DJ bio ettiquette!

[Broken Home]

So a couple of years ago when I played at FUR, Hatiras was playing in the other room. Can I say I "shared the bill" with him? Can I say "played opposite"? Clearly I can't say "opened for".

I don't have a DJ bio right now and it's becoming more and more necessary, because if I don't have one then promoters write it for me. But also I feel like name dropping is douchey.

What do YOU do?

[MURAMASA]

So a couple of years ago when I played at FUR, Hatiras was playing in the other room. Can I say I "shared the bill" with him? Can I say "played opposite"? Clearly I can't say "opened for".

I don't have a DJ bio right now and it's becoming more and more necessary, because if I don't have one then promoters write it for me. But also I feel like name dropping is douchey.

What do YOU do?

Although it is a mega mega pain in the ass, it's usually best to write a separate bio for each major gig and cater it to the kind of crowd that's there.

[Perpetuum]

So a couple of years ago when I played at FUR, Hatiras was playing in the other room. Can I say I "shared the bill" with him? Can I say "played opposite"? Clearly I can't say "opened for".

I don't have a DJ bio right now and it's becoming more and more necessary, because if I don't have one then promoters write it for me. But also I feel like name dropping is douchey.

What do YOU do?
Have someone else write it for you.

[Broken Home]

Aaron if you write my bio for me, I promise I won't steal your tracks from BitTorrent anymore.

Please make sure to include references to hyphy tracks.

[Perpetuum]

Aaron if you write my bio for me, I promise I won't steal your tracks from BitTorrent anymore.

Please make sure to include references to hyphy tracks.

I see just as much money from you stealing my tunes as I would if you bought them, so it's of no consequence to me.

I can sum up your DJing career and accomplishments in one hyphy-related song title though.

"Not Listening".

[Cortex]

So a couple of years ago when I played at FUR, Hatiras was playing in the other room. Can I say I "shared the bill" with him? Can I say "played opposite"? Clearly I can't say "opened for".

Those are both fine. Your DJ bio is basically a summary of what you are all about, and your accomplishments - if you think something is noteworthy and you want other people to be aware of it, then definitely include it in your bio. As long as it's not misleading or exaggerating, you're not being a douche.

[Broken Home]

I see just as much money from you stealing my tunes as I would if you bought them, so it's of no consequence to me.

I can sum up your DJing career and accomplishments in one hyphy-related song title though.

"Not Listening".

I like it. I'm making that my affiliation. I'm also going to tell people you opened for me. (if you know what I mean)


Those are both fine. Your DJ bio is basically a summary of what you are all about, and your accomplishments - if you think something is noteworthy and you want other people to be aware of it, then definitely include it in your bio. As long as it's not misleading or exaggerating, you're not being a douche.

Well I guess that answers it... Shouldn't list him. How is playing in the same club as Hatiras (but in different rooms) an accomplishment in any way? It's not like my booking was in any way related to his.

[Perpetuum]

I like it. I'm making that my affiliation. I'm also going to tell people you opened for me. (if you know what I mean).

Fair is fair, I suppose. I've told a bunch of people not to go see you because you like to MC over your own sets and call out for couples' dances at least seven times a night.

[Cortex]

Well I guess that answers it... Shouldn't list him. How is playing in the same club as Hatiras (but in different rooms) an accomplishment in any way? It's not like my booking was in any way related to his.

I disagree - it shows that you were booked for a major club event, which is both a truthful and impressive feat.

[Broken Home]

Fair is fair, I suppose. I've told a bunch of people not to go see you because you like to MC over your own sets and call out for couples' dances at least seven times a night.

Um it's called waltzstep and it's very popular at bar mitzvah parties.

[suneel]

Hatiras rocked an empty main room that night. Although i do recall a drunken Cortex stumbling around that spacious FUR dancefloor.

[Broken Home]

I disagree - it shows that you were booked for a major club event, which is both a truthful and impressive feat.

Yeah but that's so salesmany.

Well I guess that's the point anyway. :-/

I am currently talking to my friend about being my booking agent so that I don't have to deal with this and also so that I can say I have a booking agent.

[Cortex]

Hatiras rocked an empty main room that night. Although i do recall a drunken Cortex stumbling around that spacious FUR dancefloor.

Was that my birthday last year when you and him tag-teamed at the end?

Now *that* is an impressive feat to put in a bio!

[Perpetuum]

Um it's called waltzstep and it's very popular at bar mitzvah parties.

And you still can't get anyone to show up to one of them. That's a damn shame.

[suneel]

Was that my birthday last year when you and him tag-teamed at the end?

Now *that* is an impressive feat to put in a bio!

Yeah...that was your b-day if I recall correctly. Good times! :daking:

[Perpetuum]

Yeah but that's so salesmany.

Well I guess that's the point anyway. :-/

I am currently talking to my friend about being my booking agent so that I don't have to deal with this and also so that I can say I have a booking agent.

That IS the point. Salesmen are usually douchebags. But it's a necessary evil. It's your job to sell what you have to offer to someone that don't want it in a market against people who try and sell what they have too. As long as it's not a false claim, put it down on your bio.

[Broken Home]

Hatiras rocked an empty main room that night. Although i do recall a drunken Cortex stumbling around that spacious FUR dancefloor.

