Like 2 decades ago I was so naive, believing house tracks are completely self-made. But it was all sampled. Tracks like "Music Sounds Better With You", "The Weekend", "Lola's Theme" and many more. Sampling was not new to me, but somehow I believed sampling was a hiphop thing only. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Lots of sampling, probably even more than hiphop. Also with Akai MPCs doing lots of the sampling, and the sequencing too. So many of those filter disco house tracks used extensive sampling.
Ah...and you think you're not anymore? Those were the days I thought I left my naive years behind. On the other hand, being not naive is like not believing in a possible better world. Which probably is kinda depressive....
I was naive as a teenager believing in the DJ hype when I used to go clubbing. A lot of DJs would throw one hand up in the air, and turn a knob with the other hand to communicate to the crowd that they were the ones responsible for the sound, but in fact -- they weren't affecting the music at all it was already part of the track. I used to believe a lot of big name djs were responsible for the music they were releasing, when in reality they had hired ghost producers to write their music. Some would give the ghost writer credit on the vinyl record, while others did not. And not to be a complete dick to the DJ, it worked the other way around as well. Up and coming record labels that wanted exposure, would add a popular DJ as a "producer" who knew nothing about producing to their record label, with the sole intention of having that DJ play favorites, playing mostly records from the label he was signed to.
DJs aren't musicians! Their job is to boost drink sales. A club only makes money in two ways: Entrance fees and Drinks
blanket statements like this are absurd. I know plenty of djs who are musicians. You are referring to basic vegas type club dj's, but there exists a wide range of djs. Liam Howlett is still alive. Keith Flint is the one who died, but Liam Howlett is the one responsible for the sampling. Last edited by a moderator: Dec 8, 2025 at 1:31 PM
All good, except Liam is alive and kicking, living happily with his family in Hampstead (London), says Wikipedia. I froze for a second there thinking "nooo, Liam, too?? When!?" Prodigy are actually making some new stuff, according to Wikipedia. Last edited by a moderator: Dec 8, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Conversely, the guys we used to get to see on any given night were Derrick Carter, Mark Grant, Jeff Mills, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Mike Dearborn, Paul Johnson, DJ Sneak, Gene Farris, Cajmere aka Green Velvet sometimes with Dajae, Mark Farina, Miles Maeda, Juan Atkins, Derrick May. So I guess it sucks you think that of what real djs actually can do. Now you go watch jukeboxes.
That wasn't a sweeping statement; it referred to @Fluxxx's post about clubs. First, I'm accused again of making a sweeping statement, and then you call my statement absurd. I'm actually tired of having labels simply slapped on people here. Of course, I'm not living under a rock and I know that there are many DJs who make music themselves, even have some understanding of psychology. They observe the crowd and play the right records—nowadays CDs and MP3s—to create a great atmosphere where everyone is happy and dancing. As a young man, I went to a lot of discos and clubs; back then, you could even request songs that would then be played.
The most naive belief (conscious or not) that commit people who deal with music and art in general is: "Talent is enough to make it" How many of us have left (and underestimated) contacts, hard work, being in the right place in the right moment and mainly LUCK out of this statement? Last edited: Dec 8, 2025 at 10:46 AM
If you have talent and nurture that talent early on, then study hard, work hard, know the right people, and your music is released at the right time, then you will be successful. The Beatles back then also had a lot of talent, but their advisor said they needed different hairstyles and suits to become successful, and that's exactly what happened. They became mainstream, selling out concerts, appearing in films and on television! The Beatles wouldn't be successful today because the demand for beat music is no longer there.
I'm too old to watch anyone mate, jukebox or not lol Actually thats not true, there are guys my age in their 40s that still party. Last edited: Dec 8, 2025 at 11:37 AM
As someone in their mid 40’s, I still don’t get (celebrity / high paid / high profile) modern DJs as ”artists” who people actually listen to and go see. Especially the fake performance on stage. They’re all so meme-worthy. You know, the one key Guetta synth and the SNL ”bass drop” skit. Now, an actual old school DJ - who curates a seamless set of existing records (not his own) - is another thing, and it is definitely a skill. And also, some producers are also very good DJs, and vice versa, like Kaytranada for example. Or Questlove or DJ Jazzy Jeff from the non-house world. And of course The Chemical Brothers etc. What’s the best house music sample? Chic and ”Soup For One” a.ka Modjo and ”Lady”.
Can confirm that. The hangovers are terrible though Were terrible, I mean. Now at my age playing dominoes and having a coffee with a dash of brandy is the new party Last edited: Dec 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Nah definitely not too old. The main good clubs here in Berlin have lot of older crowd 30-40s, I never feel too old when I go out (also I'm in my forties). Of course there are younger people too but it can be quite mixed. Granted don't go often out anymore but when I do I go the xtra mile (if you know what I mean lol).
I don't know what "clubs" you are referring to but allow me to explain a few things. I've previously mentioned my experience in this area so there should be no need to repeat myself in that regard. Club "nights" are put on by promoters - using almost exactly the same formula as the live circuit. You hire the venue, the staff, the security, the décor, the PA company, the lighting company and are responsible for paying the artists. The entrance fees belong to the promoter, not the club. The wet sales are additional profit for the venue but as all expenses have already been covered by hire fees they should not be dependant on them. Sometimes, collabs may be done with the club but invariably most club nights are independent entitities that can put their events on in whatever venue they choose to. In the Psytrance world, virtually every DJ is a producer/musician, the exceptions tend to be long established DJs or newcomers that play at small parties. You're certainly not seeing any of those guys playing at the big parties. Go look at the lineup of any major party/festival and show me a DJ that isn't playing their own self-produced music - you won't find any. Techno is similar, all the headline artists play their own music. Techno being a style that lends itself well to DJ acrobatics, there are some non-producers out there that have established themselves on their DJing technique, a skill that at top level is akin to playing an instrument, not something to be derided. There is also in techno, a large contingent that play live, with actual devices, even to the extent of improvising whole sets; Colin Benders being a good example. Is Colin Benders a musician or not? Go ask his former colleagues in The Kyteman Orchestra. DJs are an integral part of the fabric of music and deserve more respect than they are given by some musicians. Even the ones that operate playlists at radio stations or cue the same old predictable shite in local bars and wedding functions are still a component in bringing music to people and in my opinion, bringing music to people, in any form, is a positive thing. There's no such thing as being too old to party in the techno and psytrance scene; if your legs still work then your good for it. I was out partying two weeks ago and I'm 57... I didn't die, which I always see as a bonus these days. Last edited: Dec 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Hey @Haze, I always appreciate your professional experience and posts. But that doesn't change the fact that clubs make their money from entrance fees and drinks. On Lanzarote or Mallorca, the DJ flies in, his fee is $5,000. The drinks and entrance fee are priced accordingly. You can rent or buy everything; the band Roadtrip for your birthday party costs €2,690. DJ Rose will come for €7,945. How much does Tomorrowland pay its DJs? DJs can earn more than $100,000 per night at some Tomorrow festivals, but that's not always the case. Smaller artists earn between $50,000 and $70,000 after their performances at Tomorrowland. We have a mobile sound system mounted on a van. The two young people drive to the coast, right by the water, and play music all evening and into the night. The electricity comes from a diesel-powered generator. Admission is free; they cover the diesel costs through drink sales. There's a lot of dancing on the sand or grass!
