I did an interview this week with an online publication & found myself telling Jeff the interviewer that I was rethinking my role as a DJ / Promoter.
Time for change, things are just not what they use to be on so many levels.. Man I’m getting old. I remember a much simpler time when promoting parties & spinning was so much fun. It’s rare that I find myself feeling that way. Don’t get me wrong.. I love what I do.. but getting the support I need to keep doing it isn’t as easy. My age group has dropped out of the party scene, each year we lose more & more. Whether it’s to family, job’s, school or just the responsibilities of adulthood. There seems to be less people coming out to support. I don’t want to live in the past & talk about the good ol days.. Yes, we had some good times.. but now I’m ready for some new ones. The flipside is I don’t want to dumb it down & do what everyone else is doing just to make a buck.
It’s funny & sad that there is no shortage of people complaining about the scene, going on & on about how there isn’t any place to go out any more. People you can’t complain if you don’t participate!!!
It’s unfortunate that there are less quality events.. but there are still a handful of things worth checking out. I can't urge you enough!!! It may not be an ideal night to go out like a Friday or Saturday .. but these events still needs your support. I’m not saying you have to do this weekly but make an effort to drop in on your favorite dj, musician, band or promoter every once in a while to show them their efforts are noted & not overlooked. At least pass it on to a friend who may enjoy it.
I can’t thank my friends & fans enough for their support over the years. I really wish the game was a bit different. I think we need promoters to be a bit more creative in what they do & how they do it. We need you to rethink some of these B.S. events they are selling us. We need more venues to look past the dollar signs & easy money when it comes to what they book & the deals they are willing to offer us.
I often think about the people who helped me out in the beginning. I am very grateful.. What would things be like without some of the nights, bands, musicians, etc. that were spawned because of their forward thinking & belief in our early visions.
I do agree with some of you guys & gals on FB that say chicago has become stagnant or pretty lame over the years. I know some of you younger people are scratching your heads saying.. What the hell is this guy talking about? The scene rocks!!! Trust me .. things were much different back in the day. You have no idea what you have missed.. Everything that is going on now is not new, Bookmark this blog & revisit it when you get older : )
I'm just not sure I have the energy to try & change things here. I feel like i have already done my part over the past 25 yrs. My job is done, my time may be better spent someplace else. This new Chicago is a young persons game..
I do feel caught in the middle.. Yeah some people know who I am, but I'm still out here hustling like the rest of you for pennies. Trust me .. this shit ain't easy!
I will let you in on a little secret: The last thing I want to do is bombard you with party invites & flyers. But this is what's expected of the DJ nowadays & that's just how it works. It's rare that a flyer, poster or even an ad will be purchased by a club. We are left to pick up the slack, some of us try to relay the message in a less abrasive manor & keep it fun, others not so much. This long list of things we need to do to have a successful party keeps getting bigger & our return keeps getting smaller.
Not only do we have to deal with obnoctious drunkards & tons of bad requests that the crowd thinks we are obligated to play. We now are the promoters, Soundmen / Technicians, Creative entities behind the promotions, publicis, Graphic Designers, street teams, etc. All for a rate that is a fraction of what a DJ should be making.
If you are familiar with the parties & events I promote.. you will notice I have shied away from high covers & now rarely even charge at my nights. The recession has changed the way we party & just how we live. I have kept this in mind & have chosen to work with venues that have a modest cover or none at all. I know some people still have a hard time reaching in their pockets to contribute a measly $5.
People this is what the cover charge was in 1985, so 25 years later .. that's not a lot to ask is it? The cost of doing business has gone up so much in that time. Can we get a little something? LOL! It cost money to have guest DJs & performers, a host for the evening, CD give aways, flyers, posters & Free pizza.
So the next time you are faced with paying a cover or tipping a bartender.. please keep all this in mind. There is a good chance that the person you came out to see isn't really getting paid very much. Unless it's DJs Paul Oakenfold or Tiesto.. Some people don't have a problem paying $50 or $75 for a ticket to see them. I think I need to start playing Trance & pumping my fists in the air.. like I just don't care! : )
To be continues (check back later) Rant over for the moment. will be back soon. LOL! DJ JDLP : D
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