Idea?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

I think I know the answer to this already but I thought I would put it out and see what the score is.

Like a number of you, I am on many Promo lists. These are mainly for Indie and Alternative music but I do get a lot of dance and chart promos too mainly from a company called Renegade.

As we are all in the same business and these promos are tools of the trade, don't you think it would be a good idea if we were all privileged to use them? I don't know where we stand legally. I guess the promo companies main aim is to get their releases heard in advance by as many people as possible which then generates sales of units etc etc...

I don't mean copying tracks or anything like that. Every week I transfer all of my promo releases (the ones I will use anyway) on to my HD and so it would be easy to send some of those releases out in a mass email, mailing list etc or if there was a section where we could dump the tunes where people could download them for a limited time?

As I said, I am sure I know what the reaction to this will be because there is bound to be some legal rubbish, even though they are promo releases and not being sold etc. People could have a login and password etc.

The reason I am thinking of this is because there have been a number of occasions on here (Robin S is a good example) where people have mentioned that they are after a tune and some of us have had it for a while. It would save people forking out for these tunes etc. I don't know, I'm just trying to think of ways that we could all help eachother and my intentions are good although I guess it may not happen.

Failing that, what do you think of the mailing list/mass email idea?

Thoughts please.

[Corabar Steve]

I think it would still fall foul of copyright laws, as it would still technically be file sharing of copyrighted material.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Most promo companies rely on one or other (sometimes both) of two things to exist:
a) Feedback from the DJs that use their promos (often given for free or at a minimal cost) which is then passed back to the labels - the feedback sheets are the payment for the promo.
b) Fees from pool members.

Both of these fail to work if they, a) don't now who has the promos and don't get the feedback or, b) don't get the fees.

These pools aren't run by the labels and require revenue from either the label (a) or the pool members (b) to exist.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Yes, I understand that. I've been on promo mailouts since I first started DJing. I have never had to pay to be on one of them. As long as you keep up to date with your reactions, then they are happy to keep sending the products. A lot of it, well most of it is all done online now with seperate 'members' areas where you can download the tracks. That's what I was more or less saying was a good idea to do in order to help others but I also thought that there would be some reason why it couldn't or shouldn't happen. It's a shame really. I'm not saying I would do it for anyone but for people in the same business on this forum etc...I think it would be great. There are waiting lists that go on forever for these promo lists and this could be combatted if they let people like me use my idea.

Oh well, it was a thought anyway.

[discomobiledj]

What site is renegade at? I can't seem to find it.

[JDB Entertainment]

An idea would be to make a thread with all the details of the Promo Companies on and should people want to they then can contact the Promo Companies themselves and order there promos.

I know I certainly would do this!

James

[DJ James Lake]

What site is renegade at? I can't seem to find it.

http://www.music-house.co.uk/renegade/about_us.php

[discomobiledj]

An idea would be to make a thread with all the details of the Promo Companies on and should people want to they then can contact the Promo Companies themselves and order there promos.

I know I certainly would do this!

James

What a fantastic idea.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

What a fantastic idea.

On a mobile disco forum as opposed to a club/bar one?

[Vectis]

On a mobile disco forum as opposed to a club/bar one?

Why not... I do a LOT of kids/young teens work and am frequently asked for stuff I haven't got, only to see it hit the charts a few weeks down the line.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Why not... I do a LOT of kids/young teens work and am frequently asked for stuff I haven't got, only to see it hit the charts a few weeks down the line.

And how often do you play pre-release music? Do people dance to tunes they don't know? If the label is one predominantly putting out club/dance music, do you really think they want a reaction sheet from a 13th birthday?

[discomobiledj]

The radio stations play songs that aren't released, we'd be doing exactly the same.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

The radio stations play songs that aren't released, we'd be doing exactly the same.

And?

That doesn't answer any of the points above and you cannot compare radio stations with what we do. The coverage is very different.

