I think that I may be having some sort of crisis

[Benny Smyth]

I've been experiencing this weird phenomenon over the last few months. I'm there behind the decks, I look out and I see happiness in the faces of people dancing, I see the joy and people having a good time, but I don't 'sense' it.

I don't feel the happiness they look like that they're having. I feel as though that I have become somewhat detached from something somewhere. Don't get me wrong, I'm chuffed that they're having a good time, b tonight's clients threw is words like epic and brilliant and yet I didn't feel that. I have to ask my roadies and staff at the venue what the atmosphere is like. It's really odd.

Is this a normal thing? I've been doing this in some way, shape or form for 15 years now. Has doing this job for that long numbed me out a bit?

[CRAZY K]

I've been experiencing this weird phenomenon over the last few months. I'm there behind the decks, I look out and I see happiness in the faces of people dancing, I see the joy and people having a good time, but I don't 'sense' it.

I don't feel the happiness they look like that they're having. I feel as though that I have become somewhat detached from something somewhere. Don't get me wrong, I'm chuffed that they're having a good time, b tonight's clients threw is words like epic and brilliant and yet I didn't feel that. I have to ask my roadies and staff at the venue what the atmosphere is like. It's really odd.

Is this a normal thing? I've been doing this in some way, shape or form for 15 years now. Has doing this job for that long numbed me out a bit?

Thats possible--Its probably like RSI --because you do the same thing year in year out eventually it can cause damage --either physical or emotional.

I was watching the Dave Clark story last night and they were ready to slow down or retire after 4 years of non stop touring and recording.

You play YMCA a thousand times---they played Glad All Over a thousand times--I guess---at least Noddy Holder doesnt have to listen to Merry Xmas
thousands of times to earn his royalties.:rolleyes:

Perhaps moving towards diversity would help by doing other things your contacts skill and experience can be useful for---like training and running other DJs with equipment, equipment hire and other associated businesses of which there are a lot --photo booths, chocolate fountains etc, i know other guys who started as DJs have gone down this route successfully so they dont have to play the Macarena three nights a week---only joking.:D:D:D

You may be doing things like this already but moving out of the " front line of fire" now and then might help--

Because it was never my main source of income I have managed to enjoy being in the music and dancing business for a very very long time and still look forward to future gigs.

There may be a case for self motivation as well--I always remember my old friend who ran a tyre shop bashing away at a wheel one day in his shop and said to me-- I dont know why I bother doing this--oh I know its to build my new Swimming Pool :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Excalibur]

Aw Benny, you have fallen into the trap of treating it too much as a business, every single thing planned and micro managed. The minutiae of the lighting DMX settings prey on your mind in case a beam strays a millimetre out of line. You spend ages ensuring that the tops of your speakers are exactly level, and the tripods mirror each other exactly.

You are now a soulless automaton, totally lacking in feeling, emotion, enthusiasm and excitement. I recommend the Excalibur High Adrenaline Method. Make a point of intentionally leaving random cables or equipment at home, in order to get that rush as you try to work out how to cope without the missing items.
When entering bookings in the diary, simply put the date, location, and perhaps time. That way you won't know whether it's an 18th, wedding, rave, or combination of all three. That raises the heartbeat nicely.
Don't turn up too early, as setting up in too leisurely a fashion doesn't get you all fired up as much as rigging the last light as the B&G enter the room.

Following this strict regime will soon have you back in touch with your feelings, and you'kk feel every nerve end tingling warmly. You can show your gratitude for this solid gold advice in the time honoured fashion :beer1::beer1: at BPM.



PS. Can you tell I haven't had my pills yet? :whistle:

[Daryll]

I'm there behind the decks, I look out and I see happiness in the faces of people dancing, I see the joy and people having a good time, but I don't 'sense' it.



That's where I am going wrong....:D

I think peters words reflect exactly my feelings as well

Daryll

[musicology]

Aw Benny, you have fallen into the trap of treating it too much as a business, every single thing planned and micro managed. The minutiae of the lighting DMX settings prey on your mind in case a beam strays a millimetre out of line. You spend ages ensuring that the tops of your speakers are exactly level, and the tripods mirror each other exactly.

