Great chatting with you about this crucial topic, Luke. I'm happy to read you and other DJ's and producers can relate. Sending lots of love to everyone that needs it and remember (as you can see from the comments on this video), you are not alone.
@@laidbackluke as a (currently) smaller DJ working multiple residences across various nights I found these points super relevant. Particularly the section on maintaining a healthy career and not allowing yourself to become a party animal every single night. I too have found that being in that mindset is very draining both mentally and physically, so it feels good to have my feelings validated by some of the top dogs in the scene. Thanks for making this video boys!
Same here, as a DJ from Atlanta on a few residencies and on the grind, better saying creativity flow, of music production, I value your opinions a lot. I also follow both of you for the longest and I appreciate this piece of content. Sam is even playing here in ATL tonight haha. Keep rocking guys, you are indeed the difference. Luke, dont stop with these vlogs, I do watch em. MRDN
As an "old" former semi professional dj (2001-2009) I acknowledge everything that is being said in the video. I was djing, making music and running a business. I found out I wasn't suited for doing accounting, networking and marketing and I really hated traveling and broken time scedules. This was even before social media and smart phones became a real thing. As a teen I was in it for the creativity, that creativity died when my big burn out kicked in for not listening to my body. After that period I focussed more on studio work as a hobby, removing the financial pressure and got my joy from becoming a proficient mixing and mastering engineer.
Thank you Sam and Luke! I would call this not the "Dark Side..." but the "Reality of being a DJ" whatever. Thank you for your openness and frankness, because people don't know this "other side". Cheers!
We saw him in a French festival. The festival was the worst organization with the worst people ever but this guy was smiling all day, very genuine and passionate. It's great to still see real artists who are sharing real love for Music and still behaving like a kind human. Many thanks for this interview. Much love.
Sam Feldt Is Such A Humble & Hardworking Person Just Like You 💙🙏🏻💙 You Guys Are Always An Inspiration, Grateful For All The Knowledge & For Doing What You Do ❤️⭐️❤️
It's good to talk about this so other djs who may be experiencing similar situations but are too embarrassed or shy --uncomfortable to talk about it. This is like a low key heroic service you did here.The star life of glamour is not all shine and glory. Respect for you guys to confront the real ness dark side of that life style and not just the shine spotlight part.
Thank you so much for this vlog, Luke! Thank you so much for being honest about the pitfalls of your work, Sam, and at the same time acknowledging the good parts of it as well!
Thank you for sharing this video and shedding light on the challenges that come with being an international DJ, especially at a high level like yourselves. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to maintain a balance between producing, performing, and taking care of oneself physically and mentally while on tour. As someone who DJs on a smaller scale, I appreciate hearing about these experiences. It definitely makes me appreciate the hard work and sacrifices that go into being a successful DJ even more.
Loving my fav seeing these 2 jams. Saw Sam a few years back at tigers milk in sa. Was epic. I still wna see Laidback Luke in the flesh in South Africa. Still my bucket list. But yep I need to think of ade one day to try visit. Chat to the legendaries lol
What a fantastic and eye opening video. Thank you Sam for sharing your vulnerabilities and showcasing the “other side” of djing. That sounds like plenty of stress no matter how you spin.
“It’s not sustainable”, this Sam’s phrase represents in my opinion really well why it is so hard to make success and to keep doing it. That’s why I have guys like you Luke, Armin van Buuren and Tiësto as professional references as well. Congratulations on the amazing content!
Thank You Luke & Sam, something I always though about these points during my career. I sometimes wonder to tell new upcoming talent's (and myself) - 'be careful what you wish for'.
How true that is thank you Sam and Lucas for the reality of the Dj life if you don’t put the work in behind the scenes you will find it hard almost impossible to make it s a Dj
This guy is smart on who cares day or night try to sleep regardless when in timezones travel gigs. I'm like how do they do it. This guy takes a good approach. Utilize the hotel room........ Zzzzzz
Tbh I’m so happy I never became a touring DJ and chose a different career path. I still love music, but I can go to parties and festivals when and where I want. I only travel when and where I want. I can have a normal sleep and eat schedule, work out on time and so much more. So yeah, there’s a big difference between loving music/parties and being an actual professional.
This is soo good Love how Same explained everything And this topic is super important so thank you Luke for this video Keep them coming And much love to both of you guys ❤️
I've been a huge music fan and a supporter of the both of you as well as Avicii but I'm really glad that more and more artists like yourselves have taken the courage to create mental health awareness particularly about ur industry...I must say that, as an airline crew by profession for more than a decade, @SamFeldt was absolutely right about "listening to your body and just sleep". Keep inspiring the world through your music!!!
In many ways this lifestyle is quite similar or the same (without adoration of fans😂), to airline crew lives. Just an fyi. Lonely , on the road, away from loved ones. Missing holidays and special events with loved ones. So much time in airports and places where we don’t know anyone. Yup. We must be so strong mentally being alone so much of our lives. Rest is destroyed as not normal. Trying to day sleep in hotels or on planes with NONE , no common courtesy from other occupants there at the hotel etc. we travel go back amd forth overseas over aNd over in a month. We learn to just operate in a constant jet lag. My heart goes out to you and your lifestyle. I know this lifestyle from crew standpoint. (Flight attendant and commuter to my base for over 35 years. ) Respect to all you Djs and of course to the flight crews all over the world as well. Always remember to take care of you!!!
As great as things are nowadays, it feel that its getting harder and harder to make a living out of this passion. Not just because of the competition but also because the way the industry is evolving. In the 90s you could be a great DJ and make a good living without produce one song, and producer could also make a living without having to DJ. Now you have to be both (plus all the social media side of it), and I'm not sure it's a good thing for the scene. There's lot of producer who don't want to be DJ, and tons of DJ who don't want to produce, which in the end make people in front not necessary the best (usually for the DJ part, because the production side seems to be what makes the best seller for DJ gigs, which is a bit ironic in a sence) And the future doesn't seems to be hopefull for that, music creation keep losing more and more it's value. Maybe at some point we'll see the DJ skills being the selling point for a show instead of the production and stream and social media number. (with that being said, that doesn't mean we don't have great DJ/great producer on show)
I would rather take less gigs, make less money and spend more time in the cities I travel. I deal with motion sickness and need my sleep lol I know I’ll be back gigging internationally but can’t stand the thought of being thrown around city to city just from some booking agency or management to try and squeeze as much $$ as possible out of their artists. Luke or Sam, have you ever considered this ? Would love your input !
100%, but you have to realize that in the beginning, or sometimes even forever, you don't have that luxury from a cash-flow perspective. More days in cities = more costs, and less gigs to pay for them.
I understand your pains, but you show images that you get fed sushi during gigs in Vegas…the pains you describe I would love to deal with if it comes with a music career not stuck in the mud.