[Vectis]

And how often do you play pre-release music? Do people dance to tunes they don't know? If the label is one predominantly putting out club/dance music, do you really think they want a reaction sheet from a 13th birthday?

Not as much as I possibly could, and I thought 13 was one of the "sweet spots" for music sales?

[PropellerHeadCase]

Not as much as I possibly could, and I thought 13 was one of the "sweet spots" for music sales?

I'd agree - the 'got a stranglehold on mummy and daddy's purse-strings' market is huge.

[JDB Entertainment]

there is no harm done in my idea of having a list of promo companies, its there for people if they wish to use it.

in my area i play a lot of music not even in the charts yet as requests, probably been a big city(birmingham) people go clubbing and hear a song and want to hear it at a 18th or 21st for example

so no harm in a sticky thread for this is there???!!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

there is no harm done in my idea of having a list of promo companies, its there for people if they wish to use it.

in my area i play a lot of music not even in the charts yet as requests, probably been a big city(birmingham) people go clubbing and hear a song and want to hear it at a 18th or 21st for example

so no harm in a sticky thread for this is there???!!!

No harm in it no, but if I don't feel it is relevant then I won't stick it.

Mobiles generally don't play new music as people don't dance to tunes they don't know. Bars, pubs and clubs are different.

Why would promo companies waste their time giving freebies to mobile DJs who are never going to play the tunes and giving them a false account of what people's reactions are?

There are people on here that I know get MOS promos and I bet they very rarely play them at an average gig.

[Larry B Entertainment]

Most of the promos I had I never played. In the mobile industry most people will only respond to stuff they have heard before.

[Tom]

I was hoping to get mos promo music but you need to be a club dj to get hold of the music.


I don't play in clubs but I do get a lot of under 21 work so this music would help but that's as far as that goes.

Not everyone will be watching the music channels or listening to the radio. Even some of the DMC stuff bombs, even if its going to be a predicted hit and all that.

If there is a company who supply pop and chart music, then I would give that a go. Any other music is not really needed as it won't get requested unless you do a lot of alternative nights like Gary or club nights for example.

[Shaun]

No harm in it no, but if I don't feel it is relevant then I won't stick it.

Mobiles generally don't play new music as people don't dance to tunes they don't know. Bars, pubs and clubs are different.

Why would promo companies waste their time giving freebies to mobile DJs who are never going to play the tunes and giving them a false account of what people's reactions are?

There are people on here that I know get MOS promos and I bet they very rarely play them at an average gig.

With the greatest of respect Daz, I find dance music relevant to a lot of mobile DJs. I know I play a lot. I regularly get asked for tunes that aren't yet released, the new version of "show me love" is an example of one. The client (lady celebrating her 30th birthday) was very surprised that I had before it hit the shops.

I also do quite a lot of 21sts, 18th's and teen events, which calls for a lot of dance music. So dance music and upfront promos are very relevant for a good proportion of the events I do. I can appreciate that yourself and a lot of others might find it less relevant in the scope of the entertainment they provide, but on the 'flipside', there are those of us that regard upfront promo tunes as an important part of the service we provide.

I for one would greatly welcome a list of companies to contact.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

With the greatest of respect Daz, I find dance music relevant to a lot of mobile DJs. I know I play a lot. I regularly get asked for tunes that aren't yet released, the new version of "show me love" is an example of one. The client (lady celebrating her 30th birthday) was very surprised that I had before it hit the shops.

I also do quite a lot of 21sts, 18th's and teen events, which calls for a lot of dance music. So dance music and upfront promos are very relevant for a good proportion of the events I do. I can appreciate that yourself and a lot of others might find it less relevant in the scope of the entertainment they provide, but on the 'flipside', there are those of us that regard upfront promo tunes as an important part of the service we provide.

I for one would greatly welcome a list of companies to contact.

Sorry Shaun, I disagree and you are only using minimal examples. Promos of club music are for just that. I said there are people on here who are on the MOS list and I know you are one of them, but honestly, how often do you play them? Every week? If promos come out and are 3 months in advance, do you get people asking for tunes? Not very often I should imagine.

