I may figured out my frustration with DJing today

[Jas]

It's not the artists' or record companies' job to supply DJs with good dance music. Their goal is to sell songs and make money. We only get a few popular upbeat dance songs each year in this era, not just last year. Compared to other periods I don't think dancing is a popular activity now days. Maybe people would rather just talk to each other when they go out since there's a lack of real world personal contact now days?

Personally, I don't care for much of today's music at all. I'm with Scott regarding seeing people having a good time on the dance floor.

 

[IceBurghDJ]

People don't talk to eachother..they talk to their phones. Well, if they're under 30.

USed to be you'd go out to SEE your friends..now? HA!

Facetime and other things have replaced a lot of that, and with the loss of personal connection I think comes an expectation that you don't need it.

Pick someone up in a bar? You got an app for that now.

Go out on a date? Netflix and chill.

 

[Scott Hanna]

People don't talk to eachother..they talk to their phones. Well, if they're under 30.

USed to be you'd go out to SEE your friends..now? HA!

Facetime and other things have replaced a lot of that, and with the loss of personal connection I think comes an expectation that you don't need it.

Pick someone up in a bar? You got an app for that now.

Go out on a date? Netflix and chill.

There smartphones certainly have changed some things. But kids really haven't changed much. They are always going to use new technology to stay in contact with their friends. My dad would go nuts when us kids would talk on the phone for hours. If we would of had the opportunity to text back and forth, I'm sure we would have.

Kids will mature and figure out that all of these devices won't replace relationships, but they can enhance them when used effectively. I use social media to stay in contact with some out of town family and friends.

Like any technology, there will always be some that will use it inappropriately. Especially when it's new for them. I'm sure there are painfully shy people that might use it too much because it's easier than face to face situations.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I walked into a Liquor Store tonight after the wedding that I deejayed tonight....I wanted to buy some rum...I am drinking that rum right now!

Anyway...The store has a bar attached to it. ...At 11:45 on a Saturday night they had loud music going over their house speakers. I walked into the bar and looked around. ...8 people in there...on a Saturday night. None of them were Millennials... Sad that on a Saturday night only 8 people were in there. ...That could also be because of the lousy cold weather today too though...plus January is Slow everywhere.

Maybe you could talk to the owner and get a spot there for a Saturday night gig and help to pick things up. Was there a DJ working there at the time or just music playing? One owner who eventually sold the place said he couldn't afford a DJ. I didn't get that one. I thought if he had a DJ in the place that would get people to come there to spend money in the place. Thus he could afford a DJ. Probably a good thing because of what has happened in that area with other places being there. Owners desperate to make money allowing anyone to come in their place and eventually the place turns into a mess. Thus those places are no longer in existence.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I agree...2016 was pretty bad with Quality New Music coming out. I think it was the worst year I can remember. The Bar and Party scenes seem to be about as boring as I can remember as well. People are staying home more than ever on the weekends as well.

The reason people are staying home more is not about the music alone. A lot has to do with where do people go where they can feel safe? Some really crazy things have happened out there. Remember just recently the shooting at the club in Florida where the guy killed a few people? For me it's about going to a place that isn't filled with a bunch of 21 year olds. I like a good mixture. Also do you remember a time when you could go to a bar where a DJ was playing music and there was no need for security? Nobody looking to fight?

What amazes me are DJs who have said they have played in places where almost every Saturday night there was a fight in the place. Like that's OK or normal. Not to me. I couldn't play in a place like that where there was a fight almost every night I played there. I don't need the work or money that bad. My life is more important.

 

[IceBurghDJ]

Go to a bar and offer to be their DJ - "Pay me $150!!"...well, what are you gonna do for him? 8 people won't spend enough. So you'll have to bring in 100 people maybe.
If it's only 25..then no, he hasn't the money to pay you.

