Random Observations From An Old DJ...

I largely avoid reading social media posts from DJ communities as they almost always devolve down into the same subcategories of discussion and the same tired griping about how things are done now versus the good old days.

When I started doing gigs about 40 years ago, we used analog equipment, Technics 1200 turntables run through mixers and straight to amp setups.

Things began to change when I largely "retired" from the biz, but like everything else we do these days, digital media, software and fancy hardware have become commonplace. While I do honestly reminisce occasionally about turntable to turntable beat mixes and having to own the right vinyl to do the right sets, I don't obsess.

Truth be told, there were always good and bad DJs doing paying gigs, even before the sync buttons and Spotify use took hold. Now it is easier to enter into the DJing community, but those with the most skill at reading the venue and the crowd they are working that night will still have the advantage.

Even in the 80s, we occasionally lost out on banquet gigs, etc. when organizers decided to go with party tapes, etc. Instead of paying for a real show. They were usually sadly disappointed when they found out you almost always get what you pay for.
That same dynamic seems to be affecting bar/club DJs these days, as venues are making economic decisions to go with "cheaper" options that usually do not deliver the same experience.

I feel like the market will begin a bit of logical correction as smart event holders will slowly gravitate back the DJs that best deliver on the promise to make shows memorable, regardless of how they are getting it done.

While I cannot speak for my many Mixcloud friends and fellow DJs on the platform, for me, my current efforts there represent a chance for me to spend time to follow a modern version of what I have always tried to do:

- Spend time during the week finding and acquiring songs in mp3 format
- Penciling in a first segment of songs
- Usually having a theme in mind to guide how the last two hours will proceed
- Create a simple piece of inventory to promote the show on social and occasionally, on Mixcloud.

Once we are underway, to me, the most important activity is reading the room, seeing who is present that show, paying close attention to reactions and chat conversations, and continually reinventing my plan to ensure the best outcome for my audience as I can.

I think other DJs probably have a bit of this approach in how the execute on their sessions as well.

I do believe that at its core, all of my friends and fellow presenters and I on MC have the intent to have fun and share some music and feelings they love with other like-minded individuals.

​Hopefully we will all never lose sight of that, no matter how we perform our sets now, or in the future.