And yes, I know it happens, but not very often and that is what I am talking about.

Out of interest Shaun, what is the percentage of your bookings where you play promos? How many club style 18ths abd 21sts do you do a year?

I still do 18ths and 21st, but find that as I have said the guests only dance to tunes they know. Perhaps it is different in Scotland.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Darren, what about the people on here like me, who do lots of mobile work but also have regular residency work too? I also used to use the promos when I did Quiz Nights and would play music inbetween rounds etc, it was a way of playing new music. Also, there are times when something is being played abroad and people hear it well in advance of it being released over here. More often than not they request it, be it at a mobile disco or residency and they are surprised when I have it. This happened with Shaggy - It wasn't me / DJ Casper - Cha Cha Slide / Lou Bega - Mambo No 5 etc etc.

I won't list any names as yet until it's ok to do so but I think it's a good idea and then people can make the effort to contact them if they want to.

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

id love a list of promo companies
I DJ in Several clubs and also do Disco's!

[Shaun]

How often depends on the suitability of the tracks. With the likes of MoS promos, which I've found to be pretty mainstream (with a large proportion eventually placing high in the charts), I can get away with playing upfront tunes quite often. I play at least one at most gigs (including weddings) - a particular favourite is a funky house remake of 'Journey's - don't stop believing'. Always goes down a storm for me.

I can appreciate that some won't be interested in upfront tunes, or feel they are relevant, that's fair enough. All I ask is that those that feel that way at least appreciate that some of us feel differently, and feel that there is a place for such discussions on the forum. I truly believe that dance music (including upfront promos) have their place on a mobile disco forum alongside every other genre we might play from time to time.

Different strokes for different folks. :beer1:


________________________________________


Darren, what about the people on here like me, who do lots of mobile work but also have regular residency work too? I also used to use the promos when I did Quiz Nights and would play music inbetween rounds etc, it was a way of playing new music. Also, there are times when something is being played abroad and people hear it well in advance of it being released over here. More often than not they request it, be it at a mobile disco or residency and they are surprised when I have it. This happened with Shaggy - It wasn't me / DJ Casper - Cha Cha Slide / Lou Bega - Mambo No 5 etc etc.

I won't list any names as yet until it's ok to do so but I think it's a good idea and then people can make the effort to contact them if they want to.

You could always PM me some Indie Promo contacts. :)

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

whilst i work in clubs and would love some promos, mainly chart rnb and dance (not so much indie)

for discos, i cant see me playing any. I do occasionally get asked for promo music and whilst that person will know the song, i like to play music to the majority of the crowd, not the minority

[Shaun]

I do occasionally get asked for promo music and whilst that person will know the song, i like to play music to the majority of the crowd, not the minority

Again it depends on the song. I've noticed quite a lot of the time the upfront promos I receive are remakes or remixes of established 'classic' songs. Worked into a set at the right moment, these can keep the majority firmly on the floor. That's my experience anyway.

[Javlingames]

Promo's would be another string to the bow for a mobile disc jockey, you might not play them whilst they are still unkown to a mobile crowd but give it time and you will

[Shakermaker Promotions]

...and that's the other side to it.

I got Lily Allen's 'The Fear' ages and ages ago. I played it a few times upfront at residencies but then started getting it requested at private functions too once it was played on daytime radio. I didn't have to fork out for it because I had it already. The same goes with the Lady Gaga tracks, including the new one which is now Number 1.

Also, some of the dance tracks too come as remix packages so you get the radio edit too but also some nifty remixes. The Robin S one being a prime example. I got asked for it last weekend along with some Drum n Bass. On the promo package there is a really cool Drum n Bass remix so I played that and a couple of others. It actually had people coming up asking what it was so it does work.

