How To Develop a Mix Demo To Get You HUGE Gigs! Case Study By Maniac Agenda {X__^}

[Musicmaniac1]

Hello Future Producers,

Antonio "SAT" from The Maniac Agenda here. In this post I wanted to share some useful
inside info to keep in mind when developing your mix demos to get yourself booked on
huge gigs. In addition, provide an example of the mix I used to get booked to open for
Rusko and tell my hypotheses on why it worked.

How To Develop a Mix Demo To Get You HUGE Gigs!
by SAT of The Maniac Agenda

Attachment 35999

There you are at the top of your game. You have a decent local fanbase. Your social
networks soundcloud, facebook, and twitter are off the charts. You released some tracks on beatport that did fairly well and/or even charted if not you have quality videos of you rocking the local crowds. You have the equipment you need, experience under your belt, and a awesome press kit. You are now in the perfect position to get HUGE gigs, but still have to make your mix demo

Now it is time to create your mix that is going to give the world an eargasm so you find
the hottest tracks with all the hardest hitting beats you can find. You even have that
unreleased Bassnectar track from his sister's counsin's best friend's uncle's room mate.
You take them all and stuff them in a mix. You pass it to all the big promoters, but no call
back....Why is that? Here are some tips to keep in mind when going for the HUGE gigs…


Who is The Star?
Many DJ's forget promoters shell out lots of cash (or sell lots of ummm never mind) to
pay for headliners. They do this in hopes to make a return profit so everything is themed
and designed around the headliner (or headliners) - which is probably not you (yet). Your
job is to be the PERFECT support act to get the crowd warmed up and ready to blow so
when the headliner comes on they are in frenzy.

Maniac Tip #1 don't stuff your set with Peak hour high energy tracks the whole
time save only one or two for the end the big climax so the crowd is left wanting
more
·
Maniac Tip #2 : Many promoters have a hidden "agenda" guidelines and only
want certain genres to open as to not steal the headliners thunder. If the headliner
is say Drum N Bass the promoters don't want a Drum N Bass act opening for
them so they may book a Glitch hop act. Plus this is more profitable because it
has more genres on the bill therefore appealing to more people. However some
promoters like to do themes as well.

My advice do your research: ask your friend that went to see the headliner you are
looking to open for. Find out who opened and what genre was played. If you have some
extra lunch money left over from mom go out to the show yourself, and (don't take too
many drugs or alcohol lol) take notes about the openers. Also networking is great at the show. We
once landed a big festival gig, but “Networking” will be another article.

Building Your Mix

Length – Promoters don’t have a lot of time so try to make your demo the shortest
possible that still gets the point across. I recommend 10mins-30mins max unless you are
asked specifically for more.

Sound Quality: I prefer 320 Kbps, Flac, and Waves, but do the best you can, but try not
to go below 192 Kbps MP3s unless asked other wise

Intro: This need to be attention grabbing! Have a great sample from a movie? Do you
have a Killer up lifting sounds effects or a breakdown of a track with live guitars that
sound like the end of the world is in the 2nd verse?

The intro needs to grab the listener’s attention and let them want to hear what you are
about. Please don’t start with 2 mins of kick drum Techno 12 minute mix from 1998.
Save that for the 12 hour dune rave party you are doing next week.
1st Track: The first track needs to establish a GREAT groove something listeners can’t
help but bob their head too. You ever find a song you keep tapping your foot too no
matter what? That is a good candidate. Something that is basic that can build into
something more (progressive anyone?)

Familiarity: People are habit forming creatures and enjoy things they have past
experience with and can relate too especially on the dance floor. I’m not saying go cookie
cutter, but rather try to include something the promoter and listeners both can recognize.

· Maniac Tip : For Example: In our mix, We know that Rusko gives off a goofy,
nerdy, fun image so we wanted to included something that represents that, still
stays true to what we do, but EVERYONE knows. What we did was created a
Mash up of a remix of the Star Wars Theme song and used the vocals from one of
our originals “Flooded.” BULLS EYE!

· Maniac Tip : It is cool to find some rare experimental tracks that still fit the vibe.
Mixing: Now a days this is a no brainer with technology (shout out to all my vinyl
junkies still out there – SAT still got your back our SH*# is dropping on vinyl at some
point) so now you need your mixing to be more then just playing full tracks and beat
matching a track. Use different parts of songs – have a new song drop in and then
disappear quickly – mix a vocal of a different song on another. Do something that makes
the promoter know you aren’t just hitting play (David Guetta who let you in here?)

Song Selection: RULE #1 NEVER include a song the artist you are trying to open for in
your set (a small vocal clip is fine) That is his or her job! The rare and only expectation to
this rule, but still a risk, is if you have a badass jaw dropping remix you did that would
make the headliner cry every night wishing he made it (it better be mixed and mastered).
It is a risk still because the headliner’s ego may get in the way or the promoter my not
read the track listing and know it is your remix.

· Remember: It’s not your job to up stage the headliner (He gets super
lights, half naked chicks, fire works, arrives in a helicopter) and your get one
screen and half the lights don’t try to compete - different “C” word – you want to
Compliment. But you will have your turn to shine and still have as much girls,
food, drinks, Girls, Dr#^$, GIRLS, Fun, and did I mention GIRLs as the
headliner. Don’t forget to network

(How to Network article here:
The Maniac Agenda's Official Website - Blog)

Ending/Climax: As the opener you want your mix to end in a climax just as the people’s
“experiences” are just kicking in. Make it build excitement so your can bomb them with
the biggest build up and drop your can create to make them go F%^*ing CRAZY! Then
boom you are out. It is like Michael Jordan retiring in his prime! Your favorite TV
episode ending right before you find out if the main character dies, People won’t forget
that. Neither will the headliner or the promoter listening to your demo.

Final note: When going for Huge gigs a one size fits all method does not work. Although
you may have a great Demo to get booked for Bassnectar, Rob Swire may think your mix
isn’t has too much modern talking and pass on you. So do your research.
That's all the tips I have for now.

Remember this isn’t the only way to do things. This
was the way that works for me so if you have any suggestions, questions, or advice that
has worked for you in the past please post below

Now get out there and become a Superstar DJ. Just give make sure you book me to open
for you and give me 10 percent for the advice. :-P

As an example for you here is the DJ set Mix demo I used that got me booked to open for Rusko:

Download it Here: Download

or Stream it here:

http://soundcloud.com/maniacagenda/f...ples-presets-7

Sincerely,

S.A.T. of The Maniac Agenda

P.S. Finally, We have a free production pack we are giving out for free - follow the link in my signature to get it

About the Author:

Antonio “S.A.T.” Gonzalez graduated from Rowan University with a B.A. in Public
Relations and is currently the manager and co-owner of Maniacmusic.net Record label.
He is a professional record producer and member of The Maniac Agenda

Highlights:

1. Peaked #50 on Itunes Electronic sales Charts with Louder Than Words (Maniac All-
Stars Remix) of Celldweller
2. Releases on EMI UK, Red Bull Records, FIXT Records, and Concord Music Group
3. Performances at Camp Bisco 8, The Big Up, and Freedom of Expression Music Festivals
alongside: Nas, Pretty Lights, STS9, KJ Sawka (of Pendulum), The Disco Biscuits, Kill The
Noise & Rusko
4. Crowned the "Next great producer" by VH1 on "The Score"
5. Graced the Top 3 on Reverbnation's National Hottest Electronic Chart
6. Currently ranked 3rd in the Philadelphia Electronic genre on Reverbnation.
7. Winner of 11 National and International Remix Contests

[KillerKraut]

You wanna REALLY know how to get huge gigs? Make some decent music, build a good contact list, and invest in your show. Half of getting gigs is business, it ain't all music. This is why its called the MUSIC BUSINESS. Not saying you don't have some good points, but your focusing way too much on content dude. This is why most people don't get huge gigs.

And for god sake, stop using mainstream artists as examples. Of course they get big gigs, they're mainstream! Wanna know why? Cause they invest, and when they invest, they use that cash for promotion. Its business.

[Musicmaniac1]

You wanna REALLY know how to get huge gigs? Make some decent music, build a good contact list, and invest in your show. Half of getting gigs is business, it ain't all music. This is why its called the MUSIC BUSINESS. Not saying you don't have some good points, but your focusing way too much on content dude. This is why most people don't get huge gigs.

And for god sake, stop using mainstream artists as examples. Of course they get big gigs, they're mainstream! Wanna know why? Cause they invest, and when they invest, they use that cash for promotion. Its business.

If you notice the first part of my article I have prerequisites included which includes the results of good business and what you are talking about.

"There you are at the top of your game. You have a decent local fanbase. Your social
networks soundcloud, facebook, and twitter are off the charts. You released some tracks on beatport that did fairly well and/or even charted if not you have quality videos of you rocking the local crowds. You have the equipment you need, experience under your belt, and a awesome press kit."

I wanted to create an article that can include those who are just DJ and don't create their own music. Also you will notice I included links to in the article to my free e-book "Networking to Music Success" series that covers the stuff you mention.

The purpose of this article was to focus on one of the last steps - THE MIX DEMO - because many of our fans were asking when the promoter ask for a demo what should they do. Finally, this is not a matter of mainstream Vs.underground you can use the same tactics just applied in a different pitch to achieve results. Really you could sub any "big names" in there you want =

581980_464929583526564_2012454691_n.jpg

[KillerKraut]

What fans? Who are these fans? Show me your Degree in Music and Business. Show me the countless venues you've been to and the millions of records you've sold. Show me all the mainstream artists you've worked with. What? You can't? Then don't be teaching people about Mixtape's and Demo's, cause if you're as small as the person your teaching, its all shit.

So please, if you know your shit, show me.

[Musicmaniac1]

What fans? Who are these fans? Show me your Degree in Music and Business. Show me the countless venues you've been to and the millions of records you've sold. Show me all the mainstream artists you've worked with. What? You can't? Then don't be teaching people about Mixtape's and Demo's, cause if you're as small as the person your teaching, its all shit.

So please, if you know your shit, show me.

I graduated college with my B.A. in Public Relations (see here and check notable alumni). It was after graduating when I made the choice to make music for a living it. My goal wasn't to become the richest or most popular, but rather to make a living doing something I love and create music I'm passionate about.

I'm happy to say I accomplished this goal working as a full time producer and artist with The Maniac Agenda. My goal here is to share the knowledge that I have to anyone else that has the same desires and open to it. I'm not saying my way is the only way to do things, but it has worked for me so maybe it can work for you. I'm not going to go surfing the internet for every little credit, venue video to appease you, but I'll share a few highlights for those reading this.


Here is a link Questlove from The Roots and me (Dj satisfaction) producing together the theme to Vh1's Hip-hop's Show on Vh1's The Score feel free to go check check the link below to one of the episodes

Link to Vh1 - http://www.vh1.com/video/misc/178504...tml#id=1570881

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

My former band playing The Camp Bisco Music Festival (20,000 Attended) and fans shouting us out -

Our official Remix for Electronic Rock Artist's Celldweller which peaked #50 on Itunes Electronic Chart -

___________________________________________________________________________________

Here is a Link to our Official Remix for Innerpartysystem released on major label EMI UK/Red Bull record - Maniac Agenda Remix on Beatport

___________________________________________________________________________________

Feel free to check out all our supporters aka "Maniacs" on our Social Networks:

The Maniac Agenda | Facebook

http://www.soundcloud.com/maniacagenda

[KillerKraut]

You have an impressive background yes, but teaching is just going to sink you in a hole, as well as developed artists. Not being a buzz kill, but try not to share secrets. It kills business, including yourself.

[Musicmaniac1]

You have an impressive background yes, but teaching is just going to sink you in a hole, as well as developed artists. Not being a buzz kill, but try not to share secrets. It kills business, including yourself.

I disagree - I feel teaching is great. I get to inspire and meet a lot of great producers. One of the most valuable lessons I learned while on tour with a very well know and respected singer song writer named Michael Franti. He told me you can help yourself by helping others. he said "If you can learn to do this then everybody wins and you will be successful."

I already have seen results of this. We give out some of our Ableton Live files (see the link in my signature to get some) which many people think is INSANE (or MANIACAL as I like to call it), but this has helped many producers get better and in return they support us. Even the ones that get bigger then us remember and guess who gets to go on tour or get the official remix. Like I said giving out your secrets may not work for you, but it works wonders for me - every situation is different.