Big Shot State of DJ Culture 2012 Survey: 90 DJs Speak Out

61. Morgan Page

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture is where it should be — embraced by a large audience and recognized, not relegated to radio graveyard shifts and grimy backrooms (which are cool, too). The social media tools finally created the momentum and thrust the genre into the forefront where it should have been 10 years ago.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

I think it’s time for the whole glowsticks and personal light show thing to end. It’s time for something more original and cool to emerge. Don’t give outsiders a chance to generalize a scene based on items associated with drug use. I’d rather see something like T-shirts that react to the music — or any way to make things more interactive.

How are we going to make the scene better?

I’m not really sure if there’s a dire need to improve anything other than underage drug use — which can be reduced by better security, age limits and event planning. I do think that the U.S. needs to step up the production and get better sound systems in the clubs, so we are on par with European venues.

62. Neighbour

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Amazing cross-pollination going on across all genres, re-purification occurring as a result of this. [I’m] loving it all, picking the best of new trends and combining them, then enjoying nights of pure old school goodness which are popping up as a reaction to all this. [Right now it’s the] best of both worlds.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Old schoolers getting their panties in a knot and being bitter cause they’re not handed everything on a silver platter anymore.

How are we going to make the scene better?

It’s already better, just choose to look outside your comfort zone and accept new ideas. It allows you to enjoy what’s fresh and doesn’t destroy what’s come before it. You got room for both, don’tcha?

63. Maayan Nidam

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Mainstream and underground are holding hands but probably not for long. Soon, as more and more DJs go toward the commercially acceptable areas, other artists will do their own thing and a new underground will grow, bringing us back to the lines of “us and them.”

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Being a DJ. There’s nothing more than annoying to see how many people are trying to fill up a DJ’s shoes without any experience, a message or a record collection.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Go to a club and expect to be surprised.

64. Mason

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

In western Europe we notice that after 20 years of house music the crowd is less attracted to big name DJs as they used to… there are big names every week everywhere, and weird theme parties or other sorts of entertainment like live shows take the benefit of this as they still pull big crowds. However in the US it seems to be the other way around and EDM is getting bigger by the day — hence all DJs moving there!

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Nowadays everyone can buy every release everywhere around the world. The downside is a lot of DJs sound the same as it’s harder to stand out. In the past every territory had their own distributors who had a selection of releases to offer, which led to US DJs sounding different than European DJs, etc. — which was a fresh thing.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We can only encourage everyone to try and be original and not trying to sound like someone else. We are always blown away by DJs that play stuff that’s exclusive and unfindable. Make your own weird edits, try different technical setups, play live shows and, above all, follow your own path and don’t pay too much attention what’s trendy or hot at the minute.

65. Mendo

Where do you see DJ culture right now? 

In Eastern Europe.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend? 

Each trend has its audience! What could become disturbing is that people stop dancing and having fun?

How are we going to make the scene better? 

Just by not being all about commercial music, rather than mixing the music style the Electric Zoo Festival has done so well.

66. Minikin

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It’s pretty cool that over the past ten years DJ culture has become an integral part of pop culture. I think that partying will stay in style for quite a while. Its format will change though with DJs and the show itself coming into the spotlight. Basically physical carriers are doomed. Even though a year ago I played records, I’m not sorry that digital won. The digital era provides us with tons of benefits beginning with a possibility to play the hottest tracks and remix them right in the middle of a set, and erasing the problem of needle jumping, etc.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

I’m worried that people became indifferent to anything, including music. Music fans are hard to find these days, or at least people who have an idea of what they are listening to. Young people remember by heart a million of clothing brands, but don’t always understand what’s in their playlist. The bottom line is no matter how popular dubstep has become now, most of its fans don’t even know who Benga or Skream are!

How are we going to make the scene better?

It’s hard to overcome the longstanding propaganda of such lifestyle. For me it’s another push for working hard to keep the audience interested.

67. Mumbai Science

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It’s exciting times for electronic music. It’s getting more popular than ever, especially in the USA. Dance music gets so much attention right now. All of this gets amplified by the rise of social media. For example, a lot of big events are popping up and getting huge in the US. Whenever something like that takes place in the US, all of Europe knows about it as well through Facebook and Twitter.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Clubs in Europe suffer a lot. They can’t compete with the big festivals anymore and a lot of the action is happening in the USA right now. A lot of cool spots are closing down because they can’t book bigger acts anymore. Some DJs have gotten so popular that they have become too big and too expensive to be booked in clubs. Also, people save their money up for bigger events. It’s sad to see a lot of cool clubs struggle to get by in a time where dance music is more popular than ever.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Maybe it will fix itself somehow. Whenever something gets popular, there always grows a new underground scene… and the underground always starts in the clubs. I also heard stories that some big DJs give up a huge portion of their normal fee to be able to play in smaller venues again. Somehow they will survive, I’m sure.

68. Nic Fanciulli

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I think DJ culture is always expanding and changing and it’s really interesting to see. House music as a concept is constantly changing and different generations have different views on what constitutes the genre.

DJ culture is certainly more mainstream and well known than when I started playing over 10 years ago; electronic music has such a large audience these days. The pace of the scene is also a lot quicker, as a DJ you find yourself playing completely stylistically different than you would have done say 5-10 years ago. This is because the audience has changed — some DJ shows are so big now that there isn’t as much time to build a set as it has to be big records.

I think the way DJ culture has expanded into the mainstream reflects really positively on everyone involved in electronic music. It filters through from the mainstream to the underground and, in the end, everyone feels the benefits of having a larger audience to play your music to.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

I don’t really think there are any disturbing trends. Everyone has their own opinion of what is good and what they like and music is evolving every day. The more music evolves the more interesting it becomes. It’s great when you see really different artists collaborating as it creates something new and unique — this, for me, is really exciting — to be able to push boundaries is great and if it connects, even better!

How are we going to make the scene better?

I don’t think there’s anything to fix — it is what it is. Music itself and the music industry constantly evolves and this has always been the case, and I think it’s important to evolve with it.

69. Nutritious

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

We’re in the middle of a renaissance. There are amazing things happening within all creative cultures the world over, with frequent overlapping and collaborating across cultures. Innovative DJs are doing more than pushing fresh tunes these days, they’re becoming part of the entire fabric, if not designing it.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Reckless consumption. We’re neglecting the future. Living for the moment and being in the present are all good, but there’s a planet at stake here and other people’s livelihoods. A prime example is consumers stealing MP3s and almost entirely eroding the economy of music for future artists.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We have to think big. DJs are leading and influencing lots of people, and yes, the name of the game is to party and have a kick-ass time, but we should also aspire to raise the collective level of awareness and help society achieve higher states of consciousness. People are supreme beings with so much intelligence. We can fuck off on the weekend but let’s also use our power to promote peace and respect for other people and the earth; make the entire world a better place to live.”

70. Phace & Misanthrop

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

“Controllerism” is definitely defining a new culture at the moment, digital devices connected to MIDI controllers of any kind give a new creative playground to perform your music in new and interesting directions. Especially combining synced visuals with audio gives your audience a perfect possibility to experience an integrated concept of an artist.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The trend of trying to keep things as they were in the past; endless repetition of what have been around for years…. We believe an evolution of things usually is never something disturbing.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Change and move on!

71. Photek

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It seems like it’s more about marketing and promotion than it used to be. It also looks like there’s been a switch from creativity and credibility — to glorified mobile disc jockeys playing Top 40 hits. The most interesting part is that due to technology, the art has moved from turntable skills to more selection and sequencing a set.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Stage diving [Laughs].

How are we going to make the scene better?

Judo floor mats and chiropractors.

72. Punches

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture is in a very interesting place right now. There does not seem to be one genre that is dominating the scene right now, so everything is on the table in a very post modern way, which is really exciting. It is giving people a lot of freedom to create tracks that might feel that they could not make before or play a set that would have been off the table in years past. It’s a bit of a crap shoot, but that’s what makes it fun.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The most disturbing trend is the loss of the middle class DJ night. Right now people are picking two types of nights to go out to: giant blowouts (i.e. Swedish House Mafia at Madison Garden) or underground parties (i.e. local DJs at dive bars or literal house parties, hello suburbs!). Only a few years ago there were a lot of DJ nights supporting the middle-weights of the DJ world with ticket prices between $15 – $25 (we miss you Studio B!), but these nights are few and far between. This is tough since it takes time to make the jump from the basement to the big stage.

How are we going to make the scene better?

It’s going to come down to if people start getting money back in their pockets and want to take a chance on a smaller night with great DJs and a medium ticket price. I think you see this happening with Soul Clap selling out the Music Hall of Williamsburg, but again, these nights are not the norm.

73. RalfStar

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I see the DJ culture getting way more recognition than it did as little as a year ago. DJs like David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Rusko, etc. are creating an invisible bridge between modern pop music and EDM that’s grabbing the attention of many that weren’t always interested in this sort of sound. Before I would never hear the local radios play anything close to EDM, now I’m hearing everything from dubstep to progressive house.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

This idea that we need to be negative toward this EDM movement we are seeing to seem like true dance music fans. It’s really such a shame that most of our scene is very much against our music being introduced to the world in a large scale. Every time I see a DJ collab with an artist of a different genre, there is an army of angry hipsters that constantly bash the idea of mainstream artists taking part in any EDM track. Even artists like Skrillex or David Guetta are “too mainstream” to be listened to by this group. It is as if they want to keep their music to themselves and don’t want it to progress at all. The minute someone discovers this great music that’s not them they categorize it as “trash” when in reality its the same as before.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We won’t be fixing it. Time will. Once the scene has progressed and hit its prime, the “hipsters” will dwindle and electronic music will finally have the attention and respect it deserves.

74. Reid Speed

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It’s a very exciting time for DJ culture in the U.S. — dance music has finally broken through to the mainstream in many ways. This, and the ease of acquiring and mastering the new technology, has allowed exponential amounts of new artists to come up and start earning a living off their art faster than ever before. It’s also exponentially increased the amount of people “doing it for the wrong reasons” and bad music, which are both unavoidable with so much growth.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The fact that the DJ is now expected to be a rock star and expected to put on a hype stage show whether or not he or she is actually even DJing, and the fact that the crowd could often care less if the DJ is or is not technically doing anything at all besides jumping around.

How are we going to make the scene better?

By supporting true talent and allowing real artists to rise to the top, and by not allowing purchased social media hype to control the public perception about what’s good!

75. Slakah the Beatchild

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

As with every other facet of the music scene, it’s morphing. With technology (especially digital) constantly changing the possibilities are endless. It’s a great time to get innovative and expand the experience.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The fact that the new crate is a hard drive of thousands of MP3s. This affects the quality of music that’s being exposed to the crowds. When the DJ had to carefully select a limited amount of vinyl to bring to a gig, he or she made for certain that it was the absolute illest selections. That heart and brain work is no longer there in my opinion.

How are we going to make the scene better?

I think that DJs should never forget that they have so much influence. I feel it’s important they take charge and be leaders in introducing quality new music and not just play what labels want to hear, or what they think the crowd wants to hear.

76. Showtek

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

The way we see it, these days it’s more a pop star/rock star thing. For example, at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, there where a lot of celebrities walking around ’cause EDM is the hottest thing on the moment and it will be for the next generation probably. Is there any DJ that uses the word DJ in front of his name: Tiësto/Afrojack/David Guetta/Showtek? [laughs] Not anymore. It’s all about being a star instead of being the DJ only, but in the other way, you still gotta mix those records on stage.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Genres! We hate people who categorize shit. People sometimes have too much of an expectation of what you should do and if you don’t do what you used to do or normally do they don’t sometimes understand. The fact that we are artists means that we are sometimes also very experimental, like a painter. You don’t want to paint the same shit your whole life, you get inspired by other things in life and we translate that back in our music. The good thing is that there are enough people who are not narrow minded. So f*ck genres and let’s go crazy!

How are we going to make the scene better?

One track at a time! In fact, we have a very cool release coming up, it’s a collaboration between Tiësto & Showtek called “Hell Yeah!” It will be released for summer and it’s gonna be a festival smasher. This is not the only collaboration we are doing, lot’s more to come. We want to show the world what we are capable of so we are doing some very interesting thing totally outside the box! So that will make the world better!

77. Soul Clap

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture is bigger than ever and has finally taken over in the U.S. Unfortunately it’s a super rock star mentality and much of the art of DJing has been lost. The biggest DJs these days don’t even mix, they just have a premixed track that cues their light show. The important thing is that we keep getting the message out that DJing is an art form with 40+ years of history to learn about and tons of important skills to master.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

While digital DJing is a powerful tool that we’ve embraced at times, it also makes DJs lazy. Jocks don’t spend time in the record store or even online digging for music anymore they just get promos or the top 100 Beatport chart. Kids just getting into DJing feel entitled to just download whatever they want for free and don’t need to learn how to mix or the importance of finding a diverse range of unique music. The outcome is that almost everyone sounds the same and opening DJs don’t know how to keep it deep and build an atmosphere.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We need to encourage established DJs and kids just getting into the game to buy vinyl again! This gives everyone a more unique sound and gives back to the industry that we love.

78. Stacey Pullen

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Everybody wants to be a DJ now and it’s a shame because I’ve put in my heart and soul in DJing and now anyone can buy a DJ-in-a-box starter kits. Technology has helped us but it has also been our enemy because it has taken the soul away from us who do it for the love of music.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Any gimmick is the most disturbing trend, like Steve Aoki throwing cake at his audience when he is supposedly DJing. WTF is that? How can you do that to anyone for that matter but especially to your fans?

How are we going to make the scene better?

There is no fixing it, we will just have to wait and see if the beast self destruct.

79. Technasia

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

Form takes over content. It’s very confusing at the moment, with lots of commercial DJs pretending to be the underground hype shit while still playing their cheese crap, and countless of other underground DJs swapping music style as often as they change underwear, by fear to lose their precious bookings when that particular hype genre is over. The general public is very confused as for what belongs to what today in our industry. Add the fact that focus is primarily on what artists look like and how they are marketed, and we get that current general state where music production becomes a completely secondary factor to the popularity of an artist.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

DJs actually don’t know how to DJ anymore. It’s just press and play, leaving the rest to the computer automated tasks. It makes the experience with most of the actual DJs feel very insipid, tasteless, and with no character at all. They all sound the same! Just guys with nice hair cuts and tattoos playing the same track for 10 minutes and feeling over satisfied about it. would you like a rock band that has all their guitar solos made by a computer? Super lame.

How are we going to make the scene better?

With the industry being so full of DJ posers, cake thrower clowns and money sharks, I simply don’t see how it can get better at this point.

80. Tim Healey

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It will never disappear, as there is a need to have someone select the music for nightclub and festival dance floors across the globe, but it is becoming increasingly polarized. I get approached by several agents, and many more artists, a week requesting I take on their acts onto my roster, I have to turn them all down.

Selling artists into venues is becoming harder, as there are more DJs than ever before. Filling nightclubs around the world is becoming increasingly difficult. International flights, hotels and fees often prohibit promoters from booking artists, and yet, the big names sell for multiple-annual salaries per appearance. One has to question the value of a “mid-range” artist when a good promoter could probably fill the club using a local DJ, let alone the DJs that sell for huge fees.

There will always be hype around the new, but the big change since the ’90s is that the hype needs to be backed up by Facebook likes, YouTube views, Google Analytics and proven music sales. With Facebook likes available on eBay for £5 for thousand, one has to wonder how long this will last. Also the links between Facebook likes and YouTube views and club attendance can be spurious and often fall short of expectations. Your Facebook digital fanbase may be based in Mexico, which is no comfort for a promoter in Osaka, Japan.

DJs need to be producers — they didn’t in the ’90s. I remember being told by a very famous DJ in 1999, that “producers would never make good DJs” (!), but now, thanks to cheap technology and software like Garage Band and its equivalent, everyone is a producer, which has in turn cheapened the term. And the kids make the music in their bedroom on PCs with no outboard or studio attached. Kind of genius, kind of sad in equal amounts.

What amazes me is that names from the ’90s still get sold into festivals. In the last year I have played on lineups with some of these dinosaurs; they haven’t released a record since 1997, they haven’t evolved their music style and they appear to ignore current trends in sound: the crowds and promoters and event crew are invariably disappointed, but these artists still cost mega bucks. Why?

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

At the forefront of what is rotting DJ culture has to be manufactured DJs fronting a business plan and worse: those that have turned DJ culture into a spinal tap like farce. No names mentioned but check this.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Great talent producing great music playing great sets. Simple. No filler, all killer. Move over the old school and let the new kids in.

