Rock Dj Advice

[Atari6600 0]

I'm interested in working as a Mobile Rock DJ for several reasons. The main one I will mention is because I like to do things out of the ordinary. Be different from the masses where entertainment careers are concerned.

 

I've done light DJing pool and Halloween parties when I was in Technical College so I have a little experience, but I'm in need of tips, advice and some simple steps to start a business out of it. I have over 4,000 songs in my music library and am always looking to add more.

 

Any advice would be well appreciated.

[Robster 0]

like any business its success is dependant on supply and demand.

 

Is there enough of a market for you to supply only rock music ? will you be asked to compromise and will you?

 

are you prepared to take hours and hours of abuse from aunties wanting motown and to get that rubbish off. are you prepared for empty dance floors when audience members are invited to there family or mates birthday to find its a rock only disco and they didnt know.

 

I would say its a great idea but like any specialized sector needs to be marketed really well and clients need to inform guests what sort of party it is.

 

I personally like rock and see that there maybe a market for such events but for normal functions it may be a lot of ear ache if not prepared and worked on fully , no way as easy as having all genres at your disposal.

 

but if your up for the challenge , hard work, ear bashing then i wish you well and hope it goes a lot easier than i am assuming.

[Atari6600 0]

I'm up for the challenge and I am willing to compromise. I won't keep the music I prefer not to listen to like rap and country, personally. Since I do laptop based DJing, an external storage device would hold music I'm not into listening to set aside for work.

 

This is really my first attempt at making a job out of it. Back in college, I mostly DJed for fun and people seemed to enjoy it.

[chrisgregg 0]

Hiya pal

 

If i was you i would get everything, i think a good dj is somebody who plays for the crowd and not himself, I'm 24 iv done birthdays for 90 year old and beleave me it kills me to be playing 50s music but at the end of the night for somebody to turn round n say wow ''your music was fantastic tonight it was really good!'' makes it feel worthwhile.

[Gary (GDK) 0]

I started off as a rock DJ.. but now I cover everything.

 

I also do rockaokie.

[gadget 0]

I never thought I'd enjoy playing Motown and classic 60s/70s/80s as much as I do now :)

 

I started off mostly paying current charts... and a few popular 80s..

 

I've always enjoyed the 80s music (cos I grew up with that !)

 

Cheers,

 

David

[funkymook 0]

As people have said, you'll soon find you have to expand your music collection to cover all genres if you go mobile. Even for those gigs where the people booking you say 'we only want rock' - as their guests will probably want a mixture (so easy to get caught up in your clients personal tastes and forget the other 120 people coming).

 

But it's not such an overwhelming task to get enough 'other music' to suit most occasions. To start off, make a list of popular genres - Easy listening, Rock'n'Roll, Motown, 70's Disco, 80's, Party Classic etc etc.

 

For each genre you'll find there's probably 20 or so most popular/well known songs (plenty of lists like this on the internet) - and plenty of fairly cheap compilations available that cover them (make sure they are original artists and original versions though).

 

Or you could check out Pro DJ CD sets from companies like Mastermix for an idea of a wide range of suitable tunes.

 

Then keep you current chart hits up to date as well and you will be good to go for most mainstream functions.

When you do get a booking, effective questioning about the music required is essential, in case they want some music that's not in your collection.

 

You're bound to get requests (especially in the early days) for songs you haven't got - make a note of them, and if they are something you think you should have, make sure you get them.

 

Now, back to your Rock DJ'ing - best thing is to organise your own specialist night in a local bar or club, usually they will be happy to have something on a midweek night that brings in an audience. Then you have to network, network, network (Facebook is your friend here) to build up a good following and to let everyone know where and when you're playing next.

 

 

 

[Cellardwellers 0]

Hi Atari

 

I am mainly a rock DJ. As others have said it would be hard going to just be a rock DJ and nothing else. That said it wouldn't be impossible. Rock is a huge genre covering many styles and alot of years.

 

I have done many 'only rock' weddings and birthdays. Yes as others have said you do have the occassional person who asks for a bit of Abba and I have fitted it into the night....normally checking with the gig organiser first or with an bit of mic work.

 

You will find though that in being booked as a rock DJ for a wedding you will be expected to do mainly rock but with a bit of the norm chucked in.

 

IF you want to do only rock then you can look (as mentioned) at putting on rock nights. I did this at a local WMC. One a month. We had a great turn out but costs stopped me doing more. It did get my name out there as a rock DJ. I now have a good stream of Motorcycle Club rally's that I provide the entertainment for. 2 nights of Rock Disco, Stage lighting for bands and some times PA hire.

 

I recently DJ'd the wedding of Wrathchild's (local rock band) drummer Eddie Star

 

Good luck

[Atari6600 0]

Well like I said as long I can get a new storage device for myself to store music I'm not really personally into listening to, I can handle playing any genre. Thanks for all the advice on music compilation and ideas for gigs.

 

Maybe I use some of this as an easy way to sell myself as a DJ. I haven't done a gig since I used to do pool parties for a college program back in 2008/2009 so I need to get back into the swing of things.

[unklbrian 0]

 

 

Now, back to your Rock DJ'ing - best thing is to organise your own specialist night in a local bar or club, usually they will be happy to have something on a midweek night that brings in an audience. Then you have to network, network, network (Facebook is your friend here) to build up a good following and to let everyone know where and when you're playing next.

 

i would agree with Funkymook on that !

 

as a 'specialist' dj [ Soul/Reggae/Ska] , by far the best way is playing in a bar ,

 

and PROMOTE IT :karen:

[sparklingdiscos 0]

i would agree with Funkymook on that !

 

as a 'specialist' dj [ Soul/Reggae/Ska] , by far the best way is playing in a bar ,

 

and PROMOTE IT :karen:

 

 

thats a great idea - hosting your own nights - also youll have a more appreciative crowd who actually want t listen to rock (and wont myther you for 'tinie Tempah' ot 'n-dubz'!!)

 

you may get other work and weddings off the back of that.

[DoK 0]

I've done my fair share of rock DJing, having been mainly a rock DJ for some time.

 

In that time I found myself doing dedicated rock discos for weddings and birthdays. I was slightly worried about the idea of doing a rock disco for a private function like this because as someone mentioned above, if someone turns up and doesn't know, they'll be bored!

They actually turned out to be some of my most memorable nights.

 

I'd definately agree with others though and say that the way to go is get residencies in rock bars/clubs or set up your own dedicated rock nights.