Just offered a residency, shitting it.

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
1

Just offered a residency, shitting it.

Hey guys.

a bit of background, I’m a beginner/hobbyist DJ. I started about 18 months ago with a cracked version of virtual DJ (stereotypical, and illegal. I know, but I’m not going to lie), but I quickly outgrew that and bought a cheap controller and legit software (traktor + mixtrack pro) and messed around with traktor, got some decent mixes.

recently sold my controllers as I am unbelievably poor, but in a fortunate twist of fate, I won a TTM57SL, serato, ableton, dicers, and point blank tuition, which I am currently waiting to be delivered to me (received only the dicers and point blank course info so far). And with my bonus at the end of this month I intend to buy some TTs.

However, I’ve just been offered a residency in a trendy upscale bar (because a good friend of mine is assistant manager), playing light funky house, soulful house, you know, decent background stuff to get the head bobbing, no top 40 etc.

however, I’ve never even DJed a party before. Granted I’ve been playing around for fun for a year or so now, and I’m confident in my ability.

I just don’t know what to do. I’ll need to find out more before I accept, but it seems like too good an offer to pass up, but how do I know if I’m ready? I’m confident in my skills, but never played to a crowd before…

help ease my butterflies please!

2

just do it.

you learn 10x more from playing live than you ever will playing in your bedroom. while i agree people shouldnt take gigs that they arent ready for, sometimes you just gotta sink or swim to see if you have what it takes…

plus playing live is one of the most fun things in the world, especially if you can create a dancefloor outta nothing. better than drugs, almost better than sex.

btw, i hate you for winning that contest. :stuck_out_tongue:

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oh and what are you intending on spinning with? your new setup? when is this residency supposed to start?

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There you go

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Just do it, enjoy the trip, learn from it!

5

Yeah do it for sure, don’t be afraid. If you are nervous, then don’t do too crazy stuff, effects all around and mixing with bad timing :slight_smile:

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Gotta agree with most the posts here so far. It sounds crazy but when you play live it’s like you somehow learn what would normally take a long time in your bedroom to learn. Things just click and happen spontaneously in a way that doesn’t happen in the bedroom. Also you get real world feedback of what works and what doesn’t. Nothing more frustrating then spending all that time practicing something that you think is awesome only to find out when you play live that people just ain’t responding to it.

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Also don’t even worry about messing up here and there, the only people who are ever going to notice a screw up are other DJ’s every other people mistakes will go by completely unnoticed.

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9

“You only learn to DJ in clubs by DJing in Clubs”

– Anthony Pappa

Now’s your chance to get started, best of luck to ya, the best advice ever totally fuck up your first mix (I say go from something like Toytown into some mark farina track or some other bs) in a totally tempo fucked harmonically dissonant 2 minute train wreck of epic proportions so that way the night can only get better. And drink 2 beers before you go on (or take some valium :smiley: ) hell Paul told Timothy to have a drink for his stomach and all that was for him preparing to get stoned to death, the worst that could happen there is some random asshole fucking with your shit…no worries :stuck_out_tongue:

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ill piggyback what everyone else is saying, just do it.
plan ur first few transitions and after mixing a few tracks you’ll get comfortable and will begin to have some fun…but dont get too comfy, simple transitions, i wouldnt try getting too crazy with it, imho

11

I say do it. U learn way more in a day gigging real world than a month in ur bedroom *excaggerated? maybe but u get my point

12

Being nervous is good, it means you’re taking it seriously.

I’ve seen plenty of guys behind decks that didn’t seem to care so much that they weren’t that good and were more interested in trying to look cool. These guys only last for a few gigs.

Here are my tips:

  1. (Obvious) Practice until you’re relaxed. This will calm you down more than anything. Use your new gear over and over. Gear problems is a major first gig stress, so have everything covered.

  2. Pack up twice as many tunes as you need.

  3. Go to that trendy bar a few times for a drink and to soak it up before you play. Imagine and observe.

BONUS TIP: knock out a hand shandy before you play :stuck_out_tongue:

13

Just do it,

I never played or practiced before and was just given a residency in a smaller room in a club about 6years ago, it was mainly because it was genre specific (rock/metal/punk etc)

I turned up with a load of cd’s and my iBook! and just blagged my way through 5 hours with my song choices.

I’d probably never have bothered to dj if I wasn’t asked to, now I fricking love it! and have held my own in the club for about 6 years

Don’t bite the hand that feeds!

14

Thanks guys. I’ve messaged her back saying I’ll do it. Still to sort out start dates etc, but I’ll keep this thread updated as it goes on :slight_smile:

thanks for the support, you’ve all confirmed what i was thinking, just dive in headfirst to see if you can swim!

Haha. I’ll tell my girlfriend about this tip and see if she is willing to oblige. :smiley:

15

What club/pub is it and I’ll try and come along for a drink when your up and running.

16

Right well, update on this…

Turns out this was a big misunderstanding, and she meant a DJ for a house party, and the ‘resident dj offer’ was supposed to be jokingly said.

guess you can’t convey tone too well in an email. still, I’ll do the houseparty, and she has said that as she IS the assistant manager of the bar, we could arrange something in future.

Oh, and I just picked up an absolute STEAL of a bargain in a pair of Numark TTX1’s (non-usb model) for £80 :open_mouth:

They’re in absolutely fantastic nick, bargain!

17

damn… that is a crappy misunderstanding.

I’m glad to see everyone on the forum telling you to go for it! I’d become accustomed to everyone answering these types of threads with things like “don’t take a gig you’re unprepared for! Leave it to a more experienced dj! yadda yadda yadda!”

you’re maturing, DJTT :wink: