The loneliness of the Long Distance Mobile DJ...

[Nakatomi]

I saw this article online tonight, and I can't help but feel it reinforces the stereotype of the 'Dave Doubledecks' mobile DJ. E.g. "They go uncelebrated, unthanked, unpraised, unheralded - unknown. ". Two of the DJs interviewed sound like me before I wrapped up my mike cable for the 'last' time 10 years ago. So why did I come back to stand behind a mixer? Answers on a postcard!

Have a look:

http://thump.vice.com/en_uk/words/how-does-it-feel-to-be-a-wedding-dj

I'm not by any means the biggest fan of some of the music I play (IMHO 'Happy' could easily be cut down to 1/3 of its original length without missing anything) but if people are having a good time because of it who cares? I somehow manage to keep my music knowledge & skills up to snuff & I'm keen to expand my repertoire. Yes we all get the occasional bump in the road with some customers being over-demanding but show me anybody meeting the public on a regular basis who doesn't, let alone people who've had a drink or 3.

Maybe I over-egg my pudding, but I feel that a wedding's evening entertainment can make or break the whole wedding day (I know it almost broke mine). For one thing, it's partly the happy couple's chance to pay back the goodwill bestowed upon them by their friends and family.. what better way than to throw a great party? A thankless job? Rarely, in my experience has mobile DJing been thankless or soul-destroying.

Of course it raises a question of how do you stop yourself becoming a Chris or an Andy (the bored, jaded mobile operators) - assuming you can spot the early signs that is. Have you been there, and how did you get back out of it? I had a long holiday.. plus I'm much older than when I was originally running my own setup & my outlook on things is completely different.

Any thoughts?

[Excalibur]

Any thoughts?

Quite a few, yes. :)

For the first paragraph of the article, I was nodding in agreement. The second one, not so much, and by the first line of the third one, I was disagreeing.

I've now been doing this on and off for forty years, and quite obviously, the novelty has worn off. Yes, some of the functions we turn up to are gruelling, desolate, soul-destroying affairs. It's hard to smile and be Mr Happy at those.

And then, you get the ones which you'd cheerfully do for free, where every song you pick fills the floor with ecstatic punters, and it's non-stop fun. Most gigs fall somewhere between the two, which is enough to keep us going in this game.

I think most of us get into this game because of a love of music, and the reward of seeing a crowd of folk enjoying themselves because of us. Since we're not usually able to do it for free, the money we get is very important.

What stops me becoming jaded and tired? Variation. To class myself solely as a wedding DJ would be reason enough to hang up the headphones. Residencies with the same folk coming through the door each week, asking for the same songs are bad news, too. The pace of technology advances mean there's always something new coming along.

What gets me down? The demon drink, and bad manners. Drink turns some of our punters into really obnoxious people, and the modern tendency for everyone to demand their record must be played next is appalling.

There you go, how's that for a start?

[funktions]

Quite a few, yes. :)

For the first paragraph of the article, I was nodding in agreement. The second one, not so much, and by the first line of the third one, I was disagreeing.

Residencies with the same folk coming through the door each week, asking for the same songs are bad news, The pace of technology advances mean there's always something new coming along.

What gets me down? The demon drink, and bad manners. Drink turns some of our punters into really obnoxious people, and the modern tendency for everyone to demand their record must be played next is appalling.

There you go, how's that for a start?

totally agree there sir..
I once did the same pub residency years ago for 2 months, moderate income from it but I hated it. gave it up as a learning experience.
the tanked up punter takes careful handling, nothing like being help up against your van after the gig by some 23 stone 8 foot monkey because you were rude to him by not playing his rubbish request that was so out of synch with what everyone else wanted. manners cost nothing don't threaten the dj with violence if they don't play your request, it will not help it get played lol.
I did agree with one thing though, if you have a passion to do it you make a better job of it. if your some one in it just because you think your good or to make money from it then give up and let someone else do it.

[musicology]

Quite a few, yes. :)

For the first paragraph of the article, I was nodding in agreement. The second one, not so much, and by the first line of the third one, I was disagreeing.

I've now been doing this on and off for forty years, and quite obviously, the novelty has worn off. Yes, some of the functions we turn up to are gruelling, desolate, soul-destroying affairs. It's hard to smile and be Mr Happy at those.

And then, you get the ones which you'd cheerfully do for free, where every song you pick fills the floor with ecstatic punters, and it's non-stop fun. Most gigs fall somewhere between the two, which is enough to keep us going in this game.

I think most of us get into this game because of a love of music, and the reward of seeing a crowd of folk enjoying themselves because of us. Since we're not usually able to do it for free, the money we get is very important.

What stops me becoming jaded and tired? Variation. To class myself solely as a wedding DJ would be reason enough to hang up the headphones. Residencies with the same folk coming through the door each week, asking for the same songs are bad news, too. The pace of technology advances mean there's always something new coming along.

What gets me down? The demon drink, and bad manners. Drink turns some of our punters into really obnoxious people, and the modern tendency for everyone to demand their record must be played next is appalling.

There you go, how's that for a start?

I too celebrate 40 years in the business this year and couldn't have put it better!

[Imagine]

Variety is the spice of life. I could never be a specialist in any type of function....it'd get boring.

I do a lot of kids parties, and love them....not because they're only two hours long (although it give you chance to either have an early night and a beer or to go onto a second gig in the evening), but because I love to see the kids having fun (snow machine works every time). That's just part of my makeup (and I suppose why I've just spent the weekend in a tent in a freezing muddy field with over 1000 Scouts)....it's all about them having a good time.

Same goes for any adult function (weddings included). Yes, I've had those where they just won't get up (weddings included) and you ask yourself on the way home whether you've lost the touch. On the other hand, I've had many more where the dance floor's pumping all night and you go home with a real buzz.

Am I bored with the job...no way (OK...I've only been back for a year and it's still fairly new to me). Some of the same music night after night....OK, I'll give them that one to an extent, but so long as the client and their guests are having fun, then so am I because I know I'm doing the job right.

As for drunks...I've been fairly lucky in that respect. Maybe it's just the functions I do, I've never had a real problem with them fortunately (or maybe it's just the way I deal with them...I dunno).

I came back into this game because of the buzz I get out of entertaining people (and since I can't sing or play and instrument.....). I'd like to think that when that buzz goes then I'll hang up the cans and exit stage left.....until then though - there's nothing more I enjoy than a good party (no matter what the age range attending)

[mattydj50]

I too celebrate 40 years in the business this year and couldn't have put it better!

45 years up for me now and I can only agree again.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

26 years for me this year being a DJ. At the beginning I kind of fell in to it by accident really. I'd been in a band that was pretty well known in the South of England and we'd got signed. Most people would have loved it but that wasn't my aim. Playing all over the UK and then Europe constantly and earning very little from it at the time did my head in so I called it a day (before they went on to bigger and better things, yes my timing was great). I wanted to get out there and earn a living. From being in the band I'd made a name for myself in my area and when a DJ at a club I used to go to decided to set up an Alternative night (the first time one had ever been put on in my town) he asked me if I'd be up for doing it. He used the fact that I was a bit of a personality to promote it. I'd never done anything like it before but it was him that told me I had a talent for it.

Anyway, that's the background. Back in the day I DJ'd at a number of different clubs all over the south playing Alternative music and I absolutely loved it. When the chance of doing it full time came along in the early to mid 90s I couldn't turn it down. I was working for a friend of mine who ran his own business and he didn't DJ himself. It was him and his mate and then I came on board. I learnt quite a lot working for him and his business. I'd never done a wedding before, karaoke, a quiz night, a race night or casino and it was the variety of work that made it enjoyable. That's the key word here VARIETY.

On 1st February I will be celebrating my 10th Birthday since registering as a business and those 10 years have gone so quick but it has been really enjoyable and I think the main reason for that is because I don't limit myself to just one field. I don't stick to doing just weddings although 80% of my work is weddings. I used to hate doing them because of the responsibility that comes with them but now it's totally the opposite. I really enjoy them. They are all different and it's even better when I do a wedding where the customer has booked me because of the music I specialise in. To be honest, if I had stuck to just playing alternative music I think I would have stopped by now. It was great when I was doing the clubs and then went on to promoting and DJing my own nights but then the smoking ban came in, drinks prices went up and pubs had extended opening hours and the money I was earning went down. Not only that, technology changed and the options available out there to everyone meant / means that anyone can do it now.

There's a small venue in my town run by friends of mine. It's the only 'alternative' venue in the area and also hosts live music. They've told me they'd love to have me there for the past 2 years but they can't afford me because they know I do the job as a full timer so they get people in who will DJ for peanuts and beer.

Sorry, I went off topic there but at the end of the day I think this job is what you make it.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I must admit that I read the article after I'd posted.
I found it well written and it made me chuckle at points but it doesn't paint a very good picture does it. Saying that though, the mobile DJ has been getting stick for years and years.
I know, or have known a number of DJ's over the years just like the writer describes. I think it's evident that this piece is out there to take the mick once again. It is something that puts a downer on the business whether it's unintentionally (doubt it) or not.

[Andy P]

My 2 years pales by comparison but I've found that no song is guaranteed to get people up, some crowds are just not dancers and you're mood can be vastly affected by an empty dance floor or someone popping up and saying "some belta choonz there mate - you got a card".

This biggest issue for me thus far has been crowds at odds, just last night at St James Park I had 120 in an engagement party - the engaged girl wants dance all night - her mother wants more std disco stuff for the older people. Ended up doing 3 of each to keep them happy but why cant people see they are just 2 of 120 and the DJ will get around to doing stints of music for all types of people.

I like the road trips to bamburgh or into deepest durham - long days but makes a change

[Benny Smyth]

I must admit that I read the article after I'd posted.
I found it well written and it made me chuckle at points but it doesn't paint a very good picture does it. Saying that though, the mobile DJ has been getting stick for years and years.
I know, or have known a number of DJ's over the years just like the writer describes. I think it's evident that this piece is out there to take the mick once again. It is something that puts a downer on the business whether it's unintentionally (doubt it) or not.

:agree:

As soon as I saw the opening image and the words:


...enough to bring a man skidding to his knees to the sound of “Dancing Queen” echoing round a musty community centre in the Midlands.

I knew I was in for an eye rolling read.

This is why I have always said that as soon as I hit 45, I will hang up the headphones. I don't want to be a jaded individual looking back on a DJ career with disdain, nor do I want to do it while it is an inconvenience. I'll get out while the going is good.

I met a couple at a wedding fayre recently and they told me of a DJ they enquired to told them without equivication when asked about playlists "Nobody tells me what to play." They couldn't believe that I wasn't surprised and I told them straight that it was a guy who's probably been doing this for over thirty years and he has his hundred tracks of doom that he never deviates from every single night. If I ever end up like that, then it would be time for somone to take me out back and Old Yeller me.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Why do you feel the need to hang up your headphones at 45? If you're enjoying it when you get to that age then why give up? Ok, you have a few years yet and things may well change.
The reason I ask is that I said the same thing a few years back. I was 21 when I did my first night in the club as I mentioned. I never thought that at the age of 46 I would still be doing it......but more importantly, enjoying it. I'm probably enjoying it more than I ever have done.
I look at the whole thing as being my job and that I'm lucky to be doing a job I enjoy which is a bonus. I guess I'm also lucky in that most people don't think I look 46 (sometimes I feel like I'm 66 though).
Like any job, you can have good days and bad days and I don't think people realise that (in my opinion), a bad day at the office when you're DJing is one of the worst experiences ever. For example: Having a room full of 150 guests at a wedding where nobody is that interested in partying, playing music that would normally fill a dance floor that just isn't working, nobody requesting tracks despite you making announcements that you take them and people that eventually do come up and request something requesting music that is not appropriate and finally that guest who can see that you're having a hard time and decides to come over and say something like "There's nobody dancing, come on...get it going".... That's just horrible.

Standing there behind the set up can sometimes feel like the loneliest place on earth. You watch the clock and the time almost stands still. It's someone's big day or celebration and a lot of effort has gone in to the whole thing yet deep down you can't wait for it to be over because it's just 'one of those nights'. It's not your fault, you're there to do a job and that's play music but guests just aren't up for it. In reality the job should be easy. If you have a wide range of ages and you're playing a wide range of music then you shouldn't have any problems but it isn't always like that.
Thankfully (for me anyway) these kind of nights are few and far between but yes, when they do happen I personally used to question myself as to what I was doing there and if I had lost my touch but then the next booking would be a good one and it's all forgotten.

If I went out week after week and had bad experiences for whatever reason then I would seriously question whether I would continue in this business.

[funkymook]

I’ve never understood giving up just because you reach a certain age (unless it’s for health reasons). The audience you were on the same musical wavelength as you in your younger days are also growing older, and they're still having birthdays and anniversaries. A slight tweak in marketing and you have a whole new client base.

As for Chris and Andy - they're the type who should’ve given up years ago, and what on earth were they thinking allowing links to their sites in that article!

[Benny Smyth]

Why do you feel the need to hang up your headphones at 45? If you're enjoying it when you get to that age then why give up? Ok, you have a few years yet and things may well change.

It's the same reason why if I won the lottery on Saturday, I won't go out Sunday morning to buy another lottery ticket. I would rather walk away from the job that I enjoy doing whilst I'm still enjoying it (having "won", if you will). Then I can look back with fond memories and, if anybody asks, I can pass on some advice to the younger DJ without the "Ugh!" mentality. When I retire, I'll be happy to step aside for someone else to take me spot. I'm just a cog in a machine - take this one out, put a new one in and the machine keeps rolling. Nobody is going to miss me.

As it stands now, I don't have any children. By 45, I obviously would like some and I would rather spend my time making my kids the best they can be. I'm not going to make the world better by spinning tunes a certain way, but I could make it better by leaving the greatest legacy I can - my children.

[Nakatomi]

I’ve never understood giving up just because you reach a certain age (unless it’s for health reasons). The audience you were on the same musical wavelength as you in your younger days are also growing older, and they're still having birthdays and anniversaries. A slight tweak in marketing and you have a whole new client base.

As for Chris and Andy - they're the type who should’ve given up years ago, and what on earth were they thinking allowing links to their sites in that article!


I've always said to myself that the minute it becomes all about the money it's time to call it a day. Unlike some jobs this is one where enthusiasm is essential for everything to work. Once your enthusiasm has gone south what is left?

With regard to drunks & customers who are less than polite, I've also been fortunate in the mobile section of my DJ career. Lately I think it may be more the expensive prices at the hotels I'm playing than my naturally disarming manner though ;-)

It's a cheesy cliche, but always greeting customers with a smile goes a long way towards promoting understanding. Yes sometimes we have to 'fake' it, but it still pays.

If you're not a 'people' person, why would you become a DJ?

It can be a lonely experience if nobody is dancing & nobody is coming with requests, and as easy as it is to say I know first hand how hard it can be to go the other way. But sometimes that's what needs to be done. Go to them, ask what they like, etc. I had to do this at 70th birthday the other week, and most people said they weren't there for dancing. Meh, I thought, but at least I knew I'd tried instead of languishing in a funk about it.

It often comes as a surprise to me that DJing isn't necessarily seen as an unglamorous pastime in the eyes of the public. Some people appreciate there's skill, if only in choosing & setting up equipment. Yes, really. One assumption people (usually men) make is that 'you must get a lot of pleasant invitations', to put it one way. Heh, if only.

I also think that some in the trade aren't doing the image of mobiles any favours by slagging off their peers either. The 'I'm not one of THEM' proclaimers. Surely if the trade has a negative image this kind of thing only compounds it.

[musicology]

As for Chris and Andy - they're the type who should’ve given up years ago, and what on earth were they thinking allowing links to their sites in that article!

Chris is actually a member on here. I don't know Andy. But I don't suppose either one knew how they would be portrayed in the article before it was published. If I ever get approached for something similar I shall regard it with much caution! (or play it safe and just not get involved at all).

Very well written and amusing article tho' overall.

[ukpartydj]

I'm just a cog in a machine - take this one out, put a new one in and the machine keeps rolling. Nobody is going to miss me.