Maybe you could talk to the owner and get a spot there for a Saturday night gig and help to pick things up. Was there a DJ working there at the time or just music playing? One owner who eventually sold the place said he couldn't afford a DJ. I didn't get that one. I thought if he had a DJ in the place that would get people to come there to spend money in the place. Thus he could afford a DJ. Probably a good thing because of what has happened in that area with other places being there. Owners desperate to make money allowing anyone to come in their place and eventually the place turns into a mess. Thus those places are no longer in existence.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Go to a bar and offer to be their DJ - "Pay me $150!!"...well, what are you gonna do for him? 8 people won't spend enough. So you'll have to bring in 100 people maybe.
If it's only 25..then no, he hasn't the money to pay you.

I was having fun with him. I know from previous post he isn't interested in that kind of work. Besides that may hurt his image for his business. My point was to have a DJ come in to help the owner with getting people to come to the place. Obviously if said DJ doesn't bring in enough people to the place, no need to have them there. I don't know about a DJ must bring in 100 people for things to be a success. What if the place isn't big enough for 100 people to be in the place?

 

[Albatross]

What amazes me are DJs who have said they have played in places where almost every Saturday night there was a fight in the place. Like that's OK or normal. Not to me. I couldn't play in a place like that where there was a fight almost every night I played there. I don't need the work or money that bad. My life is more important.

Who is saying that? You make this type of comment all the time... but I don't understand what DJs are saying they play in places where fights break out.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Who is saying that? You make this type of comment all the time... but I don't understand what DJs are saying they play in places where fights break out.

I remember one post in particular where a DJ said he played in a place for 7 years on Saturday night and almost every Saturday a fight would break out. That could never be me. I wouldn't last that long in a situation like that. I would be long gone from playing there. A few months if that long and I would be looking for a new place to play.

 

[tunes4046]

I remember one post in particular where a DJ said he played in a place for 7 years on Saturday night and almost every Saturday a fight would break out. That could never be me. I wouldn't last that long in a situation like that. I would be long gone from playing there. A few months if that long and I would be looking for a new place to play.

That was me I still play that place and guess what last Saturday night a fight broke out exactly two punches were thrown other bar patrons stepped in and escorted the one who threw the first punch out of the bar before well before any employee could get there small town bars where everyone knows each other are far different from bars in a large population area

 

[Jeff Romard]

I remember one post in particular where a DJ said he played in a place for 7 years on Saturday night and almost every Saturday a fight would break out. That could never be me. I wouldn't last that long in a situation like that. I would be long gone from playing there. A few months if that long and I would be looking for a new place to play.

Back in the early 90's I DJ'd a couple of nights a week at a bar and worked the door a couple of nights a week. Almost every night there would be a fight. When I DJ'd I watched it happen. When I was bouncing I had to become involved...Most times it was separate them and walk them rarely I had to throw a punch. Nine times out of ten if you are a decent bouncer you see it long before it happens and diffuse it and like Tunes said the patrons often have it under control long before the staff gets there when it does happen

From the DJ side it's none of your business. Stay out of it and it won't spill over to you

 

[IceBurghDJ]

I've thought about it - a local bar I go to has a DJ in on mondays 7-9 or 8-10 and he does trivia.
I see 40 people maybe, if that.

OK, so you're there 2 hours..in groups (teams compete). So 5 or 6 teams...you sell 35 of the 40 booze, 3 drinks each? You make $2/drink profit maybe - this place is higher end so maybe $3 or even 4. Say 4. that's 120 to 150 profit on the drinks. YOu pay that to the DJ. YOu made no money to pay the light bill, bartender, etc.
Maybe some people order food but now you need to pay the cook too.

I guess there's some marketing value to the bar to have people in it that may come back another night, tell friends, the place looks busy to those that drive by.

Another bar does karaoke on wed and they will bring in 30 people maybe. $2 drafts. now people do stay longer and drink more - 7-10 adn you drink to be brave.
still..I don't see the math working out too well here for the bar owner.

