Dj'Ing For Free
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Wizdumb replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 12:59am |
 Coolness: 122510 | all i have to say is everyone needs to get a start somewhere |
| I'm feeling a year older right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» greatjob replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 1:19am |
 Coolness: 282655 | Oh for sure, but if playing out isn't your thing yet...it's back to the oven you go man, you aren't quite up to stautus yet in my books. Dj's, like any other artist in the world (no matter what form) have to be perfected in order to achieve ultimate (not just so so) satisfaction, I for one will not pay 25 dollars to see some local talent trainwreck all night, especially when I know which Dj's to look out for...not the ones who suck and keep geting booked lol |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Le_D replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 1:35am |
 Coolness: 145095 | The part about getting paid or not is between the dj and the promoter. If both parties agree before anything is annouced, their shouldn't be any drama. Dealing with djs, I see different mentality. Some djs will ask for a small payment, just to pay for the cab and some booze. Others will ask for more money, seeing their experience and talent as not coming for free. Some djs will also play for free, out of support for the scene and the promoter. This is the dj's decision. Promoters have to respect that decision.
The thing is, throwing a party is expensive, and the risk of loosing money is pretty high. If any dj plans on charging a lot of money, than that dj better damn make sure he'll play a good enough set and bring enough people to back this up. If you're djing for money, you're not in the right business. If you're djing for the love of the music, but expect some money as a principle, then it's your right to ask for that money, but please do so before your name is written on the flyer. |
| I'm feeling raves'r'us! right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» greatjob replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 2:10am |
| Coolness: 282655 | A professional Dj should know his worth, all I'm gonna say...test it out, I know I'm worth an easy 20 - 40$ for 2 hours...and thats not being conceided...that doesnt mean someone else feels that way about me...its just the way I feel comfortable doing things at this point in my career. It's buissness! |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Bad_Chemistry replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 3:33am |
 Coolness: 73285 | I agree with Le_D... in principle nobody forces you to dj for free. Unless of course you were promised something but given nothing; but that's a whole different topic. How much your getting paid to do something should be between you and the promoter.
In my personal opinion the dj's should atleast be given a little something for playing. At some events you just can't afford to pay 4-5 dj's, but atleast give them something... even if it's 2 free drinks, atleast the dj has a reason for being there. It all boils down to what the dj is worth. The old saying, "you get what you pay for" holds true here. Obviously if a promoter hires a bunch of newer dj's for free he's gonna get a lower quality production. Sure sometimes you get good dj's who are just starting out and need exposure, but alot of times your gonna get dj's who trainwreck, blow speakers, and otherwise fuck up. I think it also has to do with promoters getting lazy. Almost anybody, excluding those who are about as competent as mental patients, can hire a few montreal locals, rent a venue and some sound, and get some black-lights. It takes alot more work to plan and hire for an event that will bring a big amount of people. If a promoter barely cuts even after the rental of the venue and sound how do you expect him to pay the dj's? One thing though I feel that live acts should always be paid... live acts if decent enough bring ALOT of people to parties. Producers also have to haul ALOT more equipment and have to spend much more time producing songs (hopefully). |
| I'm feeling like i hit a bus right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» bodkin_van_horn replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 3:53am |
 Coolness: 40315 | all this means nothing unless you consider what you are playing for. If you play for an empty room then you can't expect to get paid, regardless of what format you are playing from or your experience. If the room is empty there are many factors as to why, but one of those reasons is cause the DJ doesn't draw. until a DJ can draw a crowd, keep them pumpin on the dance floor and drink from the bar, they aren't doing there job and shouldn't get paid for it.
As far as I'm concerned if the night is a hit and you (the DJ) played a major part in it...then you get paid. It doesn't matter if you're playing your gramma's stolen 78's to do it. I know DJs that have been playing for 10 years that take this approach. Negotiate a cut prior to the party with the promotor. Better known DJs can negotiate a "guarantee" because they're a sure fire draw. |
| I'm feeling the µ-ziq right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» greatjob replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 4:02am |
| Coolness: 282655 | Yes, "written agreement" is our 2 words for 2007 people, for all those money grubbing dj's out there...lol |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» bodkin_van_horn replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 4:23am |
| Coolness: 40315 | I wouldn't go as far as that in your case Mr. One. you probably play for your buds right? just say before you go on..."I want 20% of the door" or what ever %
written agreements are for bigger money, not 20 bucks. |
| I'm feeling the µ-ziq right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» greatjob replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 4:28am |
| Coolness: 282655 | haha for sure man, or more records! Like a promos used to be the key things to get ppl engaged man, I'm good on the trust issue man, it's more for all those future Tiesto's out there, written agreements are for international gigs though usually so, i'm s.o.l, youre right |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» bodkin_van_horn replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 4:35am |
| Coolness: 40315 | hey man...I thought you were a future Tiesto...I can see you on one of those big ass stages he dicks around on. HAHA!