That's the stuff that disney films are made of! It's so true of life though isn't it. In 100 years will anybody remember your name?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Juski - I know what you mean when you say that enthusiasm is essential but I don't believe that any one of us or any DJ out there is enthusiastic 100% of time every time they go out. I lose my enthusiasm when a potentially great night is spoilt by drunken idiots or it is just 'one of those nights' as I mentioned earlier. We all know the situation - You have a really good pre-function with the customer about their booking and you walk away thinking "Yeah, I'm really looking forward to that one" and then when the night comes it's a bit of a disappointment for whatever reason. This is where experience comes in, in my opinion. I've been doing it long enough now to know that bookings like that don't happen very often.
The thing is - With me, it IS about the money. It's all I do. It's my full time job and if I was doing just weddings or just karaoke's or just race nights for example, then I would probably have stopped doing it full time and gone part time. I offer different services, not quite as many as others on here and not on as bigger scale but I only have myself to worry about and on a few occasions a year, maybe one or two other DJ's too.

What DOES keep me enthusiastic and interested in the whole thing day to day, week to week, year to year is (a) The variety of bookings and (b) Converting enquiries in to bookings. This week already I have taken 4 bookings which is good for me, especially at this time of the year. 2 x 30th Birthdays (one is an 80s themed party, the other is an Alternative music party), 1 x 40th Birthday and an 80s themed wedding. I spent almost an hour on the phone with a Bride to be who couldn't believe that there was a DJ out there that could play the music that she wanted. Ok, there are a few of us out that specialise in different genres and at a push most of us could cope with a night like it but it's the variety as I said and when someone is that pleased on the end of the phone then I DO get enthusiastic (and before anyone else says it, yes it could also turn in to 'one of those nights' aswell).

I worked in customer services for a number of years. I am a people person and I guess that helps. I've also learnt how to deal with certain situations a lot better than I did when I first went out on my own and that helps too. Me and my wife don't have kids (we can't have them) and we both run our own businesses so we just have ourselves (and our boxer) to worry about but that doesn't mean I sit there and there and wait for the work to come to me. On that side of things I am still enthusiastic as I was 10 years ago. It's the actual bookings where it's almost as if guests are glued to their seats that drains the enthusiasm a tad.

[funkymook]

Chris is actually a member on here. I don't know Andy. But I don't suppose either one knew how they would be portrayed in the article before it was published. If I ever get approached for something similar I shall regard it with much caution! (or play it safe and just not get involved at all).

Very well written and amusing article tho' overall.

It’d be good to hear his side - never trust a journalist!

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

That's the stuff that disney films are made of! It's so true of life though isn't it. In 100 years will anybody remember your name?

Vice is a great read but the journo's tend to be quite hipsterish so it really didn't come as a surprise that the cool "proper" DJ came off looking like a cool, proper DJ and the mobile guys came off sounding as if the only reason they go out at the weekends is to avoid jumping in a warm bath and slitting their wrists.

[Nakatomi]

Juski - I know what you mean when you say that enthusiasm is essential but I don't believe that any one of us or any DJ out there is enthusiastic 100% of time every time they go out. I lose my enthusiasm when a potentially great night is spoilt by drunken idiots or it is just 'one of those nights' as I mentioned earlier. We all know the situation - You have a really good pre-function with the customer about their booking and you walk away thinking "Yeah, I'm really looking forward to that one" and then when the night comes it's a bit of a disappointment for whatever reason. This is where experience comes in, in my opinion. I've been doing it long enough now to know that bookings like that don't happen very often.
The thing is - With me, it IS about the money. It's all I do. It's my full time job and if I was doing just weddings or just karaoke's or just race nights for example, then I would probably have stopped doing it full time and gone part time. I offer different services, not quite as many as others on here and not on as bigger scale but I only have myself to worry about and on a few occasions a year, maybe one or two other DJ's too.