You are now a soulless automaton, totally lacking in feeling, emotion, enthusiasm and excitement. I recommend the Excalibur High Adrenaline Method. Make a point of intentionally leaving random cables or equipment at home, in order to get that rush as you try to work out how to cope without the missing items.
When entering bookings in the diary, simply put the date, location, and perhaps time. That way you won't know whether it's an 18th, wedding, rave, or combination of all three. That raises the heartbeat nicely.
Don't turn up too early, as setting up in too leisurely a fashion doesn't get you all fired up as much as rigging the last light as the B&G enter the room.

Following this strict regime will soon have you back in touch with your feelings, and you'kk feel every nerve end tingling warmly. You can show your gratitude for this solid gold advice in the time honoured fashion :beer1::beer1: at BPM.



PS. Can you tell I haven't had my pills yet? :whistle:

Genius! :thumbsup:

[ukpartydj]

You are now a soulless automaton, totally lacking in feeling, emotion, enthusiasm and excitement. I recommend the Excalibur High Adrenaline Method. Make a point of intentionally leaving random cables or equipment at home, in order to get that rush as you try to work out how to cope without the missing items.
When entering bookings in the diary, simply put the date, location, and perhaps time. That way you won't know whether it's an 18th, wedding, rave, or combination of all three. That raises the heartbeat nicely.
Don't turn up too early, as setting up in too leisurely a fashion doesn't get you all fired up as much as rigging the last light as the B&G enter the room.

Following this strict regime will soon have you back in touch with your feelings, and you'kk feel every nerve end tingling warmly. You can show your gratitude for this solid gold advice in the time honoured fashion :beer1::beer1: at BPM.

:

Whilst that sounds like a wind up I can vouch for this method.
Except when I DJ, I'm always late. I work much much better when I'm late, I have no idea why employers are against the idea - I'd work twice as hard for my first hour when I worked in retail because I felt I needed to show I wasn't taking the mick.

I've had that same feeling Benny on occasion - I've found using my new DMX controller solves this problem as it's basically a drum pad with different colours and effects... so basically half the time I'm bashing away at it in time with a guitar solo. It becomes rather annoying if somebody approaches you to make a request whilst your mid-awesome lightshow though.
Not that anybody cares. Well actually that's not true, the kids love it... I let the client's child play with the DMX controller last weekend, he didn't quite understand it's best to be in time with the music, but I think they apprecited me keeping him entertained for a bit :)

[Corabar Steve]

I've found using my new DMX controller solves this problem as it's basically a drum pad with different colours and effects...

What is it out of interest?

[ckpr2]

Performing can cause quite a big high.
Its seen mostly with groups where they have to use drugs/alcohol to wind down after a gig.
As with all highs the highs get less over time.

This is why I don't do many gigs now, I just do one when I fancy it.
My day job pays the bills so there is no pressure to gig every night.

[yourdj]

What is it out of interest?

Numark Orbit I think?

17847

I often look at people dancing and think, what is this all about then.
Mammals are weird things? :)

I am not a dance behind the decks guy really and sometimes I am a bit detached, but the function still is a great success.

You need a holiday and relax on the business management side of things.
If you have a website that works and kit that does the job, just take it easy and enjoy the functions more.

There is also the option of decreasing work and attracting better events (assuming you don't have that already).
I like to do 3 max a week, but have a few runs of 4 and 5 (all weddings) this year, so that will be interesting. :)

I have a new house to save for so am working my nuts off for the next few years though. £50,000 takes some time to gather LOL.

[DJ Jules]

Now, I know this isn't for everyone, but a friend of mine here got into Kids parties for the very reason you're describing. With the kids parties you're forced into the party with all of the interaction, you can control the party and you can make every one different.

Not for the faint hearted either ;)

Julian

[rth_discos]

I'm glad this thread has appeared.

I'm certainly not bored with what I do, but I usually feel detached from the dancefloor. I find it very easy to fill and maintain, so doing what the client thinks is an amazing job is just second nature to me.

I sometimes feel maybe I should put on a show - but I'm not that type of performer. I'm glad Toby mentioned that - and does the client really want a "show", or do they just want great music to dance to with their family and friends? What are you supposed to do during a 3 song.

[yourdj]

does the client really want a "show"?.

