Dj Music Requests

[Michael Black]

Ok, Scott's recent poll had me thinking about how most dj's and operators handle requests.

I am curious on how this also relates to the dj booth placement. That is, if the dj is on the floor in the action is that better? Are they not bothered more as they are trying to do their job? Or, is it better for the dj to be up and away remote from the crowd focusing on the club's program and protection of the equipment? And how do you handle customers who may be upset that you will not play what they want? What about those trying to pay money to dj's and the song does not fit the crowd, event, marketing, etc..? Do you wait until the best spot to mix it with other songs and tempo comes or just play it asap?

I think popular requests always being honored because they are popular would depend on the club, bar, or lounge being marketed as mainstream or not. That is, if you are targeting a certain segment of the population, you could ruin some of your marketing efforts if you consistently play the current top mainstream popular hits that most of your target market does not want to hear or can get on the radio or mtv and are looking for new and fresh. On the other hand, everyone loves an occasional fun old classic mixed in. Some top songs that everyone liked can get beaten to death until we can't stand them like the Black Eyed Peas' Boom Boom Boom while others can't get enough. It can be a fine line and as usual, it often all depends on the particular situation.

Your thoughts to follow......

[bigbeat]

I do not work at "top 40" venues any more. I currently spin at a large Electronic Dance Club that has a very specific format and branded identity after 2 years of opening business. The crowd that comes to this club knows what to expect which means very little requests but a high degree of interaction with a DJ booth on the floor and occasional mic work. It took many months to develop this identity.

I just accepted a new resident spot at a new club that is "Rock" themed and seems to be doing very well in its second week of being open (800+ people). The music format is a mix of Rock, Oldschool (retro, funk, hip hop) & a sprinkle of current pop hits all in video remix format. The demographic was targeted at the older client base who love motorcycles, cars, X-Game types, etc. Surprisingly, the crowds we are seeing are mostly 21yr old groups of women! No complaints here! :-)

Regarding requests at this new venue, I do my best to honor guest requests as long as it fits into the branded identity of the venue. Of course since it is new, it is more work to explain to guests who request music that do not fit within the venue identity, however, with support from the venue, management & marketing, the job of a DJ becomes easier when they are backed by the overall image, marketing, music & branding.

For those venues who have a vision of what they want in terms of their identity & demographic market, STICK TO YOUR GUNS! It may take a few months or even longer, but if you stick to what you believe, people will accept it and come for it when they know about it. I've seen it work many MANY times. I've seen it fail when owners "panic market" after only a few weeks of opening their doors. I've seen clubs close in less than a year because they did not stay focused on their vision, identity & branding.

People WILL accept your theme if you do it right and consistently!

[Michael Black]

So I'm into gangsta rap and offer you a $20 to play one in that rock club- do you take it? Would the management come down on you or already have rules or guidelines for you? And how do you handle my 6'6 300lb black friend standing over you who thinks you are being a racist for not playing it? Yes, I understand it is unlikely they would be attracted to the club in the first place, but play along.

I can't help to think of the classic Blues Brothers scene when they turn from blues to rawhide in the country bar

[scott1988]

Brian said what I was thinking pretty much (I wish I could be that concise)....(yes, I do know what "concise" means even though I don't practice it).....(see not being concise again as I type.....do...do...dooo). Just kidding.

As Michael was saying "what do you do when".......

Well, fortunately for me, I don't play in places that are so rough that I would feel threatened by someone deciding to beat me up if I don't play their song or worse, maybe pulling a gun or knife out. But, I'll answer your question (even though it was directed at Brian) and say that if a club owner is pretty strict about certain songs and says "no bribes", then I don't take a bribe. Even if it is 2 350 pound black guys with 10 brothers behind them or 4 rednecks each with a lip full of "chaw". Now, don't get me wrong, if the bribe is large enough, I'll ask the owner if it would be ok but not if it's a $5 or a $10 spot. It would have to be at minimum of a $20 but more like a $100. Sure, I can't see anyone paying $100 to hear one damn song but you never know. Point is, if the owners know what they want and want me to play it, I won't accept a bribe because you're going back to the original concern: changing the venue/format. Even if it's a pair of blond triplets showing their "doubles". Well....ok maybe...."no...can't......must........look.......a way".....(yeah right, I'm still human).

Back to the point. I agree with Brian that 1st and foremost the bar owners need to have some understanding of the importance of their music format and/or selection(s) in order to get a certain type of clientele. If they don't know this, then they're probably not that experienced to begin with and will probably end up like he said.......CLOSED.

