How to get a foot inside the door?

Hi Guys!

I moved to Auckland from Denmark about 7 months ago and have found it extremely hard to meet the right people that can hook me up with some gigs. I have about 10 years worth of DJ and production experience mainly playing progressive trance at festivals and clubs all over Europe. Ive moved more into the minimal/techy sound now but Im really struggling to get my shot a the NZ scene. If anyone could help me out before I get too desperate and decided to go back to Europe again that would be very much appreciated.

My myspace hasnt been updated for ages but feel free to have a look anyways http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1181418609

Ups wrong link http://www.myspace.com/tribalisticsociety

Ok. So no reply. How about a set you can listen to then.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ll1fya

1. D-Nox & Beckers - Cala A Boca
2. Koen Groeneveld & Amehet Sendil - Rotate(Koen Groeneveld Rmx)
3. Popof - Serenity(Lutzenkirchen Rmx)
4. Astronivo - Anthing You Want(DJ Zombie & Beckers Rmx)
5. Umek - Spare Good For Me
6. Par Grindvik - Do Us Apart(Len Faki Rmx)
7. Umek - You Might Hear Nothing
8. RPO - Leave A Dream(Astronivo Edit)
9. Umek & Beltrek - Longer Trail
10. Fiord - Get Up Jude(Beckers Rmx)
11. Reset Robot - Continue

Enjoy!

Progressive and minimal/tech are not very big scenes in NZ. There is a pretty loyal following but its pretty much owned by a few key players.

Maybe start playing electro house or DnB and see how you go

Posting on the interweb wont get you far either. You need to talk to real life people.

Go out and get amongst it!

Stupid real life people! I set up cardboard cutouts of characters from Lord of the Rings, and I dj to them. They love me!! Aragon loves Dj Sneak!

I hope you use protection

The only thing I need protection from is the cutouts of the Orcs wanting DnB!
Oh and bloody Arwen keeps asking for Salt n Pepa!
She thinks if she asks me in Elvish, Ill fall for her accent (wtf? tard)

... be careful of friction burns... cardboard can cause havoc

oh and sorry for hijacking your thread Brian.

BIG LOL!

On topic over 8 years being involved with a resident dj situation I only booked 3 djs purely on the strength of their CDs - that was Tom Ward, Ollie B and Minimal Mel. Tom was good old tech-house but Ollie and Mel were both early adopters of the minimal sound (it might have been "click-house" at that point - i think i was pushing for the name dub-tech....). Everyone else I subsequently asked to play was through previous friendships, or contact made while playing (or drinks afterwards of course).

Of the 70 odd other CDs I received over those years a few I though were promising, but when i asked "what of the nights we are running would you see yourself fitting into" would lead to the response "Ive never been" or "i dont know" - ok so no gig then...my impression is for the most part personal contact and showing interest in a djs sound or promoters angle is the best way to win someone over and score a gig.

^^ this

Its less about getting your foot in someones door, and more about getting your tongue in their bumhole, or their penis in your mouth, to be honest.

Haha Im not that desperate Ive started making contact with some "real life people" so we will see what happens. Thanks all for the comments and advice. Anyone listen to the set?

I basically only listen to pro mixes or podcasts. The odd live set from a biggie if I'm keen.

As a promoter (very rare these days) I am more interested in seeing passion, dedication, curiosity, and well roundedness of a DJ.

They must be doing most of the following if I would even start to listen to their demo:
Go out to a variety of gigs (styles, clubs, differing DJs etc)
Be aware of the bigger global picture.
Be pushing their own thing (small bar gigs, putting on their own gigs etc). Sitting around and doing nothing is not the best. And saying that you can't afford to do your own gigs isn't an excuse, most promoters have poured thousands of dollars into gigs before they start making money, so you need to show you are willing to sacrifice too.
Have been playing at other venues, better to hear that than a mix CD.
Be passionate about their sound and style and not just chop and change to get gigs. The worst sin I see in a DJ is pandering because they feel something is needed. Diversity is ace, and I love DJs who can and WANT to play across the board, but if someone specially downloads the latest Beatport top 10 to play a certain event, there are hundreds of other DJs who are passionate about that style who should be on that bill first.

Making friends with people is a great way too, because much of the above requires a bit of talking to the person. I don't have to be their best mate, but if the DJ is a douche, then I'm not going to want them anywhere near my gig.

Basically if the love is there then they will have the right vibe.

The other side of the coin is purely get in there and buy the more commercial DJs and promoters drinks/drugs. Suck some virtual cock, and bring your mates to their gigs to show support and make yourself seem indispensable.

Other than that, find the people you feel aligned with musically and just get into their crew, even if that takes some time.

Good luck, remember, even the 'big' NZ DJs struggle to get work (and most are bitching about the lack of it at presnet) so nobody's immune.

1. I go to as many as I can. If work is not in the way and the money is there...well, watch out Auckland.

2. Used to run a record label back in Denmark and we put on about 50 gigs over 6 years so think I know a thing or maybe 3 about doing gigs. Lost heaps of money but kept going. Just for the love of music. July 27th Im helping out with my first one here in NZ(Galatos red.).

3. Couldnt agree more. Which is probably why I dont get any gigs. LOL

4. Im not the kind of person that sucks up to people just because they are "hotshots" and might be a ticket to play. I never have and I never will.

Thanks for the feedback Mark. Much appreciated.

PS. What is pro mixes?