Archive for July, 2009

I’ve already uncovered a lot of urban myths in this blog and here’s another.

It is an urban myth that all DJ’s get their music for FREE.  It simply is not true.  Believe it or not it is very hard to get music for free (legally) these days.  You can’t even just write to the music publishing places and ask to be placed on their mailing lists, that’s not how it works – well, not for the humble Mobile DJ.

Mobile DJ’s are simply not seen as a good “output source” for new music by the record labels.  We also do not play to enough people on a weekly basis to even warrant the odd free CD single from time to time.  Let’s face it, the majority of the music we do play at parties these days is 80% oldies and 20% current chart so even if EMI sent us a stack of free CD’s, we would probably never play them anyway as they would be supplied so far in advance of release there’s a good chance that even YOU haven’t heard them yet!

This leads me on to the music channels on TV, they often play music so far ahead of release that we are pressured into trying to get hold of these future hits before they even hit the promo music services we can get tracks from (but not for free).  So imagine for a moment we’re playing at an 18th birthday, the songs being asked for would probably be still 2 or 3 months away from release yet they are being played continuously on channels like MTV Base.

The only options for us to either download illegally from Limewire or to actually purchase music.  Thankfully there are a few music services we can use where the tracks supplied on CD are within 3 or 4 weeks of release, so by this time the songs have already been played to death on the TV channels and on the radio.  The annoying problem is that not all of these CD Promo services subscribe to all of the labels, so you may get one service who specialises in pop, whereas all the dancey-type tracks are on another service.  In order to get the best of both you’re forced to buy both CD’s at around £20 each only to discover that 8 of the 15 tracks on both CD’s are duplicated on the other CD!

Fortunately, a lot of these promo services are waking up to supplying music digitally via download.  And at an average of 79p for a high quality MP3 it can show good value, especially as you get to choose which songs you want.  So instead of buying Now 73 featuring 40+ tracks of which only 10 you’d play, you then have to make the decision.  Do I get the 10 I want at 79p each or do I buy the whole album from Asda for a tenner?

Choices choices!

Imagine the scene, it’s your special day and everything is perfect.  It’s been a fantastic day with great weather and it’s now time for the first dance.  The DJ announces you on to the dancefloor, the lighting is set to “romantic” and your chosen song starts when all of a sudden…BANG…darkness…

Now, what’s happened here?  Has the DJ’s equipment blown up?  No.  Has there been a power cut?  Sort of.  Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce to you the Formula Sound Sentry.  Hidden within the plastic case of this device are electronics designed by Satan himself.  It looks like a lovely box with flashing lights when the truth is it contains pure evil.  It goes without saying that the person who designed this device does not have blood flowing through their veins, but thick, black tar.  Ok, maybe i’m going a bit overboard here but it’s fair to say that this box could be a party killer.

The box itself controls noise pollution.  By “control” I really mean it hates anything above a certain noise level.  Local councils install these boxes in venue’s where locals in the vicinity of the venue have complained about the noise of past disco’s and bands.  The council comes in, sticks a box in and walks away.

But it’s not just about noise pollution (aka loud music).  Some venue’s have these things fitted to cut power when certain doors or windows are opened.  Yes you read that right, the power will be cut out completely if certain doors or windows are opened.  Now, this introduces a big problem if a) the venue has no air conditioning and b) it’s a very very hot day.

So, if you want to avoid a potential party killer then it’s always worth asking your venue beforehand if they have one of these devices.  DISCOfever are quite happy to work with them, although if i’m being really honest they are often best avoided.  Some are set in such a way that the noise of people dancing and having a good time trips the power.  If you’re not sure, always ask your DJ.

I wrote this post tonight because I triggered one of these off earlier…most annoying!

For some time now there has been a tune, and this tune sang about the end of the Mobile DJ.  Who needs the services of a Mobile DJ these days when you have an iPod?  Well, now it seems the tune has changed and the song is now about the possible demise of the official wedding photographer.

Every couple in the world wants wonderful photos of their wedding day.  Pictures that capture the beauty, the romance and the celebration.  What they don’t want however is someone ordering everyone about to get those formal photo’s of the families.

The science behind photography has also come on leaps and bounds.  At every wedding I DJ at I see people with huge digital SLR cameras snapping away.  This is a stark contrast to a couple of years ago when the big thing was how small your camera was.  The big drop in prices of these cameras now makes it possible for aunt Hilda to take a fantastic picture just by pointing and clicking.  Some of the best pictures i’ve seen have been candid shots, and also staged pictures, but not from the official photographer, but a guest.

I spoke to a photographer last night whose bookings are down 60% compared to 2008.  He blames it on the likes of Argos and Tescos selling cut price digital SLR cameras, the cheapest being around £300.  eBay also makes it easy for you to pick up a bargain.  The photographer went on to say it’s very hard for him now to bring anything “new” to the table that makes him different to all the other photographers out there.  They all do black and whites, candid shots, boudoir-style pictures, staged, un-staged…there’s hardly any difference.  Opening a wedding magazine doesn’t make it any easier, every page with adverts from several wedding photographers.

So…is this the beginning of the demise of the wedding photographer?  Hopefully not.  It’s important that you hire a qualified professional rather than “uncle Harry”.  It’s far better to end up with a load of high-quality, in focus wedding pictures rather than out of focus ones…or even non at all.

Deciding on whether or not to have children in your wedding can be tricky.  You may have a niece, nephew, younger sister or brother that you want to include in your wedding party, or even a child of your own.

There’s plenty of advice available to couples planning their wedding about how to prepare a budget, choose the perfect venue, theme, dress, cake and colour of table linens etc.  however there is very little information available to couples which deals specifically with arrangements for children throughout the wedding.  The thought of a young child dressed in a wedding suit or little dresses may make  your heart melt however the reality may be that the child will not feel comfortable dressed like that all day long.   Children are unpredictable, but they will add joy and charm to your ceremony. The thought that children and weddings don’t mix is nothing but a myth!

If the thought of having children at your special day STILL sends shivers down your spine and you want to avoid the inevitable “dancefloor knee sliders” during your first dance then why not employ the services of an event nanny?

Event Nanny’s are groups of people dedicated to keeping the younger ones entertained at your event.  They do this with toys, activities, games and of course story time when the late night kicks in leaving you and your guests free to enjoy your special day.   Having someone who is experienced with groups and has the right ‘tricks’ to maintain and keep the little ones busy is a must! Happy children equals happy parents, happy guests and happy weddings!

For more information on event childcare, please visit the South East Childcare website who will point you in the right direction!

http://www.southeasteventchildcare.co.uk/