I rocked a pretty empty room too but I had a lot of fun and my gf had to take my car away from me and I took a cab home. I think.

[Broken Home]

And you still can't get anyone to show up to one of them. That's a damn shame.

:( even the people that hired me dipped out and went to the DC Star party. What-ever!

[Cortex]

Yeah but that's so salesmany.

Yeah it is, but you have to sell yourself in this industry. As long as you're being completely ethical and truthful, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

[mojojones]

So a couple of years ago when I played at FUR, Hatiras was playing in the other room. Can I say I "shared the bill" with him? Can I say "played opposite"? Clearly I can't say "opened for".

I don't have a DJ bio right now and it's becoming more and more necessary, because if I don't have one then promoters write it for me. But also I feel like name dropping is douchey.

What do YOU do?

i would say played with DJs such as Hatiras, blah blah, blah blah

don't think its douchey to name drop as long as you did play with those DJs and not making shit up

the only people that will think its douchey are

1. playa haters that wish they could have played with headlining DJs

2. people that have played with / opened for headlining DJs but think they are too cool (or too lazy) to write a bio

[IonaGlasscock, whatevs]

:( even the people that hired me dipped out and went to the DC Star party. What-ever!

:haha:

[DJKean]

:haha:


Of course you'd comment on that.

[Broken Home]

nm

[DJKean]

lol, I hate doing BIOs!! There is nothing worse than having to type something about yourself, and make it not sound cheesy!!

[IonaGlasscock, whatevs]

Of course you'd comment on that.

:yawn:

Anything else?

[john c]

Cortex: you are WAY off on this. SHARING the bill implies you were both headlining acts for that nite. Being coincidentally in a side room is NOT sharing the bill imo. Its not noteworthy, its douchey. Can a hiphop DJ at Ibiza seriously say he shared the bill with say a top headliner at Ibiza? Cmon. Bottom line, it should be about accomplishments. Being coincidentally in a side room where nobody gives a shit about you isnt an accomplishment. It makes others question your other real accomplishments

However, being THE opener though is def an accomplishment and should be listed because somebody trusted you to warm up the room for the headliner.

The bigger question: Should Empath mention in his bio he opened and ruined Tiesto's set?

[daniella downs]

So a couple of years ago when I played at FUR, Hatiras was playing in the other room. Can I say I "shared the bill" with him? Can I say "played opposite"? Clearly I can't say "opened for".

I don't have a DJ bio right now and it's becoming more and more necessary, because if I don't have one then promoters write it for me. But also I feel like name dropping is douchey.

What do YOU do?

yeah, you shared the bill with him.

writing a bio is hard, because you dont want to big up youself too much, but it's necesary in this situation. do what i did - tell someone else all your accomplishments, and let them write your bio.

[MINDPHUQ]

IMO, a good mix trumps a bio any day.

I've been trying to write my bio since 1996 and still haven't finished

[daniella downs]

Cortex: you are WAY off on this. SHARING the bill implies you were both headlining acts for that nite. Being coincidentally in a side room is NOT sharing the bill imo. Its not noteworthy, its douchey. Can a hiphop DJ at Ibiza seriously say he shared the bill with say a top headliner at Ibiza? Cmon. Bottom line, it should be about accomplishments. Being coincidentally in a side room where nobody gives a shit about you isnt an accomplishment. It makes others question your other real accomplishments

However, being THE opener though is def an accomplishment and should be listed because somebody trusted you to warm up the room for the headliner.

The bigger question: Should Empath mention in his bio he opened and ruined Tiesto's set?

no. sharing the bill means you were both on the bill.

and yes, jon should use that as his claim to fame.

[john c]

we should make a "post your bio and have us laugh at it" thread
I am sure mine is pretty douchey btw

[john c]

no. sharing the bill means you were both on the bill.

and yes, jon should use that as his claim to fame.

technically you are right. but if it has no meaning, why put it in?
Its like when Producers say their song was played "internationally" because their buddy played their song in their ipod when they went on vacation

edit: bolded for emphasis

[daniella downs]

i had an asian write mine, so mine can do fairly good math.

[daniella downs]

technically you are right. but if it has no meaning, why put it in?
Its like when Producers say their song was played "internationally" because their buddy played their song in their ipod when they went on vacation

do you think a promoter would look at you differently if you say you played on the same bill as fatboy slim?

for example.

the correct answer is of course they would.

[john c]

Not if they knew what that meant. And where does it end? What if I show up at a rave, and bring portable iPod decks and play music for some ravers on some side road. Did I share the bill? :D
better time invested in making a new mix cd than try to think of all the coincidences where a good dj played the same venue

btw I played that Katrina Relief party at buzz. I do not say I shared the bill with all the big headliners that nite like Danny Howells. I was in a room with 5 people.

[MURAMASA]

Cortex: you are WAY off on this. SHARING the bill implies you were both headlining acts for that nite. Being coincidentally in a side room is NOT sharing the bill imo. Its not noteworthy, its douchey. Can a hiphop DJ at Ibiza seriously say he shared the bill with say a top headliner at Ibiza? Cmon. Bottom line, it should be about accomplishments. Being coincidentally in a side room where nobody gives a shit about you isnt an accomplishment. It makes others question your other real accomplishments

However, being THE opener though is def an accomplishment and should be listed because somebody trusted you to warm up the room for the headliner.

The bigger question: Should Empath mention in his bio he opened and ruined Tiesto's set?

'Billed alongside', 'Shared the bill', etc-styled ambiguity is exactly what marketing is about when you're trying to push your name as a local, because that's what name-dropping does - it tells promoters and more savvy partygoers that while you're the kind of person who has to use other peoples' familiar names to promote yourself as you haven't established yourself to their level yet, there are promoters out there (maybe yourself) who are giving you the chance to play in some capacity on nights where they're taking gambles on bigger acts. This isn't a 'good' or 'bad' thing IMO, just another way to market oneself.

People aren't stupid - they can visibly see the difference in the wordings 'played alongside', 'opened for' and 'headlined alongside', and we all know in our scene that people don't hesitate for a second to call out some bullshit if they see it.

[john c]

i would say played with DJs such as Hatiras, blah blah, blah blah

don't think its douchey to name drop as long as you did play with those DJs and not making shit up

the only people that will think its douchey are

1. playa haters that wish they could have played with headlining DJs

2. people that have played with / opened for headlining DJs but think they are too cool (or too lazy) to write a bio

"with" implies a relationship. Like if you tagteamed.

[MURAMASA]

technically you are right. but if it has no meaning, why put it in?
Its like when Producers say their song was played "internationally" because their buddy played their song in their ipod when they went on vacation

edit: bolded for emphasis

This is why we take all statements of this sort with a grain of salt. :)

[daniella downs]

Not if they knew what that meant. And where does it end? What if I show up at a rave, and bring portable iPod decks and play music for some ravers on some side road. Did I share the bill? :D
better time invested in making a new mix cd than try to think of all the coincidences where a good dj played the same venue

btw I played that Katrina Relief party at buzz. I do not say I shared the bill with all the big headliners that nite like Danny Howells. I was in a room with 5 people.


1. that is stupid.

2. you should say that if that makes you happy. i generally put who i've opened up for (or if it's multi headliner, who played after them as long as i've opened for one of them that night). just cuz i dont do it, doesnt mean it's not right. i played on a radio show at my freind's house in london. i COULD say i played overseas. i dont, but i could. it's still reasonable without being false.

[john c]

1. that is stupid.

2. you should say that if that makes you happy. i generally put who i've opened up for (or if it's multi headliner, who played after them as long as i've opened for one of them that night). just cuz i dont do it, doesnt mean it's not right. i played on a radio show at my freind's house in london. i COULD say i played overseas. i dont, but i could. it's still reasonable without being false.

so you agree with me. you don't do it either. I didn't say its false or illegal. Its just not a good idea to hype yourself up in something you don't deserve imo.


This is why we take all statements of this sort with a grain of salt. :)

absolutely. the argument isn't whether people will fall for it. its whether you should do it. I just think, why dillute your accomplishments with BS? If I saw somebody BS-ing, I would think they are posers and not trust them. People can smell BS from a mile away. YEt some people think they can trick people into thinking they are super stars.

I have seen a lot of bullshit in bios that makes me LOL. If I was mean, I would post examples. BUt I do not want the drama :)

[Broken Home]

IMO, a good mix trumps a bio any day.

I must disagree, Chris. The biggest parties I ever played were never thanks to mixes. I have more mixes online today than anyone else on this board, covering more styles than anyone else on this board, and this translates into probably under ten bookings. Most of my gigs are thanks to DJs seeing me live or me being involved with the party in some administrative or promotional capacity.


we should make a "post your bio and have us laugh at it" thread

We should! We should also have a thread where people write a bio for me.


i played on a radio show at my freind's house in london. i COULD say i played overseas. i dont, but i could. it's still reasonable without being false.

I don't think that's reasonable at all. Not one bit.

[john c]

Dan I can help with one line for you:

"Amitai has opened for John C"

[MURAMASA]

Dan I can help with one line for you:

"Amitai has opened for John C"

That is some name-dropping bullshit.

[daniella downs]

I must disagree, Chris. The biggest parties I ever played were never thanks to mixes. I have more mixes online today than anyone else on this board, covering more styles than anyone else on this board, and this translates into probably under ten bookings. Most of my gigs are thanks to DJs seeing me live or me being involved with the party in some administrative or promotional capacity.



We should! We should also have a thread where people write a bio for me.



I don't think that's reasonable at all. Not one bit.


it is though. you shared the bill. it IS reasonable.

and john - just cuz i dont do it doesnt mean i agree with you. i dont do it because i've opened for people and would rather use that than waste space on things that are less important.

(not to sound douchey, but make sense?)

[MINDPHUQ]

i can see your point, but for me I'm more interested in hearing what someone can do than reading what someone can write about them.

I still need to check out your mixes sometime...




I must disagree, Chris. The biggest parties I ever played were never thanks to mixes. I have more mixes online today than anyone else on this board, covering more styles than anyone else on this board, and this translates into probably under ten bookings. Most of my gigs are thanks to DJs seeing me live or me being involved with the party in some administrative or promotional capacity.



We should! We should also have a thread where people write a bio for me.



I don't think that's reasonable at all. Not one bit.

[john c]

it is though. you shared the bill. it IS reasonable.

and john - just cuz i dont do it doesnt mean i agree with you. i dont do it because i've opened for people and would rather use that than waste space on things that are less important.

(not to sound douchey, but make sense?)

if it helps people get booked, so be it. I still think its a ludicrous idea in principle

ps: if you didn't share coke off Oakenfold's nuts (literally), you ain't shit

[Broken Home]

Dan I can help with one line for you:

"Amitai has opened for John C"

LOL it's true.

I was thinking about just big-upping other locals in my bio. "Dan Amitai has played at the world famous terrordome sharing the bill with such acts as Merv, Jon Logo and that guy that I never remember his name but he always remembers mine and it's really awkward"

[mojojones]

Being coincidentally in a side room where nobody gives a shit about you isnt an accomplishment. It makes others question your other real accomplishments



who says that playing a side room neccessarily means nobody gives a shit about you

i myself have played the upstairs 'Rubik' room at Nation plenty of times in which the room was packed, people were feeling into and there was a ton of energy (maybe even rivaling the main room in terms of energy)

i know that Ian has done the same thing himself (i've seen it) and probably Charly C as well, or any other number of people

so i don't agree with your statement

your Ibizia example if perfectly logically, however for Buzz bookings at Nation (and later Fur) the Buzz crew had love for the locals and showed them love by booking them alongside headliners

Ibizia maybe a totally different thing entirely

but if you were playing at a Buzz party with headliners (either opening or playing in a different room) you have every right to put that you played with them / alongside them / shared the bill, etc

at least for a Buzz party, anything else is debatable (but not that far off)

my .02

[daniella downs]

LOL it's true.

I was thinking about just big-upping other locals in my bio. "Dan Amitai has played at the world famous terrordome sharing the bill with such acts as Merv, Jon Logo and that guy that I never remember his name but he always remembers mine and it's really awkward"

really, at the end of the day - what do you want your bio to accomplish?

if it's just big upping your local friends, than yes - do that.


(that's not to say your local friends are shit by any means, but you get what im saying here)

the point of a bio is to sell yourself. sell yourself.

[john c]

who says that playing a side room neccessarily means nobody gives a shit about you

i myself have played the upstairs 'Rubik' room at Nation plenty of times in which the room was packed, people were feeling into and there was a ton of energy (maybe even rivaling the main room in terms of energy)

i know that Ian has done the same thing himself (i've seen it) and probably Charly C as well, or any other number of people

so i don't agree with your statement

your Ibizia example if perfectly logically, however for Buzz bookings at Nation (and later Fur) the Buzz crew had love for the locals and showed them love by booking them alongside headliners

Ibizia maybe a totally different thing entirely

but if you were playing at a Buzz party with headliners (either opening or playing in a different room) you have every right to put that you played with them / alongside them / shared the bill, etc

at least for a Buzz party, anything else is debatable (but not that far off)

my .02

which is why saying you played Buzz, along with the sidenote of how established buzz is, suffices. saying you played "WITH" a big dj, when the big DJ prob didnt even know who u were or that u spun that nite in some other room, means jack shit w/ regards to mentioning him

[Broken Home]

your Ibizia example if perfectly logically, however for Buzz bookings at Nation (and later Fur) the Buzz crew had love for the locals and showed them love by booking them alongside headliners

Obvs they didn't love you enough to have you actually open for the headliner. So how much "love" does the promoter need to give for it to be noteworthy? Coincidentally playing in a big four-room club on the same night as an international headliner -- is that really noteworthy? I feel like if that's what I'm putting in my bio, then my entire DJ career is pretty insignificant, whereas if I drop that and instead list that I threw this party and that party, it lends more credence to the claim that I'm totes awesome.

[Broken Home]

really, at the end of the day - what do you want your bio to accomplish?

if it's just big upping your local friends, than yes - do that.


(that's not to say your local friends are shit by any means, but you get what im saying here)

the point of a bio is to sell yourself. sell yourself.

Explicitly: I want to write a bio that will help me get out of town bookings.

[john c]

Obvs they didn't love you enough to have you actually open for the headliner. So how much "love" does the promoter need to give for it to be noteworthy? Coincidentally playing in a big four-room club on the same night as an international headliner -- is that really noteworthy? I feel like if that's what I'm putting in my bio, then my entire DJ career is pretty insignificant, whereas if I drop that and instead list that I threw this party and that party, it lends more credence to the claim that I'm totes awesome.

ding ding ding
we have a winner
by highlighting BS such as coincidence, you are highlighting that you are insignificant. Almost every local in DC has "shared the bill" with a headliner. big fucking deal


Explicitly: I want to write a bio that will help me get out of town bookings.

In your case, its prob gonna have to be a combo of your own party you have been hosting, why its successful, how it pulled people, and also, an interesting DJ Demo mix

[mojojones]

which is why saying you played Buzz, along with the sidenote of how big buzz is, suffices. saying you played "WITH" a big dj, when the big DJ prob didnt even know who u were or that u spun that nite, means jack shit

its probably more suited for bio that is going out internationally, in which people may not have heard of Buzz but have heard of said 'big name DJ'

i don't give a fuck if that 'big name DJ' doesn't know who I am or if i played there, fuck him, that's is not going to stop me from doing what i want to do

its just a bio anyway, its analogous to a cover letter for a resume

your resume is your mix / tracks / etc.

