Locals getting better time at the better events.

Everyone is always talking about local talent, i for one agree with those who think our locals are cut short when it comes to letting them let loose. But on the other hand we talk about HOW can we create a local big name/superstar dj, one that people overseas will pay bucks to see!.

Instead of bringing over internationals and having them play sets in sequence like.

dj blah (international) 12-0100
dj blah blah (international) 0100-0200
dj blah blah blah (international) 0200-0400

and then when stuff starts dying down and the big names shoot of...

dj shouldabeenonearlier (local) 0400-you go home

wouldnt it be good if it were as such...

international
local
international
local
and so on...

that way the big names see our talent (and in a sense become scouts) and our guys get the couple of hours glory they deserve every now and then!

or does that only work in my perfect little world.

PS:I hope this isnt a repost although it probably is, but any input would be nice!

At most Velvets we have at leat one underground international, just for that alternative flavour - we always play them in one of the smaller rooms - our local talent are velvets hero's - the main room is ALWAYS reserved for them. Our good Kiwi jocks are any bit as good as the internationals, with the added juice that they know the crowd & feel what they do - being Kiwis themselves (in the most part) - the availability of fresh cuts is getting better & better bt the day, so really the only things that seperate them is perhaps direct links to producers, ultra hype PR companies, and maybe a zillion dollars!

But as with your topic, the placement of the DJs is very very important to keep a flow on the night, and indeed in each room - the emphasis shoud not be on `who' is playing, but how & when they play. Some people are starters, some finishers & some can keep it jamming in the middle. This however takes time to perfect, another reason why Kiwi musicians tend to work just as well if not better than (most) internationals - the promoters have learnt how to play them to maximum effect - or atleast in theory!

my 1.3 cents worth (bloody taxman!)

cheers for clearing things up a bit

ferksta

wassup brother

Waaasssssssssssssssssssssssssuuuuuuuuuupppppppp!!!

hey brother, did you loose it last night?

nah, whole thing was post poned till later date
weather too dodgy, blowing a gale out at muriwai

biggest anti-climax of all time..

some b2b sessions would be
interesting....(local b2b w- international)

Bummer Dpt - I'm at work, give me a call - come in & share a can if you like.

Velvet plug again! - ok, adding new flavours is the name of our game - JollyB (UK) B2B with Phat Az, one of our long term residents - he will also be playing B2B with Miss Green at the pre-party I think - up at LOFT before the event.

in fact, heres the line up-

BLUE Main Room
10 - Bevan Keys -+ Louis on sax + Percussion - Levani
12 - Philippa + Levani + Trumpet – Issac
2 - Deesastar – theatrical show -
2:15 - The Funky Reverends + Cam Allen + Diva
3:15 –Darryl Milne Vs Carl Walker -& Harmonica 5:15 – Trav & Ferk show

Foyer Lounge Bar
10 - 11:30 - James Aston
11:30 – 12:30 – Green Park Collectors - Jazz Band
12:30 – 1:30 – DW Browne ‘Unplugged & Organic’
1:30 – 3:30 – King Al (Christchurch)
3:30 – 5:30 – Grant Marshall - Retro
5:30 – 7 - Radley

Black Taj Mahal room
10 - 11:30 – DJ XS
11:30 – 1 – Steve Steers + Olli percussion
1 – 2:30 - Joylon + Didgerido + Olli percussion
2:30 – 5– DJ Freak Vs Big Pun + Didgerido + Olli percussion
5 - 7 – L8N -

Elephant Bar Members room
11 - 1- Andy Hughes Vs Rob Knight -
1 – 2 – Antimata
2– 3:30 – Jason Halloran
3:30 – 5:30 – DJ MatA
5:30 – 7 – Glen Marsh

Red Room Safari Bar
10 – 11:30 – The Omen + Kay Smith
11:30 – 1:30 – Luke Thompson + Kay smith
1:30 – 3:30 – Greg Churchill
3:30 – 5 - DJ Marrs
5 - 7- Soane

Zubrowka Cocktail Veranda
10 - 12 – Mark Burgess
12 – 1 – Rachael Sabin
1 - 3 – International - Jolly B Vs Phat Az
3 - 5 - Tim Phin
5 – 7 - Miss Green


so people, is there enough diversity there for you? - quite a few B2B sessions going on, along with the obligatory velvet live musician element.

lOCALS v INTERATIONALS
Hmmmmmmm
I think that the key here is familiarity, local DJ's know what buttons to push, what anthems to play and when, to get the crowd going, but nine tmes out of ten its pretty much the same set they played at Bed / Jones / Kiss, Calibre, Wyndham Bowling club etc etc. Its little wonder that people respond well to it.
Internationals are generally playing the sort of musc that you would expect to hear from them if they were playing a set at Godskitchen or Slinky.
thats what you pay for and its a hell of a lot cheaper than getting on a plane to go to the actual club.
If Local DJ's are that recognisably talented then they are wasting thier time here, massive paypackets and instantaneous international fame await them just a plane ride away. Also my personal opinion is that I have yet to see any of our top DJ's pull a set like Derrick Carter, Derek May, Tenaglia, Guy Ornadel, Dan Kahuna, Lisa Lashes or John 00, though some of the Internationals I have seen or booked have been no better or worse than the local crew.
In short [and just like bands] Until the locals test themselves in the seething cauldron of world talent, they are just locals, talented no doubt, but if no one outside of NZ knows it......?