Interview with Dangermouse

[Paul Smith 0]

OK put down that Beano annual you got early for Christmas and read the exploits of Dangermouse..... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

 

1. What is your DJU Forum Alias? Dangermouse

 

2. What is your Real Name, Age, Location & Marital Status? My real name is Chris Dangerfield, I’m 18 from West Bromwich and I’m currently in a full time relationship.

 

3. What is the Name of your Disco? Hit Master Discos

 

4. How long have you been a DJ? Nearly 4 years

 

5. What inspired you to become a DJ? When I was small I used to play around with two portable CD players, mixing songs I’d taped off the radio, and pretending I was a radio DJ. Since then becoming a DJ is something I’ve always wanted to. And with the help of my dad I started nearly 5 years ago and I haven’t looked back since.

 

6. Are you a member of a DJ Association / Union? The Musicians Union

 

7. What is your favourite type of function now? (eg: Wedding, 18th Birthday party, etc) Children’s parties and themed nights like 70s and/or 80’s nights.

 

8. What’s the worst/most embarrassing thing you've done in front of an audience? Announced a song with the wrong title. Well, I put the wrong CD in so it looked like I didn’t know what I was doing.

 

9. If you could go back to the beginning of your DJ career is there anything that you'd do differently? (eg: The gear that you bought, the way you promoted/advertised yourself) I wouldn’t have bought the first things I saw. I was so excited about getting equipment I didn’t really research the quality and the price of equipment that is around. I also wished that I spend a bit more money on advertising in local papers etc.

 

10. What do you feel you offer the public that convinces them to book you rather than "the next guy/girl"? Well I’m still quite young with a lot of experience behind me. I’m still learning but, I feel I can offer a party that is remembered for the right reasons and not the wrong ones.

 

11. Have you ever bought something for your show that you wish you hadn't? and why?

 

12. What's your next DJ purchase likely to be? Mackie 450’s as I use them at uni and they are brilliant.

 

13. If you could get someone to invent a new piece of disco equipment for your show, what would it be? Hmmmm!!! It would have to be some sort of device that shrinks the equipment to the size of a carrier back and then takes it back to full size when you arrive at the venue. (If only hehe)

 

14. What was the worst equipment failure suffered during a gig? My amp stopped working with around an hour to go. Luckily, I bought a spear amp with me after reading a post on the forum about taking spears. CHEERS GUYS!!! Hehe!

 

15. What do you think is the best thing about DJ'ing? The verity of songs that you can play. And the fact that the entertainment is up to you, you are in control and only you can provide a good night.

 

16. What do you think is the worst thing about DJ'ing? COWBOYS. They spoil the customers evening and they spoil the reputation of good professional DJ’s.

 

17. What would make you stop DJ'ing (if anything)? The only thing would be bad health, and then I’d carry on until it wasn’t physically possible.

 

18. How do you think DJ'ing will change, in the next 5 years? I don’t think it will change much in the respects of technology, but I feel in the next five years, there won’t be many part time DJs as costs for licensing and insurance will be too much for a DJ only doing 1 or 2 gigs a week. Hopefully in 5 years time this digital DJ licence will all be sorted in favour of the DJ. (I live in hope hehe)

 

19. Most stupid thing anyone's ever said to you at a gig? So many to choose from. Can you play that song by that band with the four lads in it. That’s a good one. Or, can you play me that song that goes like this….. (cue out of tune humming) hehe.

 

20. Best advice you were ever given by a fellow DJ? Don’t beat yourself up about not pleasing everyone. There is always going to be at least one person who moans about the music.

 

21. And worst advice you were ever given? Play what you want to play, not what they want to hear.

 

22. How do you keep up to date with music? (eg Promo monthly CDs, Downloads, Purchase from retailer) Keep my eye on what’s going on in the charts. Any popular new songs I download from Woolworths or my coke music. I also make sure I buy a CD a week that I need to back date my music collection, that way eventually I will have most of the songs I need.

 

23. Name 3 songs that 95% of the time will fill the dance floor for you!

I wish it was that simple. One week a song could kill the floor one week it could fill the floor. But my three would be, Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a prayer, Ultra Nate – Free, Abba – Dancing queen.

 

24. Mode of transportation. Car

 

25. What is the furthest that you've travelled from home for a single gig? About 100 miles

 

26. Approximately how many gigs have you done to date? In the four years I’ve probably done around a hundred gigs. Not a lot but I am only Djing part time.

 

27. What is the largest/smallest audience numbers you've played to? Largest 500 people, smallest 30 people.

 

28. What is your main (most successful) form of advertising your disco? Defiantly word of mouth. Its old fashioned but it does work.

 

29. Have you ever had someone try to claim off you? (eg: Public Liability Insurance or other such legal action) Not yet (touch wood) but saying that the one time I don’t PLI would be the time I need it so I make sure its always up to date.

 

30. Add any additional comments which you would like to include here... Make sure that you have all the appropriate insurance and licensing. Set up your equipment safely, and tidily. And most important enjoy the experience.

One last thing, this forum has given me a lot of advice on all aspects of DJing. And without the people posting on it, a lot of people would be stuck. Thanks for all the help.

[High Fidelity 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/notworthy.gif Nice one Chris http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

[music box 0]

Great Interview well done http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/cool.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

[shifty 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/cool.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/notworthy.gif

[dangerman 0]

Thanks guys. Did struggle with a few questions hehe!!! Hope it didn't bore you too much.

 

Merry Christmas

 

DM

[stevie 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif well done http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

[brianmole 0]

Good interview...

 

 

QUOTE

9. If you could go back to the beginning of your DJ career is there anything that you'd do differently? (eg: The gear that you bought, the way you promoted/advertised yourself) I wouldn’t have bought the first things I saw. I was so excited about getting equipment I didn’t really research the quality and the price of equipment that is around.

 

That is something I hear soooo often. It's very difficult to see this when you first start. I bought a pair of 50W Haze speakers whent I first started - completely unuseable - I think we all make this mistake at some stage.

 

 

QUOTE

I also make sure I buy a CD a week that I need to back date my music collection, that way eventually I will have most of the songs I need.

Good plan, worked for me over the years.

[FDDJ 0]

Good stuff! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

It's about time I did one of these, PM sent.

[pareshj 0]

Nice one and some funny comments .

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/042.gif

[Andy Westcott 0]

For a 'youngster' you certainly seem to have your head well screwed on.

All the best with your venture - you are streets ahead of where I was at your age!

[YourBigEvent 0]

Agree with Andy - Well done young man.