Just been asked to do a trial set at a big club about 15 miles away from where I live; normally, I’d catch public transport there and hang around until 6ish when the trains start running again, but unfortunately there’s no (even slightly) direct public transport route between here and the venue.
Now, I don’t mind playing my first night there for free, but is it acceptable to ask that they cover my travel expenses, as I’m going to have to get a taxi there and back, which will likely come to about £40-50 total.
It’s not unreasonable, but someone who doesn’t have to worry about “travel expenses” is much more likely to run favorably in the eyes of the promoters / owners for the evening.
Do what you feel is right however, and stick to your guns.
Well it’s a tricky one, because around here the going rate for a full night DJing is like £150 on a Friday / £200 on a Saturday, so asking for like £40 wouldn’t be too bad; I’m not sure how it works if you’re only doing 1-hour sets though.
Lol tell me about it… unfortunately car insurance for me would be £4000 a year, which is practically impossible for me to pay for atm
Listen - it’s quite likely that you are not being trialed, but that they have had a DJ drop out of that slot and decided you let you fill it for free - saving them some dough.
So - if you ask 'em for £40 travelling expenses, they may well agree just to save themselves the hassle of arranging another DJ.
BUT - it might come across as a little ameteur if you ask for travel costs…
Don’t ask for travel costs the first day. Period. Don’t do it. They’ll find another DJ with a car… Whether he’s better or worse, they’ll more than likely move on.
These are sacrifices we have to make sometimes.
Now if I get a reg gig, it may be okay to ask for a bit more cause of travel costs, but more likely than not, they’re looking for guys with reliable transportation. Then again I’m from the US, culture could be different.
Asking for money before you have proved yourself is a big no no.
Promoters I know always piss and moan when they are asked to cover expenses for first timers.
Do a good set and when they ask you back, tell them about the costs and then ask for expenses.
i know a buddy who DJs around my area with no car, but he brings a friend with him and usually just tells the friend for compensation of the ride, he will hook him up with a few drinks… plus u get to chill next to the DJ, and girls always come up to talk to the DJ… they usually end up going.
Eh, it depends though honestly. In Toronto you can get most places before around 2am and after that there are night busses and it’s quite reliable. In Waterloo, where I am for university, hell no.
Anyways, going back on topic, gonna echo what has been said here a few times: Don’t ask for travel costs for a trial night, the promoters will definitely not be cool with that.
Uhmmm never said you did… Didnt realize some how my opinion had to relate to that… Sorry..
So fine ill rephrase it… so that it means the exact same thing. “Though, Id have issue relying on my DJ To get there on a weekly basis with NO TRANSPORTATION”
Public Transportation, no transportation … same unreliability.. shrug.. Many employers normal jobs ask that you have a dependable way to get to work as well.
Cheers for all the input guys Looks like I’ll have to beg/bully/bribe someone into giving me a lift or just suck up the cost of the taxis and keep quiet about it lol
As for the ridiculously expensive car insurance; I’m 26, but I don’t have a licence at the moment, so if I take my test, I’ll still only have had the licence for less than a year == stupidly expensive
Looks like I’ll have to beg/bully/bribe someone into giving me a lift or just suck up the cost of the taxis and keep quiet about it lol