dude, I started out by doing gigs every weekend at my boarding school, and had this thing the whole time. I was 2 years younger than the big boys at the top, and they loved to come round and try to throw me etc. I just blocked it out, and went along with it - cos I know at the end of the day I was thinking to myself how much they’d change their mind if I was the one playing out at a club, and actually made it. And trust me, its rewarding
Thing is, you have to start somewhere, and as long as you can mix, and are passionate - the best thing you can do is play out at parties, and get as much criticism as you can from everybody - including the jerk-offs like him. Then you can get a rounded view of where to improve, and trust us, you’ll improve. Period. Then before you know it, that plonker’s going to be telling his mates about how he once had a big chat with the headline act at Crobar this weekend. It’ll happen dude.. don’t worry - just takes time. It’s not always as glamorous as it looks, but if you’re into the music, then you should stick at it.
As for the guy fucking with your gear. He crossed a line, and should be severely battered for it. You should go piss on his matches next time he picks up a girl, see how he likes it then
If somebody tried to touch my stuff while I was playing, I’d first slap them (hard), then cut the music, then point to the guy, then get on the mic if necessary and tell everybody that if they want the music back on to get this guy the F*** out of my face.
This morning I finally just sucked it up and did an hour and a half live mix, completely without any planning, to prove to myself that I can, indeed, dj. lol.
That’s actually not a bad idea. I think someone touching your stuff without permission is probably like some kind of unwanted sexual advance. I don’t know, my gear is my stuff, having someone put their grimey paws on it is almost insulting.
Dont mean to jump in all late, but if someone put there hands on my gear, especially my vci-100se…they are either getting stabbed or they are going to get a pint glass to here face.
It doesnt matter if that cat was drunk off his ass, his boys should have been taking care of him and not letting that dumbass run around with no supervision.
These kinds of events are an occupational hazard. Whether its people moaning about your mixing, your choice of song, or anything else, you can’t please all of the people, all of the time.
Mostly, its the alcohol speaking, so do what the rest of us do, ignore it and move on.
That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t accept feedback from your audience, its what helps make you improve, but you’ll know when someone is just out to have a go.
I often get a couple of guys (its always guys), that come right up to the booth and dance stupidly whilst staring right at you, in some vain attempt to throw you off. Its happened enough times now that I wonder whether there is an idiots handbook being passed around!
Nah, when laughing boy wanders over and fiddles with the mixer, stop the tunes and announce loudly to the rest of the party that the idiot is fucking with your gear and th emusic s stopping because of him
If anyone walked up to my gear and touched it, ESPECIALLY when I’m using it, there would be hell to pay. And my promoter is a 6’4" body builder. He’d make sure that guy’s ass would be flattened.
Look, people are gonna hate on you all the time. Fuck em. You’re the one with the gig and they are the ones hatin.
I know I was a little upset. I forgot to mention to that I was recording the mix (which I always do whenever I do anything live) and I can’t even listen to it because I can tell the exact point he started fucking with me because there’s no mistakes in my mixing at all until then.
I know. That’s why I had a couch turned around, and chairs lined up next to it. You literally had to jump over stuff to get to where I was. And he literally did, unfortunately.
Well yeah, that mix is ruined. So next time he comes up to you, if he does, you follow the advice above. Stop the music and tell everyone that this douchebag is the reason all of the music stopped. If they want the music back on then they should help you get his drunk ass out of the booth.
Use a microphone. And sound effects.
Or, tell whoever hosts the parties this happened. Half the time, when dealing with friends, they will have your back.
It’ll happen dude.. don’t worry - just takes time. It’s not always as glamorous as it looks, but if you’re into the music, then you should stick at it.