[daniella downs]

Explicitly: I want to write a bio that will help me get out of town bookings.

then why the fuck are you talking about locals and local places that 99% of out of town promoters arent going to know.

see what i'm saying here?

[Broken Home]

ding ding ding
we have a winner
by highlighting BS such as coincidence, you are highlighting that you are insignificant. Almost every local in DC has "shared the bill" with a headliner. big fucking deal


yeah. oh well :(


In your case, its prob gonna have to be a combo of your own party you have been hosting, why its successful, how it pulled people, and also, an interesting DJ Demo mix[/QUOTE]

I think I'm staying in DC for a few more years then :D

[daniella downs]

Obvs they didn't love you enough to have you actually open for the headliner. So how much "love" does the promoter need to give for it to be noteworthy? Coincidentally playing in a big four-room club on the same night as an international headliner -- is that really noteworthy? I feel like if that's what I'm putting in my bio, then my entire DJ career is pretty insignificant, whereas if I drop that and instead list that I threw this party and that party, it lends more credence to the claim that I'm totes awesome.

to be completely honest dan - at this point, it IS insignificant.

that's not to say that it won't be moreso, but what's the most you've done at this point?

im not trying to be a cock right here at all. you just havent been at it as long as others, and shit - mine's insignificant too, and i've done more than you.

[Broken Home]

then why the fuck are you talking about locals and local places that 99% of out of town promoters arent going to know.

see what i'm saying here?

because I was joking :) why the hell would I put merv in my dj bio, much less refer to him as merv and not his dj name? sorry merv I don't know why I used you in that example

[Master Miguel Lush]

I only say that I've played with daniella downs and amitai and i get booked world wide.
I don't even lie.

[Cortex]

In my entire 10 years of DJing, I have always thought that "sharing the bill" with so-and-so meant that you played the same party with them. Like, you're both on the bill. Saying "sharing the bill" means the exact same thing as "listed on the flier with".

[Broken Home]

to be completely honest dan - at this point, it IS insignificant.

that's not to say that it won't be moreso, but what's the most you've done at this point?

im not trying to be a cock right here at all. you just havent been at it as long as others, and shit - mine's insignificant too, and i've done more than you.

I haven't done all that much (relatively speaking) but I think "sharing the bill with Hatiras" is one of the more insignificant things -- the more significant ones being the "headliners" I actually did open for, and events I actually put together (small events to be sure, but even the small events reflected positively on me as a DJ and promoter, whereas Hatiras playing next door is 100% meaningless)

[mojojones]

Obvs they didn't love you enough to have you actually open for the headliner. So how much "love" does the promoter need to give for it to be noteworthy? Coincidentally playing in a big four-room club on the same night as an international headliner -- is that really noteworthy? I feel like if that's what I'm putting in my bio, then my entire DJ career is pretty insignificant, whereas if I drop that and instead list that I threw this party and that party, it lends more credence to the claim that I'm totes awesome.

it is all about the style of music you play too (in terms if opening for the DJ rather then playing in a side room)

anyways if you are going for out of town gigs, maybe name dropping big DJs that you played in a different room may be more effective then listing parties that you've thrown that those people have maybe never heard of ?

they won't know either way so fuck it

[mojojones]

In my entire 10 years of DJing, I have always thought that "sharing the bill" with so-and-so meant that you played the same party with them. Like, you're both on the bill. Saying "sharing the bill" means the exact same thing as "listed on the flier with".

Exactly, thank you.

[Cortex]

lol, I had to check my bio after this discussion. I used "shared the decks" as a catch-all for people that I've both opened and closed for.

[spiggums]

which is why saying you played Buzz, along with the sidenote of how established buzz is, suffices. saying you played "WITH" a big dj, when the big DJ prob didnt even know who u were or that u spun that nite in some other room, means jack shit w/ regards to mentioning him

What if you played said side room and people packed it in DURING the headliner's set because you upstaged him/her? How do you convey THAT in a DJ bio?

[mojojones]

lol, I had to check my bio after this discussion. I used "shared the decks" as a catch-all for people that I've both opened and closed for.

i think Mr. Amitai should start a poll

1. you have his and John C school of thought in which just because you played at the same party doesn't mean shit and should not included those 'big name DJs' on a bio

2. Or your and my school of thought, in which if you played at the same party and listed on the same flyer you can accurately state that you played with them on your bio


curious what the end result will be

[zarbizarre]

Explicitly: I want to write a bio that will help me get out of town bookings.



write and release tracks, or you'll be staying home lol.

[Spartan]

write and release tracks, or you'll be staying home lol.

and the converse is true as well...in most genres, simply being a producer won't get you much notice. You need to play out.

Which sucks.

Thank god for Ableton and the APC40.

[spiggums]

and the converse is true as well...in most genres, simply being a producer won't get you much notice. You need to play out.

Which sucks.

Thank god for Ableton and the APC40.

on some levels it's kind of unfortunate... if only because you get a lot of solid producers out playing shit sets... and great DJs making shit tunes... what I'd like to see, instead, are those producers who can't DJ work on putting together some sort of wicked live set up...

