really is to make it big DJing I believe your best bet is to move someplace that is big with it. For instance, Here in Chicago there are a million different small time (and big time) promotion companies. Get on facebook and twitter, start going to their events and rub as many shoulders as you can. There is a reason people that aspire to become actors/actresses move to Hollywood, etc.

Sad to say but I truly believe that a lot of times knowing the right people will get you much further then talent and skill.

.02 from a bedroom DJ.

12

When it comes to knowing people, Deadmau5 is a perfect example. He was just a local here in Toronto until he started dating Sydney Blu who was much more established. That helped jump start his career and we all know the rest.

13

Dear Raver Ste,

I am assuming that with the name Ste You are from somewhere in northern england or in one of the irelands somewhere. ?

I am not sure what kind of bloke you are and what you decide to do with opinions and advice etc but one thing I have learnt over the years is to get as much information from the people around and then trust my gut instinct and dont be either influenced too much in either direction by people … so on that note all I can do is tell you my story… maybe there is something in there for you

I came on this forum for the first time in ages as Im looking for info on modding my old vci 100 … I seen your post and it reminded me of myself so I had to talk to ya

Ok firstly, My names Ste Im 34 from the North East UK Been DJing since I was 18. Ive had half decent success over the years playing lots of different types of music in various bars and a couple of clubs. I Quit my job and I went to music college when I was 25 for two years

Id dreamed about this for a while so this was going to be it ya know… thats all I needed to do. I was already playing out making money on the weekends …

the thing is this was before djing was as big now and wasnt many music courses around … I would say mine was 50 % Good and 50 % Shit, Some good classes and really useless classes and teachers … that stuff can make a massive difference believe me. Anyway, I didnt put the work in 100 percent. I did learn some great stuff I still apply today but I think I probably liked to have a laugh and get high more than I did do the work

needless to say I scraped by with a pass and I hold a HND in music technology.

Connections with the industry are relevant but dont get too bogged down with that, from what I learnt its all about your work rate.

If you are doing it because you love it and you still love it as much in ten years I 100 % believe anyone with that amount of drive can make it but realise that success takes time and dedication and relentlessness. At 25 I remember someone who I respected telling me that I was too old to have success in music because most people start really really young and thats how, I gotta tell ya it put me down. I believed him it was already too late. I thought about hitting 35 being far too old …shit man ill probably be a dad by then and be settled and all that shit. So I kinda kept doing my thing in bars etc selling out a little bit with the music so I could make decent money playing pop and stuff …after a while I lost inspiration and decided to go travel and see the world

Ive lived in thailand as a scuba instructor, Ive been all around south east asia, I lived in Sydney Australia for 3 years and I now reside in Canada. I still love music I still love Djing and would like to probably start a little outdoor music event here in the future. So needless to stay I still DJ in the house and I still dream :slight_smile:

ADVICE ** Take it or leave it

1 - Learn music theory and dont get bogged down with which equipment or software are the latest toy. buying these wont make you famous.

2 - surround yourself with like minded people. Even the greatest DJs and producers out there never did all of that alone. They helped each other to get there

3 - Dont make Excuses

4 - Work harder than everbody else.

5 - Have fun and dont take yourself too seriously

7 - Be adaptable, there are hundreds of different ways to get there its not all about getting a big break, make a track, run a label, start a night, play a party, do a podcast the internet is massive now I got my first gig working in a pub when the dj never showed up on a bank holiday, I had never dj’d before

8 - Dont listen to the naysayers

9 - Keep yourself inspired and read everything you can

10 - Work your fucking balls off man cos it may take 10 years or more

now some of the other guys on my course did some good things and I still keep in touch with them. They both teach college in thier home towns and have good lives

One of them in particular plays at ZOO in ibiza and has his own night, he produces he remixes etc etc etc etc

He still has a day job but hes doing pretty damn good … It took 10 years of solid work for him to get there and all done from his hometown … thats not to say moving to chicago or any other place is without its benefits and drawbacks… yin and yang mate every situation always has both

Work hard

http://www.thezooproject-festival.com/2014-line

http://www.riffraffmusic.co.uk/

Be inspired kid and work hard …it does happen … if ya found this useful then great

Im still dreaming and still working, which is how it should be :slight_smile:

14

nothing wrong with pop btw most of the greatest tracks ever made make it into pop. Thats why they are POPULAR. theres the good and the bad in all types of music but whats good and bad is all a matter of taste anyway to a certain degree. After all, its an art form. … :slight_smile:

15

Making a career out of DJ’ing is tough, as has been stated.