I was having fun with him. I know from previous post he isn't interested in that kind of work. Besides that may hurt his image for his business. My point was to have a DJ come in to help the owner with getting people to come to the place. Obviously if said DJ doesn't bring in enough people to the place, no need to have them there. I don't know about a DJ must bring in 100 people for things to be a success. What if the place isn't big enough for 100 people to be in the place?

 

[steve149]

I've thought about it - a local bar I go to has a DJ in on mondays 7-9 or 8-10 and he does trivia.
I see 40 people maybe, if that.

OK, so you're there 2 hours..in groups (teams compete). So 5 or 6 teams...you sell 35 of the 40 booze, 3 drinks each? You make $2/drink profit maybe - this place is higher end so maybe $3 or even 4. Say 4. that's 120 to 150 profit on the drinks. YOu pay that to the DJ. YOu made no money to pay the light bill, bartender, etc.
Maybe some people order food but now you need to pay the cook too.

I guess there's some marketing value to the bar to have people in it that may come back another night, tell friends, the place looks busy to those that drive by.

Another bar does karaoke on wed and they will bring in 30 people maybe. $2 drafts. now people do stay longer and drink more - 7-10 adn you drink to be brave.
still..I don't see the math working out too well here for the bar owner.

If you have 35 people buying drinks and 3 per person and $2-$4 profit, that is 35*3*3= $ 315 profit. Paying the DJ on a night like that probably $200, so there is still minor net profit potential. Plus it keeps the lights on and there is a chance some of those buy food, so it still may be worth it to some owners.

 

[Handinon]

its the music upbeat high energy popular song in almost any genre are increasingly rare

Getting back to the OP's original statement, I believe all here know my opinion of the dismal state of current music, whether hip hop/rap, reggaeton, or dumbstep, and now a whole generation that can jump up and down, do incredible physical feats, have fun with themselves in a closet, but can't partner dance. EDM was good, but has now become like Minimalist classical music - "raise your hand when you think you hear a difference".

I'm incredibly lucky to live near an Elks (and like most Elks is mostly populated by Seniors), that has a high percentage of Latin members. I will throw the kitchen sink at the dead ass Gringos (term of endearment, I'm one too) to get them on the floor, and when I can't, out comes one of my secret weapons. If you are also lucky enough to have a bunch of Latinos at your gig, any age, play this and watch what happens to the dance floor -

I believe dancing is intrinsic to humans, it's in our DNA. Little kids dance, tribes that have had no contact with the outside world dance. Not dancing is learned behavior as we become self conscious of ourselves. "Dance like no one is watching" works, but is certainly not being helped by the current crop of music.

 

[rickryan.com]

I've thought about it - a local bar I go to has a DJ in on mondays 7-9 or 8-10 and he does trivia.

If any of you are considering trivia, check out JackBox Party Pack. This is a set of games that let the guests join in and play by using their cell phones to answer the questions. The games are well-animated, complete with an emcee. You add your own embellishment or just operate the game as a host. I wanted to use this on mitzvahs but the games were a bit too adult-oriented for little kids.

 

[IceBurghDJ]

problem is they don't make dance music like this anymore.

 

[steve149]

problem is they don't make dance music like this anymore.

I don't think I'd ever refer to Dead music as dance music .. maybe nod your head and wag your blunt to music.

 

[Handinon]

problem is they don't make dance music like this anymore.

I sit corrected - dancing is not in the DNA of Ukrainians!

 

[IceBurghDJ]

been to a dead concert? Other rock concerts? I see people sway and bob at concerts - but the Dead? Nope, they dance.

Maybe weddings need an acid bar or magic mushroom appetizers?

 

[steve149]

been to a dead concert? Other rock concerts? I see people sway and bob at concerts - but the Dead? Nope, they dance.

Maybe weddings need an acid bar or magic mushroom appetizers?

They move .. to and fro .. and do whatever it is they're doing in the video, but just like you can move to a Pink Floyd song, I still wouldn't refer to it as dance music.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNC5F7UVlDY