There ARE some who manage to be great at both... but they are few and far between... what I'd like to see, instead, are those producers who can't DJ work on putting together some sort of wicked live set up...

[john c]

What if you played said side room and people packed it in DURING the headliner's set because you upstaged him/her? How do you convey THAT in a DJ bio?

you just did convey it, no?



There ARE some who manage to be great at both... but they are few and far between... what I'd like to see, instead, are those producers who can't DJ work on putting together some sort of wicked live set up...

there are few good djs period. Plus if the crowd wants to see the producer/dj cause of his new songs, so be it. Tons of famous guys suck as DJs but play out nonstop due to their songs. Demand is demand no? But thats way off topic

[spiggums]

you just did convey it, no?



there are few good djs period. Plus if the crowd wants to see the producer/dj cause of his new songs, so be it. Tons of famous guys suck as DJs but play out nonstop due to their songs. But thats way off topic

dude i dun know... was just talkin smack as a way to subscribe... sure I could have gone to the thread tools and done it that way... but that would be too easy ;p

[Spartan]

. what I'd like to see, instead, are those producers who can't DJ work on putting together some sort of wicked live set up...


that would be me :)

I hate Dj'ing. If i actually put time in to it and enjoyed it, I would probably be a better DJ, but I don't, so I suck.

I've begun producing in Ableton so I can cut up my tracks easily in to clips to play out live and re-work them as I see fit.

[john c]

i think Mr. Amitai should start a poll

1. you have his and John C school of thought in which just because you played at the same party doesn't mean shit and should not included those 'big name DJs' on a bio

2. Or your and my school of thought, in which if you played at the same party and listed on the same flyer you can accurately state that you played with them on your bio


curious what the end result will be

i didn't once say its not accurate. its accurate like spinning an ipod song in France makes your song international.
But i said its dumb to gloat about something that is not in the least bit an accomplishment, and in fact a mere coincidence. you spinning at buzz when DJ XTC is on isn't any more or any less significant as DJ Glowstix spinning at buzz when DJ Plurmeister was on. In fact, genre mixing aside, spinning on the same ticket in a sideroom with big DJs at Buzz is actually WORSE than spinning at Buzz when nobody big is there because they know nobody is going to be in your room anyway and its not a big deal.

[spiggums]

there are few good djs period. Plus if the crowd wants to see the producer/dj cause of his new songs, so be it. Tons of famous guys suck as DJs but play out nonstop due to their songs. Demand is demand no? But thats way off topic

Oh... I mean we can get in a whole conversation about marketing versus skill... or tangentially how the majority of people don't give a shit thus making the skill less important...

[spiggums]

that would be me :)

I hate Dj'ing. If i actually put time in to it and enjoyed it, I would probably be a better DJ, but I don't, so I suck.

I've begun producing in Ableton so I can cut up my tracks easily in to clips to play out live and re-work them as I see fit.

eh... to be honest... I'm thinking bigger.... I like seeing things more like what Drop The Lime has done recently... granted, he's actually a pretty decent DJ as well... but he's taken his thing and turned it into a three piece band... drummer, guitarist, him on synths and guitar and vox...

[john c]

dude i dun know... was just talkin smack as a way to subscribe... sure I could have gone to the thread tools and done it that way... but that would be too easy ;p

nah I just meant, the way you wrote it, is the way you could write it in your bio if you wished lol

[spiggums]

nah I just meant, the way you wrote it, is the way you could write it in your bio if you wished lol

yeah but that way comes off as disrespectful...

[Synz]

Personally, let yourself speak for well... yourself. Do you really have anything to do with Hatiras? Do you want people to think you play the same music as him?

I've been on the same bill as Crystal Method and Hybrid to name two huge acts, but I'd never put those acts in my bio as I have nothing to do with them.

See my point?

I think putting up your own true accomplishments in a bio for the show that booked you because of those are more important than to say, "Hey, look I played at the same party as 'dj whomever'".

EDIT: yeah, this point's already been made.

[Spartan]

eh... to be honest... I'm thinking bigger.... I like seeing things more like what Drop The Lime has done recently... granted, he's actually a pretty decent DJ as well... but he's taken his thing and turned it into a three piece band... drummer, guitarist, him on synths and guitar and vox...

i hate playing with other people ;)

once the apc40 hits and more people get under the hood with ableton(and the max for live extension...holy fuck), you're going to see some amazing live stuff coming from laptops. While the stage presence of a full band can work, sometimes it's about more than that...i've seen live EDM bands suck and I've seen speedy J do a laptop set that blew my mind. And I know people are tired of hearing it, but there are some AMAZING dubstep live shows coming up through the ranks.

I think one of the main features in Max for live is going to be the extra control you will get over video for your live sets...this, in and of itself, is going to make live sets far more interesting than a guy staring at his laptop.

and yes, drop the lime is amazing :)

[Master Miguel Lush]

Personally, let yourself speak for well... yourself. Do you really have anything to do with Hatiras? Do you want people to think you play the same music as him?

I've been on the same bill as Crystal Method and Hybrid to name two huge acts, but I'd never put those acts in my bio as I have nothing to do with them.

See my point?

I think putting up your own true accomplishments in a bio for the show that booked you because of those are more important than to say, "Hey, look I played at the same party as 'dj whomever'".

EDIT: yeah, this point's already been made.
hey, are you going to swing over South America or what?

