Max HeyraudProminent artists and dance music influencers have created a warped perception of what it means to be an active participant in the scene. We aim to de-influence club culture and the life of an artist and DJ, injecting some much-needed nuance into what often feels like a fragmented and unrealistic view of the artist’s journey.
In a time driven by social media and constant digital noise, the dance music landscape has been influenced by trends and expectations from curators, creators and influencers, many of whom have 0 real-world experience in being an artist. From the pressure to release music at breakneck speed to the ongoing hunt for social media relevance, artists must navigate a society that usually prioritises appearance above honesty. This transition has resulted in myths and misconceptions that impede innovation and create unfair constraints on artists seeking to establish themselves.
It’s time to take a step back and de-influence ourselves. It feels like everyone is a touring DJ, a critic, a promoter, an agent, a producer, or a curator—but let’s face it, this simply isn’t true. We’re at a critical juncture where short-form content is driving influence, yet it often lacks the nuance needed to represent the complexities of being an artist. The reality is, that being an artist is inherently intricate, and the pressures of the digital age weigh heavily on their shoulders.
We explore 7 fractured themes from online content creators in order to de-influence the dance music scene.
Despite What Content Creators Say, Social Media Is Not Everything
We’re losing count of how many content creators and online figures offer unsolicited advice to up-and-coming dance music artists, claiming that social media presence is just as important as what you create in the studio. Let’s set the record straight: that’s total nonsense. This mindset fosters toxicity and places overwhelming pressure on artists to focus on content creation rather than their craft.
Artists are not marketers by trade, nor should they have to be. Social media should be a tool to showcase your art—not the driving force behind it. Focus on creating meaningful music, and let your online presence support, not define your artistry.
More Decks Don’t Make a Better Mix
Multi-deck mixing has been on the rise recently, largely due to the resurgence of loop-driven and stripped-back ’90s-style techno, particularly post-COVID. This trend has undeniably had a positive impact on DJing as an art form, encouraging artists to step outside their comfort zones and experiment. While this is a great development, social media has perpetuated the misconception that mixing on more than two decks is the norm—especially in techno.
In reality, more than 90% of DJs in clubs rely primarily on two decks for most of their set. While multi-deck performances can showcase technical skill, they often risk becoming messy and may shift the focus from the music and the crowd to the DJ’s performance, creating a disjointed atmosphere. The basics work just fine, and the art of a well-crafted, two-deck mix shouldn’t be underestimated.
Quiet Spells in Gigging & Touring Schedules Are Normal and Productive
Instagram updates showcasing monthly touring dates are one of the most common posts from DJs, often designed to highlight how busy they are for the upcoming month. More than anything, these posts serve as a way for artists to flex their demand. It’s a form of advertisement, signaling to other artists and agencies how in-demand they are. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it’s important to remember that gaps in touring or gigging schedules are entirely normal.
Most DJs cannot sustain a constant touring schedule all year round. It’s a fever dream that only the top 10 percent of DJs may experience fully, and even for them, it’s difficult to maintain over long periods due to the ever-changing paradigms that govern the music scene. This level of touring can also take a significant toll on an artist’s physical and mental health. It’s an intense and demanding lifestyle that can make it challenging to maintain any semblance of normality.
For many artists who reach this level, it’s often their production work that propels them there. Ironically, the busier they get with touring, the less time they have to produce new music. This can hinder their progression, especially in an industry that demands a constant flow of fresh tracks. Taking breaks to spend time in the studio or with friends and family isn’t just beneficial for your personal well-being—it’s also crucial for your career. These quiet spells allow for creative rejuvenation and ensure that your passion for the craft remains alive and well.
It’s Normal to Work Another Job Aside from DJing
It’s completely normal to have another job alongside DJing. Being an artist is challenging, and being a broke artist is even harder. To have a secure gig schedule, you need to reach a certain level of acclaim—something that can take years of hard work for most.
Social media often creates the illusion that every DJ is constantly on the road all weekend and in the studio all week, but this simply isn’t true. If you’re fortunate enough to make music your full-time job, you’ve earned a significant place in the industry. For the majority, however, having a side hustle provides financial stability, which can be crucial for sustaining and growing your career.
Press images, video content, decks, hardware, and other tools of the trade cost a lot of money. Having a reliable source of income can help cover these expenses, giving you the freedom to focus on your artistry without the constant stress of financial insecurity.
Sometimes You’ll Play to Empty Dancefloors
Unfortunately, the nature of social media is to showcase only the best parts of our lives—the sunny holidays, the fancy meals, the job promotions, the new car, and so on. What you rarely see are the spilled coffee on Monday mornings, the lost car keys, or the bad phone call that throws off your week. The same applies to how DJs present their touring lives and gigs on social media.
Your feed might be filled with images of warehouse parties and packed festivals, but this isn’t the full reality for DJs—it’s not like this 24/7. What you won’t see are the empty basement parties thrown by local promoters in towns without much of a techno scene. You won’t see the quiet nights that happen because of accidental scheduling clashes or bad timing.
There’s no such thing as a guaranteed packed dancefloor in this industry. Even the biggest DJs in the world have played to empty venues—it’s just something you won’t find on their Instagram.
You Don’t Need to Release Music Every Month
One of the worst trends in recent years, which has been putting a strain on artists and the music landscape as a whole, is the expectation to release music monthly. Every day, 120,000 new tracks are released on streaming platforms. Only a select few will break through and make any significant income, and even fewer will help boost the profile of the artists who created them.
Releasing quality projects on your own terms and presenting them in a way that fully represents your music is far more important—even if it means slowing down your release schedule. While visibility is more important than ever in earning success in electronic music, nothing speaks louder than a well-thought-out and meticulously crafted body of work. Music that stands the test of time is rare, but the music that does will build a lasting career for those who prioritise it.
Staying True to Your Sound Is More Important Than Following Trends
Trends come and go, but with the advent of social media, artists are more susceptible than ever to falling into them. It’s understandable why—there’s more music and content out there than ever before. Buzzwords like hardgroove, hardhouse, and prog seem to fly around faster than ever, and categorisation is being touted as more important than ever.
The rise of online courses, both free and paid, has made replicating your favourite artists’ styles easier than ever. However, this has also led to a flood of throwaway music. While following trends might bring short-term success, it often lacks longevity.
Carving out your own sound and staying authentic to it goes a long way. Although the journey might take longer, it builds transparency and credibility, which fans appreciate and connect with. Authenticity creates a lasting impression that stands the test of time.
