We have a core group of about 12 of us that run a G/I night on Saturdays. We all kind of rotate in and out into the sets (2 different DJs each week).
All of the DJs use CDs, and I’m the only Digital DJ. Recently we had a meeting and the guy in charge said “This month I want none of us to use computers. Lets go oldschool. So no computers this month guys.”
My reply was, “So we’re all going to break out our vinyl collections for an oldschool month? I’m down! I’ve got tons of great industrial/synthpop/goth on vinyl!”
response: “ohh no, we don’t play vinyl really, We’ve all got way more music on CD than Vinyl”
me: confused uhhh…
I mean, since I’m the only digital DJ, it’s like they’ve all crippled me, with none of them having to change a SINGLE thing. I’m a bit confused as to why they even want me to not use my computer. I mean, yes when I first got into town I used vinyl and CDs just to ‘prove’ myself because I didn’t want to deal with the discrimination of being a digital dj right off the bat in a new city. But now I’ve solidified my place as a top DJ…and they want to cripple my ability to perform?
I wish there was something I could say of how to get this shit to end for us (especially in the goth/industrial scene). I’d say “Well, find, I won’t spin this month then.” I believe you’re as good as you say you are, so make them work twice or three times as hard cause you’re not there.
Burn your material on CD and call it a day. If not, bring your vinyl and do a oldschool set, and promote it as a “Old School Set By RSDJ Moniker! 100% Vinyl!” FTW
CD’s IMO are a waste of space, oil, and dont let me get started on burning cds and the setting them up in order, blah, blah, blah. When it comes down to using round things that spin around I prefer vinyl.
I’d outdo them and spin on dual cassette decks or even bust out a Reel to Reel and maybe an 808; all the while, giving them the finger… but then again, that’s just me
Sounds like they are hating on you because you are better than them, challenge all their skills, then replace all their cd’s with cd’s filled with “never gonna give you up” and rick roll ftw!
This is a personal insult, though. Just outdoing them doesn’t prove anything. They still win, and now Monika has to work even harder to “prove” herself, which is pointless cause the end result is all that matters.
If they were all gonna make sacrifices everyone here would be happy for em. But they aren’t.
Damien: your attitude doesn’t quite help. I understand you’re full of hate, but at least in this thread, it’s not welcome.
JesC: I actually did just that, I promoted an oldschool 100% vinyl set. I just think it’s silly that they chose to cripple me, and they have to change nothing. Oh wait, its because 90% of them don’t own any vinyl. As far as burning CDs, I really don’t feel like wasting an entire weekend burning CDs and making tracklists, just because they for some reason want me to entertain less for a week?
Devil: I’ll DJ, and I’ll DJ with 3 turntables and my Access Virus. And show them that no matter how hard they try to cripple me I’m still a performer. But my real question is
“Why would they try to cripple me?” what does making me not use a computer accomplish, except deminish the performance? Had I not promoted the hell out of this as an ‘all vinyl’ night people would be freakin’ disappointed that I wasn’t using the guitar and doing the crazy controllerism/looping/mashups I normally do.
Exactly, if EVERYONE was going to do all vinyl, I’d be 100% not insulted. But…now that I’m the only one that has to change something, it’s directly targeted at me…and why? what’s the point? what does it accomplish?
propose a fully digital night the next week, and see what they say to that. i think thats only fair.
i think theyre threatened. work with that, perhaps instead of playin at this gig play somewhere else on the same night and try make that night bigger.
It’s all ego. I stopped using CDs at my gig and it was suddenly forgotten that I ever did. I pulled mixes that no one could think of, on CDs. Now I spin on a laptop and I’m not a real DJ.
It’s directly targeted at you. They are doing it cause they can. I am sure there’s a sexist attitude here, as well as ego. “Hey, look at the girl mix on CDs. Doesn’t sound as good as on her crazy rig does it? I’m sure that stuff does all the work.”
I don’t know these people, but I already don’t like them.
YES! You want to be sure whether or not it’s to cripple you? Do that. Watch them balk at the idea.
Just to make something clear, I have NO desire to leave this night, or compete with them. These folks ARE my friends. And I’ve been working with the “head guy” for 2 years. We run 3 nights together (I’m 3rd in command right behind a one of my mates).
I’m not telling you to quit. If they are your friends and co-workers then you need to talk to them about it. I have had to have those conversations “No more laptop DJs… oh except for Jared”.
I don’t think you should quit. But if they are going to do this to you then I’d not spin for that month. It’s a direct insult, in my mind. If they are going to say that there should be no computers but you’re the only one that uses them then, well, that’s just them saying you shouldn’t spin on a computer.
RSDJ it makes perfect sense to me. You are taking the show away from them. They feel that you are a better performer with all you gadgets, but you are just a regular dj w/o them.
I’ve had similar problems in L.A. cuz I use my rig everwhere I go . I usually say if you want me to perform (not dj) I need my gear. Tell Matin Gore to make a whole album on a piano, no computer, no syths, no nothing :eek:
*** Just a little DM joke, being that Martin writes all his song on a piano or acoustic gutiar ***
Again, these folks are my friends. We hang out on a regular basis, outside the scene. Beers, Movies, Breakfast with the kids, etc. We’re a really tight knit grew..which is why this seems so freakin’ weird.
Ugh…thats all i can say to that…ugh!
Heh, that’s exactly what would happen too. "few of us have a laptop, or we’d have to buy software, or ‘i dont know how to use it’ blah blah blah.
yea it does seem childish, to the point where i don’t think theyd directly target one of their own.
i think theyre worried youll take over. tell them to get some computers already
What would have happened if you said “Well, most of my new music is all on promo downloads, or from emusic/itunes. I have to go out and buy all the blank CDs and take the time to burn them and organize them? I guess I won’t spin.”
I’m not trying to make light of their friendship. This isn’t about friendship. This is about business.
