The Truth About Getting Signed As A DJ

[@DJPhilHarris]

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[@unclemick-synths]

Randomly lobbing demos at record companies has always been a waste of time. We used to send out cassettes in the 80s with a stamped return envelope and if we ever got a tape back it was usually someone else's tape! 😀 As you say, it's done through relationships but the starting point is outstanding music.

[@d-mattik7088]

I'm the early days of dance music the hardware used was incredibly expensive, so to make a track you had to find a producer with a studio. The producer would work with you're ideas but they had all the knowledge of how the equipment worked. Record labels would build their foundation around an in house producer who would then collaborate with djs and other producers. This is why labels had a certain sound as it was the same person in the background producing the records. Modern tech allows people to fully produce tracks at home with cheaper more accessible equipment but larger labels still work the old business model

[@NEO_MusicProductions]

I've been producing for 13 years, or should I say, learning to produce. Today I make quite pro sounding songs and literally all my friends love them. But I never really got around to publishing them, so I decided to pick up djing so I can basically advertise my own tracks in the club, and literally everyone loves my djing, I started doing live remixes and mashups BUT I'm just so scared to actually talk to the club managers even tho I have build all the connections I need and I know local djs and managers but I can't make the step to actually tell them "Yo guys I want a gig". Everyone loves my music when they come to my studio EVERYONE. But I don't. I am never satisfied with my songs, I always find a defect in my transitions even tho no one ever hears them and I have 10+ years of stage experience, I started as a kid pianist and played for 1000 people in the opera at the age of 12, I was on tv in my home country, the stage is my playground BUT, djing and producing are what I wanna do professionally. Piano was just a hobby and I've always seen it as such, so I had no stage fright, but when it comes to clubs, I take it so seriously that I'm making myself afraid of it. I'm truly in a bit of a pickle here, but I have to thank you Phil Harris for many great tips and lessons you gave me! Hopefully I can pick up my own balls and go speak to the club boss this week. Peace!

[@NEO_MusicProductions]

Update: I fkin finally did it and I got my first club gig planned for 21.10 😱

[@prospersucceedmakemoney]

@@NEO_MusicProductions king 👑

[@RobTheBeat]

@@NEO_MusicProductions Legend 👏 How did this suddenly happen after your post?

[@mitchvintage5754]

@@RobTheBeat sounds like he “picked up (his) own balls and (spoke) to the club boss” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💪🏼

[@sebastiankrau8652]

Congrats :D

[@dominicwiffin4392]

Really interesting debate. Again I can only talk of those I follow but You see guys like Diplo, Bissett/ Robbie G, John Summitt, James Hype, David Guetta, Chris lake to name a few all producing music all the time and in the studio regularly ppl like Oliver Heldens maybe in the earlier days who now has a whole team of producers artists all signed to Heldeep all those guys produce their own music. Tita Lau now working with James Hype (Marsland) who’s obviously produced 3 out of 4 of her top hits. Seems also to be a core of talent coming from Ireland all producing house tracks / festival tracks as well. Just seen Ben Rainey got signed as well someone like Ben Rainey is the ideal model who’s taken a bit of everything and now reaping the benefits. Anyway thanks for the content Phil, I’ve got your advanced DJ course got back into DJ’in through lockdown which has been great. A hobby for me but I spend a lot of time searching music and listening so more obsession 😂 producing music is an interesting concept for sure. Fisher I love , such a character and he’s released some absolute banger hits maybe in his earlier years he produced more music but likely to have a team producing on his behalf and he adds his Twist whether that he personally or via a team but if you look at his lifestyle he’s literally off one plane onto another as her’s so mainstream vegas/Ibiza/Croatia/ UK etc so time actually spent in studio will be minimum the last couple of years.

[@derbytomhills]

Oneday I'll perform on ultra music festival and produce many hits 💕💕💕

[@DJMonee727]

YESSSSS!!!! James Hype said the SAME Thing Re: Keep Going / NEVER STOP / Continue !!! 🎶🎶🎶🎧🎧🎧💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼🔥🔥🔥

[@jawvees2585]

Perspective changer 🎉❤

[@zeus7545]

Much appreciated Phil. Let's get it!!

