Being a professional DJ is tricky business. If you do it well, the people you play for will likely become highly intoxicated and prone to do things that in many other environments would be considered out of bounds.
The hours are great, the perks can be bountiful, and one can make a living while sipping Hennessy. So why is it that so many DJ's carry a level of salt when it comes to dealing with raucous party-goers?
Most DJ's initially started out through a deep connection and love for music. Their attraction was so strong that they felt the need to invest heavily in equipment and hone their craft allowing them to play in front of paying customers.
The problem is that all too often a DJ's ability to focus on the set and enjoy the music is hampered by the antics of a club goer who's intake of alcohol has removed any sense of tact, awareness, and the fact that he / she is not the only person in the world.
Anyone with a healthy selection of DJ friends on Facebook can tell you of the tales, gripes, and complaints coming from people who work 12 hours a week. They may seem unjust to those outside of it, but when you truly care about an art form, having it bastardized by self entitled drunks can be a genuine blow to your soul, regardless of how great it is to wake up everyday at your leisure.
That being said, we posed the question to our members about the things that really get their goat during a set. Trust us when we tell you, a happy DJ will play a better party! If you want to make a request, be cool about it! Aside from that, stay out of the booth and heed these top 5 things NOT to say to a DJ…
- “Can you play that song again?” - Unless you are Beyonce and just turned up to the club to perform after your track already played, it's not happening! Nothing devalues a set more than a repeat. It shows a lack of creativity and will immediately drive away any discerning crowd.
- “Can you play that really cool song? You know the one that goes like, ‘hmmmhhmmmhahahaahoooo.'” - If you don’t know the name of the song, how do expect the DJ to figure it out through your off key, broken beat hum while the club system is making simple conversation difficult? We have enough on our plate without getting our ears drenched by your spittle while trying to play "Name That Tune."
- "Play my song next.” - This is what you tell the DJ if you want the next time you hear your song to be in your car after leaving the club. A well crafted set is a series of ebbs and flows designed to carry a crowd through the night. Certain requests can be mixed in, but only when they blend with songs of a similar vibe. Very rarely will this be “next” and any attempts to make it so ensure you won't be hearing your song at all.
- "Can you play a song off of my phone?” We’re not sure what planet you came from, but do you see all that shiny equipment? Computers and flashing lights? These are all instruments built to shape a series of songs into a continuous piece of music that keeps the masses energized and engaged. There’s a reason why we lug around all this heavy gear instead of just busting out our phone and plugging it in. It's called mixing. Maybe they have it on your planet? The thought of plugging in a random phone that could ring at any time to play a random song with no ability to mix it is not only preposterous but should be punishable by a loss of data service.
- "Can I DJ / Get on the mic / Use the aux / or otherwise affect the sound that is coming out of the speakers?” Unless you’re well respected throughout the community for your musical craft, NEVER ask this. It’s genuinely offensive. For all of the perks of being a DJ, the biggest drawback is a lack of security. The only thing we can do to hold on to our jobs is to make sure that the crowd enjoys the music at all times. One bad mix, off-beat hype man, or poorly placed track can completely kill the momentum of a set, and thus the bar tab at the end of the night, which is what most club owners really care about when booking a DJ. We don’t show up at your office and email your clients “because we have email at home." So don’t show up to our office with your pen out. Come with good vibes, an open mind, and faith in your DJ!
Jesse Felluss was a full time club DJ based out of New York for 12 years. He now lives in Denver and is not as grumpy as he seems. He's on Twitter: @jessefelluss.