How do different DJ's/Producers stand out?

[MintyCondition]

I saw dada life live on youtube and it got me thinking about how different DJ's stand out.

For example deadmau5 has the helmet.

Dada Life have their inflatable bananas and champagne bottles.

Daft Punk have their helmets.

Any others? Also how do you guys try to stand out when doing sets?

[Scottie]

I'd imagine that most people on here would stand out by playing boss tunes. It's useful for bigtime folk because they can market themselves and sell merch based on their style.

[russell]

I saw dada life live on youtube and it got me thinking about how different DJ's stand out.

For example deadmau5 has the helmet.

Dada Life have their inflatable bananas and champagne bottles.

Daft Punk have their helmets.

Any others? Also how do you guys try to stand out when doing sets?

The fact all you've mentioned is gimmecks says a lot. If your making/playing good music then you shouldn't need this shit.

There's been a barrage of whales comin out wearin masks, trying to be all mysterious and say it's all about the music, turning up in the techno scene in recent years.

If it really is all about the music and you really want to hide your identity/face then don't do resident adviser interviews.

[Gandy]

have to agree with russell, the artists that you have mentioned would still be the same without there accessories

daft punk would still be legends

deadmau5 would still be popular when it was his time in the lime light (as much as some people hate to admit he did actually produce some bangers even though not everyone agress with his personality)

and one act you failed to mentio are djs from mars who would still be international success without the box heads

it comes down to the music, if you are consistently producing bangers you're gonna have a good time no matter what you wear

good music is good music

[Kodiak]

I think the big difference with those at the top is personality. And this is pretty much the same with all forms of the entertainment industry.

The superstars may not necessarily be technically proficient, or possess the vibe reading skills needed by the regular club DJ. But they something that makes them interesting and entertaining. From the always surprising song selection of the likes of Fatboy Slim or Skrillex. Antics of Steve Aoki or Diplo. Gimmicks of Deamau5 or Daft Punk.

Regardless of their choice it is their personality that shines through. And this is something you have or you don't. You can't practise being cool and popular. Some people are just naturally charismatic and it shines through in their chosen art form.

[russell]

to be fair to daft punk they'd made it before they adopted the masks and robot persona's.

That whole thing just opened them up to a worldwide market. And lets be honest, nothing they've done since 'homework' comes close to matching it.

[GREMM1S]

Its all gimmicks those things, to get popular in the first place you have to make good/different music.

[ThatPartyGuy]

Its all gimmicks those things, to get popular in the first place you have to make good/different music.

skrillex plz

[overit]

We has a HipHop act on this weekend. I won't name him for reasons that will become clear.

But to make sure we remembered him and he "stood out" he got way past drunk, stopped the music, started ranting political shite, got a bottle thrown at him, climbed of stage, knocked two teeth out of a random punters face (not the whale who had threw the bottle), then got back on stage and threw the decks on the floor.

Is that the kind of thing you mean?

[GREMM1S]

We has a HipHop act on this weekend. I won't name him for reasons that will become clear.

But to make sure we remembered him and he "stood out" he got way past drunk, stopped the music, started ranting political shite, got a bottle thrown at him, climbed of stage, knocked two teeth out of a random punters face (not the whale who had threw the bottle), then got back on stage and threw the decks on the floor.

Is that the kind of thing you mean?

Wow what an idiot, hope you got your money back after that

[legunner]

Its all gimmicks those things, to get popular in the first place you have to make good/different music.

skrillex plz

My name is skrillex was achaly sick.

But seriously grem has it right. Good Music will take you a long way

[mattus123]

We has a HipHop act on this weekend. I won't name him for reasons that will become clear.

But to make sure we remembered him and he "stood out" he got way past drunk, stopped the music, started ranting political shite, got a bottle thrown at him, climbed of stage, knocked two teeth out of a random punters face (not the whale who had threw the bottle), then got back on stage and threw the decks on the floor.

Is that the kind of thing you mean?

Whens his next gig?

as for OP, all that was mentioned are gimmicks, and gimmicks dont work unless u already have strong foundations.

As already stated, the successfulness of those artists comes from their music, not from their gimmicks

[overit]

We has a HipHop act on this weekend. I won't name him for reasons that will become clear.

But to make sure we remembered him and he "stood out" he got way past drunk, stopped the music, started ranting political shite, got a bottle thrown at him, climbed of stage, knocked two teeth out of a random punters face (not the whale who had threw the bottle), then got back on stage and threw the decks on the floor.

Is that the kind of thing you mean?

Wow what an idiot, hope you got your money back after that

you got the wrong end of the stick mate. This is our club, we booked the act. We are now struggling with a handful of customers who do want their money back (most realised there was fuck all we could do about this) but we are simultaneously dealing with the acts' agent, our insurance and the fineprint on booking contracts to try and get the money we paid back so we can honour the customers requests for refunds.

It's a proper can of worms.

but the reason I posted here is because unfortunately - even though the act ruined his gig, and even though it's caused heaps of grief - the act has actually got heaps of facebook comments, hype, and all the other bullshit acts get when they do some gimmicky bullshit to get attention. Wether he kicked off coz he was drunk, an idiot or coz he wanted the hype - as they say - "there's no such thing as bad press."

Fortunately we run a tight ship and mostly attract discerning customers so he won't be selling many records here in the future. But the hype caused by the fall out will probably actually benefit him in the end coz of all the knobs who weren't there to see for themselves and who think gimmicks are more exciting then music.

So to sum up - stick with the music. Don't stand out for anything else.

[GREMM1S]

Still sounds like a complete tosser

[overit]

^true dat, he was.

thank fuck the kid who lost his teeth is the kind of guy who would rather catch up with him personally than call 50 and press charges. At least this way we know real justice will take place

[BeatLeSS]

It's all about the Theme Park! Gimmicks are ESSENTIAL in my opinion, you're creating a persona (your DJ name). It's not just 'you' behind decks. You need to give people stimulation accross all their senses - not just Aural.

Deadmau5 kinda rung true with me when he mentioned this theme park idea. I hold that comment dearly and think it's true.

1. You need to make a world.

Yes. i know, that was vague… lemme explain. So you have a rollercoaster in your backyard… which is rad. coz everyone loves roller coasters, cept for whiney bitches. and all the people from around your block is gunna wanna come and at LEAST check that shit out, or ride it. And itll be the hot thing in the neighborhood for about a week. But once everyone’s had a go… they’ll lose interest, go home n play Sega instead. I see this happen to SO many people… its ridicules.

Well, what you need then, is a fuckin theme park… and you AND your music are the theme. You with me here? Now, people come into your theme park, and holy fuck, check out all this shit… buncha rides, no 2 the same, some merch here and there, special events, dolphins through hoops and all that whack shit. You want people to come to your theme park and feel like they’re a part of this world of yours.

http://deadmau5.tumblr.com/post/2323842 ... s-and-shit

[GREMM1S]

Gimmicks only add to guys that are already popular for their music and mixing.

I woulnt bother quoting deadmau5 either, although he makes good music, his head is usually too far up his own arse and quite often conpletely misses the point on his embarrassing rants.

Gimmicks are nothing without the music first and foremost.

[BeatLeSS]

Gimmicks only add to guys that are already popular for their music and mixing.

I woulnt bother quoting deadmau5 either, although he makes good music, his head is usually too far up his own arse and quite often conpletely misses the point on his embarrassing rants.

Gimmicks are nothing without the music first and foremost.

Of course, this is your opinion mate. Gimmicks do not _only_ add to people that are already popular. I.E DJ'ed a house party last year.. Going to a house party with a duct tape vest on and people knowing who you are purely because of this before you play is pretty fucking wicked - and it adds to my DJ persona by repping my 'uniform' so to speak.

[GREMM1S]

I guess were talking about different ends of the spectrum, im more angling at the big time aspect where you have to have the musical backing or youre nobody.

Certainly in a local even national sense a persona or name can help you stand out, but still think you need a level of ability otherwise youre relying on the novelty factor.

[BeatLeSS]

but still think you need a level of ability otherwise youre relying on the novelty factor.

Now where did my short skirt & low cut top get to...

[GREMM1S]

but still think you need a level of ability otherwise youre relying on the novelty factor.

Now where did my short skirt & low cut top get to...

Lol too true

[Tomy]

i personally think the whole mouse head thing is sooooo lame. i just don't buy into the whole gimmick thing at all. the only people that have done it right is daftpunk and some bands eg. gwar.

i think the key is with the whole gimmick thing is that your creating a character and it can't just be that you have to be that character all the time and never let up. i think dj's from mars almost did this well apart from they are just boxes on their heads and thats kinda lame.

[GREMM1S]

i personally think the whole mouse head thing is sooooo lame. i just don't buy into the whole gimmick thing at all. the only people that have done it right is daftpunk and some bands eg. gwar.

i think the key is with the whole gimmick thing is that your creating a character and it can't just be that you have to be that character all the time and never let up. i think dj's from mars almost did this well apart from they are just boxes on their heads and thats kinda lame.

Yeah agree with most of this.

Substituting for the music i feel or over enthusiasm.

[mattus123]

but even acts like daft punk, djs from mars, deadmau5 would all still have a strong following whether they had gimmicks or not

i have never come across someone who has said 'i liek that guy cause he DJs with a mouse head'... its always more like 'i fkin love deadmau5, also prety cool he Djs with a mouse head'

as for getting extra recognition... as a DJ the ONLY recognition that should matter is from your playing ability. id much rather have only 20 people know about me, but know me for my music, than 100 people who know me as that dude who wears a stupid mask.. but thats just me

[overit]

^To most of us I'm sure this is true. We are DJs who want to be recognised for our music.

But to the entertainment industry as a whole gimmicks are a reliable way of selling products. It's part of marketing/branding. If you have a logo, appearance and/or identity that makes you memorable it will help you sell to an audience who require that kind of prompt.

I never wanted an identity, i just want to DJ. I don't want to be known as playing any specific genre and once an identity is formed in punters' minds they will arrive expecting a specific thing from you. So I dont have an identity amongst punters. I have a rep amongst agents and promoters. That's just the way I wanted to do business.

But I wouldn't dis a DJ who wears a box on his head anymore than I would dis a comedian who always uses the same catchphrase. It's part of the game, just a different game to the one I play.