Can I make a request? Yes, but please think responsibly

Requesting songs from a DJ seems like a pretty simple concept.  When you go out you want to hear songs that you like.  Duh!  Here's the way we see if from the DJing perspective:

As a DJ we receive three types of requests,

The song we’re obviously going to play:  If you are in a predominately mainstream nightlife establishment and request a song that is on more than one of the current mainstream radio stations (iPower, Q94, Hot 100.9, or The Beat) it’s highly insulting to the DJ. Do you think that we aren’t in tune with what songs are current and popular? (Sadly enough, there are some working DJs who aren’t, but that is beside the point) On the flipside, if you’re at a party where the format is a little more underground, don’t ask for the current scenester anthem (*YBC & D-Cup: We No Speak Americano*). Trust the DJ and his ability to appease the crowd that’s in front of him/her.  If they haven’t played a record that you think is perfectly suited for this crowd, there’s probably a good reason for it like he’s building up to it. I don’t play records twice so when I play it, I need to make it count.

The song that we’re never going to play:  Please think responsibly when you request a song.  If you walk into a club, bar, wherever, try to gauge what kinds of music the DJ is playing.  The DJ is there because the owner is comfortable with his judgment in selecting songs. If the DJ is playing a eclectic mix of mainstream/familiar records, don’t go ask him to play the Dub Mix of Bonkers by AVH or that 14-minute-long live version of your favorite Disco Biscuits record. Adversely if you’re at a party like Brain Drain or RVAlution, don’t ask for Justin Bieber (Although asking for Justin Bieber anywhere is just WRONG). Also, if at an underground party the DJ plays a remix of a mainstream song, don’t a) get mad that he didn’t play the original b) think that it’s an open invitation to request more mainstream.  He probably played it to pacify the people like you who, for some reason, ended up at a party where they don’t really belong.

The song that peaks our interest: 1 time out of 1000 there will be someone who comes up and asks for a song that is perfect for the mix; a song that evokes good feelings for us as DJs; a song that is, as my friend Tony T would say, in the pocket. There is a lot of music out there for DJs to keep up with and sometimes tracks will just slip our minds.  Usually situations like this don’t’ happen while we DJ, they happen outside of work. Case and point, when I was talking to an employee at Baja after we closed one night, we got on the topic of music we grew up on and that formed the basis for our musical taste. Limp Bizkit’s ‘N 2 Gether Now’ came up and I had a “holy shit I loved that effing record” moment.

So to sum things up, the next time you walk into an establishment that has a DJ, take a good look around and listen to at least 5 songs. Then try to think about what song would fit perfectly and be generally accepted by everyone there.  Also try to do your research before you go out. Find the places and DJs who play music you like so you don’t have to worry about leaving the dance floor to request a song.

If you can request a song that blows my mind, shots are on me! I'm at Baja on Wednesdays and Big Daddy's on Saturday. Also you can catch me at New York Deli on Sept. 3rd, The Grand Opening of Fishbowl Sept. 10, and on the Big Green Bus for  The RVA Bar Crawl Sept 11th from 1-4.