Nay say all you like, but services like this are the now and the future of having music at a great many events. Hell, I'm going to use it this weekend for my Fathers Day cookout.
http://songza.com/
http://songza.com/
The market is thinning yet again. Enter "Songza".
- Thread starter Hank Davidson
- Start date
Whoa. I know of at least one gig I lost to one of these services. Personally, I'd love it if I could get a few hundred to setup a sound system, hook up internet and songza, then go home for 5 hours.
Steve LeBlanc
DJ Extraordinaire
F*ck - i wanted to read about it - I get this BS that my IP is in Canada and I can't use the service...Hank can you copy and past the home page...just curious as to what it's about
Let's see... You can't make specific song requests, you can't build a playlist, it plays all the songs at 0% pitch and you're limited by whatever internet connection the venue might have available. Sure, a service like this has it's place and could very well be what people use at times, but it can't do what I do.
If there's an upside to Pandora, it's that they crossfade the songs. Songza seems to have about five seconds of silence between each one. Even if they're playing a great song, that silence at the end will kill the dancefloor. No thanks.
If there's an upside to Pandora, it's that they crossfade the songs. Songza seems to have about five seconds of silence between each one. Even if they're playing a great song, that silence at the end will kill the dancefloor. No thanks.
Bear in mind that I'm not suggesting that these services can match what we do. They do however provide an alternative to the consumer. That shrinks the market. Also, at the rate things are going, it won't be long until the AI can do a whole lot more. It's not a bad idea to start thinking about how to adapt. Dismissing what's here and what's on the horizon would be foolish.
Just sayin'.
You're exactly correct. Diversification is the key to survival. "Music specialist" is not a growing field to be in.
I'm just sayin' as well that a program, even an "intelligent" one will never be a match nor real competition to an actual human being.
But human beings, some of who happen to be DJs already use systems like these. Have you never seen a "DJ" with two Laptops using Windows Media Player on each one, mixing like crazy?
But human beings, some of who happen to be DJs already use systems like these. Have you never seen a "DJ" with two Laptops using Windows Media Player on each one, mixing like crazy?
I'm not necessairly referring to mixing, etc. It's the emotions, reading the crowd, non-verbal cues, things that we are taught from birth and that are innate within us...that's what a program can never duplicate. For what a lot of us do, it's those intangible things that separate us from the iPods and the folks who put on a playlist, push play and walk away.
Again (and for the last time), that's not what's being suggested. Not everyone having an event cares about that. Before, it was either a DJ or a band. Everyone hired one or the other because there wasn't another option. The digital services can reach and persuade a massive audience, not to mention that they cost next to nothing or nothing. That's real and you will have to compete with it.
I agree, for backyard BBQ's and the likes it's a great option, it replaces the stereo or the radio. For things such as weddings (which I would say forms the majority of the gigs the folks on here do), it's not a realistic option in the markets most of us target, because it a cold unfeeling program.
Hank, you're leaving out another element here. There are plenty of brides & grooms who, secretly, would like to be their own DJ. If they can find a service like this that groups together playlists that actually work, it allows THEM to be their own pseudo-DJ. Poo-poo it all you like but this is a powerful motivator and when you add in that it cuts $500-$2000 off their budget (which they can now spend on other stuff), it's not something to just dismiss.
Technology moves and it really won't be long before a combination of Siri-like direction giving and music streaming services that CAN do playlists and learn from requests to make a big dent. Especially if they undercut your price significantly.
I think Hank is merely suggesting that you keep it in mind and prepare to address it should it come up .. that or plan to fit it into your arsenal (equipment only packages, etc.).
I think Hank is merely suggesting that you keep it in mind and prepare to address it should it come up .. that or plan to fit it into your arsenal (equipment only packages, etc.).
That's subjective. ..and you won't (and haven't) hear of the successful DIY DJs. Good news doesn't travel as fast as bad.Those Clients who do that will live and learn!
Now I must do my best to go back "off-topic". I do my best work there.
(hankslounge.com)
It really depends .. you could certainly do it for cocktail and dinner music, probably even ceremony music fairly easily .. today you are correct on the dance music side, especially at a wedding, but it's not a stretch to think that clubs couldn't stream a DJ set in or music for other events (parties, etc.). Just saying it will be a competitor .. maybe not a great one any time soon, but it will be there.
I hear what Hank's saying. I get his point. THAT SAID, I don't see it as competition for us with 98% of potential clients, for some of the aforementioned reasons. Plus, how many people have speakers / amps and whatever else to make a decent sounding event? IMO, the only people who would use this to replace a professional would be those who drag out their home stereos or boom boxes and be happy with the sound. I know from experience, as I bet many of you do, that most folks are frightened at the thought of renting and setting up pro grade gear. When people tell me that I am too expensive and ask me if I know of any alternatives, and I suggest they go rent gear, you can almost see the deer in a headlight look through the phone.
But I'll state this right now, too. I just started it up as a 70's & 80's dance party, and it's on the 4th song in a row that I have never even heard of, and the 70's and 80's ARE MY MUSIC of choice most of the time. OK, song #5 just came on..... and guess what? Never heard of that one either........
EDIT : OK, now up to about the 8th song.... still have not heard a single song I know.
But I'll state this right now, too. I just started it up as a 70's & 80's dance party, and it's on the 4th song in a row that I have never even heard of, and the 70's and 80's ARE MY MUSIC of choice most of the time. OK, song #5 just came on..... and guess what? Never heard of that one either........
EDIT : OK, now up to about the 8th song.... still have not heard a single song I know.
Too bad you didn't give US a chance to see if WE knew the songs you didn't know. But then, if there's no way of identifying the title or artist then I guess we'll never know.