Mine don't I don't think, but (I think) they want someone that will play all their music, take requests, deal with formalities and make nice friendly audible announcements. It often depends on the venue and type of guests I think. If your centre stage in a function room and everyone is just watching you (rather reserved or tired crowd), then i make a conscious effort to always smile and look really happy. Often i would go out and chat with certain guests. I always say to my roadie. "If I can one person on side every ten mins, then by the end of the night they will be doing anything I say, as they have the trust and familiarity. Much better than being chained to the decks all night, feeling looked at as you can also take requests and names.

So in all those situations I would not really dance and actively look like I am having a ball and people always have a good time, so my job is done. Videoing yourself is good. My roadie and myself used to look a bit miserable, but as per above I am trying to stop looking serious when mixing etc. I think to sum it up be organised but try and be myself and have fun whoever possible, by immersing myself in the event. I don't think jumping up and down and dancing all night is required personally? If you don't naturally smile, then fine, i think as long as you play the right music then most clients won't take much notice.

I watched a DJ last night in Poland and he had a great neat set up. His girlfriend was with him looking like a miserable spare part which to me is a definite nono IMO. He was also wearing a t shirt and jeans but looked presentable. We were the only people in the restaurant other than another group of about 20 persons. I worked out that it was a wedding, I singled out the bride and groom, who were not in traditional dress and other important members of the party (This is from my table at the other end of the room). The DJ did not a bad announcement and said "I see there is another celebration over there" etc. Why he could not have gone over and had a chat with the only guests (and got key information) I don't know? We just had a christening lunch there today and apparently we were the only people that attended the (rather expensive) event last night, so getting them onside would be crucial. He was not bad though, nice to get out and watch another DJ for once. We left and got our money back following our meal. :)

[Nakatomi]

Why he could not have gone over and had a chat with the only guests (and got key information) I don't know?

Because when a working DJ steps out from behind the booth before the end they WILL DIE! Fact.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

That Numark controller reminds me of an old toy I had from the 80's called SIMON....(Can't be bothered to post a link, I guess linkmeister Toby may do?).

I kind of know how you feel Benny as I have felt like that at times. My personal view is that when I first started out it was very exciting and I couldn't wait to get out of the door and get setting up to give people a good night's entertainment.
Over the years that excitement has faded slightly because it has become a job and not a hobby as such or pocket money. I rely on it and a lot more thought and effort goes into it.

(Saying that though, I did a friends wedding on Friday night and I was really excited about it and also nervous too but that's not my point)

Most of my work personally is Friday, Saturday and a few Sundays but I have had bookings on every day of the week in the past and also so far this year....what I am experiencing is that generally or the majority of the time I am free to do my own thing (as well as all the admin, upkeep of the equipment etc) during the week (Monday - Thursday). At times I haven't felt like going out to do my job at the weekend because it is 'work' if that makes sense?

Like Benny, I find it hard to describe / explain. It's a strange one. It could be that everybody else is having a great time and to us it is just another night. Some of the songs we're playing we have played 100's maybe 1000's of times and they just don't appear exciting to us as they could do to someone else. When Uptown Funk came out and filled the dance floor it encouraged me to actually do a bit of a wiggle and movement behind the decks because I liked it but also because it instantly created a great atmosphere. Now, even though it still fills the dance floor without fail, I don't get that same buzz even though everyone else is loving it.

That's just one song example but there are plenty, plenty more out there. Some people don't get out and go to parties so it's a big night out for them dancing to the likes of Whitney, Rihanna and Macarena (for example) so once again, all stuff that we've heard countless times.

One of the things I did to try and get over this feeling (and it has worked to some extent) was start offering additional services. I am not in the business of offering Photo Booths or Dance Floors (I have suppliers for those), I mean things that I could do myself.... Venue Uplighting, Photo Projection, Small PA & Lighting for bands etc...
It makes the 'JOB' more enjoyable in my opinion. Also offering specific genre music and themed nights.
Yesterday I did an afternoon booking. Earned my money and still had the night off.
A few weeks ago I supplied a PA and Projection, again in the afternoon and earned my money and had the night off.

In other words, start thinking about how you could make the 'job' more enjoyable. It IS a job afterall but the best thing is that YOU are your own boss so you can make it as enjoyable as you like.

[ukpartydj]

What is it out of interest?

Numark orbit as Toby correctly suggested.

The battery only lasts an hour if you are using it flat out though so I leave it plugged in and pick it up when I want to do a fun song like uptown funk.

[Benny Smyth]

Maybe I just need a run of performing really badly so I can appreciate a great night again. :p