If there’s one guy that’s always guaranteed to get the dance floor packed at any club, it’s David Guetta. I admit that I have been a huge fan of his work, but judging by the number of requests I’ve been getting for his latest single, with Nicki Minaj, it seems I’m not alone! The guy is pure music gold; a talented writer and producer who seems to be able to get the best out of all the vocalists and performers he works with. Not bad for someone who freely admits that he can’t sing a note!
The Rolling Stones started as a typical British Invasion group with more learned R & B and Chicago blues basis than the hit maker Kinks. However, in the mid 60’s the group chased the all-time favorite the Beatles with their far-out instrumentation. They became strongly competitive for the most experimental and hip rock group race when they released “Time Is On My Side.” This was their first single that hit the air waves and was written, produced and arranged by Jerry Ragovoy.
A lovely girl by the name of Amy (no relation or connection to that Amy) recently came up to me following a gig and asked me how she could get noticed. Turns out she’s a DJ as well but had been having trouble getting herself booked because she’s that thing we all are at some point in our careers ‘unknown’. Her question got me thinking hard (no small feat for me) and several answers presented themselves which I am happy to share on my blog.
Mobile phones are tools that pretty much everyone has in their pocket or bag these days. They are such a cool part of our life that I don’t think I’ve left home without mine in at least five years. Now that we have iPhones and internet available on demand, there has never been a better time to promote yourself or your work. I’m not just talking about Djing either – this advice applies to any business or person. Think about it, people are so plugged into their phones, laptops, iPods, iPhones, i-everything that it’s hard not to use the tech to reach them and promote yourself.
This promotion begins at home, but you have to be online and ready to connect everywhere you go. I recently got back from a holiday in Hungary where not only did I spend time chilling and enjoying myself, but I also used the time to keep connected with my followers on Facebook, Twitter and my blog. I did this by taking my iPhone with me and thanks to a company called abroadband I was able to share, talk and chat online for a minimum of cost. Your phone is your closest ally on the long road to success so make sure you have it with you at all times and that you have a good broadband connection.
The next question Amy asked me after I’d given her all those diamond tips was how to get noticed when you’re actually at a venue? If it’s your first booking at that venue then you have to make sure that you’ll be remembered in the right way. Some DJs think that shock choices and track tactics are the best way to get a repeat booking – they’re not! The only thing that will happen is you alienating the audience and the manager. Best thing to do is visit beforehand and study the styles of music that are being played. That way you can mix up your own selection beforehand whilst still adding in choices that make you unique without being arrogant.
Ever since I read a report earlier this year on The Guardian website about Activision cancelling their DJ series of games, I’ve been a little worried about the public’s interest in the art. That is why as a new DJ you have to be determined, patient and willing to sense a venue’s vibe. As I said to Amy, whatever happens don’t give up!
Standing out from the crowd in a busy and packed out club isn’t always easy, but when you are the DJ you have to make sure people know about it. You can’t go unnoticed or you will end up blending in with everyone else and then you won’t get the respect you deserve. I have always been a little bit crafty and artistic and I had a big gig coming up so I decided to get myself down to my More
All fans of the Kings of Leon band should keep the dates 22nd and 23rd June, 2011 free in their calendars. This is because the band is performing live on those dates in Hyde Park, London. As all music fans know, the experience of watching your favourite band live on stage with thousands of other fans is quite surreal and can never be experienced in your lofts North London!
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are creeping up a little higher and the cricket season has started up again. All this can only mean one thing; it’s nearly time for the first festival of 2011! I love the summer for many reasons (I definitely should have been born in a hot country, rather than shivering away in the worst selection of lofts north London has to offer) but festivals is probably my favourite thing about the June-September period More
David Guetta is definitely one of my all-time DJ-ing, perhaps even musical, heroes. And he sums up perfectly what I find so intriguing and inspiring about dance music; the collaboration. Dance has produced some inspired “duets” over the years, some unexpected and some that have launched, or perhaps relaunched, careers. Collaborating means working pretty closely together, even if you are actually both recording your separate parts in studios hundreds of miles away! Kind of like working with the national headquarters More
Even though it is decades since his untimely death, you will still find it difficult to walk past a shop display without catching a glimpse of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. He has been transformed from a revolutionary singer who brought music right up to speed to an icon in his own right. The white suit, the gold shades, the quiff, the sideburns, the snarling top lip and the killer smile, every aspect of him is completely More
Christmas is well and truly over and we are slap bang into the start of a new year. Or hadn’t you noticed? Cruising around the shops, look at the nearest retail display and you’ll see that there are no more elves or reindeers, only vulgar 30% Off signs. There is something so cold and commercial about January and its notorious sales that makes me think that we should have a bubbly soundtrack to help us through it. No wonder it’s More