[@ghp.records]

the recipe is very simple It's the music It works the same Follow the culture of hop hop music and you have the answers in hand I like you carisma really :)) love

[@charliebutcher3492]

this is insanely appreciated, cheers bro bro. Your Attitude is awesome too. definitely got a brain

[@image66media]

The #1 think is relationship. It has always been and always be about who you know. Connections are key. I would disagree slightly with some of Phil's assertions because they lean more towards the formulaic in that the formulas being described are actually the results, not the process. For example, there are some famous individuals who have been wildly successful in business or invention and they sleep less than 4 hours a night and eat peanut-butter on toast every morning. Waking up at 3AM and eating toast with peanut-butter will not make you successful.

[@borekdothu]

Welcome to the machine (Pink Floyd song is exatly about it)! Literally. As you said, music industry is a business that, has to deliver massive hits every single day. Unless you are superman personally, you will need build your supply chain of music, ideas with ghost producers. Interestingly there are producers whos' life goals to be the best ghost producer and they don't want to be on the stage, they just hate it. I wish you to reach your dream goals even with ghost producers. If you manage to stay sane you have all the chance to be a headliner on a massive stage. One last thing that everybody mentioned in their biograpy that they would do differently from day one, is to get an absolute top tier lawyer, before you sign any contract.

[@louisburg100]

I'm interested to know Phil now that this video is done and its out in the domain never to be hidden again as such, looking back on it have you though perhaps name dropping mega dj's names and indirectly saying you were told this and that about them was a wise move ? From a private one-to-one tutorial class with private students point its great and fantastic knowledge to learn but to make it public ... This though even stands up in relation to normal commercial dj'ing parties etc when your starting out to cast doubt over established dj's that could make or break you playing your track or offering you a warm up slot on their night in the local club. Hope things have are working out for you so far and best of luck in the future, always watch your videos and im an old timer doing this over 20 years.

[@ghp.records]

keep moving nice one

[@awdegen]

Timmy Trumpet on the thumbnail? You got me hooked instantly :D

[@DJPhilHarris]

I disrespect to him at all. I know he will never see this but I’m a huge fan

[@awdegen]

@@DJPhilHarris maybe when you become a huge producer he will not only see this this comment but he will watch the entire video 😂 Anyways - thanks for sharing your valuable knowledge with us. We really appreciate it man ❤

[@simonturner990]

It's always been the way. Elvis Presley didn't write his own songs. In early electronic music Top of the Pops often had 'singers' miming to tracks they had nothing to do with. Why should it be any different now? Maybe you could talk about going down other routes such as BBC Introducing. Can you do that alongside what you were talking about?

[@sawbonesawyer2762]

Hey Phil! who's that on your thumbnail? He looks like hes got a trumpet. there aren't many of us Brass player DJ's out there

[@darioscomicschool1111]

Thank you so much! 21:07 This Stuff is Golden And I see myself as a Comic Creator and Artist for Paintings and Illustrations. But the Game stays the SAme. Still may be some Outliers... or similar ways...other ways. Lets make the Game fun again!

[@JustAnotherThisDJ]

i see timothy trumpet i click, love that good old parp i once played a tuba, so it resonates with me. "tita lau makes tracks (When shes with James)" lmao. Well if James is responsible for titas remix of outlines he made imo one of the best tracks of the year, although i like to think tita did it herself lol

[@snakemont]

Thank you so much!

[@dj_allup]

You remember me the new haircut of like mike😂

[@GinnLDN]

best video bro big up

[@3-EX-0]

As a former studio guitarist who is now learning how to mix, master, compose and use DJ Controllers. This is not a shock to me. I had to write pop songs and guitar parts before. As well as I have had bands come in and their guitarist cannot stay in time so they would pull me in to learn their riff or the whole song and have me play it so it stays in time. None of this shocks me at all. I am striving to write music as good as Reaper, or AU5 and Pixel Terror. But I doubt I will ever get to the point. If I do get to that point I most likely will never sign to anyone ever with the power of iTunes etc you can now be your own publisher. That and no record company would ever agree to my demand I do one year gigging around and one year working in the studio making music. Even when I worked with rock bands a lot of bands do not even write their own music anymore. Because how the hell are you going to write and record a new LP or EP if you are are also on the road and only home for 3 to 6 months. That is not enough time to practice, refine, and record.