I don't know why our man Kishmay_Pinas even started this thread. Dudes never paid me for playing. OH yeah that's cause I reek as a DJ. |
| I'm feeling the µ-ziq right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» greatjob replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 4:44am |
| Coolness: 282655 | Yeah! Fuck off Ninja Tune! You suck!
lol Riiiight! :D |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Kishmay_Pinas replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 4:46am |
 Coolness: 103455 | Awwww but Kishmay was always straight up when booking for EZ BAKE Monday.
Every dj that came through was straight up told I can;t pay ya but I will get you mad drunk! If they didn't want to play they told me so, if at the end of the night there was something to give, on more than one occasion it was given. Um Bodkins, I did offer you part of the profits once too, and the nice guy you are refused it, cuz you loved the night :D If a dj needed a lift we always took care of his cab, or gave him/her a ride. The idea behind this thread was to get insight from other dj's as what they expect and what they think is fair. If I am told I am getting nothing, and accept, so be it. If I am told I am gonna get paid 30 bills I expect $30 When I threw general MIdi, through acomp ticket agreement with my dj's I still managed to pay each of the locals approx $70-$100 each, Midi made close to $500. As a promoter did I make money? NO! Who's fault is that? Fact is I still recognized the value of what the dj's were doing, and the scope of the event. |
| I'm feeling like a beer right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» rawali replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 7:24am |
 Coolness: 140885 | hehe yesssss the internet thing... I've been told! my credit card should arrive soon-ish ;) |
| I'm feeling a storm brewing right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Deadfunk replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 9:42am |
 Coolness: 153205 | i say
BOOK DJS THAT PRODUCES THIER OWN MUSIC!!! *im not pointing at me ... * =P Update » Deadfunk wrote on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 10:04am but w/o written agrements promoters tend to pay you less for any reason...
even for a 70$ gig i think there should be written agreements but im no advocate so im not gonna write it! |
| I'm feeling the bass right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» PitaGore replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 11:47am |
 Coolness: 472005 | at a certain point, after playing for people at parties for years and years (and i can honestly say that i think i've been rockin' it for years and havent been deceiving any promoter or crowd in any major way),
i aint expecting tons of money , and usually i'm avoiding discussions regarding cash when it comes to bookings, cuz whatever i get to get told usually doesnt happen, so i'd rather hear no promises and not be deceived ....and i wont get into written contracts cuz i aint a superstar and i aint even producing music in a serious way yet .. but yeah, after all this, if i'm still around its for one thing ; cuz i love music, i love playing records, i like playing for people and inspiring 'em and makin' em smile i'm expecting respect from the promoters, respect and consideration , even if it only means getting some lil' goodies of any kind , or simply cab money ... whatever, i'm still askin' for a salary when booked somewhere, but i'm always expecting bullshit and excuses or whatever drama that keeps me from getting any form of dollar for my services .. so i keep on pushin' anyways, cuz i'm lovin' what i'm doin' and i certainly wont stop for some cash reasons just think about it , its just an example ; for a dj thats been playing for over 8 years, played at all sorts of events of all kinds, rocked it for intimate crowds as well as huge ones ..ETC.ETC. do y'allz think it is askin' for way too much to ask to ask for ; 50$ minimum, or at least cover my cab expenses , a guest, and 2/3 drinks .. well , in a whole year, i might be getting that only 2/3 times outta all the gigs ...sometimes i get to gigs i'm booked at, and there aint even the proper equipment i'm supposed to be playing on, and no promoter available to take care of it or assume the mistakes or whatever, sometimes i just go back home without any explanations, i lose the gig cuz the setup aint even allowing me to play or the room i play in gets cancelled, i lose the cash i spent on getting to the jam and going back home, and i never get any further explanations ....it stays that way ....u call that respect ?? and did i ever freak out or started shit because of all this ??! not really, and the only time i really freaked out , it turned against me and since then the actual promoter that was involved just discredited me and took me out of his jams forever, so i get to look like one who's in it for the wrong reasons .. so yah, if u want a living proof of all the crap regarding not getting paid for years as a dj, just ask me !  |
| I'm feeling trill right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» MURDOCK_ROCK replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 12:03pm |
 Coolness: 84075 | personally....
