Need Recommendations for the Chicago Area Regarding DJ’ing / Production
Hello Everyone!
I am originally a toronto-based DJ. However I just came to Chicago, and I will be staying here for quite a few months. I have done some research regarding the Chicago Scene (the downtown area, boys town, Rush & Division), and I just wanted to know if any of you had recommendations as to what areas or even specific bars/clubs are more likely to “receive” a DJ without much local following.
(I don’t have much of a local following in Chicago, but as far as Toronto goes, I had a minimum of 3 residencies a week, but on average i worked 3-6 nights weekly).
Also, do any of you recommend any good production schools? Again I did my research, and found out that most production schools have a “curriculum”. Now, I don’t have anything against that, but I would like to know if any1 had any first hand experience regarding a school that is more “adaptable” to the student; meaning that your teacher/mentor teaches you in relation to your knowledge.Play de Record Academy in Toronto did this, and I am a FAN of that system.
Any comments, or tips are welcomed and highly appreciated!
Also, in the event that you need some1 to open a set for you, or even perhaps collaborate on a track, lemme know!
It’s tough to break into the scene there are only a few promoters/DJ’s that run the major club scene. There are tons of bars that might be easier to get into. You will just have to break in the old fashioned way.
I believe scratch DJ academy opened a Chicago location… I also ran across a place called DJ School Skokie (Skokie is a suburb of Chicago) you can google them to find them. They seem to be a one on one school.
Hope this info helps. If you need more info, let me know.
Yeah, in regards to that I already begun shooting off a few emails to begin with. I already got myself in a DJ competition over at a Club next thursday. Hmm… Skokie.. Imma look into that. I got no car, so if I can comfortably get there via CTA, then it might be an option.
I’m located near the loop. Wabash and Randolph is like at a 15-20 min walk.
Coming from a City as diverse as Toronto, I’m pretty much well versed in everything club friendly / commercial (Open format). For Example in a 4 - 5hour set I’ll play top 40, EDM, deep house, techno, progressive, tech house, Hop Hop, R&B, disco, moombathon, Pop, Some Reggae, Latin. (just don’t ask me to play some gangsta hip hop… lol) Thanks for the consideration man! PM is on its way!
Woooo!!! I dunno, Who is down for that!!! I used to host the DJforums Toronto meets until about 2 years ago (before the forums crashed and stopped being as kewl as they were before). We ended up putting a few gigs, and had fun. The only issue is where can we host 'em?
Words of Wisdom. It’s like you knew how humans interact! Sensei, teach me your ways! heheheh!
What am I best at? Hm… Genre wise I’d say Latin House (both chill/loungy and upbeat / club), EDM, Trap, Tech House, Progressive, & top 40 / commercial club format. PM is on its way too!
Ah, I see. Yeah, I can get out to that area without any trouble. For now, the CTA is gonna be my main source of transportation. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll find my pic in the “People of the CTA” Facebook group. LOL.
Are you staying in Cicero? I live in Cicero and there’s a few of us Turntablist here if you’d ever like to get down.
I work at the Scratch DJ Academy downtown and it’s within a bigger school called SAE which also holds production classes, from what I can tell they are awesome, there’s always open houses to come learn so if you’re interested hit me up contact@JAM1PHOTO.com