I honestly think it’s a poor choice for career. If you can work towards an education in something more traditional, and work hard at DJ’ing as a hobby, you’ll probably be much happier. If you make a name for yourself, GREAT! And if you don’t, so what? It was just for fun.

The problem with DJ’ing is that the job market is just that: a market. It’s supply and demand. Why do engineers and doctors and lawyers make a lot of money? There’s a high demand, and not enough people to fill those slots.

The problem with DJ’ing is that there limited demand (there are only so many venues and events), and yet there is unlimited supply. And worse yet, there are no standards for DJ’ing. There is no degree or certification for being a DJ. You might be the most skilled DJ in your area, but if someone else is willing to do your job for free, who is going to get the job?

Not to sound bleak, you should work hard at DJ’ing. Just have a clear vision of the reality and have a backup (or better yet, primary) life plan.

16

^^ well said mate.

i don’t know why everyone is telling you music school is a bad idea. if you want to make it big at the international level you’ve got to be a top notch producer. networking alone won’t get you there.

networking is essential at all levels but it’s only part of the battle.

also if you go beyond taking a few classes and actually get a music degree, you can have a stable, lucrative career as a producer/engineer for other people if djing doesn’t work out.

17

I wouldn’t recommend doing a music technology/production course. But if it’s something you really want to do go for it. I’d go for a more worthwhile course like English and Mathematics etc. I’m doing Law, Psychology, English Literature and English Language at A Level. Originally I was going to do music production level 3, but then I realised I can just learn and produce music at home in my spare time. After all, it is a hobby.

I would recommend getting yourself out there a bit, go to a club (even if you’re not DJing) to talk to people and introduce yourself as a DJ and don’t be scared to say that you’re a DJ. That’s basically what I did and I got to know a top house promoter in my city of Brighton.. Until I screwed it up.

18

^^ OP said he wants to travel the world as a dj. i think we’ve passed the hobby stage at this point.

19

That’s a bit delusional. I’m sure we’ve all had that dream at one point, or the dream of owning a club, etc. They are nice to have, and it could happen for some of us. But you can’t really bet on it, or even plan on it. You need to work very hard, and be in the right place at the right time, and know the right people.

I also would advise against a lot of music courses, unless you have really really though this through and have a master plan.

This is another common mistake a lot of young people are making today, they are taking on massive debt to earn degrees without earning potential. Education never hurts of course, but most of these music schools (particularly the ones that have popped up with the EDM boom) are expensive, and they aren’t accredited. And there’s a pretty good chance your degree will not earn you any money.

20

If you dont believe it can happen then theres your problem right in front of you. the big different between winners and losers…

Winners BELIEVE… and no matter how many naysayers come their way the still believe and work their bollocks off until nothing remains but success… but heres a thought for ya …some people are actually AFRAID of success and they dont even know it…

Imagine you were transported to a different time from now where your future self was headlining the Miami music conference. WTF you just took a massive shortcut to success but dont have the experience and hard work and learning that it took to get there …

you feel confident? or actually shitting yourself?

Losers …Daydream…buy equipment…mess around …daydream…watch some porn…daydream …watch some porn … buy more equipment etc etc etc

Any course taken should be thoroughly researched … at 19 most blokes dont have the dedication to win …burt shit man your 19 have fun and make mistakes mistakes are what make people grow

life is about risk vs reward.

Lots of universities in uk have good courses … Scotland currently has a free higher education system …check it out before they all stand up and shout FFFFRRRRREEEEEEDOOOOOOOOOOOOM like Mel Gibson

No one option is right or wrong, a life lived well is a life without regrets…how about a nightclass?