Honestly, I completely see his point. This is one of my major gripes about Raleigh, and I guess it’s the same everywhere. With the exception of a couple of spots, everyone is playing the same music, it’s almost comedic. Who is really to blame though? It’s easiest to point fingers elsewhere and blame the radio stations for playing the same five songs all day, but that’s part of the problem, maybe not even the root of it.
I think it coincides with the same principle that affects other areas of life, and that’s there’s a time and a place for everything. There will be times when you can play whatever you want, including that newest song that you just downloaded during the week and have been itching to hear on a club’s sound system, and there will be times when you do what the club owner/manager wants you to do. Beleive me, I’ve had to tell the “keep it real” voice in my head to shut it’s mouth on a few occassions (actually quite frequently these days), but it’s important to maintain the sense of wanting to play “real” music. That’s what keeps you grounded and steers you away from becoming a robot who plays the same exact playlist every night. Personally I play out at places I don’t want to for $$$ so I can afford to open for hip-hop shows for $!
hit the jump for the rest
So, when DO you get to play new music or play what you want? There are still a few scenarios for being able to accomplish this on a regular night (depending on how the nightlife is set up in your region). If you’re like us here in NC where the most typical scenario is for one DJ to spin the whole night (10p-2a), then the most obvious place for you to get in your new music is during the warmup portion of your night. Conversely, if you got some new R&B jams to break in, the cool down/end of the night is a perfect place for those. Let’s face it though you’re not going to break music during your peak hour, that time is for hits only. Unless…
Unless you’re throwing your own party! Any DJ that promotes their own residencies will tell you it’s the best feeling in the world, even if you’re not getting as much money for it. The beauty of this scenario is you are in control of everything, right down to who’s at the party. If you’ve promoted to like minded people then hopefully your crowd is more musically intelligent and you can do whatever you want (best witnessed in Raleigh by the Blacklisted parties). Start doing your own parties, and playing your own music. You’ll feel better and the crowd that comes out will appreciate it! In my travels so far the best city for doing your own parties, and gather a musically intelligent crowd has been Toronto, so big up to all the DJs there (Mensa,Wristpect, Grand Groove whatup!)
In regards to the overall topic, in clubs where electronic formats are played are where you get to break the most new music. The owners, and the party-goers are really open to new, unheard music. Why do you think DJs like A-Trak are killin those kinds of parties now?
I could go on forever but at this point I feel like I’m rambling, so I’d really just like to know what everyone thinks. Oh, and if you’re in the triangle, swing by Five Star on fridays. It’s my residency, and I do what I want ;-)