[mojojones]

In fact, genre mixing aside, spinning on the same ticket in a sideroom with big DJs at Buzz is actually WORSE than spinning at Buzz when nobody big is there because they know nobody is going to be in your room anyway and its not a big deal.

maybe you missed the post about rocking the rubik room at nation or Ed blowing away the headliner ... or maybe its hard for you to understand it is possible for local djs in side room at to play a better set then the headliner ... shit has happened before

your view is very stereotypical and though may seem logically sound, in real life shit doesnt necessarily happen in the predictible way you described

[john c]

yes sometimes sideroom djs have upstaged headliners in rare times. point being?

[spiggums]

maybe you missed the post about rocking the rubik room at nation or Ed blowing away the headliner ... or maybe its hard for you to understand it is possible for local djs in side room at to play a better set then the headliner ... shit has happened before

your view is very stereotypical and though may seem logically sound, in real life shit doesnt necessarily happen in the predictible way you described

and honestly I think it's a little absurd to think that Buzz wouldn't have cared about who was in the side rooms on nights when there was a big headliner... because I think they'd want someone who was able to maintain a crowd in that room despite there being a headliner on... keep bar sales up at all bars... keep the club feeling live instead of just being a one room show... I know there was a rhythm to the rubik room.. And you were going to lose people for about 15 minutes... if you were good enough, they'd filter back... if not, the room would stay empty in there... with a few minor exceptions... Tiesto being the big one... but that's sort of the nature of a night with someone like Tiesto...

[Broken Home]

Wow guys this post totally sucks now. This was supposed to be about ME and MY BIO >:(

[mojojones]

yes sometimes sideroom djs have upstaged headliners in rare times. point being?

just a nice way to tell you that you dont know what the fuck your talking about, stfu, get back to your lab, fire up that daw, and crank out those tracks, lol, hahaha j/k :-)

[john c]

Wow guys this post totally sucks now. This was supposed to be about ME and MY BIO >:(

"Dan Amitai has been touted as one of the world’s leading DJ/remixers by various outlets including CNN, Rolling Stone, BPM, Remix and more.

In 2007 Dan Amitai released his Greatest Hits & Remixes through Perfecto/Ultra Records –a 20-selection strong collection of his seminal dance recordings and remixes. Its track listing ranges from original productions such as his massive singles “Starry Eyed Surprise” “Ready Steady Go,” and “Faster Kill Pussycat” featuring Brittany Murphy. In addition, there are remixes galore of artists like Justin Timberlake, U2, Madonna, The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead and Underworld and soundtrack pieces such as David Arnold’s James Bond Theme from the motion picture Die Another Day and Amitai’s “Dread Rock” from Matrix Reloaded.

2x Grammy nominee, “Best Electronic/Dance Album” A Lively Mind (2007, Maverick Records) and Creamfields (2004, Thrive Records)

Dan Amitai released his second album for Maverick A Lively Mind in June 2006. This Grammy-nominated album includes the single, “Faster Kill Pussycat” featuring Brittany Murphy. Other guests on the album include Pharrell Williams, Grandmaster Flash, Ryan Tedder of Onerepublic, Spitfire, Bad Apples and more.

His first album for Maverick Bunkka was released in 2002. It included "Starry Eyed Surprise" featuring Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town, a Top 10 hit in both America and the U.K. Other guests on the album were Perry Farrell, Nelly Furtado, Ice Cube, Tricky and Hunter S. Thompson (his last recording before he passed away).

“Starry Eyed Surprise” reappeared in early 2005 as part of Diet Coke’s ad campaign for their re-launch of the beverage using Splenda. Paul’s hit, “Ready, Steady, Go” currently appears in Saab’s US ad campaign, and a new song, “Feed Your Mind” also appears in Toyota’s European ad campaign, for which the major car manufacturer has committed to 42 million Euros (over $51 million dollars) worth of ad buys. Amitai also scored the music for a Hummer commercial.

Dan Amitai’s 2004 mix album Another World has reached gold status in sales making it one of the biggest selling dance albums of all time. In total his releases have sold almost 2 million in the U.S. alone.

Film credits include music for Nobel Son, Collateral, Swordfish, The Matrix Reloaded, Pirates of the Caribbean, Die Another Day, Planet Of The Apes, The Bourne Identity and Shrek II. TV credits include music for Alias, Big Brother and Las Vegas.

Remix credits include, among many others, works for U2, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Paris Hilton Jennifer Lopez, Salt N Pepa and The Cure.

As a touring musician, Amitai has DJ’d in hundreds of places around the world. Some unique locations he has appeared at include the Great Wall in China, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles (sold out) and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Other foreign territories he’s appeared include Cypress, Lebanon, Ibiza, Korea and more. He’s also noted as one of the most well traveled electronic touring artists within the United States. "

[spiggums]

it's worth pointing out that, if I'm not mistaken, his sold out performance at the Hollywood Bowl was a shitty fucking set with no dynamic opening for Underworld...

[spiggums]

my point? even the biggest DJs in the world fudge their bios...

[Broken Home]

"Dan Amitai has been touted as one of the world’s leading DJ/remixers by various outlets including CNN, Rolling Stone, BPM, Remix and more.

