Blog
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!
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!
The Royal Pavilion Wedding Show
Jan 27th
I’m going to post my first rant today. I’m not normally annoyed by things, but this really got to me.
After the success of the Buxted Park Wedding Show last week I thought would investigate other Shows. The one i’ve been itching to do for some time now is the one at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. They don’t actually host evening wedding receptions there but they allow other venue’s in, venue’s that we actually already provide DJ’s for, so it kind of made sense.
So we rang them up and instead of the woman we wanted we were put through to somebody else who was most dismissive in thinking that Brides & Grooms who choose to come to their Show and indeed get married there would not be looking for mobile disco’s to entertain their guests in the evening. She continued to tell us that harpists and piano players would be the entertainment of choice for the quality of the client who visited their show (this was the bit I found most laughable).
Now, DISCOfever already provides high-end wedding entertainment across the board and we get to work in some of the most prestigious wedding venue’s in Sussex. Like many of my DJ peers, I would like to see the words “mobile disco” banished to some vast underground dwelling where it would never return, it just conjurs up some horrific images. It now appears that the words “mobile disco” are creating some sort of divide between us and other wedding suppliers. What sort of elitism is this? We already struggle to get what we are worth. Some clients already choose to put the supplier and the size of their wedding cake in a much higher priority than a DJ. Some clients are happy to spend hundreds if not thousands of pounds on balloons and other trinkets that are simply thrown in the bin at the end of the party, yet always look for the cheapest deal on a DJ.
Getting back to the Pavilion before I really go off at a tangent into deeper, darker murky waters – it is (I believe) owned and run by the Brighton & Hove City Council. Now, unlike some DJ’s, I pay my taxes and national insurance. I pay my parking tickets on time, on top of the already obscene costs to park in the city where I live and choose to work, yet when I want to advertise my business – I can’t.
What is even more baffling is that whilst I am allowed to perform as a DJ in front of today’s Royalty (remember the Sandhurst gig I did before Christmas?) I cannot advertise my business in what frankly was a building that started off as a farmhouse before turning into a location for the Prince Regent to enjoy secret liaisons with a certain Mrs. Fitzherbert.
I will keep you updated with this, I doubt that I will be able to attend as the show is allegedly “fully booked” but we shall see what happens.
Buxted Park Wedding Fayre
Jan 15th
As the echoes of New Year celebrations fade out into the distance a lot of couples are now turning their attentions to planning their 2010 weddings. It happens like clockwork each year. Once Christmas and New Year is out of the way, Weddings become top of the agenda and the rush is on to book the best venue, the best dresses and of course, the best DJ!
Buxted Park is one of our favourite venue’s. We play there on average around twenty times each year. It has two main function rooms. A fantastic ballroom featuring pillars and beautiful period fireplaces, great for all year round weddings, or for those choosing the warmer summer months a stunning glass-roofed orangery. There’s plenty of land around the venue to meander through and loads of special places to have those all-important wedding photo’s taken.
From discussions with previous clients the food is amazing and the service provided by both the catering staff and the wedding team is second to none. And because it’s a popular location for us to play at, we know the staff and they know us too!
This will be the first time we have appeared at Buxted Park’s wedding fayre and we’re really looking forward to it. Not only from a meeting current and possible future client perspective but also a chance to network with other companies who we see from time to time but always too busy to chat to.
If you fancy coming along, it would be lovely to meet you and chat about your Wedding. Here are the details…
Sunday, 24th January 2010
Open Midday to 4pm admission is FREE!
Relaxing Times
Jan 10th
It’s always an interesting time of year January. In one hand your skint because you’re waiting for the hotels to pay you for the vast amount of work you did over Christmas therefore leaving you begging for work during January, yet on the other hand you’re really happy to have the time off and re-acquaint yourself with the family.
I’ve really enjoyed the first 10 days of 2010. I went to see my Mum in Manchester and drove back through a blizzard, i’ve been sledging with the kids, invested in the biggest BBQ in the world (bring on the summer!) and of course, re-designed the website. I’ve also done my accounts and a load of other housekeeping duties as well.
Last night was really strange, and it compounded the fact why I enjoy going out most Saturday nights as there was naff-all on the telly. I sent, and received many text messages from my friends whoo too were in the same boat. What was nice though was to kick back and watch that old classic English film, Notting Hill. It really made my night.
Snow Snow Snow
Jan 5th
Well, Christmas came and went and so did New Year – and it’s at this time of year I like to disappear up to my mothers for a week or so to put my feet up and relax. So, last Sunday I took the family with me, loaded the car and off we went.
My mother lives in Rochdale, a town about 15 miles north east of Manchester and it’s fair to say they’ve had a bit of snow recently. I don’t think we were actually prepared for how much snow they had! We made our way up the M40 onto the M6 and saw nothing. Where was the snow? We turned onto the M62 and made our way east past Manchester, Bury, Heywood…OH MY GOD! I think it’s fair to say there was a bit of snow on the ground. Now, I am a Northerner and we have the in-built ability to drive in this sort of weather. A few inches of snow wouldn’t stop me – and it didn’t. That day a whole 12″ of snow had dropped and it didn’t show any sign of stopping.
