Have u met someone or know someone who is a DJ that is starting out ask you for your ENTIRE music library (for free)?
I have been in this situation before and it is extremely uncomfortable. Being a DJ, I feel your music library is your backbone and ultimately defines you. I have no problem showing people artists, tracks, or labels, but outright handing someone my years of collecting and digging seems in-genuine and counter-productive to what makes a DJ a DJ. Not to mention, I pay for majority of my tracks.
I do not know how to handle the situation and usually am very deflective/non-responsive, at which point i am then met with signs of implying my reaction is uncalled for or douchey.
On the flip side, have you ever asked anyone for their library? I would never think to ask someone so maybe I am projecting my own views on others. Still, to me, it doesn’t seem or feel right both ethically.
It’s happened to me before with a close friend of mine. He said, “just bring your external hard drive next session so I can transfer your stuff.” It’s a horrible feeling and you don’t want to look like a dick. I just ignored it. Didn’t have the heart to say no. He never brought it up again.
I will share music with DJs I work closely with but that it is and they do the same for me. It helps both of us discover new or other music we can use on our gigs. I would never do that for a friend or stranger.
I used to give out artists, track names, even MP3’s a few times before to buddies.. Only to walk into the spot before I’m about to go on and they’re banging my shit out.. After that, I’ve told everyone who asks me to “kindly fuck off” and find your own shit. Sick of that happening over and over again.
Create a folder with only lame music. Call it “top set list” and fill it with bieber, selena gomez, brittney spears and all kinds of other drivel. Then, when you get asked, dump that on their harddrive. They won’t ask again.
If you asked me for tunes, i would set you up with maybe 1GB maximum. I didn’t spend 17 years collecting tracks just to give them away to some punk who will steal my gigs
yes! this exact thing happened to me the first time I played. this annoying guy kept asking me to put music on his flash drive so I gave him a random dubstep playlist. he wouldn’t leave me alone and kept asking for my entire library so I pretended I was too drunk to operate the computer. confused the hell out of him lol
if its someone I know, ill share all my good songs but not for a random tool
Lol, that’s actually a really good idea. I think that would be the best way to handle it. I remember reading a thread like this when I started out, and I thought what’s the big deal with sharing your collection? But after knowing how much time and effort goes into digging, plus the satisfaction of choosing your own music, I understand why people aren’t so willing to hand over their songs to another DJ
I’m quite surprised by the responses to OP’s question with the number of you who would give copies of music (assuming not already given away for free by the producer).
Me, personally I’ll tell them to foxtrot oscar, I’d happily discuss music, say what I’m in to, what the track playing is and where you can buy it from, but I wouldn’t give a track I’d paid money for to someone who can’t be bothered to save and buy his music - it’s never been so cheap, hell, got to xlr8r.com and you’ve got enough music legally free to do many, many sets.
…goes off muttering about the love of discovering music for yourself and spending £80 a week on vinyl for a dozen tracks…
I’m surprised at all why you find it hard or douchy to say no. Your collection is quite a part of what defines you as a DJ. Sharing that is sharing a part of your DJ identity plus it’s theft basically. I purchase all my music I DJ with as a token of appreciation and respect to the maker of it. I enjoy playing and editting their music, the least I can do is pay those 1,5 euros for it.
Sharing the library is not only comprimising your unique identity as a DJ, but also disrespectful to the producers.
This of course is based on my liking a specific musical niche within techno. I suppose for mainstream pop I would feel different. Also because that doens’t make you unique as a DJ
I play with a friend a lot and we both have our own library. I wouldn’t think of asking or sharing libraries, even though we have quite some tracks in common.
Last point: A very important part of DJing is knowing your tracks. How well will you know your tracks when you’ll get a library of several GB’s at once? It’s kinda polluting your delicately built up and maintained library.
