What's a DJ to do when a dance club closes...

[discokicks]

I didn't know where to bring up this discussion but needed to share some recent angst in my life with fellow disco and dance music fans.

The club in my hometown that I had faithfully been the Saturday night DJ at for the last five and half years closed its doors abrubtly this past week. Club 181 reigned in this region as the only place to go to for the gay crowd and also for those who were into serious club dancing. For the past year, I had been frustrated with the absence of the owner and his interest in the place...nothing was being fixed...the light show ended up being an embarassment. A smaller new club catering to the gay community opened up this past month which caused a major dent in our crowd. After only four weeks of this new club's opening, the owner of my club shut our place down. I don't know the entire truth but there are rumours galore of why he cut and ran.

I could see this coming but of course, I'm devastated at this point. I'm out of a part-time job plus a place to share my passion for music. And talking to some of the regulars this past week, they are angered wondering where they will go (the new club doesn't come anywhere close to the atmosphere that I created on Saturday nights).

To most people, a club is a club. It closes and so what? But to those of us who spent so much time there, it matters. Think of all those clubs we frequented over these past thirty or so years. The places we counted on for our personal entertainment. Those hole-in-the-walls that we couldn't wait to get to after our five-day work weeks. For us dancin' fools and music lovers, that's where life happens...that's what it was all about!

I'm hoping and counting on another place to come my way where I can once again share my passion and talent for music. I sometimes wonder when this love of mine for disco and dancing will subside. I'm 46 and it hasn't happened yet.

[Videoskooter]

DK, I'm moving your thread to the main forum where I think it will get more attention.

Sorry to hear all this and I hope you'll find a new spot/job very soon! You know, clubs are business, no matter what audience/success/great music they have. If the profits aren't good enough or for whatever other reason, they are closed.

But maybe some of the people on the board can help you out.

[discokicks]

Thanks for moving it Video. I'm not really looking for any sympathy but more of discussion about clubs that have come and gone in our lives and the personal loss that arises as a result. I know there's a whole separate section listing disco clubs from the past, but it needs to be said that for many of us, these places were almost like our second homes....those familiar spots that we couldn't wait to get to on our weekends.

[markydefad]

discokicks,

Wouldn't it be logical to let the new club owner know that you are interested & available to work his club--or is it politically incorrect or just not the kosher thing to do?...maybe the new owner will contact you if his spinners aren't movin' the crowd the way you did. Maybe your fans will petition to add you to the new club on some type of rotating basis with the existing DJ??

You never know what's gonna happen.

[discokicks]

Marky....way ahead of you....I played for an hour on Friday night at the new club. It unfortunately has some flaws that would make djing there a nightmare....one of them being a clipboard for patrons to write down requests that the manager of the place told me he would look at from time to time to see if the dj is pleasing the crowd and "doing his job". I told him right up front that that won't work for me (and what self-respecting dj would put up with that?)

I thanked the owner and said if he'd like to call me and discuss things, then please do. Since then, I've got a couple of ideas that I'm going to work on.

[Cdnbob]

Discokicks, sorry to hear about your situation. Yeah it can be frustrating when a club you enjoy closes down. Even out here in Vancouver, which use to have a very active gay club scene, the clubs have been closing down and not being replaced. I think we're down to 5 gay clubs - once upon a time there use to be about 15 - and of the 5 only 3 have any dance floors. Is the whole scene of going out for a night to the clubs, going dancing, a dying thing - something of the past?

[discokicks]

Thanks CdnBob...and I have heard that Vancouver's gay nightlife is lacking.

In regards to the dis-interest in dance clubs overall, I tend to think that a lot of the blame lies squarely on the djs and the selection of music that they choose to throw out to a dance-hungry crowd. Most, especially in North American clubs, got caught up in this trend years ago of only playing cool, edgy, dubby tracks and disregarding what the majority of paying clientelle were looking for in a night out. I know that much of this music drove a lot of guys out of the clubs permanently (well, that, and the enjoyment of sitting with a couple beers at home and surfing for sex...lol).

A nice mix of edgy with fun and camp still works the floors. I was always reassured of that whenever I'd throw on a remixed Whitney tune and watch the hands go in the air while guys would mouth the words.

[RetroRuss]

This might sound far fetched but why not get together with some of the other regulars and look to buy it!

We were gutted when the faceless corporation that owned our local pub sold it to a propoerty developer. We tried in vain to buy it ourselves but struggled to raise the £2.8million It was highly profitable making a 50% gross margin on a turnover of just over £1million.

Worth doing the maths...you never know!!

[remicks]

Originally Posted by discokicks

Thanks CdnBob...and I have heard that Vancouver's gay nightlife is lacking.

In regards to the dis-interest in dance clubs overall, I tend to think that a lot of the blame lies squarely on the djs and the selection of music that they choose to throw out to a dance-hungry crowd. Most, especially in North American clubs, got caught up in this trend years ago of only playing cool, edgy, dubby tracks and disregarding what the majority of paying clientelle were looking for in a night out. I know that much of this music drove a lot of guys out of the clubs permanently (well, that, and the enjoyment of sitting with a couple beers at home and surfing for sex...lol).

A nice mix of edgy with fun and camp still works the floors. I was always reassured of that whenever I'd throw on a remixed Whitney tune and watch the hands go in the air while guys would mouth the words.

Discokicks, I'm really saddened by your siltation. When you first joined here at some point early on , you described how you are still Djing and how you emphasize a lot of the disco era stuff and I always liked imagining you doing that because what a special circumstance and I bet few DJs in any club anywhere bring a full spectrum to their sound like this ... certainly not on a week after week basis . What an opportunity that you made good use of !

That they came to hear it week after week is so nice to hear . And a five year run is really impressive. So it sure isn't a refection of the music or you , but rather just what typically happens to clubs . The owners loose that spark. the place becomes tired , and its the general nature of the bar crowd to seek out what's new on the scene.

I do think maybe you might want to rethink your position on the request board issue though .Especially if that is a major issue that's holding you back on making a switch. Because I think it sort of relates to what you said about most DJs chasing away the crowd these days by playing what they want. In some ways if you are empathizing an "oldies" format ... part of the tradition of that is playing requests ... and part of the pleasure of your crowd might be in getting you to play GET DOWN TONIGHT because that song has some significant meaning for them that night ..and you may never have played it otherwise .... This practice has to happen within reason of course .... only so many requests a night for example ... because you want to remain in command of your programming. But I think the new club is trying to reach out to their clientèle which is a good thing ... and sometimes changing some is just a part of the deal ...if you really want that gig that is . Maybe there's a way to meet him halfway ( you can always accept the ongoing list and if the songs are dismal say "oh I only have a couple of the songs on here with me" ) Just a thought .
Regardless , good luck and don't pack the music away just yet !

On the issue overall ... I think the clubs are fading away .
I'm very saddened that our culture is loosing total interest in dancing. It used to be so common place. When I was a young kid , we'd go out with our parents to dinner and it was nothing for them and others to get up and dance ! Right there in the restaurant! Restaurants had juke boxes or small bands , and people danced ! I haven't seen this , dancing in a restaurant in years and years ... does it still exist ???? and I'm just not seeing it ?

Its a very SAD sign of the times that America would rather sit on the couch and watch DANCING WITH THE STARS ... instead of going out themselves and be stars dancing! The houses keep getting built bigger and bigger around here and people keep filling them with everything to keep themselves in them. Home movie theatres , home gyms , computer centers , cybersex , video games .... so safe ... so insular .... why go out ( or so they think)

*****

[markydefad]

Originally Posted by discokicks

Thanks CdnBob...and I have heard that Vancouver's gay nightlife is lacking.

In regards to the dis-interest in dance clubs overall, I tend to think that a lot of the blame lies squarely on the djs and the selection of music that they choose to throw out to a dance-hungry crowd. Most, especially in North American clubs, got caught up in this trend years ago of only playing cool, edgy, dubby tracks and disregarding what the majority of paying clientelle were looking for in a night out. I know that much of this music drove a lot of guys out of the clubs permanently (well, that, and the enjoyment of sitting with a couple beers at home and surfing for sex...lol).

A nice mix of edgy with fun and camp still works the floors. I was always reassured of that whenever I'd throw on a remixed Whitney tune and watch the hands go in the air while guys would mouth the words.

dk,

I couldn't agree more....but then we are old-skool!!!

Yep, the last decade+ of the uber-cool DJs eliminating "songs" with lyrics and choruses in their never-ending quest to be "cool, edgy, & dubby" has caused a major lack of interest in the dance clubs. It seems they've been bit in the ass by their tactics. Amen.

Maybe now someone will get off the "deconstruction" bandwagon and actually "construct" real music again with melodies and choruses and hooks that stick with you---records that you might actually want to BUY and listen to outside a "same old beat all night long" club.

Yeah, that'll happen!!!!

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by markydefad

dk,

I couldn't agree more....but then we are old-skool!!!


Maybe now someone will get off the "deconstruction" bandwagon and actually "construct" real music again with melodies and choruses and hooks that stick with you---records that you might actually want to BUY and listen to outside a "same old beat all night long" club.

Yeah, that'll happen!!!!

I doubt it Marky, 'cos the U.S.A. is the home of conformity and homogenisation. Your Discos of the '70s looked mighty 'same beat all night long' to my eyes and ears (except the morning music sessions....and how many American jocks did those?). If not the case, then why is this Disco site (and most other US ones) sooo pro thump thump thump in its overall leanings?

[markydefad]

Au contraire, Q....back in my day, I could tell when one song ended and the next one was beginning....in the past decade--there's little distinction--it all sounds the same. That was my point.

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

why is this Disco site (and most other US ones) sooo pro thump thump thump in its overall leanings?

That's what attracted me to this site in the first place; all my life in the UK all the DJs, collectors, journalists etc.etc. that I encountered were only interested in the funkier dance music which is great 'cos I love funk, jazz, soul etc. but I also love pure disco & early/proto hi-nrg stuff & got so fed up with these guys trashing this end of the dance spectrum all the time that it was fantastic to discover the internet & people who loved El Coco, Bob-a-rella, Cerrone, Gino Soccio, Love & Kisses & Bionic Boogie as well as Jean Carn, Rick James, Slave & Brothers Johnson. Quinny, if you want to discuss non-thump thump thump dance music then you shouldn't have much trouble finding someone in this country we live in!
The really strange thing about many UK music lovers is that (I'm not including you in this Quinny) they'll say that pure disco or hi-nrg is rubbish but then say how great northern soul or House/Garage is when these music forms are fast with commercial tunes also & not funky at all. There's one particular very famous DJ/journalist who used to slag off anything by Gregg Diamond or Bobby O or similar stuff in his magazine reviews but in later years (way after the disco era) on national radio would play & enthuse about some of the most soul-less fast computer-driven garbage that's ever graced a turntable! (& got very rich from doing so but shall remain nameless). Sorry to go on but I'm in rant mode but I feel strongly about things like this & I'll continue my lonely UK crusade to big-up 'disco' or 'thump thump thump' or whatever you want to call it. I know I'm not the only UK person here to feel this way.

Sorry to go a tad off-topic discokicks but I had to offload my angst!

[discokicks]

Originally Posted by Headlamp

This might sound far fetched but why not get together with some of the other regulars and look to buy it!

We were gutted when the faceless corporation that owned our local pub sold it to a propoerty developer. We tried in vain to buy it ourselves but struggled to raise the £2.8million It was highly profitable making a 50% gross margin on a turnover of just over £1million.

Worth doing the maths...you never know!!

Thanks for the suggestion Headlamp and yes, I've certainly been thinking of this as an option. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get anyone interested in joining me with this venture but having my own club is the direction that I'd like to go....certainly would fulfill a life-long dream. I would be interested to hear of any djs that eventually opened their own nightclub.

Originally Posted by remicks

Discokicks, I'm really saddened by your siltation. When you first joined here at some point early on , you described how you are still Djing and how you emphasize a lot of the disco era stuff and I always liked imagining you doing that because what a special circumstance and I bet few DJs in any club anywhere bring a full spectrum to their sound like this ... certainly not on a week after week basis . What an opportunity that you made good use of !

Thanks Remicks...and I'm not done yet. I know that most on here aren't crazy about today's dance music but I sift through the crap and find the gems. They may not have real strings or real horns but the artist's passion for making people dance is still there.

Originally Posted by remicks

I do think maybe you might want to rethink your position on the request board issue though .Especially if that is a major issue that's holding you back on making a switch. Because I think it sort of relates to what you said about most DJs chasing away the crowd these days by playing what they want. In some ways if you are empathizing an "oldies" format ... part of the tradition of that is playing requests ... and part of the pleasure of your crowd might be in getting you to play GET DOWN TONIGHT because that song has some significant meaning for them that night ..and you may never have played it otherwise .... This practice has to happen within reason of course .... only so many requests a night for example ... because you want to remain in command of your programming. But I think the new club is trying to reach out to their clientèle which is a good thing ... and sometimes changing some is just a part of the deal ...if you really want that gig that is . Maybe there's a way to meet him halfway ( you can always accept the ongoing list and if the songs are dismal say "oh I only have a couple of the songs on here with me" ) Just a thought .
Regardless , good luck and don't pack the music away just yet !

I struggled with the notion of playing at the new club for a day or two but something within tells me to forget it! There's more to it than the request thing that I won't bore everyone with but let's just say the guys involved with the place are not well liked. In regards to the requests, it would require that I play hiphop and rap tunes...something that is just out of the question for me...eating rusty nails sounds like a better time....lol

At my old club, I took requests all night long (why is it they like to request while you're in the middle of a mix?) so it's not a concept that I'm unfamiliar with at all. But the pressure of having to play them, that's just crazy and ruins the creative process.

Originally Posted by remicks

Its a very SAD sign of the times that America would rather sit on the couch and watch DANCING WITH THE STARS ... instead of going out themselves and be stars dancing! The houses keep getting built bigger and bigger around here and people keep filling them with everything to keep themselves in them. Home movie theatres , home gyms , computer centers , cybersex , video games .... so safe ... so insular .... why go out ( or so they think)

*****

All so very true. We're so convinced now that more money and more toys in our lives will bring us joy and happiness that we've lost the idea of simplicity and doing things for ourselves. I think that's why this website is an attraction for me...full of members who recognize the simple importance of music that moves the body and the soul.

[discokicks]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

Sorry to go on but I'm in rant mode but I feel strongly about things like this & I'll continue my lonely UK crusade to big-up 'disco' or 'thump thump thump' or whatever you want to call it. I know I'm not the only UK person here to feel this way.

Sorry to go a tad off-topic discokicks but I had to offload my angst!

No problem Sandy....I love the passion!

I like Quinny's thoughts...always will....but I thought that thump thump thump initially came from Europe! And so here's my opportunity to say THANK YOU EUROPE!!!