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DJ vs Producer – 5 reasons DJs need to produce via Point Blank Music Studios feat: Eats Everything, Brodanse & Timo Maas

Back in 2011 we wrote the feature ‘DJ vs Producer’ posing the following question “Can you make it as a successful DJ without your own music?”. Two years on and the highly respected ‘Point Blank Music Studio’s‘ have concluded in their article that it is not possible, quoting that only 2 DJ’s in last years ‘Resident Advisor Top 100 DJs’ poll did not have their own music, read our feature DJ vs Producer to see what we think? Consequently Point Blank have launched a new ‘DJ/Producer‘ course and given us 5 reasons why producing will help you get more DJ gigs. They also gathered a few quotes from respected voices within the scene; Eats Everything, Timo Maas and newcomers Brodanse.

Five reasons DJs need to produce:

1.) You need to understand production to be able to remix other people’s tracks. Remixes are common currency to getting noticed as a new producer. You may not get paid for delivering your first remix but if it is released on a decent label or respected artist it will give you a valuable degree of exposure and kudos.

2.) In order to be able to secure regular gigs and take your DJ career to the next level you need an agent and/or manager. As a new DJ an agent won’t consider taking you on unless you have a decent following on social media and regular releases coming out.

3.) While it’s true that most established artists are making the lion’s share of their income through gigs and shows (versus recording income), you need releases out to ‘tour’ in the same way as a live act.

4.) Through amazing developments in products and digital DJing, barriers to entry have been lowered and now everyone knows someone that DJs. Being able to create original material and re-edits that no one else has for your mixes and developing a creative live show that you can ‘perform’ enable you to stand out from the crowd.

5.) Learning how to produce gives you flexibility and a pathway to progression with huge potential. i.e. you might start off as an electronic producer releasing on underground labels but in 10 years time be producing pop acts and working with other artists. Owning recording and publishing copyright’s is also your retirement plan as, as strange as it might sound to you now, the reality is you probably won’t feel like DJing in clubs when you’re over 50.

Eats Everything – “I think producing and DJing go hand-in-hand. I play a lot of different stuff than I used to so my DJ sets are helping me in my production in the sense that I am being opened to new or different styles. Having said that, I’m the same DJ now as I was before I made Entrance Song, but I didn’t get booked to DJ anywhere other than Bristol. So that’s the perfect example of how production can affect book-ability. It is possible to make a career out of DJing alone, but it’s highly improbable.”

Brodanse –  “I am certain that these days, you must be a successful producer to get DJ gigs. All of our best gigs have come through people knowing our music. For example, we’ve had loads of gigs off the back of the ‘Sweat’ EP.  Also, all of our collaborations and most important works have come through meeting people in clubs – it’s key to get yourself in front of people. It’s much better than email or Facebook. We met Groove Armada after one of their gigs and we met Lauhaus – who had previously done a remix for us – when he came to play in London.”

Timo Maas – “These days, it’s not possible to be a DJ without producing. There’s too much talent all over the world, it’s literally impossible to get a focus on DJ sets, no matter how amazing. While you might not make much money producing tracks, it’s your business card, and a single track can open all doors for you. For DJs who want to produce I’d say, it’s all about the right ideas, capturing the creative momentum and always being unique. Don’t use preset soundbanks, have the balls to try strange ideas and most importantly DON’T copy anyone. Stay true to yourself – that’s the major rule.”

Pointblank Online Courses:
Ableton Live // Logic Pro // Native Instruments // Degree Level Music Production // Mixing & Mastering // DJ Courses // Cubase // Music Business among others….

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