81. Tommie Sunshine

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

The music has elevated at the cost of the culture being left behind. This happens in all music scenes. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some people doing it right, sticking to MDMA and avoiding the darker drugs but most of the core that EDM was born out of has vanished. This is necessary for it to go mainstream. Name one movement that gathered a mass audience without being severely watered down. Despite all that I believe it necessary for people to experience dance mMusic in any way shape or form so if this is where it is now, so be it. It will always remain what it was to the people who were into it before the big boom.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Total lack of honesty and transparency. There are so many lies being told and half truth pictures being painted by the biggest artists in this movement. The best part is that it will all come back to those people; karma’s a bitch. All the charity tours and YouTube tutorials do not erase the shady backroom lies and calculated manipulation of a fan base through a thin veil of “art.”

How are we going to make the scene better?

The truth. No more ghost producing, no more pre-recorded sets. Instead, how about millionaire promoters donating money to good causes like further MDMA research to dispel all medical lies about what it does to kids’ brains and proper charity events that focus on the cause, not the megalomania of the artists involved. I hope to see a return to form where the kids who seek out this music want a lot more than paying hundreds of dollars to hear the same ten guys play each others records like a musical circle jerk. It is all in the hands of the kids. Promoters follow them, not the other way around.

82. Treasure Fingers

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It’s at its highest peak in popularity that I’ve ever seen it. There’s plenty of good and bad that comes with that. You have a lot of outsiders who want to get into it solely for the money aspect, but at the same time the people who are in it for the right reasons and have been doing it for years, can actually make good money with it now.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

A majority of the crowd generally doesn’t really care if the DJ is actually mixing, or performing live, or doing anything that involves any technical skill, as long as there’s music playing then the crowd seems happy and into it.

How are we going to make the scene better?

It comes down to people just learning more about the culture and music and educating themselves or being educated by other artists, labels, producers, etc. This culture is so new to most people in America that I believe most club and festival goers don’t even know what goes into a DJ set or a live electronic performance, maybe they are content with dancing to a pre-made set but I’d like to think they expect something more out of DJs.

83. Trus’ Me

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

The joke these days is “does anybody not know a DJ?” Kids from the age 6-7 can now select tracks from iTunes and throw them into an iPhone App and, hey, presto I’m a DJ. With this immensely clever technology at everyone’s disposal it was only a matter of time for the DJ culture to become saturated. DJ culture is now for the masses and with this, it morphs to become what we know as pop.

This for me is where we are at right now — an audience will always prefer accessible, pop music and now we have pop house with its grand master David Guetta. Back in the day one would have to invest in vinyl and build a reputation and a following with the audience through skill and expertise. The sorry state today is that if you are part of a hip collective or social group you quickly make a name as a DJ. I’ve been doing this for 10 years, and even if I stayed with this for another 20 years I may not be paid £250k for a 30-minute set like Kate Moss, a DJ/model who has played twice so far. We now have groups and solo DJs using the word “underground” in their label, music or even DJ name to try and make a statement and also separate themselves from the common DJ. If you have to use underground in your name are you really that underground?

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

K (ketamine) house, social cliques and elitist groups taking over the scene. How can you dance and socialize on these downer drugs? We all know drugs are the backbone to most movements in the dance scene but the scene today is all about being hip and hyped up without music being the focus.

I was once playing at a famous hotel cum club in Brooklyn where the owners kept pushing my records down to -6 demanding I play slow. I mean it was almost a foot tap every two seconds ha how can you dance to that? I wanna shake my ass and move to the beat, is that not what house music is? I’m tired of playing to people sitting on a floor and monging out in the DJ booth. They are obviously not here for the music. Cant they go do that in a house? I came here to make you dance! Rant over!

How are we going to make the scene better?

The scene is fragmented and this for me is a good thing – real music will always come through and last the test of time. Time is a healer and trends will pass. When all the ‘K’ dust has settled, the die-hards who are here today will be dancing and wanting more. I always enjoy the last 30 minutes of a set as you see the zombies leave and the dancers stride to the front — never fails to bring a smile to the face each time. So for now, nothing needs to be done except to wait it out till the masses move on to the next trend. Till then, I will continue doing what I love most, making music that moves my booty.

