Omg. That is the worst!!!!! Especially after "everyone will dance to it". I've actually told people that if their song tanks and clears my floor they better not even dare ask for something else.
Yup. About the same have happened to me some times; "Do you have a cable so I can connect my iPhone..?" Seriously??. The first time I laughed cause I didn´t think the guy was serious. It´s like bringing your own snack box to a restaurant and ask the chef if you could plug in your microwave...
Maaaan this is so accurate. The "don't you have anything we can dance to" bit was spot on. And there's always the classic "play something good" Last week some one said that to me so I replied, sarcastically with "I'm sorry, I left all my good tunes at home" Maybe a little unprofessional, some times I just can't help it!
Back in the days, when I was DJing in clubs, when I didn't want to play "their" tunes, I kept them talking :D sometimes like 10 minutes or more. When they walked away, they were happy and had totally forgotten, what they wanted to listen to xD
I want to say "Hang on, let me read your mind.....(put fingers to my temples)...no....not picking up anything yet..." I will ask them to be specific. Upon arrival people ask are you going to play some good stuff tonight and I would say "Nah, I'm tired of the good stuff, it's bad music for the rest of the night" it usually makes them laugh or smile.😀
A good trick if you are in a jam with a crazy party goer is to stop the music, grab the mic and say, "Ladies & Gentlemen, Our Friend ( say...Britney...) has a request she wants all of you to hear!" if the song sucks, Britney is the chump, her friends have a laugh at her expense, you get back to business. My least favorite request is, "Like, um, can you play anything like, good?". Not kidding. ThanksTLM! Respect! Great tips.
I don’t ever it’s so frustrating when people ask you to play but they don’t look in to what you play strictly and then you get bombarded with people wanting chart music so I play what I like and I like promoters who no what I play and then ask me
My problem with the requests is that they're usually either cheesy classics or recent top 40, stuff that everyone knows and likes. The songs themselves are good and I like them as well, but when you start playing them these people tend to get more uncomfortable with songs they don't know. However, if you leave out all the familiar songs altogether then the crowd tends to get more open-minded and starts vibing to songs they've never heared before. That is, provided the songs are great and your mix is tight.
nothing more awkward then mixing house in front of a great crowd loving it and getting a straight rap/hip-hop request..its like no mate. i will not be doing that right now.
haha key tip to my djs who spin dance music. when someone asks for a request always find a remix to that song. I have been complimented many times for playing a remix to an original song someone requested.
One evening, there was a girl trying to get my attention by touching the jogwheel and therefore stopping the music. I told her politely to stop. The second time she did it, I stopped the music at started yelling at her. All the people at the party stopped up and started looking at her and she blushed completely and went away quietly. I don't think she's gonna annoy a DJ again :p
just djed my first house party, holy......shit....... was i bombed with so many requests, mind you it was an 18+ event, didnt see how overwhelming the job of a dj could really be
Since I'm a mobile dj specializing in weddings and corporate events, I'd say you're right on point in regards to your thoughts on requests. The only thing I'd add is that when I get a request at a private event from either the Groom or Bride or the corporate sponsor, I try to work those in no matter what (I know I'll be called a sell-out by some, but I got mouths to feed ;-) Fortunately, I usually meet with my clients a few times in advance so that I have what they want to hear in my playlist for the night already.
No doubt, I've done corporate events (like big office christmas parties) and I even let the employees make a list of requests weeks in advance. That way I will have more insight into what kind of crowd I'll be dealing with and if I have to get some music that isn't in my collection yet.
make a list works , i did several times , unfortunately there are people that don't make the list on time , however for me list is the best way , but we always find those that in the last minute want their songs in that list
Hi guys, I've been extremely busy with different projects, gigs and private life and as a result I was not able to make new video's in the last two weeks. I'm back in the lab right now and the new video's are dropping asap! Thanks for the support and patience. TLM
When we had our junior high school party, DJ brought a notebook for requests. In my opinion it is quite a good solution. Because it doesn't distract DJ so much (especially, that it was his idea to offer such a notebook, so i don't think it distracts him so much. He can also look there whenever he wants, so he doesn't have to be in the middle of beatmatching) it is very helpful to play almost every song people ask for, because DJ will not forget any request. But I'm not a DJ, so I don't know
Then you have the people who request song and don't dance to it or the person that request a song. You play it and then he or she comes asking why haven't you played the song.
