Mixtape Length

[Addi]

Hey guys,

If you were to be a club owner and you were getting mixtapes from DJs looking for a gig, how long would you want/expect the mix to be? 20-30 mins, or a proper 1 hour mix? Or something else?

In my case, I live in Wagga, so not the biggest town. Only a couple of club/pubs around town who have big nights on weekends, so not a big club scene like the Cross or Melbourne for example.

Suggestions?

Cheers!

[Cupe]

i'd want to receive one like hobberz. he goes through like 30 tracks in 15 mins or some shit

full energy, shows off ur mixing skills

they won't be listening for how good u transitioned or 'hey that flange was nice' etc

they want known shit, that instantly gives them energy and doesn't fuck up that flow

10-15 mins of ur most epic shit

[Addi]

Yeah i guess they might not have ages to listen to it. So full of energy, cant go wrong I guess! Thanks for the feedback

[pundaddy]

Something that they can get through quickly and gives them a good understanding of what you're all about, 10-20 minutes is good, an hour for these purposes isn't necessary, they have more important things to be tending to.

[Addi]

Cheers man, will post it up when i'm done.

[Cupe]

you just gotta put your thoughts on their side

they won't care about length and transitions and that part where u did that thing with the mixer that was real tricky

they want to hear the same thing as punters want to hear, and since when do punters know shit all other than how to move to your dope mix

target the audience, being some important cunt who is to important to stop and listen to mixes that go forever.

you need to be pumping out the classic tracks like you're trying to keep a sleepy elephant awake

[Addi]

you just gotta put your thoughts on their side

they won't care about length and transitions and that part where u did that thing with the mixer that was real tricky

they want to hear the same thing as punters want to hear, and since when do punters know shit all other than how to move to your dope mix

target the audience, being some important whale who is to important to stop and listen to mixes that go forever.

you need to be pumping out the classic tracks like you're trying to keep a sleepy elephant awake

Good advice bro thanks

[Tomy]

criteria for demo submission

Duration 1 whole hour : if your a dj and cant put together a 1 hour set (which you would most likely play 1 - 2 hours min. ) then there is something wrong. there is no way i would book anyone that can only give me a 30min demo if I was running a good club.

Track selection that suits club - this is obvious really.

good and varied mixing - yes it matters, dont just mix intro to outro every time. make it different get creative etc.

Natural progression - pretty obvious again, dont start with banging electro and end with soulful house. it doesn't make sense. your trying to show you ability at working the crowd etc. one way i get my head around this is think of the club your targeting and think about whats played from open to close then condense it down into your hour set OR if your targeting a certain time slot play to that.

hope that helps.

[GREMM1S]

criteria for demo submission

Duration 1 whole hour : if your a dj and cant put together a 1 hour set (which you would most likely play 1 - 2 hours min. ) then there is something wrong. there is no way i would book anyone that can only give me a 30min demo if I was running a good club.

Track selection that suits club - this is obvious really.

good and varied mixing - yes it matters, dont just mix intro to outro every time. make it different get creative etc.

Natural progression - pretty obvious again, dont start with banging electro and end with soulful house. it doesn't make sense. your trying to show you ability at working the crowd etc. one way i get my head around this is think of the club your targeting and think about whats played from open to close then condense it down into your hour set OR if your targeting a certain time slot play to that.

hope that helps.

100% correct for genre specific or niche clubs. Not so much for just commercial joints but anywhere underground or a specific party (dubstep etc) you will need all this.

[Tomy]

yeah thats right, i probably should have stated that.

[Skank]

id argue that although mix tapes were essential in getting gigs over the last decade i think that having a successful soundcloud/facebook account with your own mash ups/bootlegs and remixes can easily take the place of a promo mix and effectively lead to you finding gigs

[GREMM1S]

Mixtapes (mostly) are no longer about skill as most people use software. Its all about your style, musical identity if you get me. Bootlegs/original works are important for the dance scene especially.

But you really want gigs? Go to the event you want to play at regularly and introduce yourself to the promoter, be nice and patient.

[Addi]

Thanks dudes. I ended up making a little 20min mix, plus going to make a longer mix 1 hour mix and update my soundcloud in the next week or 2 with some bootlegs/mashes. Once again the club isn't a "club", its a pub but has club nights on weekends.

Here is the topic with my mix if your interested at all. Listening back its fairly rushed, so looking forward to doing a longer mix so I can time things better and do longer mixing! - http://www.ausdjforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=9299