Once again, I am faced with guilt for not posting here more regularly and I do apologise for this. There are two main reasons, reason 1, often my girlfriend's computer is set up in the evenings to watch our Netflix shows and my computer is often packed away - what I am using now is the work surface she uses as well. But secondly, I have felt lost. Disassociated. Dry. And I didn't want to post any old nonsense just for the sake of content, I believe infrequent good quality is better than daily splurging for appearances sake. I want each of my blog posts to mean something, so that I can truly reflect on them in time and also provide you with something worthy of your time to read with an opinion, or discussion point.
I have lost the joy of music slightly, and this has been tarnished by some factors that I cannot control. The DJ world is competitive, granted, however I have always believed that hard work gains reward and to an extent, this is true. 'If you put the work in, fruits of your labour will be reaped', they tell me. But what if I told you, you could be rewarded with little or no fruit gathered at all? What if i told you, you could overtake those who spend day and night on the craft, with just a simple transaction? All the glory for a few pounds?
Let me put one simple factor that often dictates success in the DJ world; the more followers you have on social media, the further you will go.
RULE NUMBERO UNO.
I have experienced at first hand, a member of a DJ community I belong to, buying followers and 'listens' on uploaded mixes to propel themselves to higher standing. It feels like gravel being poured in your soul, and my moral compass is spinning like a cyclone thinking, 'how can this respected DJ in my social circle, be so disingenuous?'.
For those DJs who work hard at building a brand, an identity, a name for themselves, who pull allnighters doing livestreams and gigging all over the UK, barely sleeping, sacrificing social life and personal life to in the pursuit of recognition of their talent; this is a cigarette stubbed out on your heart.
Consequently, I have stopped associating with this DJ. I refuse to acknowledge the status and subsequent awards. My peers have also noticed the dubious rise in this DJs listening statistics. How can someone with just a few hundred followers, gain listening statistics over 22,000? It doesn't make sense, well it does.
Now I may come across bitter, I am not. People may say, 'you're envious', but I will add that if these achievements have been gained organically, I would be the first to congratulate. A few of my peers over the years have gained world class DJ status and I have nothing but pride for them. But this was before the days of social media (where followers and listeners can be bought with financial transaction), rather than actual human connection. And its cheating.
I have had the same conversation with another DJ recently who has also experienced the same, but higher up the triangle. They are a world class DJ who deserves the recognition, but was beaten by someone who bought followers.
There is no point playing the game where the tangents to success can be falsely manipulated. This was meant to be a world where we share and explore what we love, with peers, real people.
I needed to write this blog to get this feeling out of my soul. To get the frustration and anger, and to help me resist calling them a 'maggot', infesting the industry. And people will tell me the music industry is NOT fair but as a human, who genuinely cares about the craft of DJing and working hard to gain rank and respect amongst the community, if there are ones prepared to cheat their way to the top, then what is the point of the journey? Its every DJs dream to play at bigger clubs, to perform after earning your right to be on that bill.
I ever did give up, I have no idea what I am going to do with my life, as music has been at the heart of it for as long as I can remember. My earliest memory is dancing at Butlin's to Rick Astley's 'Never Going To Give You Up' - Link below if you don't know it.
I am disappointed in this DJ's action. And I will continue to be disappointed in anyone who 'fake it' to the top, because it will lose you friends and respect within the community, buying followers and listeners is as obvious as a nail in the eye. And quite frankly, if you do buy followers, you deserve a nail in the eye, because you're cheating SOMEONE ELSE out of a position they TRULY deserve and have worked hard to achieve.
I am sorry this blog is not more of a positive nature, not everything in this world has to be rose tinted and the sooner we stop showing our lives off as that, realism can take control. After all, heartbreaks hurt.
And I am heartbroken at the fracturing nature this 'business' which is meant to be a celebration and collection of talented minds, player, composers, singers, producers and DJs. The most bitter blow is that I have lost friendships to this 'business', and its a wretched feeling.
DISCLAIMER
A post like this can be met with backlash, its potentially harmful to reputation to serve up genuine heartfelt feelings and reaction which goes against the grain of 'everything is wonderful', because clearly it isn't. To have that position on life is mere delirium. And I am sorry if people haven't liked what I have posted, but I am just one man, insignificant in the world, these views are mine and my alone, I am not forcing them on anyone; just putting them on display so that they no longer fester in my soul.
(inside voice)
Hey... And how about just doing it for me? Forget the competition? And just do it because it makes you feel good?
I just don't think it does right now. I need to heal.
Thankyou x