84. Urban Knights

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture over the last decade has been revolutionized by technology, it’s completely altered the industry and how it operates. It’s now, more then ever, never been easier to involve yourself in the DJ world. From accessing music to even having programs that beat sync for you, you don’t even have to learn to mix anymore if you don’t want to!! Anyone can become a DJ in today’s world.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

It’s just interesting how the DJ world has shifted. I think due to the fact that now everything is accessible to everyone, anyone can become a DJ, all music is available to download for anyone We’ve seen this move away from record shops and white label culture which used to dictate who had access to the biggest tunes and who had the edge in the scene. It’s not a bad thing; times change, and today we’re presented with a world where everything leans toward the DJ being, the producer. These days production is your edge, and the part that separates you from everyone else who has access to CDJs and a crossfader.

Sometimes though I feel that this has moved us away from actual DJ skill, the ability to mix well, double drop, scratch, the ability to take you on a progression through sets, and has been met where artists are required to just turn up and press play, like human props. Sometimes it’s nice to see people actually doing some live performance.

How are we going to make the scene better?

I think by taking an approach where you’re there to entertain your audience, rather then just pressing play and holding your hands in the air till the next track kicks in.

85. Wally Callerio

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I see the mainstream being overrun by vanity and fake DJs [with] big business developed artists. Just like they ruined mainstream music, they will ruin dance music. But the underground sound will win in the end [because] what really made this music is that it was not mainstream. This simple point made is more personal to the listener/dancer. It was something the listener/dancer would seek out. It was not shoveled to them. When a sound is pushed into the mainstream it loses its strengths and weakens, it loses the target audience’s interest which in turn gets pushed out by the next trend. In the end, when EDM gets pushed out of the mainstream the underground will be waiting patiently for them. It will be doing what it has always done and always will, creating good music by people that truly love what they do while not caring who they are.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The fact that Live Nation and Clear Channel are buying up everything EDM for ridiculous amounts of money. This scares the shit out of me. These companies will sanitize creativity and decided what happens for EDM instead of letting it naturally evolve from within like it always has. Organic growth and creativity is being fertilized by this corporate filtering system. People need to stop going to these massive events for $500 dollars and support 25 smaller events for the same amount of money. People need to stop being lazy and search for their own music again don’t wait for the corporate masters to shovel it into your throats like a McDonald’s cheeseburger cause in the end they will both make the system sick .

How are we going to make the scene better?

I think there needs to be a union created of EDM artists that have put their time in from multiple genres, that have the EDM best intentions at hand. I think there needs to be a DJs union as well to set rules for the promoters and clubs that works off a ladder system so new DJ don’t just jump into headlining spots… that promoters book people that have been vetted… that clubs pay per play to the producers of songs that are entertaining their customers with just as the radio has to. With some set fees for DJs depending on time put in and accomplishments. There has to be a way for DJs to survive at all three levels — beginning, middle and end just like any job. If you don’t give the DJ/producers a chance to grow, learn and achieve, then the only thing left are cookie cutter DJ/producers that these big corporations create.

86. William Breakspear

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

DJ culture is in a cool place right now. There seems to be a big influx in club nights and everyone has a radio show making all styles of electronic music more accessible. Bass music culture has really opened up the opportunity for DJs to play more than one genre and mix up their styles, which I feel is really healthy and positive!

What is the most disturbing trend?

The lack of dynamic performance coming from lots of laptop DJs.

How are we going to make the scene better?

The current trend in DVS systems, and more and more advanced controllers mean DJs can reclaim the performance element associated with vinyl performances. With new, more intuitive and programmable controllers coming out all the time, DJs really have a chance to make their stamp on their performance style. This trend has got to continue!

87. Xenia Beliayeva

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It changed a lot and rapidly within the last eight years…since 2004 it went new ways. DJ culture right now is easy to access. Many people from 17-25 trying to be a DJ for a while and no specific reason, just to see what happens. That‘s fine with me and there is nothing negative about it. It’s just logical and that’s what the time and technology has brought us. I had to save about €2500 when I was a teenager for turntables, speakers, amplifier, headphones and records before I could record my first tape. I had to decide if I wanted to invest my money in a driver’s license or change my old turntable from the flea market for a second MK1210. Today you pay €99 to Native and then you can start. No hurdles in the way, everybody has the same chance.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

