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Club Residencies, How much is the pay off?
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| DJ Damerchi |
| I am just asking this question out of curiosity, not to be rude or ne thing, but since I am just in high school contemplating whether or whether not I should try to break into the industry. Do most dj's that have residencies work another 9 to 5 job, or is there enough cash in a residency to pay the bills? |
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| djdarroo |
Well most of us djs barely make anything at all!!! LOL
Getting into the club industry is based on luck, and skill and all that offcourse...but from my Xpertise the industry is very demanding...only a few make enough money to pay the bills...*bless those few* on the other hand, if you do make it through(WOW)
When I used to work at this karaoke/nightclub...i would get around $100 for 3-4 hours of DJing...For me its more about the music than the money really, sharing it with others is great. especially when everyone is hyped out and reaching their hands up in the air as if they have seen an angel, giving them some energetic soul. < anyways>
on the other hand when i had a chance to gig at a bigger venue, i got that same amount for 1 hours work....so you do the math!
I hope i was some help to you! I encourage everyone to be a dj! offcourse if you know you are musically intuned! Cheers!
;) |
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| Shafteh |
i know a fella that was a resident in one of the better known clubs in belfast...
he was being paid well from that alone, but he was also on the radio on saturday & sunday mornings
and he also done some other events (Gatecrasher and other similar events)
and does different clubs during the week. |
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| Vlad |
If I were you, I wouldnt quit my day job.
Residents dont make alot of money unless you are well known and bring in large crowds. For example, someone like DJ Boris in New York City, who is pretty much just a NYC DJ, gets paid pretty well to spin, but he also brings in about 4-5,000 people to the club when he does. |
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| Tygon |
I think one misconception to new DJs is that getting residencies is like applying for a job and that if you're a good DJ, they'll bring you in. Let me put this bluntly... Everyone's a in DJ... and there are extremely few jobs available for us. I recieve countless demos on a regular basis... many of them I can't even listen to.
There are SOOOO many talented up n coming DJs out there... and I'm sure you can all mix beautifully... but breaking into this industry isn't all about skills. What club owners are interested in is whether or not you can make them money. Promoters and owners will only bring you in if they think you'll be an asset to them... and I mean more than your group of 10 friends that will come to support.
This is the difficult part about breaking into the industry... you need to have a reputation that guarentees a draw... and most up n comers just don't have that within the first few years... an NO club owner will generally take a risk on a no-name... the market is just FAR too competitive.
My advice... don't expect to break into the industry within a year or two... it's not gonna happen except to the very lucky minority. The most important part is to PAY YOUR DUES... build your reputation by playing ty parties, bars, and lounges. Participate in competitions. Get on internet broadcasts, even if it's just for 10 people to listen to. In time, you'll have a resume of accomplishments... and THAT's what you can take to an owner to convince them that you're the right DJ for the job. One tip... don't always expect to be paid. DON'T do it for the money.. and don't do it to become a superstar. Like DARROO said... do it for the love of the music and you'll be far more successful.
It took me 5 years to gain a residency at a superclub in Toronto. That's 5 years of doing everything I just mentioned and never really being noticed. Perhaps you'll be different and can find a unique way into the industry. I wish you luck in doing that... geuninely. I feel far too much talent is being overlooked in Toronto.
One thing that's necessary for a DJ to make it BIG is through music production. It's the best way to gain a reputation world-wide in a short(er) period of time. You'll notice only about 3 or 4 of the top 10 Canadian DJs play internationally... why? because there are only 3 or 4 that produce. It's the ONLY way you'll make it.. and it's one of the FEW ways I know of for a new DJ to break into the industry quickly. And since everyone and their brother can DJ, the masses are looking for something unique... something MORE than someone that can just mix records.
I would consider myself semi-pro... I play 3-4 weekends out of the month and I still have a day job that I work 40 hours/week. My residencies just are't enough to pay the bills and still be able to afford records and equipment that are necessary to evolve my DJing and production skills. I'm currently building up my studio piece by piece and moving forward with a production career.
I'm still slowly building my reputation as an artist.... but one day, I'm sure after I've paid enough dues... I'll look back and I'll realize I've made it. It's a steep hill to climb... and if you climb steadily and surly, you'll eventually make it to the top too. But the difference between those that succeed and those that fail is the passion and the desire to accomplish the goal... and NOT for the treasure that waits for you at the top. If you only think about the money and fame... you WILL fail.. I promise you that. The battle is too difficult and tedious along the way for meaningless and selfish things such as that to be your motivation. Do it for the music... or you may as well just sell your gear now... seriously.