In 2007 Dan Amitai released his Greatest Hits & Remixes through Perfecto/Ultra Records –a 20-selection strong collection of his seminal dance recordings and remixes. Its track listing ranges from original productions such as his massive singles “Starry Eyed Surprise” “Ready Steady Go,” and “Faster Kill Pussycat” featuring Brittany Murphy. In addition, there are remixes galore of artists like Justin Timberlake, U2, Madonna, The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead and Underworld and soundtrack pieces such as David Arnold’s James Bond Theme from the motion picture Die Another Day and Amitai’s “Dread Rock” from Matrix Reloaded.

2x Grammy nominee, “Best Electronic/Dance Album” A Lively Mind (2007, Maverick Records) and Creamfields (2004, Thrive Records)

Dan Amitai released his second album for Maverick A Lively Mind in June 2006. This Grammy-nominated album includes the single, “Faster Kill Pussycat” featuring Brittany Murphy. Other guests on the album include Pharrell Williams, Grandmaster Flash, Ryan Tedder of Onerepublic, Spitfire, Bad Apples and more.

His first album for Maverick Bunkka was released in 2002. It included "Starry Eyed Surprise" featuring Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town, a Top 10 hit in both America and the U.K. Other guests on the album were Perry Farrell, Nelly Furtado, Ice Cube, Tricky and Hunter S. Thompson (his last recording before he passed away).

“Starry Eyed Surprise” reappeared in early 2005 as part of Diet Coke’s ad campaign for their re-launch of the beverage using Splenda. Paul’s hit, “Ready, Steady, Go” currently appears in Saab’s US ad campaign, and a new song, “Feed Your Mind” also appears in Toyota’s European ad campaign, for which the major car manufacturer has committed to 42 million Euros (over $51 million dollars) worth of ad buys. Amitai also scored the music for a Hummer commercial.

Dan Amitai’s 2004 mix album Another World has reached gold status in sales making it one of the biggest selling dance albums of all time. In total his releases have sold almost 2 million in the U.S. alone.

Film credits include music for Nobel Son, Collateral, Swordfish, The Matrix Reloaded, Pirates of the Caribbean, Die Another Day, Planet Of The Apes, The Bourne Identity and Shrek II. TV credits include music for Alias, Big Brother and Las Vegas.

Remix credits include, among many others, works for U2, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Paris Hilton Jennifer Lopez, Salt N Pepa and The Cure.

As a touring musician, Amitai has DJ’d in hundreds of places around the world. Some unique locations he has appeared at include the Great Wall in China, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles (sold out) and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Other foreign territories he’s appeared include Cypress, Lebanon, Ibiza, Korea and more. He’s also noted as one of the most well traveled electronic touring artists within the United States. "

:bowtodaking:

And if *I* opened for you.... Wow.... :D

[daniella downs]

I haven't done all that much (relatively speaking) but I think "sharing the bill with Hatiras" is one of the more insignificant things -- the more significant ones being the "headliners" I actually did open for, and events I actually put together (small events to be sure, but even the small events reflected positively on me as a DJ and promoter, whereas Hatiras playing next door is 100% meaningless)

one way to look at it is this -

say i book the plump dj's to play somewhere. i book dj ninja master to open for them (all hypothetical, obviously). dj nysus was playing in the other room. it would behoove dj nysus to say that he played alongside the plump djs cuz to other promoters, it makes him look better that another promoter liked him at least enough to book him on such a night as the plump djs.

all an example.

[Broken Home]

one way to look at it is this -

say i book the plump dj's to play somewhere. i book dj ninja master to open for them (all hypothetical, obviously). dj nysus was playing in the other room. it would behoove dj nysus to say that he played alongside the plump djs cuz to other promoters, it makes him look better that another promoter liked him at least enough to book him on such a night as the plump djs.

all an example.

I feel you but I still don't like it. Also, you would know. And DJ Ninja Master would know. Not that either of you matter if Nysus is talking to some out-of-town promoter, but still. Maybe "local" is just in my bones.

[john c]

DJ Ninja is a real dude and even on this board

[Broken Home]

DJ Ninja is a real dude and even on this board

I know dude and I am super excited to see his set tomorrow @ Transit!!! Also because I promised Lee $500 worth of cheese fries (not a joke you can ask him!)

[daniella downs]

I feel you but I still don't like it. Also, you would know. And DJ Ninja Master would know. Not that either of you matter if Nysus is talking to some out-of-town promoter, but still. Maybe "local" is just in my bones.

how many out of town promoters do you deal with?

[Broken Home]

how many out of town promoters do you deal with?

Today, none, but in the next two years I'd like to deal with... Some?

[daniella downs]

Today, none, but in the next two years I'd like to deal with... Some?

and that is why you say things like


I feel you but I still don't like it. Also, you would know. And DJ Ninja Master would know. Not that either of you matter if Nysus is talking to some out-of-town promoter, but still. Maybe "local" is just in my bones.

its ok dan. chelsea is 22. you learn things as you get older.

[Broken Home]

who's chelsea

[daniella downs]

my fiancee.

my point is that when you are young in something, you tend to not look at certain things.

[Broken Home]

oh yeah, totally. that's half of why I started this thread (I think) -- this whole aspect of "djing" isn't something I've ever looked at seriously.