[@dj_allup]

More of this please🙏🙏

[@DevRel1]

I don't want the main stages, medium sized clubs are way better. I play them, all over the world, im not well known and I produce, but not professionally. Just get gigs. However you can and continue to book gigs, the jobs and money are easy better than being seen, that only comes with time. Of course keep producing with the aim to play 3 or more of your own tracks on your own sets. Or you can chase what everyone else is.

[@dj_allup]

bro, I have a doubt about something you commented at 7:45, you talk about signing a song that a big label loves, and the other 2 songs you send them later once you already became aware of yourself or how is it?

[@TonyOldskool]

Been dj’ing for about 20 years or so in clubs and at various events, last 4 years or so had absolutely no bookings at all, same old dj’s getting booked time & time again, we’ll up here in Scotland anyway.

[@jaesindnb6197]

It’s like that everywhere bro!

[@studiooflights1229]

Very good video, very inspiring, I hope my video channel can also develop like this channel, thank you.

[@djvarangian]

Listening to this I just wanted to mention Killed Kassette as a true master Producer of Tech House. He's Collabed with pretty much everyone. I've spoken with him, his Mix Master & he even sent me Stems from 3 tracks (& the tracks themselves, unreleased). His tracks are so well put together, the Mastering process is almost unnecessary. He's been around since 1990. I'm just mentioning an example of a "real" Producer who's most likely picking up some of the slack from the "Superstars" as 1 track never was released as far as I know & another didn't have his name on it but it's his work, I've SEEN it. Even if this isn't helpful, sharing a master exponent of House Music to those unfamiliar has value. He's on Spotify, Beatport & SoundCloud that I've seen.

[@Al1zer]

This was so inspiring mate, keep it up!

[@edmondprice6215]

The thing is when Phil achieves all these goals. Instead of teaching people how to work within the system he will say How can we change the system to have it make more sense? Then change the system.

[@Mobile_Nightclub_Project]

Interesting video :)

[@jimmyevans2965]

If you drop a big remix like,lg system Afraid to feel you will get booked for big gigs without a doubt,just need to keep pugging away,good luck

[@mascotcrazy5555]

It's true they have ghost producers and some have ghost djs

[@JohnSmith-si5hj]

Hi, can a DJ, DJ properly at a club without a monitor speaker?

[@Djsonley]

Yes use the waveforms and just your headphones. I always preferred monitors though to enjoy my set but not essential if you know your tracks / cue points like the back of your hand. Vinyl DJ's can throw down a scratch set without even needing headphones just by labelling up records on the needle groove so waveforms are the same thing.

[@imfinitiamusic.4632]

no man, very risky

[@anthonyslimshady4213]

👍👍👍👍

[@klomber]

i will never get big but i am probably better than marshmello!!!

[@Randomfatcs1766]

The sad truth

[@DJPhilHarris]

Better than MARSHMELLO at what though. Marketing? branding? Creating catchy tracks? Or just Djing. Also how do you quantify being “better at DJing”?

[@W_key_konijntje]

@@DJPhilHarris realy 😂😂

[@klomber]

@@DJPhilHarris djing

[@klomber]

@@DJPhilHarris like doing better tricks he sometimes messes up and plays tracks weird i dont and i rarely mess up the mixes i upload are just mess ups then i upload the non mess ups on my soundcloud

[@jimmyevans2965]

Rumours are fisher dont even dj himself,did u see him do anything in lockdown at home, Play recorded sets

[@michaelhouse9629]

He’s been djing for over 10yrs. He knows what he’s doing bruv

[@An0n_ym0u5]

How would he know, hes not a pro dj? 😂

[@Djalanmusix]

First 🥇

[@chrisstone4066]

Nice teeth bruv

[@Mr.Maritime]

This is gold, you’re a treasure