Shaun Pearcey

Hi Kendrick,

There are many ways to transition between genres but I try to keep it simple and sometimes quite abrupt..

I have been DJing about 2 years now, 1 year live in many many bars and clubs, sometimes the best way to get into that specific genre is to just drop a tune in mixed or not and see how the crowd react.. Usually 9 out of 10 times this works but theres always that one time where it can go wrong, its all about trial and error in this game so just try different ways and you will develop your skill set further 🙂

Hope this helps,

DJ Shaun Pearcey

I completely and utterly agree with both you Vintage and Terry, both very respected DJ’s with a vast pool of knowledge within this Forum and the Venues you guys get the chance to play at!

I can only mention it was a step for me to get in, not necessarily for free but hasn’t been “Good” Paid money tbh and some gigs I’ve done in other venues I have been paid a more decent fee and something I felt good for afterwards! So I am looking at taking myself around the local cities and towns in search of my first real proper gig in front of more than say 100 people.

Yeah I am going to find out ways of promoting nights I do better and also find alternative ways of getting into these “next level” gigs which I am now at the level where I want to play at a bigger stage.

Thanks for your comments guys! 🙂

At the end of the day, different people experience different situations.. I don’t think playing for cheaper is best but for someone with no name it can benefit you from the experience of playing to people not just playing to your bedroom wall!

I’m only 20 and have now played numerous gigs in different venues but haven’t yet played in front of more than say 150 people, my next aim is to take it up a notch and play to a larger audience but without playing cheaper at this club and getting full nights at full nights money and even more so getting in with the local DJ community I would still be a nobody working on getting gigs and struggling without a name!

For anyone starting out, yes promote yourselves but for the hungry dj’s out there who want to step outside the bedroom and feel a crowd (They need to play, warmup your local resident at the busiest bar/club in town – but play for a small fee, i’m not condoning and regret mentioning free, don’t be messed around!) unfortunately with the amount of people claiming to be a dj in the community and those who are already in residencies things are getting tougher and tougher for young djs to get into the scene..

..Just get chummy with the most amount of djs and promoters in your area and work your way in by doing these “cheaper sets” because what’s more beneficial, playing to a crowd and building a crowd sourcing knowledge from the off OR continuing to struggle to even get that first gig?

Peace out,

DJ Shaun Pearcey

All I’m saying is its a foot in the door, obviously not ideal but im getting paid work from them each week and the odd time i will do a full night at their rate which is decent money so its all about getting in places..

I’m sorry but if someone doesn’t get in there for free for one night then gets paid work after (if they do well) someone else will come in and have a go, its worth doing a free night in places where no one knows who you are.. Most venues have resident DJ’s in place so the only way in is to play for free in my experience otherwise why would they pay you to have a go when they have a resident they pay each week who they are more than content with?

ATM its all about getting in and who you know, get in there for free or if not a low price and build your name with the owners this is how I and many others I know have got into places..

@Ollie

Get a controller mate, by experience if you buy one suited to you and your software preferences and master how to DJ on controllers then the switch to CDJ’s will make it worth buying one to start out on.Its not about the gear but the way you use it, any pro could use an ipod into a speaker and play a playlist throughout the night, but if the right tunes are played on the playlist people will dance!

If i was you, and trust me when I started out I was thinking the same thing.. GET A CONTROLLER FIRST.. then move onto a second hand pair of CDJ’s when you start making money from the hobby or it may just become an expensive hobby.. Never go out first and purchase the best gear to start on as if you get disinterested (not saying you will BUT) that equipment will sit there and be sold on for less than you purchased it for.. Just have a good hard look through this forum and the web and do your reviews on controllers..

Hope this was of any help!

DJ Shaun Pearcey