Earlier this week, I was djing a house party with maybe 50-60 people, with a good portion of these number being people I know. And it was great.
Until one of the people there came up to me and started bitching about how I wasn’t doing anything, about how I was just “letting the song play.” He told me that he had heard my mixes and that they were great, but that my live performance left something to be desired.
And then he decided to start messing with my gear, turning knobs, and just generally pissing me off. Finally he went away.
The point is, for some reason this really really got me. And now I just don’t want to do anything dj-related. Every time I start up VDJ just to mix up some songs for fun and to kill some time, all I can think about is getting bitched at, and I can’t do it.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just whiney. Any thoughts?
Edit: I’d also like to mention that my style of dj-ing is pretty minimal I guess, in that I don’t use a lot of effects or anything. I guess I could, I just don’t like to.
First off, before the dickhead came up to bitch, were people dancing and enjoying the music? Because if they were, then you know you’re doing something right.
It sounds like this kid was just being a punk and had nothing better to do…
As long as you’re playing tunes that people enjoy there’s no need to get FX crazy. And even so, playing a house party is much different than a mix or a gig. It all depends on the party, but most of the time, people are there for the socializing/drinking/etc. and having someone spin music is just a bonus… so you’re probably better off letting the tracks play out than doing quick changes/huge buildups and all anyways (again I say this really depends on the party).
Also, I used to use VDJ for a bit and I must say that the FX were really poor (I rarely rarely used them). I worked mainly on transitions and some EQing (basic stuff, but as long as people enjoy the music, who cares?).
And if you really do enjoy DJing (or anything for that matter), you can’t let one person discourage you so much. Maybe he was jealous and drunk and had just been shut down by a girl? You never know… but if you’re really curious, there’s always the other 59 people at the party you can ask.
Yeah bro dont give in to jackasses like that guy… theres always one at a party or where ever you go and at the end of the day what has that guy got to show? Nothing… he just wants to make you feel bad cause he has a shitty life… just do your thing and get people dancing and having a good time and i agree with vly if its really getting on your nerves ask some of the people there what they thought about your set
just dont give in because some nob gives you flak just enjoy what you do
discouragement always comes in business sometimes. when it goes, go back to the reason you got into DJing. (this principle is useful in pretty much any business or whatever)
lol sounds like he wasn’t getting enough attention so decided to be “cool guy who knows the dj so hangs out in the dj booth until he embarasses the dj or himself”
@Vly: Yeah the kid was hammered, has a reputation for being a mean drunk, and seemed out to piss me off. People seemed to be having a great time, and so was I, until all this happened. And I agree the effects are weak in VDJ, maybe I would use more of them if they were better, but for now it doesn’t bother me. And like you said, the people are there to socialize and have fun at a party, it’s not a nightclub.
@Engramik: I know, I guess I’m just over-sensitive about the whole thing. It’s really what I love to do and when anyone ever has anything to say short of constructive criticism, I take it personally. Also, this guy is a vinyl dj. And by that I mean he owns the equipment. I’ve never heard him use it and I know for a fact it’s not even at his house right now because he is letting a friend use it for the summer. I don’t get it.
Other people came up to me and were telling me how much they liked the music, were impressed, etc (I’m not trying to brag, I’m just saying, maybe it was just him). And someone else that was at the party asked me to dj a party he’s having in a couple weeks. It’s still just discouraging.
@Alexlaine: I know, it just sucks. The whole reason I got into dj-ing, and being a musician in general, was so share my music with other people. When people don’t like it, it’s hard to find motivation.
edit: @Duerr: Lol that’s true. I need a personal bouncer for these events…
it’s a guy thing, it’s in our genes to compete. The DJ at the party is elevated to alpha male status which means he will buck heads with the other alpha males as the other guys try any way they can to establish their status at the gathering.
we’re animals at the best of times, throw booze/drugs into the mix and many men become beasts with only their natural instincts to rely on. If you want to continue DJing i suggest you get used to it and grow a tougher skin, my friend.
That’s a good point. Especially about the the alcohol and drugs.
Lol I know. Since I’m relatively new to the whole thing, this is really one of the first times anyone’s given me shit. I knew it was coming. I just didn’t expect it to be from someone I know, I guess.
Wuz and Jester: I know, the thing is too I had like barricaded off the area I was in with chairs and stuff specifically to prevent this from happening. And he put his drink on the table I was using. That’s when I really started bitching. I told him like five times I didn’t want it around because I didn’t want anything to get spilled on all my stuff.
When this kid gets drunk, there’s no reasoning with him.
do you have some crew or something to help you out? basically with us anyone thats not playing; their job is to ‘discourage’ this sort of thing happening. the last thing you want is some cretin spilling a bourbon on your gear mate.
Unfortunately I didn’t. I shouldve. In the past this never really was a problem. I think the problem really was that everyone was so drunk (except me, which probably made it worse) that no one wanted to, or was able to, help me out. I understand though, people are there to have a good time, not stand guard.
You are going to have to get used to this mate. Of course most people are cool and are just there to enjoy themselves, but there’s always one that want to spoil it for everyone. whether its dj envy or they are just bad drunks, its all part of the job buddy
shit likes this happens to all of us. I work at a large club where people expecting all different things are there. I have a full dance floor of dancing people, but with a couple of people a night putting rude messages on their cell phones in my face. In my situation, I can look past them to the people on the floor, but I can’t please everyone. It is discouraging, but if you’re in it for the love of music, that will keep you going.
Opinions are like arseholes mate, everybodies got one.
I take criticism pretty personally. It’s like a slap in the face.
I just learnt to take a step back, count to 10, and then analyse the situation. Is it him or me? If it his him, then he can eff off. If it is me, then I’ve learnt something.
The hardest criticism is from managers/owners. When you know they are wrong, when they can’t even describe the music they want you to play, but they are right because they are they boss.
fuck them. if you like what you do then you’ll find people who enjoy it also. the more often you will dj the more asshole you will meet. more audience = more assholes, but more good people as well.
do what you do and laugh at them. you’re djing at the party, not them
unfortunately like people have said the mix of alcohol and sometimes drugs that you get at parties, bars and clubs tends to mean that people are far less restrained and considerate of peoples feelings and you have to have a pretty thick skin.
Over 12 years I’ve had LOADS of people telling me how crap I am, usually because I wouldn’t play the song they wanted right that very second or at all if it was pants. I’ve had some drunk guy once standing in front of the DJ box singing how crap i was at the top of his voice (lol to which i clapped along and then made sure the next song i played was beat matched to his singing, all with a big smile on my face and he got bored and wandered away to annoy someone else). I’ve even had someone tell me they were gonna kill me because i wouldn’t play their song, which while in my neck of the woods almost everyone i have to deal with is usually awesome there are enough proper idiots that is not a comment to just ignore outright.
But yeah thick skin, smile on your face and forget about them they’re not worth it, and for every bad one there are usually two who tell you what an awesome night and how much fun they’ve had
and i agree with vly if its really getting on your nerves ask some of the people there what they thought about your set 
just enjoy what you do 