So today we woke up to even more snow, another 5″ had fell overnight and we heard on the news that it was heading South. We decided to cut short our visit and make our way home – after all, I have gigs this weekend I need to DJ at. So we set off through the blizzards and made our way home. Well, we thought we were going to. We stopped at the first service station on the M62 for petrol, filled up and the car refused to start. Flat battery! I phoned the RAC and they promised a roadside warrior would be with me within 2 hours. As I had a child in the car, and a very cold wife they arrived much quicker, in half an hour as it happens! Result!
The very nice man concluded the battery was wasted and £103 later we were on our way home again. Birmingham was pretty snowy but we were confident we would make it home before the snow got to us.
As we turned off the M40 onto the M25 it was like arriving in a different land. There was no snow, no rain, no anything, in fact it was quite mild.
Upon arriving home it was apparent the snow was nearby, in Southampton to be exact. So, we’re now prepared for an overnight downfall, but it’s just raining at the minute, no sign of the white stuff at all! It will be a nice surprise when I wake up though I guess. I love the snow, but the family hates it!
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!
Nov 23rd
I’m convinced that every year, the following advert appears on our TV’s earlier and earlier….
Now, I don’t know about you, but each time I see it it gives me a warm snuggly feeling inside. Pathetic, I know! Hahah!
For me, it also means that i’m going to be as busy as Santa over the next month or so. This Thursday seems my first Christmas Party at the Ramada Jarvis hotel up in Gatwick near Crawley. After that…well, let’s just say I have a few free days before the new year to put my feet up. I’m even working on Christmas Day this year!
Wires!
Nov 17th
Had a few spare hours so I thought I would replace a few wires in my main equipment box today, not that the other ones were crap mind, but with such a busy season coming up it’s better to do this now than have to do it on the night.
The main trouble these days for DJ’s is that if you go to your average DJ equipment shop in town for an “off the shelf” wire, you’ll pay a tenner or more, depending on what you’re getting and these will be Lidl quality, think value baked beans at 4p per can. They look like beans but they taste rubbish. If you want quality cables then you have to for Van Damme cable, Neutrik long-life connectors and so on. Before long, your average £10 wire now costs £40 (but will last a lot longer).
I did a rough bit of maths on Saturday night as to the replacement value of the cables in my cables box and came out with the most frightening figure of over £800. This really surprised me especially as I only use about 20 wires in my whole show, but they are good quality, and I also have replacements ready just in case. On top of this I have a whole load of other cables and bits and bobs i’ve picked up along the way, just in case you get to a gig and there’s a singer who wants to wire into your equipment.
Cleaned all my gear too so it looks absolutely sparkly new, which is always nice!
See you soon.
November Update
Nov 4th
Well, the memories of Tenerife are now a long distant memory and it’s really time to knuckle down and get into the Christmas spirit. Yes folks, I said Christmas. You’ll have noticed all the shops are getting their chrimbo decorations out now and i’m sure you know that the idea behind this is that it will give you something to look forward to instead of worrying about the credit crunch. Ahh, but there is no credit crunch is there!
Christmas for DISCOfever began in April this year when we started taking bookings for 2009. We’re now playing at over 80 Christmas Parties at various locations all over Sussex. Obviously, i’d love to be able to do them all myself. The idea of running the DISCOfever “empire” from a disgustingly long yacht parked up in Monaco is most appealing but it’s not going to happen, so thankfully I have my band of merry men (DJ’s) to help me out.
This year is a little different in that I will be working both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day which is most odd as i’ve never done it, ever. One of the hotels we provide entertainment for has got a booking for a coach-load of elderly Christmas revellers all coming to Brighton in search of a good old game of Bingo, a race night and a disco. Well, I can do all of that! It will be very odd, unwrapping prezzies with the kids in the morning, enjoying dinner with the family (and the Queen) then off to work. I’m not moaning…it will just be odd!
We recently provided the entertainment for talkSPORT’s Ultimate Night In (in association with Carlsberg). talkSPORT basically moved into a house in Haywards Heath, kitted it out with radio gear and all the booze you could ever want. Superstar footballers turned up with a few random FHM girls and basically provided the best night in, ever for the winner of a radio competition. You can see the pictures here! (fast forward to photo 15 of 19 to see our DJ Dave playing some phat beats in the guys garage!)
Last Saturday I played at Ashdown Park which is a beautiful venue over in Forest Row. It was a fantastic day (although it rained) and it was a great wedding, but slightly different in that it was being filmed for Living TV’s Four Weddings which should be on your screens next February. If you’re not quite sure what sort of programme it is, think of Come Dine With Me, but with Weddings. Four Brides battle it out to provide the ULTIMATE wedding day. The other three brides then vote and give each wedding a score out of 10. The winner wins a fantastic all-expenses-paid honeymoon somewhere exotic. There was a lot going on at this wedding. The Bride & Groom turned up in a horse-drawn carriage. As well as having me for the disco, they also had a Frank Sinatra-style singer, a chocolate fountain, tarot reader and casino tables. It was a brilliant night and hopefully I can look forward to another 15 minutes of fame when it comes to air next year. I’ll let you all know first!
