Where is the best place in the US for a DJ to live?
This may seem like a bizarre question to throw out there, but I’m wondering. I currently live in a small ski town in Colorado. I moved back out here after living in Philly to pursue an emergency medicine career. I have a couple different “residencies” out here (DJing at bars and a coffee shop) which keeps me in practice but honestly doesn’t make me push the envelope much. So I’ve been trying to figure out how long I’m going to stay here.
The details of the situation really don’t matter, but the upshot is that I may be quitting my job at the end of June and leaving the valley sometime soon after that, by the time my lease runs out in August. My options are pretty open as far as where I go. I’m pretty sure I want to be in or near a major city for travel and the city life in general, but I’d also like quick access to the outdoors/snow/forests/that sort of thing. So I’m curious about what people enjoy in their city and scene, and what they think the creative purposes (for DJing, music, art, whatever) are there. I’d just really appreciate everyone’s input.
Best bet is to look into the kind of music you want to spin. There are a million clubs in NYC, but there aren’t many places for D&B. So, that might be a good place to start.
Winter Park is a great place to ride and ski (and bike and run in the summer) but after 3 seasons here it wears on you.
I’m definitely interested in the Bay Area/San Fransisco area. It seems like a pretty nice climate and as far as music goes people are trying new, stupid stuff, which fits my DJ style well enough.
DvlsAdvct, I really like to play just about anything, so I’m fairly flexible. But you do bring up a pretty good point.
could you name a few genres that go well in las vegas? i’m totally into breaks and dnb, but i can’t think of a breakbeat scene in las vegas. what about electro house or dubstep?
vegas might be an option in the future since i play cards professionally and it’s kinda easy to combine both jobs there, hah.
Breaks and dnb? Vegas wouldn’t be the place for you. House, electro and top 40 garbage? This is the place to be. Have a read on www.eternalbeats.net (Vegas EDM bulletin board/calendar website) and you can get a better idea. If you’re at all an industrial DJ, it’s even worse.
Tru w/ Desolous, its all about House, Electro, Top40, and Hip Hop. Its been a dream for me to dj in Vegas, but I still need to make a name for myself in L.A. then I can travel to Vegas on the weekends.
True, but unless you’re getting booked with Insomniac Events, Giant, or a legit club event, you run the risk of working with some of the many promoters who don’t have proper permits and/or go over capacity. This usually leads to trouble with cops. If you move to LA, invest in kevlar and a gas mask.
Tru B33SON, but its the same circle of djs that play in L.A. electro scene, (edit) deleted dj names* Im not dissing or talking sh!t about these dj’s but every flyer you see one of these dj are on it. If any of those bigtime dj’s see you play at the same event and you are a threat to them you will never play at the venues they are regulars at.
I know exactly what you mean, and it’s for that very reason that a lot of local scenes become stagnant. When ever a young, fresh DJ comes along trying to up the standard, instead of trying to keep up they just get him black balled.
Really need to come back round there!