I agree it may not work all the time but there are occasions that it does. I wonder if it is worth having a promo section on the forum where we can post news on the latest releases and let people know what is coming up or what we have received. That way, if someone gets asked for something and it isn't out for ages then maybe someone could help? Or does it have to happen behind closed doors with people mailing eachother the files?

I just think that we should all help eachother as much as possible. The promo companies that send out the tunes on discs (White Disc etc) get them around the same time as I do anyway and they charge for them. I STILL think that at the end of the day, the promo companies want their releases played to as many people as possible so they should welcome this. As I have said before, there is nothing stopping me giving someone my details in order to download the files directly from my promo lists. Don't worry though, I am not going down that route at all.

[rob1963]

Whether or not promo songs are useful clearly depends on the kind of work you do.

Most of my work is weddings, with the rest pretty much being 40th birthdays upwards, and I rarely even get asked for music from the current charts.

Therefore, promo copies for me would be as much use as a handbrake on a canoe.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

i gotta argee with darren on this one. IF your playing the percentage game think of how many tracks you get on promo and how many that you use that get some sort of reaction? We cover alot of markets in here but people still want to dance to music they know. I personally hate cheese for example but recently got rejected by a night club because i played country roads!

Naturally if you are getting these for free then great its not such a proplem

[Javlingames]

Then if does not appeal to you, simply dont look at the post of promo's?

[rob1963]

Then if does not appeal to you, simply dont look at the post of promo's?

Although they aren't appropriate for me, I'm still interested to see the views of other DJs who do different kinds of work to me and feel promos ARE necessary or useful.

[DJ James Lake]

Promo music is becoming more and more relevant for all mobile discos. because of sources like MTV. Songs get plugged on there ages before release and they then get requested at gigs.

Younger guests at gigs are a lot more clued up of pre-release music than they used to be because of MTV and certain file sharing sources (not condoning).

I too do a lot of 18th and 21st gigs and am known for playing upfront dance and rnb with a no cheese policy, i get a lot of gigs because of this so promos are essential for me. In an average 18th or 21st I would say I play nearly 50% promo stuff.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Promo music is becoming more and more relevant for all mobile discos. because of sources like MTV. Songs get plugged on there ages before release and they then get requested at gigs.

Younger guests at gigs are a lot more clued up of pre-release music than they used to be because of MTV and certain file sharing sources (not condoning).

I too do a lot of 18th and 21st gigs and am known for playing upfront dance and rnb with a no cheese policy, i get a lot of gigs because of this so promos are essential for me. In an average 18th or 21st I would say I play nearly 50% promo stuff.

that goes to explain your rather nice audio set up! :D

[JDB Entertainment]

so there is really no harm in a thread with promo contacts in, okay everyone might not want to use it but it is there for the people that do.

i dont look at some threads on this forum because i have no intrest in them, so visa versa really.

the forum is here for help and to give help and as a source for us to all.

so can we start a thread?!

[Shaun]

so there is really no harm in a thread with promo contacts in, okay everyone might not want to use it but it is there for the people that do.

i dont look at some threads on this forum because i have no intrest in them, so visa versa really.

the forum is here for help and to give help and as a source for us to all.

so can we start a thread?!
I don't think anyone said the thread couldn't be started. It was just pointed out that it might not be made a sticky. That isn't a big deal though. As long as you make the topic title easy enough for anyone using the search facility, then all is good. :beer1:

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

I personally hate cheese for example but recently got rejected by a night club because i played country roads!

you were naked at the time, swinging the microphone around your head.....


..........you know they hate country roads :p

[JDB Entertainment]

I don't think anyone said the thread couldn't be started. It was just pointed out that it might not be made a sticky. That isn't a big deal though. As long as you make the topic title easy enough for anyone using the search facility, then all is good. :beer1:

Many Thanks Elite.

Well shakermaker maybe you should start the thread being as though you are the Promo Expert! :D

Maybe "PROMO CONTACTS" would be a good title! :p

[DJ James Lake]

that goes to explain your rather nice audio set up! :D

Thanks has taken a while to get it but love it.