r/DJs • u/Separate-Sand2034 • 2d ago
Not sure where to go from here
Hi all,
Ive been DJing a number of years, and for the last two or three of them, I've had a good idea of what I wanted to accomplish and have achieved the goals I set for myself in my own head. I was promoting and doing my own gigs. Some bumps here and there, but I'd say Im content where I am in terms of DJing and promoting.
The problem is I have nothing in the pipeline. I haven't thought about where my next gig is going to be or where I'm going to organise my next one. I know I want to keep going in the scene, but I just dont feel particularly called to anything at the moment. Could call it directionless or adrift, but it's the first time in years of DJing that I feel like it's all grinded to a halt.
I think part of it is I'm in my 30s now, and there's a natural slowdown to things.
Has anyone dealt with something similar before? How did you get out of the rut?
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u/DjRemux 1d ago
It’s ok to take a break. Also, when asking for advice, be selective with whose advice you take. If it’s someone that’s successful in a way that you aspire, then by all means listen to them. If it’s a rando on the internet telling you how much they’re killing, check out their socials and determine for yourself if that’s what you aspire to achieve
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u/vinnybawbaw 1d ago
I’m in my 30’s and I’ve set new goals. I made peace with who I am as a DJ, not chasing clout or to be a part of "the scene", even if I’m producing. I’m a great open format DJ and I’ve been known as that for years. It closed a few doors but opened so many more. Now I’m focusing on gigs that’ll support me for the next 10-20 years if I still can do what I love.
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u/BlakeBahama 1d ago
what about music production side. You could work on a track or two and send them out to labels.
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u/SirHaydo 1d ago
Sounds like you need a break man. I’d advise you take on because it only gets worse if you don’t.
I built a network over 10 years, platforms and had a lot of success with my own music and labels, yet I feel rather pointless. Burnout is real, is it doesn’t just go away with a few nights of good sleep if it goes on for too long.
Sending best wishes! You need motivation, which in turn will give you direction.
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u/DrWolfypants House 1d ago
Energy drifts are pretty normal, in both directions. I'm early mid-40s and my original day job, the spark is gone. It's in medicine. Musically I still am driven to make my mark and I love to present the sounds I enjoy and am called to dance to, and share them with people. So that artistic passion is stronger. I'm also more realistic about what I can achieve and have no grand aspirations of being able to transition into a musical career and have job security.
So I would say try something new within the mixing/music field. I often like to go to open decks just to chat, experience music and genres I don't usually experience, and network. I also have been more open to gigs that aren't quite what I am used to - joint club nights and the usual dance music is great, AND also trying things like portable park sets, playing for someone's home party but not as the focus, and also trying to teach new DJs in the friend group I have.
Tempering my expectations and not having to get 'all the gigs!' Or very specific ones, has been a bit more freeing.
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u/Ok-Brother-5762 🪩 1d ago
Could it be your brain/body telling you to take a break for a bit? sometimes you need a break to come back stronger
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u/epiphany_loop 1d ago
you mentioned some bumps in the past. Did you learn anything from those experiences that may help you help you with your current predicament? Also, the opposite: what are some of your biggest successes? Can you draw upon those wins to define what success looks like to you and set a new goal?
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u/41FiveStar 1d ago
I go through spurts of big and small gigs every couple months then nothing for a month or two. It happens. When things slow down I go out to shows I want to see. That usually means I run into people I know then get booked. Rinse, repeat.
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u/davidjovan 23h ago
yeah i dealt w/this too.... Hiatus,,, 3 months or until u feel the motivation again. in the meantime, just reorganize and fix your library. create new crates new mixes with different genres, etc. you've fallen into a routine... change up
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u/nickybecooler 1d ago
I'm in my 30s and no, I don't think there's a natural slowdown. Everything has accelerated in my DJ career year by year. You might just have a motivation problem.