a year of djing... a lot
the moonlight career
It wasn’t necessarily by design, but rather the snowball effect of momentum.
It is amusing to relive the evolution from the bedroom to the big room. I never saw that path. The style of music I prefer to play of punchy edits and happy house was never going to cut it in the truly dark halls, but there is a setting of celebration that jives.
Over the past few years, this budding moonlight career began to occupy more time and you very quickly realize there is a delicate balance between enjoyment and employment. I certainly tested that boundary this year. With 50+ gigs, I felt I was leaning more toward obligation than pleasure.
Notwithstanding, I am grateful for the immense honor bestowed on me within this chosen domain of leisure. While it snuck up on my day job… what an enjoyable way to spend your “free time”! I’ve had the privilege of traveling all over the world with the supreme luxury of playing in five continents and endless countries for audiences ranging from several thousand to a handful of kind souls. There was even a long weekend I played in four different cities this past summer.
In the end, it’s a question of your time and worth. The referral game is flattering but eventually it becomes overwhelming. Initially, you feel honored, even humbled that people want to hire you to play. Subsequently, though, you realize your value. Clients start angling with statements such as; “Look I’m spending $10k for flowers so we are over budget, so let’s see if we can get the DJ to come and play for free.” Does anyone remember the flowers the next day?
What this pursuit really blesses you with is the ability to connect with an abundance of beautiful human beings. To arrive in a foreign land and have someone not only recognize your name but share a story of listening to your music at a meaningful gathering of theirs is heartwarming. A crew of lads rocked up and took a selfie with me at Glastonbury and said “thanks Cole, we boys love ya tunes!” and then offered me some gravy fries. Funny the life we live.
I’ve always approached this space from a standpoint of humility. However, the industry is cheeky when you consider the technical skill required to properly execute and drive the spaceship. Unlike say tennis, even the most enthusiastic player will never even remotely approach the mastery of Roger Federer. With DJing, again technically speaking, given the modern digital equipment the difference in skill becomes negligible between the most famous DJs and the rest of those who learned the craft. One can learn to beat match and link tracks with proper BPMs and create their own style. For instance, I enjoy toying with big loops and ranging tempo swings but generally shy away from effects. I am constantly making “mistakes”, but isn’t that the beauty of it all?
To caveat, this does not account for vinyl DJs l, live acts, and producers who are the real magicians in this landscape. The necessary element to emphasize in this auditory potion is creativity and selection. The real track selectors and subsequent musical journeys they create always stand out. I’m constantly baffled by DJs who assume that by playing the top tracks of the moment they will instantly create a vibe. Doesn’t work like that homie. Check out the dance floors at your favorite festivals or gatherings and the proof is in the pudding. The energy is palpable.
Nevertheless, after this year, I’ve realized that this lifestyle is not for me as it has overshadowed my daily pursuits. In reflection, the reason I explored this interest was out of pure joy. Quality over quantity, so let’s get back to that. The feeling you generate when you are in command of a dancefloor full of patient, enthused dancers is indescribable. I feel fortunate to be compensated for these services, but we have limited time and energy on this green earth and I plan to spend less of it in airports going forward.
In sum, my DJ calling is not going anywhere, it is just going to be much more selective from now on. I am thankful to have found a knack for this arena and I look forward to sharing a boogie on a dance floor with you very soon.
Cole
p.s. please email Rita (team@coletrickle.com) for all booking requests ;)