What DOES keep me enthusiastic and interested in the whole thing day to day, week to week, year to year is (a) The variety of bookings and (b) Converting enquiries in to bookings. This week already I have taken 4 bookings which is good for me, especially at this time of the year. 2 x 30th Birthdays (one is an 80s themed party, the other is an Alternative music party), 1 x 40th Birthday and an 80s themed wedding. I spent almost an hour on the phone with a Bride to be who couldn't believe that there was a DJ out there that could play the music that she wanted. Ok, there are a few of us out that specialise in different genres and at a push most of us could cope with a night like it but it's the variety as I said and when someone is that pleased on the end of the phone then I DO get enthusiastic (and before anyone else says it, yes it could also turn in to 'one of those nights' aswell).

I worked in customer services for a number of years. I am a people person and I guess that helps. I've also learnt how to deal with certain situations a lot better than I did when I first went out on my own and that helps too. Me and my wife don't have kids (we can't have them) and we both run our own businesses so we just have ourselves (and our boxer) to worry about but that doesn't mean I sit there and there and wait for the work to come to me. On that side of things I am still enthusiastic as I was 10 years ago. It's the actual bookings where it's almost as if guests are glued to their seats that drains the enthusiasm a tad.

It's impossible to have full enthusiasm every time, I realise that & know all too well. The thing is if the zest leaves us for too long we're sunk. Fall into the trap of just burbling along & as if by magic referrals & other bookings dry up. I've been there too.. going back to work in the club where I was assaulted on my night off left me basically unable to do even a mediocre job - after a couple of weeks I got sacked. Not entirely my own fault, but justifiable because I'd taken my eye off the ball.

As for the job being about money.. yes even part-timers are glad of the income it brings but as with any job if you really don't enjoy it why would you still do it? If you HATE doing it, then it's ALL about the money, which is what I meant. That said it took me years to leave my last day job, most of which was waiting for the right one to replace it. Always easier said than done..

In a lot of ways I envy people who are able to make a living from DJing but at the same time I'm glad I don't have to ;)

[Nakatomi]

Oh damn.

I've just looked at the other articles this 'Josh Baines' wrote. He's one of those 'cool' 'proper' DJs too apparently. He doesn't just play records though, he RINSES them apparently.

[dicky]

It's the same reason why if I won the lottery on Saturday, I won't go out Sunday morning to buy another lottery ticket. I would rather walk away from the job that I enjoy doing whilst I'm still enjoying it (having "won", if you will). Then I can look back with fond memories and, if anybody asks, I can pass on some advice to the younger DJ without the "Ugh!" mentality. When I retire, I'll be happy to step aside for someone else to take me spot. I'm just a cog in a machine - take this one out, put a new one in and the machine keeps rolling. Nobody is going to miss me.

As it stands now, I don't have any children. By 45, I obviously would like some and I would rather spend my time making my kids the best they can be. I'm not going to make the world better by spinning tunes a certain way, but I could make it better by leaving the greatest legacy I can - my children.


Benny, whilst it is a perfectly valid view on things at your current point and time I just can't subscribe to this philosophy. Having DJed from age 19 to 24 then come back and started doing it again (and loving it) at 55 I have to say from my point of view age is just another number. I'm not sure how that fits into your views because it would appear from that viewpoint I shouldn't have 'happened'. So why am I here?

Did an 18th birthday last weekend and enjoyed playing a load of up to date stuff for that young crowd - and they lapped it up.

Doing a soul/motown/northern night this coming Saturday for a totally different audience and really looking forward to it

After a few things in between I've got a 16th Birthday booked in for March 23rd (deposit paid) for the best price I managed to get so far... and really looking forward to that one too.

Regards Children - don't have any and never wanted any (either of us). They're far too much hassle. Met Mrs Dicky when she as 17 and I was quite a few years older.... still together 35 yrs later (and I'm still quite a few years older) and we're still loving it, and each other, which is more than we can say for just about anyone we knew from back in those days who took a different path. Does that say something?


Rich

[Excalibur]

So why am I here?
Rich

Please note that posts about religion are not allowed. :Naughty:
( But if it helps, the answer to life, the universe, and everything is 42. ) ;)

He doesn't just play records though, he RINSES them apparently.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness.


Oh crap. Now I've got to chastise myself for ignoring my own instructions to abide by the rules. :o:o Now where are those birch twigs? :eek: