Archive for February, 2010
Mixing Workshop
Feb 27th
Did something a little different last night. Myself and A couple of DJ friends all headed off to the 8th Burgess Hill Scout Hut in Burgess Hill for a mixing workshop. We taught the lads about music structure, the components of a good mix and how you can use FX and samples to make mixes more interesting, but best of all we let them loose on thousands of pounds worth of professional DJ equipment and try it out for themselves. They really enjoyed it especially the bit where they each chose two tracks and went head to head with the other groups.
We answered any questions the boys had and also planted the seed in their minds that DJ’ing can be a proper job and you can earn good money out of it if it’s done properly. We also discussed the dangers of tinnitus, a dreadful condition that severely affects your hearing through prolonged exposure to loud music.
The grand finale however was between myself and the other DJ’s where we each chose a song and then next DJ had to professionally mix from that song into a song of their own choice. It was a great example of our own skills, especially as we did not know what song each DJ was going to choose!
Fun was had by all and I think we’ll be looking to take our workshop to other groups in the area so if you run a group of under 16’s please do get in touch!
Can We See You At Work?
Feb 23rd
It is without doubt one of the most popular questions we are asked. We fully understand that you want to check out our service in advance, after all you are entrusting the final part of your special day to us. To book a bad DJ could potentially but a downer on the whole day.
Unfortunately we do not invite future clients to other peoples’ parties. We want to be 100% focussed on YOUR party not 50% on your party and 50% on securing a deal for later that year. If it was your party would you really want random people turning up for example sitting at the bar having a drink?
Each party we DJ at is built around our clients’ specific needs. Because of this, each party we DJ at is different. Imagine turning up at one of our events and hearing very loud heavy metal music. The couple whose party it is might be loving the sounds of Deep Purple and Metallica, but you might walk away thinking “eurgh!”. You may walk in on a party and no-one is dancing. What if 20 minutes after you leave, the dance floor packs out for the remainder of the party? Because you left early, you will leave with a negative image.
99.9% of the work we do is at private functions, it is very very rare that we do a public function, if at all. Even then, if you are looking to book us for your Wedding, watching us work in a Working Mens Club for example, or a Pub would probably leave you with a VERY negative image and definitely not a true account of the professional service we provide.
Say you needed surgery. Would you want to sit in on another operation the surgeon was carrying out before he took the knife to you? Or would you trust the surgeon implicitly, after all, he is a professional?
So what can we offer?
We fully understand that this is your special day, a one-off, a never to be repeated party. We want it to be as special and as perfect as you do. We are fully committed to our clients’ and their needs and because of this we always recommend a client meeting. This can be done at our house, your house, the venue, over the phone, via Skype, whatever! It gives us the chance to “check each other out” and build up that all-important rapport you need with a Wedding supplier so that you feel confident that we can deliver exactly the professional service we advertise.
We have a special area on our website where you can view client testimonials. These are real, unedited testimonials submitted via our online planning system. You will also find there a selection of written letters we have received from past clients. We can also put you in touch with real people who have previously used and were exceptionally happy with our service.
DJ’s have always had a bad name, there are a lot of very dodgy characters out there, but there is also a band of very client-focussed and committed wedding professionals out there who are finding it very hard to compete with “sixty quid Sid”. But that’s a post for another day!
What can I write about?
Feb 11th
So i’ve got a few spare moments, I thought i’d update my blog…but what can I write about? Hmmmm….tell you what, i’ll just go through what’s going on right now.
Last night was my last Christmas Party. Yes folks, it’s now February and they’re still going on! Thankfully, that’s it now until October, so there’s still a few months left yet until I have to drag out the old Christmas classics. I have to admit though, there was no Christmassy music at all last night, but there were plenty of crackers and streamers and those horrendous balloons that people blow up and let go resulting in an ear piercing screech as it deflates. Whoever invented those needs a severe beating!
I bought a new computer this week, not to replace an old one I must admit but i’ve been after a MacBook for some time. Everything else I have at home comes from Cupertino, computers, iPhones, iPods and so on, so it kind of made sense. I will also use the new computer to DJ from using a very excellent package called Serato Scratch Live. Complete overkill for weddings, but very functional and more importantly…stable. It will also allow me to let rip with my creative juices when times allow which is great for 16th’s and 18th’s when a bit of Judge Jules-style mixing is required.
Been having some major brain trauma about my equipment. There’s nothing wrong with it, I just have OCD when it comes to presenting a professional show. I’ve tried so many different variations and am still unsure which is the best. The fact remains though, and this is based on FACT, none of my clients have EVER made a negative comment about the equipment, so does it really matter? Well yes, to me it does. I always strive to excel and be the best wherever possible, problem is it costs me a small fortune in bits and bobs to try these different variations. On the other hand, it’s always handy to be able to change the look of your show to fit in with the surroundings.
On Friday I played at Waltons Oak Barn in Alfriston, next to the Wine Centre. A beautiful barn right next to the A27, with lots of room inside so I was able to spread out a bit. Saturday night I played at a 21st birthday near Preston Park here in Brighton. I had to set up in the front room of the house which meant I had to seriously downsize my equipment. I managed it though, and to good effect, the party was great with lots of positive comments. I wasn’t too enamoured with the look of the equipment but again, there were no negative comments from the client. I do keep a small library of shocking looking photo’s on my computer which I will maybe show you one day!
This weekend i’m playing at Upwaltham Barns near Midhurst on Friday and in Crawley on Saturday. There’s quite a bit of snow around at the minute so hopefully there will be no trouble getting to venues!
Don’t leave it too late!
Feb 2nd
One thing that always astounds us is how late people leave booking the entertainment for their Wedding. Mind you, it doesn’t surprise me. We get sent all sorts of “weddingy” magazines and they all contain planners which are meant to give Brides & Grooms a list of things they need to do in order of importance. Never ever ever ever is entertainment near the top, if it even appears on the list at all!
The fact is this, if you want a pick of some of the best wedding professionals in your area you NEED to be looking to book at least 12 months in advance. The longer you leave it, the more chance the companies you want will be working elsewhere.
Another fact is that the disco is a far more important part of the day than you think it is – I just wish the magazines would catch onto this. It’s the last part of the day, and the memory you go home with (along with the ceremony, etc.). It is a major part of your special day yet I find it most odd that magazines and wedding websites don’t even list it as important!
