Time to vent a little….
Ok avid readers, it’s time for me to let off a little steam. As some of you know I started DJ-ing at a dance club here in Omaha, and the owner is really starting to bloody piss me off! Last night was ladies night and I was having a really good show. The owner (we’ll call him Jack so I don’t use his real name), came up by me during the last half hour of the night and basically just took over…took over picking what music to play, took over my sound board, took over the mic, even the lights.
I have been working as a DJ for roughly 6 years (with the combination of college radio, mobile DJ work, and dance clubs) and I didn’t get to where I am by doing bad shows. I know how to make a show work and hate it when someone feels they need to stand over my shoulder and show me what I’m doing wrong especially when they aren’t doing anything any better!!!
What you do during a show is start off early with some good, but not overly used music to kind of warm the crowd up with. Mix up some 70’s and 80’s, start to get a feel for your audience. Then, do some newer or more thumping songs to get them going. By now, they should have a few drinks in them and are ready to cut loose. Work the mic, and get them involved. “Mony Mony”, “Let Me Clear My Throat”, “Stayin’ Alive” by N-Trance, some old school rap….then hit them with the new hip hop and dance stuff. Towards the end of the evening, start to wind it down and close with a good closing song. You DO NOT get the crowd involved during the last 15 min. of your show! They are drunk now and just want to dance and have a good time without getting involved and singing along!!! I know what they want to hear! I know what I’m supposed to play! I have a “pattern” that I go by, I don’t need someone showing me what they think is going to work the best! I mean, do you think he wants me standing over his shoulder telling him what I think he should be doing to run his bar?!?! Hell no! So why would I want someone doing that to me? Or you? Or anyone? No one wants a “hoverer” at their place of business especially when that person knows how to do that particular job excellently! I’m almost half tempted to see if I can get a job DJing at a different club! To quote Marvin the Martian, “He’s making me so very, very angry! So very angry indeed!”
Thanks for letting me vent!