How To Deal With DJ Depression

So maybe you’re having a slow month. Maybe you’re scrolling through your social media and noticing how all of your peers are working, but you aren’t. A lot of us get like this when we aren’t booked around holidays. It’s that #fomo that makes you think, why didn’t I get that gig? I could do that. It’s often prompted by the inner voice that pushes us to judge ourselves against others. (I mean, isn’t that the social media culture we are in now, anyway?) Either way, you get into the slump and it suuuuuuuuuuccccccckkkkkkkssss.

So what do you do? As a full time working DJ, for me, these slumps are something that come and go the same way that influx in work comes and goes. And usually there’s a correlation between the two, especially since this is my full-time job. One thing I have learned is that sitting around feeling bad for myself definitely isn’t going to help. Neither is continuing to compare myself and sipping on the hater aid. It keeps me stagnant which keeps me where I am and and it continues to perpetuate itself in a very negative viscous cycle. Which brings me back to what do you do? Here’s a few tips to help push those emo feels away, or at least to help move you through them.

1. Practice.
This one is always a favorite go-to. Practice. Practice, and more practice. Lots of times I get so caught up gigging that I don’t spend a lot of time just messing around. It’s in these sacred moments that you’ll be able to find new inspiration in learning a new technique, trying a new blend, playing a new track, or just doing something different. You can find inspiration in creation. If you’re looking for a good resource, check out Cut Class with DJ Angelo and BPM Supreme. Episode 1 can be found Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBQBg5JH8KI

2. Production.
That’s right. Produce something. Now this doesn’t necessarily have to be in Pro Tools or Ableton (but do it that way if you can!) What this could mean for you is producing a new mix, a blog, a video, a social media challenge, etc. Creation is always a great way to transform energy, especially negative energy. One of my favorite depression counters is to put my feelings into a mix. Or a new song. Either way…use music to describe what your feelings would sound like. A lot of times the coolest creations come from this transformation of energy. For an example of a “feelings” mix – check out any of my Rock Sessions mixes on mixcloud. Volume 2 came from a particularly dark place. And looking back on the other side of what I was going through, it was a really cool way to capture that experience. The Rock Sessions Vol. 2. Give it a try. The transformation of energy will truly amaze you!

3. Marketing.
This one is super important, especially if you’re slower in the bookings department, which often can be the number 1 leading cause of DJ depression. Time to take a look at your EPK. Does it need to be updated? How’s your website? Your Soundcloud/Mixcloud? Have you got any new flyers that need to be made? A new photo shoot to bring some fresh images to your marketing campaign? It’s also a good time to review your previous marketing strategies for impact, as well as brainstorm on new marketing opportunities. Staying in motion will usually help move you through depression, even though it’s one of the more difficult things to do when you’re in a funk. Pick just one thing about your marketing campaign to refresh, and see if it doesn’t help chase some of those blues away. And in the event that it doesn’t, at least you’ll have something productive to come out of your bad mood.

Read more at Dealing with DJ Depression