djing doesn't pay my rent and i don't really ever expect it to. i've also played an obsene amount of gigs for free. some of them have worked out well and some have been the equivelent to promoters pissing in my face. what it comes down to is learning... if your just starting out yer not gunna learn anything if you don't play for free. you might be able to rock out your bedroom... but unfortunately there is big differences in a real club. you gotta know your soundsytems, all kindsa gear set ups and how to deal with technical difficulties on the fly. and unfortunately you gotta make some sacfrifices to learn that stuff. don't get me wrong here... i don't think dj's should have to "pay to play" either. but there is certain learning curve that should be taken into consideration. i also gotta agree with bodkin 100% on all fronts. but in all honesty... this thread and talk of contracts from dj's from dj's who aren't registered and can't provide tax reciepts kinda makes me laugh... no offence to anyone. contracts are for ppl who pay taxes on the money they make djing!!! contracts are written by lawers to ensure payment on taxable income. NOT to ensure payment of under the table income. writing a contract for 50 bucks that yer not planning on paying taxes on is not only ridiculous it's illegal and can be used against you in a court of law. anyway... as far as me playing for free... i'm not opposed to it as long as promoters are upfront with me and everthing is on the level and i'm at least ensured a good time (get me pissed yo ;o) and i'm not gunna be forced pay for 20$ cab ride outta my own pocket at 4 in the morning. |
| I'm feeling warm unicorn jizz right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» m4xom4x replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 12:03pm |
 Coolness: 44495 | Wow Stunna, that's an amazing story reality situation there, big respect to you m(_ _)m |
| I'm feeling <)))>< ($_$) ><(((> right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» PitaGore replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 12:08pm |
| Coolness: 472005 | thanks, but still, i'm sure some are gonna read this and think i'm a freakin' pretentious asshole, which i aint ...
wish respect was that easy to get .. |
| I'm feeling trill right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» regimental911 replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 12:42pm |
 Coolness: 134470 | i rock for free when im trying new material,or get asked really nicely if im already at the party,otherwise its 200 bucks for 2 hours ,or 50 bucks for 5 songs.
period.and if they book an inferior person in my place,then ièll show up to battle the basterd. |
| I'm feeling monster reggie right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» v.2-1 replied on Thu Dec 28, 2006 @ 12:43pm |
 Coolness: 159320 | Hey yo Stunna, you ain't pretentious, you are just keeping it real, chum.
I've spun numerous years too and I have to agree to EVERYTHING you've said 'cause I experienced it the exact same way. And that goes to Murdock Rock too. That contract thing was marvellous : if you ain't declaring that gig, you'll like a fucking douchebag in a court of law. Talk about loosing face in front of a promoter, partygoers AND a court of law. Seriously though, when I started playing waaaaaaaaaaay back, promoters threw parties and lost an insane amount of cash because ( and this is the part you kids ain't gonna understand ) they did it for the fun of it. Enter greed. And then some. I've seen promoters throw partys with 500$ and managed to bitch and whine about everything and everyone being expensive and such. Here's a concept : instead of throwing 15 partys a year and throw 2 or 3 max and SAVE YOUR GODDAM CASH already. Quality people, not quantity. Hence, I rarely got paid for my gigs. Never complained though. Yes, being told you'd get a few hundred dollars to play and being told you getting zip is frustrating for DJs, it feels like being lied to it ( I had a few times where I felt the guy could've just told me this to get out of it even though he did have the money to pay ) sometimes. Like Stunna, it may sound pretentious but hell, you don't tell me how to DJ, I shouldn't have to tell you how to manage your party to be able to keep the promises you made. Regardless of that, I spun for free more than 70% and quite frankly, the rush and feeling I get of spinning far surpasses my own greed and selfishness. And I'm sorry about that vinyl thing people...I have a shitload of them too but if you're expecting to be payed for gigs because vinyls cost money, time to grow up. That's just like a minor league hockey player asking his coach to pay for his hockey tape, new skate laces and helmet because " that shit costs money, fool ! " It's exactly like sports, kiddies : you're in the minor leagues, play for the love of it. One day, if you'll be unbelievably lucky and you'll get drafted into something bigger, like afterhours or out-of-town parties, to which you can request an actual pay because it's EXPECTED of them and hell, they know it and that's how it works with them. So indeed, I think it's a question of STATUS, really. And big up to Stunna and Murdock Rock. I got yo backs, sons. |
| I'm feeling that artwork is dope right now.. | |
Dj'Ing For Free
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