That's my advice... take it how you will... and good luck! |
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| DJ Damerchi |
| ....don't tell me you dj at the guv....That is sick if its tru. I am actually planning to come to uni next year in either u of t, western, york, mcgill, queens, or macmaster. Another question I have is, whether or whether not djing could ever cut in to ur regular job, or is do you have an e z time mangaging the two? |
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| Tygon |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ Damerchi
....don't tell me you dj at the guv....That is sick if its tru. I am actually planning to come to uni next year in either u of t, western, york, mcgill, queens, or macmaster. Another question I have is, whether or whether not djing could ever cut in to ur regular job, or is do you have an e z time mangaging the two? |
Well, there's a few aspects to this answer... all of which are interwoven:
A) it's difficult doing something you love with a passion on the weekends, and then getting up a 9am on Monday to do a tedious task in an office. Generally all I can think about is getting home to work on music. But after a 9 hour day, by the time I get home, I'm so drained that my inspiration can get lost.
B) For me, I'm most creative at night. I'll stay up until the sun comes up. But I'm now unable to do that during the week because I need to be up for work. This means that I have a specific window of opportunity to work... from the time I get home from work unti the time I go to bed. This means you're basically forced to be creative. That's not the best way to create something.
C) As for being a DJ... yes it certainly gets in the way similar to how B affects me... however in these cases I have no choice. If I DJ on the weekend I don't get home till 8-9am. Sure I sleep all day when I get home, but it destroys my sleeping pattern and I'm all messed up until either Tuesday or Wednesday... then I up my schedule again. It's a brutal pattern. This goes along with weekday gigs... but worse on my sleeping patterns.
It's unfortunate I'm in a 9-5 Mon-Fri job... but I have no choice. It's what I need to do. I've got bills to pay, mortgage, food to buy, car payments, insurance... blah blah blah... and then on top of that... a girlfriend I can't neglect. It's a viscious struggle, my friend... and that's why I say you MUST do this for the pasion and love of the music. It would be too difficult if you're simply looking for a payday. That's why you see so many newbies getting discouraged a year after they buy their gear. I recommend you go into the "Wanted/For Sale" secton of the forums or on Ebay... take a look at how many people are selling their gear and claim it's in mint condition. You'll realize quickly how many people are involved that began for the wrong reasons... or simply didn't have the passion.
PS. I've played at Guv a couple times... but I'm a resident/promoter at a competitor... Viva Nightclub. |
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| Vlad |
| There is a simple and expensive way to break into the industry. Start producing, get a couple tracks signed and played - and in no time you will be DJ's at clubs. |
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| DJ Subnautic |
| for 4 hours i get 200 swiss francs. |
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| djdarroo |
I agree with everything Dj Tygon has to say... Just suck it up and make the music who you are,thats what inspires people am I wrong? at true artists know its all about the music...! Anwyas Those of you who have read this forum, i suggest all of you to head down to Viva Night Club this Xmas, all of us who are here in Tdot! and then some...
I encourage everyone to make it to this special extraveganza event " XMAS" The club will be open for FRIDAY and SATURDAY. If you havent seen it in the event forums yet! see all of you TA'S THERE!@:whip: |
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| DJ Mikey © |
I have to say that I have a lot of respect for Tygon, after reading his posts. It's clear that you are extremely dedicated so I hope you really make it in a big way one day.
Kinda scary to read your posts as well because I feel I am at the very beginning of what you have embarked upon. I put mix sets on MixDepot, have a show on a small Internet radio station and am dabbling in production. I've enrolled on a local college course to help me get a head start on using Cubase. My musical knowledge is ok but I'm not yet competent with the software. E.g. I'll know what I want to make something sound like, but not how to do it.
It's also all about talking to people though and making friends where you can. I've got a mate who is trying to help me out at the moment (he is already a professional DJ) and I think that goes a long way. If an established DJ can recommend you to a promoter then it's one hell of a leg up.
Anyway, good luck to everyone that's passionate about this industry and trying to make it. There can never be too many people in it who really, really care.
Take it easy
Mike |
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