Forming a new DJ Camp on the playa (on the Esplanade) ?

zanek · Post by **zanek** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:13 pm

Hey,

I'm sure someone will flame me, but here it goes ...

So I love all types of music (House,Electronic, Reggae, Breaks, Techno, Rap,etc), and I dont know of any camps that will allow a newbie DJ like me to join and DJ for a couple hours every night, so I wanted to create a camp of like minded people. I would love to join an existing camp that would allow me to DJ, so let me know if you know of any (Searching on Tribes for such camps has been fruitless)

I DJ'ed for the first time ever at BM last year and I loved it. I met lots of really cool people. Most camps only play only one type of music, but I think it would be cool to diversify it all up

As a sidenote, I've been finding BM rather big & impersonal (it seems really hard to meet people who I can form good relationships with (I understand its BM), but I have no problem on the East Coast) in the last couple of years, but DJ'ing and hope for the future is probably the only reason I'm going back, but I digress.

The problem with me creating a camp is, I live in right outside of Washington DC, and I dont know to many people on the west coast. If I knew people on the west coast, they could bring the equipment, I could help pay for the transportation to the playa, and we could all work to set it up and divvy up the DJ time and split generator costs, etc..

Any one have any suggestions for achieving my stated goal as listed above ?

Thanks !

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:24 pm

For starters, sharing some of your work might give people an idea if they want you to perform at their camp. The esplanade camps often spend a lot of time and effort into having quality and consistency in their performances. There are a lot of DJs who'd like to play a particular camp that just don't meet the standards of the coordinators. Being a "DJ" isn't enough information for most camps to go off of.

Starting a camp is a huge endeavor. Shooting for esplanade is an even bigger one. It's a lot more work than a couple hours a night. You can do it, but you better get cracking now.

You may want to start going to local burningman type events and meeting those people. People who like your style will probably get you into some sets at camps they spin at. As you know people at BM are quite diverse and it's best to get in with a camp you get along with.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:34 am

it's SO easy....

first, go down to your ATM and withdraw, i dunno, 1.5 to 2 million dollars...

after that, we'll talk logistics.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:13 am

I'll let you spin on top my MV for only only a few thousand.

3l3tronic · Post by **3l3tronic** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:16 pm

as a current East coaster but moving to SF DJ. I understand the finiancial risk. Getting more people involved and sharing responsibilities is Crucial no one person can accomplish what teams of dedicated people can do.

things to consider... What type of stuff do you play? What size camp would u want to be a part of / Start yourself?

If you start something from scratch which we are this year... do any individuals in the camp have anysort of following already?

Start a forum just like the one we are on and invite people thru myspace or this forum or email who you think would be cool and a good fit.

the list can go on and on. But camps like disorient have over 130 people camping together to make things happen on the Esplanade. Sometimes its better to start smaller and off the esplanade and Build over years like May of the bug sound camps have done.. mast last 5 years or so.. and Build from tiny 10 people camps to 100something in order to Pull off Amazing huge stuff.

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:37 pm

You need the following:

DJ equipment (which I assume you own)
A generator

You won't be able to setup on esplanade without a big camp, spend this year making friends by playing your wicked beats. Pick out a nice spot and carve out a dance space. In 2005 I was camped right across from a pretty cool camp that was just a set of speakers and a big 'dance floor'. Do this and by 2009 you'll find a way to manage a big camp.

3l3tronic · Post by **3l3tronic** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:35 am

i completely agree, with starting small. last year i watched 2 different camps come in on like tuesday evening try to setup their stuff and I saw the system and half the booth and stuff sit their all week and never completed or anything. WHAT A WASTE on so many different levels. i think every camp i know of has a huge plan and about 80% comes true
so Focus on 1 or 2 Really cool things and make it work 100%

its all about making friends and connections, lets face it all of the sound camps are semi in it together, bring backup stuff and communicate with all the other sound camps about what extra stuff you have if theirs breaks and they will hopefully do the same that way theres a good community of people helping eachother. Take advice from past setups, and sometimes honestly Esplanade is not the best place to do a HUGE all night til 10 am setup. To me theres to much traffic and people are so A.D.D. they feel unless they have to travel to get there why stay there.

make them explore alil and plan your space ahead of time and tell everyone about where its gonna be, register in advance and get the buzz goin.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:59 pm

actually, it's WAY cooler to set your shit up on the main drag in Gerlach...

across from the taxidermy guys......i hear they like a nice housy two step.