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Together, we’re becoming better DJs through passion and purpose.
Episodes
Monday Oct 30, 2017
Monday Oct 30, 2017
Episode 115 invites the evil spirits and psychotic demons in to the PDJ studios for a Halloween themed Pick 3!
Trip's 3 Picks:
David's 3 Picks:
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Nightmare on My Street
- Rockwell - Somebody Watching Me
- Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
Mo's 3 Picks:
Monday Oct 23, 2017
Monday Oct 23, 2017
For Episode 114, we get real. We've dug up some clips of world-famous DJs and then dissected their own words to discuss how it applies to the rest of us. It's not all glitz and glam, despite these people being where they are, and they all have some very unique insight due to their experiences as mega-stars of the DJ community.
- Carl Cox (Grammy.com 2014) talks about the legacy of EDM, and supporting up-and-comers.
- Richie Hawtin (Red Bull Music Academy 2013) discusses feeling “lost”.
- DJ Jazzy Jeff (DJCityTV 2013) talks about the evolution of the industry, and staying relevant.
- Z-Trip (Sway in the Morning 2013) on preservation of the craft of DJing.
- Sasha (The Edge Video Magazine 1992) speaks to the most important aspect of the club in an old-school clip.
- Seth Troxler (FACTmagazine 2014) talks about the idea of “the underground”.
- Nina Kraviz (K7 Records - DJ Kicks feature, 2015) talks about being “in the moment” of a DJ mix (and crate-digging).
During the episode, we also review some feedback from Episode 112, the Ambassador Program, and provide some marketing insight to a listener in Nirobi, Kenya.
Also, if you liked the clip of Trip Turlington's track "Get Real", released on Base Industry Records, and want to support, you can purchase it at Beatport or any of your favorite online digital music distributors.
Monday Oct 16, 2017
Monday Oct 16, 2017
What we gonna do right here for Episode 113 is go back. WAY BACK. Back in to time...
Ten years ago. Sounds like a long time, doesn't it? Well, David and Trip take a look back and see how much different everything was:
- 2007 marked the beginning of the mobile revolution. Apple announced the iPhone, and since then, mobile technology has drastically changed the definition of a phone. As DJs, there's so many apps and ways for our devices to help us DJ, now...all thanks to the advancement of smartphone technology.
- DJ Mag's Top 100 is saturated in trance and rife with voting controversy.
- Beatport's Top 9 selling tracks in 2007 indicates the dominance of electro-house in the years before dubstep domination.
- Daft Punk releases Alive in 2007 (which went on to win a Grammy in 2009).
- Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- Pioneer launched the DJM-700 and the CDJ-400, Technics put out a super-limited run of 1000 SL-1200MK6, Vestax released the first serious DJ controller (VCI-100), and among several other hardware releases from Behringer, Xone, Korg, and others, the Innofader drops on to the market.
- Traktor Scratch comes in to being after splitting off from Final Scratch.
- Beyonce topped the charts in 2007, but the much of the top 20 was saturated by the likes of Akon, Timbaland, Fergie, while Rhianna and others were solidifying their superstar status, as well.
Monday Oct 09, 2017
Monday Oct 09, 2017
In today’s episode, we spend some time digging into the progressive house and trance sounds of the 1990s and early 2000s. A close friend joins David as a guest co-host, and together, they explore the dark, tribal, melodic, and hypnotic rave sounds of “the Bedrock era”. Predictably, we spend much of the episode talking about Sasha and Digweed, though a few other names come up along the way (Nick Muir, Nick Warren, Sandra Collins, Quivver…)
First, we skim through the Bedrock album… that is, the 1999 DJ mix album titled Bedrock, mixed by John Digweed. From track one, you’re getting a serious lesson in progressive house. Raff ’N’ Freddy’s “Listen” has the uplifting diva vocals and shuffling beat of a house tune, but the dark and hypnotic features of early trance music. The whole mix is put together in such a beautifully cohesive way, that we present it here as one of the greatest examples of its kind.
Next, we have a look at Global Underground 013 (Ibiza) by Sasha. We play through the transition of Space Manoevres - Stage One (Pariah Remix) to Sander Kleinenberg - Sacred, and discuss just how beautiful it is. Things get fairly trancey in the mix… back when “trance” really meant something.
Finally, we explore Global Underground 019 (Los Angeles) by Digweed, which starts out with the classic Apollo Vibes by Pole Folder. This mix gets really down into the nitty gritty, where the influence of the rave is undeniable. This percussive, driving mix demands that your feet move without stopping. We also note how modern techno has really begun to work its way towards the sounds of dark tribal progressive house from yesteryear.
Overall, the conversation between David and his friend Tommy centers around the progressive dance music sounds from the start of the millenium. Other topics covered are: what makes a good transition, trance as an idea (rather than a genre), the joys of mixing vinyl vs. digital DJing, and the tag sets they used to play together in Dayton, 10 years ago.
Sit back, and come along for the journey.
Monday Oct 02, 2017
Monday Oct 02, 2017
In Episode 111, we review 13 key points that we feel are good things for new DJs to know. While there are certainly more than 13 things that every DJ should know, these were key points we felt were especially important for newcomers to the art and craft.
We broke these points down in to 3 categories: Technical, Social, and Philosophical...because believe it, or not, there's a lot more to DJing than your technical skill!
Technical
- The Fundamentals Are Worth It
- Today's hardware and software take care of a lot of the fundamental skill out of the hands of the modern DJ. But, technology can, and inevitably will, fail. How you respond is entirely dependent upon your skill and confidence in the fundamentals.
- Experience Leads to Confidence
- While it's easy for most DJs to get used to their equipment, you may not always be able to play on your desired rig. Some gigs require you to use gear you've never seen before. Getting yourself exposed early on to different gear will make you even more versatile, as a DJ, thus increasing your confidence and flexibility to take more gigs.
- Pro Gear Isn’t Necessary
- Just because we have well known "industry standards" and most of our favorite headlining acts appear playing on NXS2, TOUR1, and PRIME setups, doesn't mean you have to have that to be a successful and skilled DJ. There are many DJs out there who have vastly different riders and many are playing on very different setups. Just because you spend the money on a pro-level setup doesn't mean you become a pro-level DJ. Get what you will use, and can afford, and master it! That's what pros do!
- Protect Yourself: Always Use a Contract!
- This is especially true for our friends in the mobile/wedding/corporate event circuits. This is often the only protection you have against a client who refuses to pay. For performance/club DJs, however, using a contract from day one might not be necessary. However, as your popularity (and your booking fee) increases, it will become more and more important, so do not skip looking in to putting this together sooner, rather than later, after you've already been burned!
- This is especially true for our friends in the mobile/wedding/corporate event circuits. This is often the only protection you have against a client who refuses to pay. For performance/club DJs, however, using a contract from day one might not be necessary. However, as your popularity (and your booking fee) increases, it will become more and more important, so do not skip looking in to putting this together sooner, rather than later, after you've already been burned!
Social
- Be Versatile, but Focused
- It's ok to love multiple genres, but many genres have their own scenes, and each of them are filled with dedicated fans that can sniff out a laissez faire newcomer. If you spend all of your time spread too thin between multiple genres and scenes, you may find it hard to succeed or advance in any of them. And, it can be very confusing for people who see you playing techno at one show, then hip hop at another. Take the time to become proficient in a scene and develop real fans before dipping your toes in to the next one, because the fans, the music, and the scenes deserve it, and you owe it to yourself to really develop your music library, skills, and network properly.
- Nurture Your Network
- This is probably one of the most important, behind technical skill. Without the proper networking skills, you'll never leave your bedroom. You have to not only impress people as a DJ, but you have to get their attention as a person. How you establish and work within those relationships will ultimately determine what opportunities are made available to you.
- We’re Not JustDJs, Anymore
- We have to wear many hats, these days. While most of the headliners have multi-person teams of tour managers, audio engineers, booking agents, graphic designers, and marketing specialists, most of us are working on a much tighter budgets. That means we need to be able to do all of those things, or be able to network with others who can do those things for us while we barter something else, in return.
- You Catch More Flies with Honey than Vinegar
- To be blunt: Don't be a dick. There's stories upon stories of people who act unprofessionally, at best, and petulant or violent, at worst. And it's not just a few bad headliners who "made it", this is a very common attitude within local scenes, as well. Ultimately, the best thing to always do, is take the high road. Don't let people take advantage of you, but handle conflict in a much more productive manner. And, especially when things go well, make sure to be gracious, thank the promoters and anyone who helped you throughout the night, and be the type of person people want to keep working with.
- To be blunt: Don't be a dick. There's stories upon stories of people who act unprofessionally, at best, and petulant or violent, at worst. And it's not just a few bad headliners who "made it", this is a very common attitude within local scenes, as well. Ultimately, the best thing to always do, is take the high road. Don't let people take advantage of you, but handle conflict in a much more productive manner. And, especially when things go well, make sure to be gracious, thank the promoters and anyone who helped you throughout the night, and be the type of person people want to keep working with.
Philosophical
- Know Your “Why”
- No one can tell you that your reason for wanting to be a DJ is the wrong reason. But, be honest with yourself and know what that reason is. This will allow you to take the steps necessary toward your goals, and will help you align with others that have the same philosophy and goals.
- Not Every Gig is a Good Gig
- Early on, it's easy to take any gig just so you can take a gig. This is not always best, though, as it often leads to many problems, such as getting stuck with never-ending free gigs, run ins with more inexperienced or nefarious promoters, and poorly organized gigs. As you gain more experience, most DJs start seeing the value in being more selective in when and who they play for.
- Learn From Your “Elders”
- Older DJs have been around a while. They've seen things, heard things, learned things. You can learn from their experience. Sure, you may have to endure a little "Back in my day..." conversations riddled with criticisms of all of today's new gear, software, and youth's mentality. And, maybe on some level they have a point. But, don't let that stop you from learning something from these veterans. Many would LOVE an opportunity to teach someone the things they know. And, you're not beholden to do things their way. It's ok to learn from them, and make it your own. Who knows, maybe you can teach THEM a thing, or two.
- Keep It Real
- It's good to have a dream, and having stars in your eyes is a primary driver, for some. But, always keep in mind that the percentage of DJs who aspire to be at the Tiesto, Deadmau5, or Skrillex levels, and actually MAKE IT to that level are extremely low. The music business is a ruthless one, and for every star it makes, thousands of other dreams are crushed, day in, and day out. Even if you do "make it", it can take YEARS to do so. But, that shouldn't stop anyone. You can be successful, as a DJ, in your own right. You can still enjoy it, play for people, be very talented, and even get paid to do this. Have dreams, aim for the sky, but keep a realistic expectation and try to curb disappointment from not attaining superstardom by being thankful for the successes you do achieve.
- Never Stop Learning
- Never relent on improving your game. Learning new things is what keeps you relevant. Whether it's new technology, new techniques, new genres, or new gear...there's always SOMETHING you can learn to make yourself a little better. The day you become complacent with the way things are, is the day you start becoming irrelevant...so push yourself!
Monday Sep 25, 2017
Monday Sep 25, 2017
For Episode 110, Tony is able to sneak home to talk all about his summer adventures with us.
From the grueling schedule, to the intricacies of preparing a stage for a major festival, to the different personalities, Tony doesn't pull any punches when describing his duties as a stage manager.
We also take a voicemail, where we unpack a controversial new app called Spinfire that aims to put DJs and producers together in a free marketplace. DJs offer to spin producers' tracks at live gigs for a given price, and then provide video proof of the play in order to get paid.
We explore how this is kind of similar to radio payola, and paying for inflated social media numbers. But, at its core, it really is a different, and more complicated animal, and we're not sure where we land on it.
This also prompts Tony to discuss artistic integrity with us, where he gives us some first hand accounts of the talent(less) hacking that happens with some of these huge festival headliners.
Where do YOU stand when it comes to artistic integrity, buying social media stats, and apps like Spinfire? We'd love to hear from you, so leave us a voicemail, or sound off in the comments!
Monday Sep 18, 2017
Monday Sep 18, 2017
Way back in the day...Trip had an idea for a blog: Feature songs he loved from WAY WAY WAY WAAAAAAAAY back in the day, telling stories and pointing out the features of these songs that he admired about them.
Well intentioned as that idea was, he just couldn't stay on top of it. Trip's a pretty busy guy, typically, and writing blog posts is no easy feat, on top of being extremely time consuming. Not to mention, he just didn't have the traffic, which led to a loss in motivation to keep it going.
Then, he brought the idea to Passionate DJ, thinking our established community might be just the motivation he needed, but at the end of the day...even with the motivation, he lacked the time.
So, now we are trying it out on the podcast! David and Trip take a trip down memory lane, talking about a handful of powerful tracks, full of yesteryear's glory, all while digging through the mail bag and answering more of your questions on the show!
We hope you enjoy these selections! Let us know what you think of this episode, and if you'd like to hear more like it!
Sunday Sep 10, 2017
Sunday Sep 10, 2017
Today's episode of the Podcast is a little different than normal. Every year, David gives a major update to The Controller Compendium: an ultimate buyer's guide for DJs who are trying to decide which DJ controller is right for them.
This episode is an audio version of that guide, for those who prefer to listen on the go. If you'd like to follow along, just go to PassionateDJ.com/controllers. There, you'll be able to see reviews, check the pricing, and compare features.
Since the digital DJing revolution, the art of mixing music has become accessible to many people who would have otherwise been left out, due to a lack of options or money. The development of robust mixing software, along with the hardware to control it, has been one of the most significant things to ever happen in the industry. A DJ controller gives you tactile control over DJ software, allowing you to mix music on a device that’s specifically designed for the task.
The DJ hardware market has grown exponentially in recent years; people are now able to choose a controller which fits their budget, their workflow, and their choice of software. This is wonderful news for DJs, but it also makes the shopping process difficult.
That’s where the Controller Compendium comes in! This guide is meant to help you make an informed decision, so that you can feel confident when spending your hard-earned money.
The controllers are broken into three price points: Premium, Midgrade, and Budget. David provides his top 7 recommendations in each of those categories, as well as giving some general tips for making a smart buying decision. Happy shopping!
Monday Sep 04, 2017
Monday Sep 04, 2017
In this week’s episode, Mo Dingo travels to Jamaica and brings us an interview from a local DJ and seasoned industry worker. In his chat with DJ Crazy (not to be confused with DJ Craze–that was last week), we learn about the rich and varied DJ culture in Jamaica.
The beautiful island country has been influencing the art of DJing (and music in general) on a global scale for generations. In this very raw interview, DJ Crazy explains to us the difference between a DJ and Selector. He speaks about playing for tourists vs. playing for locals, popular hardware and software, and some of the different venues he’s had experience with. And, he explains what it means to go “dub-for-dub”.
Crazy also shares his thoughts on the future of DJing in Jamaica, and his advice for up-and-coming DJs in its smaller and more rural areas. (We found it to be pretty good advice, in genera!)
Huge thanks to Mo Dingo for arranging this interview, and to DJ Crazy for sharing his wisdom and experience with us!
Monday Aug 28, 2017
Monday Aug 28, 2017
In Episode 106, we have a really special treat for you!
Hailing from Miami, Florida, we landed an extra special interview with the ONE, THE ONLY, DJ CRAZE!
For those of you not hip to DJ Craze, he’s an award winning turntablist and record producer, known for his skillful mixing of genres like hip hop and Miami bass, trap, breaks, and drum & bass. To date, he is the only solo DJ in history to win the DMC World DJ Championships three times consecutively…so if ANYONE has anything to say about DJing, this guy is probably one to listen to.
* Note: we apologize for the audio quality, as our call recording app failed on us and we had to recover the audio from a background recording. Thanks to Trip's hours of hard work, the recording is much more listenable... but those who listen to the podcast in their car (or other noisy environments) may want to save this one for home listening.
First we get a little background on DJ Craze, but then we start to cut right to the chase. Back in July, Craze sent out the following tweet:
“The dj culture is a joke cause YALL have made it a joke. We've always been here repping the artform ... lame edm producers made it a joke”
Starting from there, we launch in to a discussion about the phenomenon of EDM blowing up in the US, and the effect it's had on DJ culture.
Then we try to get to the heart of #realdjs - how it became the "battle cry" for those trying to preserve the culture, but it has become misused over time. Craze’s answer to this might actually shock you! It was actually meant to educate people about the art of DJing, rather than those who use DJing as a chance to play some remixes or edits and put their hands in the air to cheerlead for an hour. With high profile DJs who do next to nothing and yet make insane amounts of money out there, Craze felt the need to show people “what real DJing is, TO ME.”
We also talk about a lot of different topics. Why he prefers Traktor, what music is on his iPhone, his current favorite hip-hop artists, thoughts on mumble rap and where hip-hop is headed.
All in all, this interview was an honor, and we had a blast talking with him and we are sure you will love it, too.
"DJing, and hip hop in general, was kinda my escape from the whole world. I come from nothing; you know, five of us in a one-bedroom apartment. Hip hop was a voice for those of us in the inner city who didn't have shit. And that's what I loved about it. So I surrounded myself in hip hop culture. And that's what attracted me to become a DJ and turntablist. I couldn't rap, I couldn't break, I couldn't graff.... but I wanted to be part of this culture that I loved so much. And that helped me to understand the world." — DJ Craze, Passionate DJ Epsiode 106