Like we mentioned in the previous post, the NGDJ finals are not only about the DJ’s musical talent, but also a test of the ability to create an artist persona. There are of course many ways of doing this. A NGDJ finalist who was very active in terms of promoting himself online during NGDJ Stage 1 is DJ Inertia from Phoenix in Arizona, USA. Inertia, real name Ryan Jeffs, has also shared his ideas on how to succeed in the NGDJ finals with others via his blog and YouTube channel. Check out Inertia’s clip on the NGDJ finals – and the interview with him after the jump. You’ll find his NGDJ finals mix at the end of the post.
Your first mix was a set of old school rave anthems, did you deliberately plan this to stand out?
– I wanted to differentiate myself from a field of competitors who I figured would be focusing on whatever the current “hot” sound is. I also really wanted to tell a story with my entry into the contest, so mix 1 is about where I came from musically. And finally it was just a LOT of fun to put that mix together. It brought back plenty of good memories.
You’re one of quite a few NGDJ contestants who have posted a clip on YouTube to promote your mixes. Do you see any effect from this?
– It’s hard to tell. I mean, I can see that it’s getting a few views, which is fantastic. Whether or not it’s translated into votes, I don’t know. But even just one or two good votes means that it was something that effected my overall score in a positive way.
In your latest video, you’re talking about your mix for Stage 2. Did you plan this mix differently than the one for NGDJ Stage 1?
– Oh absolutely. Mix 2 is a different beast altogether. My qualifier mix focused exclusively on the past. The round 2 mix contains a much wider spread. I showed everyone where I came from with the first mix. In my second mix, I’ll be showing them where I’m at now.
Except for YouTube, how have you used social networks to promote your mixes?
– Social networking has been the lifeblood of my Stage 1 campaign. Through sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, I’ve been able to reach out directly to my fans and friends and ask them for support. Twitter has been especially nice, because it has forced me to be extremely concise. I have a tendency to ramble in case you can’t tell! Twitter has also been a great way to keep in touch with the sponsors of the contest. I think many of the competitors only thought about it in terms of fans, but keeping in touch with Let’s Mix, Pioneer, DJ Magazine and Beatport means that they are already familiar with me.
So, what do you think is the key to success in NGDJ?
– If I knew for sure, then I would already have been declared the winner right? First off, I think you’ve got a truly love what you do. If music isn’t really your passion, you might as well withdraw your mix right now. Secondly, you’ve got to be willing to work at it. In Phoenix where I’m from, nothing is going to fall into your lap. It’s the fifth largest city in the US by population, yet there are very few nights or venues that feature electronic music on a regular basis. Lots of DJ’s, very little work. So in order to be a working DJ in this city, you’ve really got to play your cards right. The same is true for this contest. You’ve got to get out there and pound the digital pavement with your message.
– But in the end I think it’s going to come down to the DJ’s who understand what being a DJ is all about. Understanding that as soon as you step into the booth, it’s not about you anymore. It’s about the people who came to see you, and ensuring that at the end of the night, they leave the venue with huge smiles on their faces. The DJ that can consistently deliver musical journeys, solid performances, and genuinely understands his audience…..that’s your winner right there.
Inertia’s New Sound of Miami from Inertia (www.djinertia.com) at Letsmix.com.