Hi guys, Due to health issues I couldn't finish video's I was working on (NS7-2 review) and I can't record new video's either. I lost my voice over the weekend and that makes it a bit difficult to record stuff ;) I should be fine in a couple of days so stay tuned! For the DJ's who would like to be part of the Saturday Super Session: Join the Saturday Super Session and send me your own video!
Good points there I think I've come across all varieties of these requests. I've often told friends if they want to ask a DJ for a song the best way to go about it is respect the fact that person is working, it is their job to make everyone happy and we are not a jukebox. Ask in a polite way, something along the lines of 'Hi, would you be able to play such and such a song when you get a chance'. If someone asks that way I'll go out of my way to get it into the set if it fits the night etc.
"I only play what I like" im right there with you, I like a large variety of music as well so if you pick something that's just way out there, i'm sorry. My big saying when someone asks if I take requests - "I don't take requests, but I take suggestions!" Great vids man, love what your doing on your channel
Hey Dj TLM, Just wanted to comment and let you know how wonderful your videos are. I got into DJing about a year and a half ago alongside my full time schooling and work and find your videos extremely informative towards my success. I wasn't going to post a comment until I saw this video and listened to your emphasis on professionalism during requests. This is such a good point to bring up when your handling requests, setting up for the person hiring for your gig and anything in between. You have a name for yourself and don't want to ruin it in one gig because of one drunk or rude person. Looking forward to more videos, keep up the good work!!
As a professional club DJ I accept, reject, like and dislike requests from guests depending on the request, the time and the mood. A subject I could talk about positively and negatively for hours. DJ TLM - you've summarised it very well here
What DJ's need, is an iPad app that takes requests, and after the person requesting it presses Enter, a pop-up window shows and says "There are 38 request ahead of yours. We appreciate your patience. Have Fun & Enjoy!" or something to that effect. You can then take the list home and look over it.
to be honest, when I DJ, and I know that I'm absolutely ROCKING the house, let's face it, there's always that one drunk chick or dude that asks for something to dance to, like you said. Or even better yet, "do you have any good music," my response to that is more of a sarcastic approach. If I'm absolutely 100% confident that I am on my P's & Q's, that ONE person is OBVIOUSLY irrelevant, so i'll say something like "man i'm sorry i left my good music at home" or "as soon as all these people stop dancing, i got you!" it keeps me in a great mood instead of getting mad or frustrated, and it indirectly tells them to leave me alone without actually telling them. they either A laugh it off with me, or B just leave and go back to the bar or the dancefloor. hardly ever do they leave the club all together, because in all reality, I AM rocking the house. ;)
Good advice. I'm dealing with drunk request every weekend. I'll usually say something like, "Give me few minutes. I'll look and see if I have it". Normally within 20 minutes, and a couple more drinks, they forget they even spoke to me. If they do happen to remember later in the night, I just tell them I don't have it. I try not to kill their vibe, even if they're killing mine.
That always happens to me! Same damn question! Can you play something that I can dance to? Lol! When I first heard that in my career I got very offended but now I just laugh it off too! Other than that I ask them what I can I do for them and if the vibe is right I do it for them. It all depends also on the venue. I DJ in small venues where I like to be set up close to the dance floor where people can actually see me perform on the decks. But with that, it leaves me very vulnerable to requests cause I'm so close to the people. I try as hard as I can to show the people that I can transition to almost anything at anytime while keeping the vibe going strong. That to me takes the most skill. Also I don't have a planned track list like a lot of young djs do. I play directly off the crowd. I think that's the way djing is supposed to be. "Live for the moment and live for the crowd!"
I feel you 100% The first time it felt like an insult, but after I put things in perspective I realized that the "dance" comment is just funny. I also feel you on the visual aspect. I like it when the crowd can see me and the turntables because that way they can see the work I put in and if I do some tricks they actually notice it. If you're on a stage and the turntables aren't in sight, the crowd misses out on some of the things you do.
I was just telling DJ TLM the same thing about that comment! It's such an ignorant thing to say in my opinion because you can dance to anything I play, lol. Too funny.
Thanks!!! As a new DJ these requests have been a distraction and sometimes make me doubt myself… I have learned there are different types of people w different intentions when they request or demand music. Hearing that you, a PRO, deals with that crap really makes me feel better. I have learned to keep it professional and simply say “let me see if I have it and I’ll play it if I do” works! Have had to straight up tell people (only a couple of times) “ I am the DJ and I choose what I play next. It’s MY job not yours” when they get too pushy and rude.
Yo DJ TLM...I just want to take a moment to say thank you for all the videos you post in order to help other DJ's out there, especially this one in particular. I agree with you 1000% percent on this topic. Especially the part when a patron says to you "Can you play something that I can dance to?" LOL. I truly hate that statement. When you said that I started laughing. Anyways, great job in the videos and thanks again. Keep it up. - DJ SEVENSIX
Hahaha 100% agree with you man, found your channel today and this video made my month. Started working as a DJ in a club and sooo true... laughed a lot on the part when someone comes and says "don't you have something we can dance to?" and everyone's dancing.. happened to me last night for example.. "Man are you gonna play something that people likes? I was like hey bro, turn around, people loves these (everyone mad at the dancefloor..)
Every night I've got around 20 requests I'd say in my 4hours set, I also dj freestyle live, and luckily people is most of the time polite and asking for popular songs that they've heard before in the club and things I can play, and as you said if the energy level is there, I play it right next, if not I say like okay gimme 10 minutes or so and I'll play it (If I feel that I can bring the crowd to the level of that song) or if it's a energy level that I'm not gonna play anymore that night (a slow bpm song that I played earlier) I'm like well, I played it before, it's too slow for now.. I'll try to fit it in but it's difficult, come next day and ask it to me earlier and I'll play it 100% :) and they go with a smile on their faces. As you said, being polite always works, and in 2 months only had a girl grabbing my mac's screen because "I didnt want to play Bieber-Sorry" (played it 3 times that night and we were about to close djying more electronic music lol )
When I am DJing a wedding or any other mobile spot where people can walk up to me I usually bring one or two people with me to handle it. A Dj should not have to deal with that.One time I was continuously trying to tell a older lady at a wedding that I did not have a few sonnds she asked for. I got so into telling here I didnt have it that it took my attention off of what I was doing. So much that the song on current deck that was playing ended and there was dead silence in the room and on the dance floor. That was my last time that I allowed someone to distract me. Now they dont even come close to me because..."I got people" LOL
Having some buddies around is always a great idea. Having buddies around that are also djs helps even more. Always good to have an extra pair of eyes and ears. Good stuff mate.
Exactly what I was talking about. That's where the distraction became too much and it sabotaged your set. Bringing people to deal with requests is a good option if you don't mind bringing people.
djTLMtv hey TLM I found it distracting so what i implemented was a request list for ppl to write down there request and if I have it or like it as you do it will get played as you do i play on the fly reading the crowd and thx for your advice keep up the good work
This is solid advice. I was a club DJ for 10 years (the same club all 10 yrs). The club policy was that I had to take requests, and I hated that. To make matters even worse, the owners wanted not only dance music, but also country mixed in at small to med doses). It never failed that when I was deep in a groove of the hottest songs at that time, some knucklehead would come up and request a country tune, or a dance tune that's a total opposite of what I was currently spinning and that the crowd was dancing to. I had to learn some intense anger management skills. Somehow I made it w/o breaking anyone's skull, but it's not bc I didn't want to. I got a laugh out of your example of the "Don't you have anything we can dance to?" request. I had something similar a couple of times, and it was usually on a Fri or Sat night at the peak of the evening when a crowd was on the floor. They'd say, "What do you got that's good" or "Play me something good". Both times I looked them in the eye and said, "We don't have anything like that" and then go back to what I was doing.
It's strange how in the places I play majority of requesters belong to the annoying group that has no respect for the DJ. So often I get the likes of "play xxxxx right now!" or "throw in xxxx so we can dance, man" which gives me the feeling that my work is not appreciated and I have to take this downgrading or even hostile attitude. Those few kind ones that politely ask or wonder "if its possible to play this at some point" give me a big smile and will to carry on the night. Thanks for the vid.
Like most here, I've been in every situation you've brought up and I think the advice was on point. One tip I would add, is a lot of time I will just lie and say I will play it in a bit. Rarely will people come back up and ask why you havent played it yet, and then I just tell them I forgot. The good thing about it is that it minimizes the distraction "will you play x?" "yes, I'll play it in a bit for you" -- done.
I've done that in the past, but in my experience they do come back. And if they request a song with 3 hours left on the clock, they would come back an hour later (I would say I forgot), but then they would come back again and hour after that and be pretty mad because I "forgot" again. What I would do is say that "I will check if I have it" and make it clear that I'm not checking it at that moment because I'm already busy. If that decided to come back later I would tell them that I couldn't find the song. If they would request a new song I would give them the same "I'll check if I have it" line. Unless it was something I would NEVER play. Then I'll tell them straight up "I don't play that"
I'm mobile dj for 15's and weddings in Pasadena Texas and I take them the same way you do only that although drunks can be a pain in the ass there is almost always that very nice drunk guy around an hour before you finish that has money to blow and will tip you just for playing his song that you would play either way just cause its part of your setlist for that time but with 4 years now in this profession you get lots of patience and adapt to it.
First of all, TLM, love your channel! Definitely agree with your video, however I have one thing I would like to add....There have been times when I have gotten requests that were actually ahead of the trend. Also, I play in clubs in different countries and often times, a hit would be big in Dubai or China and is a throwaway in the States. This is obviously the exception and not the rule but I like to ask people to write them down and I throw them in the box if I dont have them for review at a later date
I usually spin with another dj. He usually plays hip hop and I usually take it electro or house. If any requests come along that doesn't suit what I'm currently playing or what he is, we usually get them to write it down and tell em that we'll try to fit it in later on when the other of us is playing. But most of the time the tracks that are requested will be huge hits and bangers so we will eventually be playing em. But the best but of advice that was given to me years ago was to have a set of post-its and pens ready for people to write their requests down. Most of the time, if we play it, it makes them happy, and if we don't, they'll have probably forgotten about it in an hour's time haha.
DJ Takin' It Back We don't announce that there're post its there. We just have some on the side table next to the desk so if anyone comes up, we just point right at the post its. :)
Great video! I’ve been struggling a little recently with a club I’m in twice a week and everything in this video will help me as I do want to handle it properly rather than just saying fuck off to someone. I have found that if some people are hesitant a good one is to keep headphones on both ears like you are really busy and they walk away sometimes never coming back not sure if that’s ok to do but I have done this a few times
i had a lot of requests in my first 13 gigs, but i found the solution, before i do my gig, i ll talk to the owner or somone responsible to put Staff ( security ) to block the stairs or the path to the dj booth, something else, i visit that club 2 days before my gig to spy the peaple: what they like, what they don't, what is their best genres etc.... this is dj SkyFall, Thanks Dj TLM nice work :)
my last gig this drunk chick literally touched my platters while I was mixing a song can you guys imagine that omg! dancefloor looking at me like uppppps.
I'll do you one better....I had a manager at a club sweat me play a different BPM cause one or two customers were complaining...and the floor was half way packed! I tell him to tell them i will get to them in a few and he takes it as a disrespect to him. smh we had a few words on the fly which of course messed my flow up for a hot min. But i kept it classy and professional to the audience the rest of the night and rock it! That was my last night there and the club got closed down two months later and it was only open for about 6 months..if that. Been in this game for 30 yrs Good video my dude!
Yup, I've seen that kind of thing and it happened to me a couple of times too. It's a tricky situation when you're dealing with the promoter/manager/owner because they are 'in charge', but a lot of times those guys do NOT know what they are talking about.
djTLMtv I'm dealing with that same issue right now with a bar owner that doesn't want me to cater to the type of clientele that goes to his location and it's very frustrating. Basically, they want to hear dirty Hip Hop and in the mid 20's mostly so they like NEW HIP HOP. And I'd say about 80% of his customers want that music all night long. He doesn't like it because of the nature of the lyrics and so on. I've been there for holding down a Sunday night residency for a year and half now. I'm mainly a Hip Hop and R&B dj myself and most of his customers want that so it's difficult. Doin my best though.
DJ Soulbrotha I just made the same comment in regards to the douche bag that dissed DJ TLM a few comments above. DJ's will take requests if they fit into the set and the person is polite. We're not juke boxes. On the other hand, you don't need to pay a juke box and you can tell it what to play. For some bar/club owners, that's probably a better idea.
A man after my own heart!!! You speak the truth brother. I had a person like this about a month ago. I DJ at a spanish lounge. This drunk guy just kept requesting mexican music over and over again. I played a few for him but after a while people and myself were getting annoyed. So i ignored him for a while. About 45 minutes towards the end of the night, he comes to me and tells me that he spoke to my boss and she said that i could play his mexican music the rest of the night. I looked over at her to confirm and she said yes. So that killed my mood for the rest of the night. I guess when it's the boss saying to do so, you have no choice, but i spoke to her afterwards, i told her that i'll take requests if i have to but that the request should not reflect the likes of just one person. Because there are many people in the place that may not like or want to hear what one person wants to hear. That incident hasn't happened again despite the same guy returning the week after to try and do the same thing again. I'm sorry, but i dismissed him and it was one of my best night. P.s. Love watching your videos, a lot of what you speak off, I've gone thru it and im learning more from your advise. Good work.
Great Video. I have been playing out for a few years at different places and I recognize those "request". The most fun thing I know, as you mentioned, is when a guy/girl comes up saying "hey man, turn off that shit, don´t you have something good??". I usually just start laughing (in a non-humiliating way, you gotta stay pro!) and kindly say "Alrighty then, "what do think is good music?". Almost all of the times they look really confused and starts to mumble something about Hip Hop or so... I guess that you can't take it personally, at least I don't anymore (use to do that in the beginning), cause everyone has different tastes. It can be as easy as that :)
I have this problem all the time since I’m a mobile DJ. I’ve been thinking of some polite & professional ways to try avoid these nasty situations, especially with the drunks who think that they are the ones who hired me. 1) Prior to the event, I confirm a playlist with the client. So at the event if I get people bugging me, I tell them that unfortunately the playlist has already been approved by the host. 2) Just before I’m about to start my set, I have the MC to mention in his build up to introduce me, to politely inform the crowd that “I” am not a JukeBox - allow me to do my job & to trust that everyone will have an awesome time. Do you think these will work, or could leave a nasty taste in their mouths before the party even starts?
Love this dj tlm. Being a club DJ and even on stage I have people always trying to talk with me or request. It's hard because I wanna be nice and give off good vibes but it also is challenging when someone annoying you and you are trying to do you're job Been DJing for 21 years and always will love it it's my passion
Yes! That`s true. If he don`t accept requests, there are allays people that think that he are narcisist (sorry errors). But they dont know that they change our intuiton.
Since i been dji ing, shorthand producer over 25yrs...i been playing it all requests or not cause 1. It defeats headaches 2. Im getting paid for it, that's what i focus on...now tracks i dont have with me i let the requester know up front then tell them i can play a related track...make my job easy and headaches free!
I once played vinyl at a company party for around 150 people, and there was this guy standing right in front of, and above (!) my decks investigating the whole deal, following all my movements with his eyes. So after we nearly bumped heads I said "Bro, gimme some room here", and he did - only a little. Cue-ing up the next song, I'm baby scratching the transition. Guy goes: "I can do that", so I offered him my headphones with a big smile on my face. Never seen anyone actually walk backwards like that before. It wasn't a big moment and I don't think anyone really noticed, but the rest of the night went peachy.
Dj TLM, you're so right about this. I'm so glad to hear your input,.I get that at times, the do you have anything I can dance to, omg...you're so right, just laugh it off and I like the reply, what can you dance too.. the drunks waving their drinks around your system, I setup cones and ask them to stay behind the cones or put out a wash board
As a Mobile DJ, I get requests all the time. I too am a freestyle DJ. I do not have a specific playlist. I get the annoying and disrespectful requests. What i did at one time, was not only did i get them removed, i actually played the song requested later that night... Obviously, the respectful requests and the shy requests, I have handled, because those are the ones i respect. As a club DJ, i dont have to worry about because i was on a stage that is elevated.
im in high school and dj high school partys and the other night I almost had to fight a guy because he wanted 7 young thug songs back to back and he was getting hostile. you were spot on about "do you have something to dance to" great video
Never say no..be always positive, even if you are not gonna play it at the end. Changes are they will be to drunk or to bussy to remember. Off course if they keep coming you must try maybe do playing it, and if you surely can't, then just say, well..sorry i can't find it for now, never say haven't got it, specialy if its kind of o hit or popular !! good points eather way TLM
dude your points where 100% legit this may be in my opinion the best video you have done that i have seen yet. you dig. keep it real and the videos coming.!!!!!
Absolutely love this video. Couldn't relate any more to the things you mentioned. The "You have any music you can dance to" comment is always astonishing, bewildering, and hilarious when I'm mixing. HAHAHAHA
As a mobile Dj, To deal with this, i announce it live at the beginning of my gig that if anyone has a special request, he or she comes and jog it down on a sheet/list and that i will do my best to play it IF i have it. Most of the time it world and At least i trim the amount of people that will come distract me during my work.
Im completely the opposite, although I understand why most DJs don't like requests. I love requests, as I think it makes the party-goers feel more a part of the event, and I have a kiosk/tablet that they can request from. It then pops up on my screen, and I play it.
Wow, its incredible how on point you are with this video! I now carry a small portable stage with only enough space for myself up there to prevent anyone trying to talk to me. It has really helped lower the request significantly and it also avoids people touching my gear and spilling beer on it.
So I am that mobile/wedding guy...I pretty much have to deal with requests and play them. I’m okay with that because I know that if people have a good time at the event and they need a DJ there is some chance they will think “hey let’s get DJ Dennis...he played such-and-such and it was a great time!” TLM, like you, I find that taking requests is a distraction. The big issue I have is when I am busy trying to get the next track on people will think that me holding up my hand to get them to hold on for a minute means I don’t want to talk to them. They will start to turn away dejected and then I have to break from what I’m doing to say “no, just hang on, I’m busy...” I’ve even stopped to answer questions about how to DJ. Last wedding I did I had this young girl about 15. You could tell it was her first time getting to go to an adult function. She requested a song or two and then came back and wanted to know about DJing. I invited her into the “booth” and she watched and asked questions. I turned her on to Phil Morse’s book about DJing on your iPad. I sure hope that someday I will see her name on a poster somewhere doing a big gig!
Couldn't have said it better , this advice is spot on and over the last 24 years of my dj trading I've delt with most of what you mentioned. Thanks for posting.
One girl came to me and ask me to play something good. I kinda chuckled and asked her to clarify good because what's good to her may not be good to anyone else. Now back to the request list, if it is written down, chances are it will get played rather than me trying to remember what they requested. At some point after the gig, I will go through the list and get the songs to add to my collection if I like it because chances are at another gig that I play at someone else may ask for that song.
I don't dj that often, but when i do (and the Club owner/Party host is cool) i put up a sign that sais that requests are possible from tommorow on 😁.... Love the channel... big ups to your Dj Skills!
Appreciate you hittin' this topic man! I tend to lean on the quicker to say no (even if it's nicely said). I like how you take into consideration people building up confidence to even come talk to you. For me personally, I start off the night telling people (mostly youth for things I do) that I want to give them a live DJ experience and vibe that they can't get from an iPod and that in order for that to happen I will not be taking request. Doesn't always work, people ask rather you say something or not. But at least it sets the tone for the event. Then every so often through the event I will again say something like (and this is if people still come up to request) as a reminder to give you guys a Live DJ feel and not a living iPod I will not be taking request, but stick with me because I got stuff that I know you'll enjoy.
Flashlight to the Face always works! The clubs i spin at already know thats an indication that i'm being bothered in the booth. they can run from me finger pointing but they cant outrun the flashlight!
True talk I have DJ at parties and a lot of people request certain songs and then you play the song and they're ones that don't even dance to the song they requested to hear.
I had a lady call the manager of the club when she requested a song because I told her I can't given the timing and what was in my contract. Club was dancing, it was Poppin, but even still, the manager said play it. I played it, the club stopped for the most part, and I was looked at stupid. I love requests, but if there not in the know of how vibing out works, they should just let us do our job. For the most part though, simply saying I can't, I don't have it, or my contract is restricting that type of music, they usually are pretty cool with it. Also, recommending something similar TO them works a lot as well. "I can't play that, but I can play this" approach has worked wonders for me. Hope it helps anyone reading this :)
Great to hear. I want to add one thing that musical knowledge and DJ skill plays an important role in this context. For more insight on Do's and Don’ts of making song request, read Disc Jockey Boston blog. You will surely get awesome ideas.
For me I usually will say something along the lines of "I'll see if there's somewhere I can bring it in that will fit with my set" so I'm not directly saying no and I totally agree for people that are civil and let me work when I need to it's not too bad but the some drunks certainly are distracting
What annoys me the most, is when people come up to me and ask "What are you playing next?" I might be searching for a song and respond "I don't know yet. What do you want to hear?" and they reply "I don't know. Play something I can dance to." Burns me up!
"Can you play something we can dance to?". "Sure. The Blue Danube Waltz OK?" I take REQUESTS. If you want someone to take your orders, go and see the bar staff!
I go by what I call the "maybe" system. I work in a two college town with a heavy drinking population so I get all kinds of requests. If they are polite in their request and it works, I too will put it in the mix. If it doesn't work I tell them maybe. If they push it (ie "What do you mean, maybe?") I simply explain that maybe is better than no, that I have a lot of requests already (Not always true) and I do not want to guarantee I'll play their song and not get to it. Make it sound like you are doing them a favor by trying to fit their song request into your very busy schedule.
I am a bedroom DJ and I broadcast on younow.com and at a club in Second Life. I had a situation while broadcasting on YouNow. Someone in the chat kept saying play something I can dance to, play something that screams Crash Rubber (my DJ name), I'm looking for skilled DJs, show me what you got, and stuff like that. I tried to ask for specifics, but he just said electronic music or something, which I was playing electronic music, so he was probably just trolling. He was also the only person watching, or at least the only person in the chat. I'm new to YouNow and don't have many fans yet, but getting a little more here and there. I usually play melodic trance, and I was past the warm-up and the energy had built so I was playing melodic trance bangers. But I was thinking about playing some psychadelic trance, and the energy had built enough and there was one guy there and part of being a DJ is reading the crowd, so I decided what they hey, let's play some psy trance bangers and see what he says. Plus I was curious to see how he reacted or if he was just trolling. So I prepared to transition to psy trance after one or two songs, and I played "Cosmic Dancer" by Deepsky, an older track from like 2002. As soon as that song came on, he was like now we're talking. He had also asked if I had a controller or just used the software, to which I honestly replied I don't have one, I just do everything in the software. Then he started offering to take me to his studio in Puerto Rico where I'd have a real DJ kit. That remains to be seen, and I don't like to judge, but since he was pretty new on YouNow, he was probably just trolling when he said that. He stayed for a couple of bangers and then eventually left. I tried to send him a private message after my set, but I don't think it went through and I didn't feel like typing it again. (Although on YouNow I don't think it's totally private, I just posted on his profile and he could delete it if he wanted, so needless to say I really had to keep it professional.) The gist of the message was, thanks for watching my broadcast and your feedback, it's much appreciated. But I play what I like and as tempting as your offer is, whether it's real or not remains to be seen, I play what I like and I'm not going to change that because someone offers me money or fame or whatever, and if that's not good enough for you, then I won't be offended if you go watch someone else's channel or start your own. I fanned him since he fanned me as well, though I was kind of hesitant. If he's a professional DJ, I'm curious to see him play. He did pop into one other broadcast after that, but left me alone. I kept it professional and it all worked out well. If he does that to me again while I'm warming up, he won't be so lucky. I'll just have to tell him to be patient and I'll play what he wants to hear later, and if her persists, I'll block him. Might even say something on the mic without naming any names. But that time there was no need. I was ready to play bangers anyway.
I'm beginning a career as a D.J. mainly doing house parties where it's more intimate and close so I'm very approachable and accessible.. one thing that I do to curve request is to put a TIP can up... that's my nice way of saying I don't take request.. but of course if they throw money in the cup I'll play a portion of it if it's the right time
+Anthony Garner Nice one Bro ;-) I had a guy give me $5 (AUD) to stop what I was playing and put on his Indian song. Only problem was he thought he could keep doing that...
+Joel Amoos haha, in that case I'll just take the mic and say: K GUYS, INDIAN TIME! and let the money flow :D (kidding, wouldn't ruin my job for a few $)
I take requests through the Lunos iPhone app or face to face... this video is spot on though most people request a song I was going to play already anyway or something that will kill the vibe
I use a clipboard and on the clipboard it says write your requests here I can't hear you the music is too loud thank. Most of the time they will not write anything down and try to tell you anyways. That's when you turn down the music. Then the crowd stares at them. That always works for me. If they're nice I'll play it if it's in the same genre and BPM
