Get聽a DJ agency
Introduction
Agents are one of the best ways to get regular bookings and raise your profile.
You'll find that promoters will take you more seriously if you are already hooked up with a booking agency.
Read on for:
What they do
Where to find them
How to get taken on
Contracts
Doing with out them
"Agents will come to you when the time is right, only sign if they rate you very highly and are willing to push you."
DJ Cameo
What They Do
Agents are in constant contact with the promoters, deejays, MCs, singers and most of the other major players in the scene including producers and record labels.
As well as getting you gigs they'll make sure you are on mail-outs, manage your diary and get you promotion.
They will provide promoters of club events with the acts they need in return for a percentage of the booking fee - usually around 10-15%.
"We can get their name out to the right people and the right places. From there it's down to how well they are received as to how they progress."
Nicky Jackson
Vital Edge Agency
Find Them
Try checking out music magazines, underground publications, record shops, the internet and any flyers you can get hold of.
Also see if you can get access to one of the music directories (see list).
Agencies specialise in different types of music so make sure you find one who can best represent you.
The fact is if you are good enough an agent will find you rather than the other way around.
"Look for agencies in magazines, flyers, the internet and record shops."
Dubplate Mex
Get Taken On
Agents find out about deejays through word of mouth, contacts, being sent mix tapes and through other people.
Getting a recommendation from a taste maker is the best way forward.
They are literally swamped with talented people wanting to be represented so it can be really hard to get taken on.
Once you are though, the regular bookings and the standard of the events you're being booked to perform at should ensure your profile rises and your reputation quickly spreads.
"Take all the flyers with your name on, any write-ups, any mix CDs and details of any nights you have promoted."
DJ G. Child
Contracts
Any contract you sign will be concerned with the percentage that the agency will take from your payment for performing on the night.
This will probably be in the region of 10-15%.
The contract is likely to vary from company to company.
One of the main points is that the artist must fulfil their obligations and not bring any disrepute to the agent and vice versa.
Make sure you read what you sign and get it checked by your solicitor.
"The main points are: artist, date, venue, fee, when deposits are due, set times etc."
Laura & Yara
Urban Takeover
Doing Without
If you've tried to get on an agency's books without success then don't lose heart.
There's still a lot you can do for yourself to secure bookings. If you specifically target your audience and really focus on building the numbers of people who are coming to listen to you deejay, you'll really start to generate interest in what you're doing.
Identifying who the promoters are and maintaining contact with them through a steady supply of your mix tapes and any hot new tracks you may have, should result in you getting your chance eventually.
Raise your profile by putting your mix tapes in the record shops and getting them played on radio.
If the agencies still don't get back to you, then maybe you need to raise the standard of your productions.
"How do we find promoters? We phone them up! Or e-mail them. Numbers for venues and club nights are usually in listings magazines."
Tom Schroeder
Coda Agency
More... from How to...
Buy Deejay Kit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/performing/djkitp01.shtml
Make a killer mix tape
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/performing/tapep01.shtml
Break into the club scene
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/performing/clubp01.shtml
More... from the web
1Xtra: DJ Skully's Freestyle Video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/hiphop/skully.shtml
Radio 1 OneMusic: How to... VJ
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/djing/vjp01.shtml
大象传媒i
Just The Job: DJing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/justthejob/followyourdream/hits/k.shtml
More... from elsewhere
How To DJ (Properly) by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton
Definitive book on DJing
Published by Bantam Press
(c) 大象传媒 1Xtra 1XMusic 2006