The most disturbing trend is the amount of weird thinking people. They been always there, but now they are visible and I can’t hide! Sometimes I just put my hands over my eyes when I log into Facebook in the morning.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Who said the scene is bad? It‘s always up to the viewing if something is bad or not. DJs who have a stable amount of gigs every month don‘t say the scene is bad; it‘s quite the contrary. They write every weekend on Twitter and Facebook how much fun it was. DJs who have been successful and aren‘t requested that much anymore use to niggle around and blame…. Looking at it musicality the scene has been restructuring itself every decade. People in the ‘80s missed the spirit of the ‘70s, people in the ‘90s missed the spirit of the ‘80s and so on…I don‘t like to look back! If you want to make something better, you need to find out what’s wrong or what you‘re missing.

88. Yogi & Husky

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

It’s an ever changing thing, some for the good and some for the bad. We are excited for our future as we are constantly finding new ways to perform/produce and there are always loads of new artists inspiring us to improve on what we do, so it’s a very interesting time. Sadly, we feel the art form of DJing is slowly being phased out by a generation of “button pressers” though. We are not opposed to technology in any way shape or form; in fact, we actually use Traktor and various controllers when we perform live. However, we just feel that there are too many options for the younger generation to skip over some of the skills that really make a good DJ great. Reading a crowd, learning to layer multiple tracks and mixing various styles are things that we love to see in a DJ, and this seems to be overtaken by DJs just playing “safe records” to appeal to the masses and relying on their technology to mix their music in time.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

Less is the DJ being booked on skill and more on their perceived reputation and social media/marketing representation. We see way too many great artists being overlooked and forgotten due to some new artist who has a track in the Beatport Top 10 and 300,000 followers on SoundCloud. This doesn’t always equal a great performance. Don’t get us wrong, we are very excited by the rising of fresh talent and new faces to the scene, as this only enhances the music’s reach and adds more flavor to it. We would just like to see more bookings for people that are less known commercially.

How are we going to make the scene better?

We think music is a personal journey. People really need to just listen and appreciate with an open mind. Of course some people just wont like what others do, but just be open to exploring new sounds and enjoying a performer for what is essentially their art form. We love discovering new sounds and new artists, it may not be something we play or produce ourselves, but we always love to experience something different. So get out there, go to shows, buy some music and open your minds.

89. Zombie Disco Squad

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I think it’s very healthy and vibrant. Loads of new scenes and electronic music has finally hit the American mainstream which will hopefully mean more kids will be lead to the underground stuff too.

In your opinion, what is the most disturbing trend?

DJ X Factor.

How are we going to fix it?

Kill Simon Cowell.

90. Z-Trip

Where do you see DJ culture right now?

I see it finally being recognized by the masses. Not that we ever needed it per se; we’ve always kind of done our own thing and the right people knew what was up. It’s just finally caught up with everyone else. I’m curious to see where it goes now though. I’m hoping the actual art doesn’t get lost in it all. Some DJs “play music” live, others DJ’ “play with music.” Big difference to me. As more people get on board, I’m hoping they’re able to notice the difference and see the artistry when it’s being done. I’m also hoping new DJs learn that art before they learn how to market themselves. We don’t need more DJs, we need more great DJs.

What is the most disturbing trend?

Laziness. With some, the actual DJ work is slowly being replaced by the comfort of technology and the smokescreen of a big production. I see fewer people playing or mixing live. Most play it safe and let technology do the heavy lifting/mixing while their hands are in the air. I see a lot of pre-planned and even pre-recorded sets that play all the way through! The crowd is usually none the wiser (or, sadly, just don’t care), as long as the music is pumping and the visuals are awesome. People cut corners to get to the top. But, true DJs will always rise above. There will always be a crowd who needs substance over trends. True music lovers know what’s up. A lot of fans want a live performance from their DJs and know when it’s faked.

How are we going to make the scene better?

Don’t fall into trends, create them. Flirt with what’s hot, yes, but don’t fall in 100% just to stay popular. We should try to keep it counter culture. Always moving. All scenes get over saturated. It happened with hip-hop, alternative, punk and disco. It’s happening with EDM right now. Things tend to get watered down by everyone wanting in who weren’t there from the beginning. Be a fan, yes. Ultimately, if you want to be legend, you must take chances and push boundaries. And by all means… write, play and listen to ALL TYPES OF MUSIC!