Personally, I don't mind requests (because I'm a pleaser most of the time) but at the same time, they "can be" a nuisance sometimes. Reason being, either the request has been requested a million times already (I gotta feeling or Bad Romance) OR.......as said, it doesn't fit into the current format. Not to mention, it probably won't fit in anywhere within the night. So, you already know that you can't play the request and run the risk of pissing off the customer (guest) so much that they decide to leave. Well, I don't want that but if I'm playing "Transform ya" by Chris Brown and someone requests something by Tool and I know damn well the bar guests won't know it (not to mention dance to it), I ain't playin' it.

I'm glad this post was brought up because it's been on my mind lately how much some people just don't get how listening to something in your car isn't the same as dancing to it in a bar/club. Again, in my opinion more popular songs are better than that 3 piece band that's sold 205 cd's in your town.

As far as DJ booth placement, I would prefer up and away a little (only to protect equipment) but not so much that you can't interact with the crowd if you wanted. I've seen some booths that are up 3 to 8 feet above the crowd and there is no way for a guest to talk to the DJ at all. You just look at them. Sure this works for some places but in my opinion, it just seems so secluded and unwelcoming. It's like saying that you're not good enough to talk to the DJ or that you don't want your DJ getting "bothered" by the guests. Sure when a DJ is trying to play and/or mix music, sometimes it can be hectic when there are 3 or 4 people wanting to talk at the same time but this doesn't happen all the time.

I'll end by saying that the important issue is: THE BAR OWNER TO BEGIN WITH. They NEED to know what type of business they want to have and have the music to compliment it. Just like Brian said........ Too many business owners don't have a clue and wonder why they can't get a certain type of clientele. Because they don't have a clue.

[Jallen0]

Unlike Brian, I usually do play in Top 40 clubs, so requests are a way of life there. For me, I have absolutely zero issues playing requests and can usually accommodate a request with no problems. Keeping the format fast and loose, playing a wide range of music and changing it up with "left turns" throughout the evening keeps this option very open for me.

As to "handling" requests, well I have learned to be very honest. IF a song does not fit within the owners / managers format, then it just doesn't get played...and there are numerous ways in telling the customer that. And knowing your music helps tremendously as well...if they ask for one song and you just cannot play it you can usually suggest something else with the same feel, or even another song by that artist. You just have to communicate that back to the customer at the time.

Another thing...no single song should damage your format so much that it makes a difference. It's when a DJ loses control of the floor and the format when damage happens. Also, a DJ should also know his format parameters and should have that detailed conversation with the owner. However, If you're playing in a country / rock bar and urban songs never gets played, then playing that request would not work...and you just tell that to the customer.

As to placement of the booth...I have played in clubs where they are on the floor with easy access to the customers, and locked away from the customers and I 100% prefer access to the customers. It's fun for the customers, it's fun for the DJ, and getting that instant feedback is essential for the flow of the night. In my opinion.

Michael, to your last point on changing things up. If you look at my new website, I post my Top 15 videos every month. I also post my top 3 new videos as well as my top 5 classic videos. These get played every night. That's 23 songs out of the 75 or so played every night. a note: For residencies, I change up the listing every week, as things change quickly.

Anyways, just my thoughts.

[bigbeat]

[QUOTE=Michael Black;50156]So I'm into gangsta rap and offer you a $20 to play one in that rock club- do you take it? Would the management come down on you or already have rules or guidelines for you? And how do you handle my 6'6 300lb black friend standing over you who thinks you are being a racist for not playing it?[QUOTE]

I look at the BIG PICTURE and the long term goal. I've turned down offers up to $200 to play a song in a club that I knew would not only make me look like a total ass, but clear the floor and piss off management. If I respect the venue, the staff & my job as their resident, I keep my eye on the big picture and the long term relationship I have with that venue. Not 1 person who may or may not ever come back after I have taken their request and ruined my floor and the vibe for that matter.

With that said, I would indeed take the money and play the request knowing that it won't work if I feel that the venue is not showing me the respect or support needed to maintain the vibe. Of course, I usually walk out before that happens. I don't accept those working conditions anymore.

Taking money for requests that are reasonable is OK. Taking money for requests that you know are completely wrong for your floor, your venue & for your reputation will only hurt you in the long run. Don't do it!

Regarding the big threatening guy? Nobody makes me feel threatened.

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I can take care of myself very well and in a professional situation, I simply have security take care of it ----- Quietly :-)