TopJox are a Dj agency thing, apparantly VERY good

Dj Agencies

Once you've got yourself established on the DJ circuit, you're going to need decent management. So, what's all this talk about DJ agencies then? Read on…

After a while on the DJ circuit, you'll eventually reach a point when you'll need some help, guidance and advice. Chances are that the traditional solution of Mum and Dad isn't going to work; since they are surely not too knowledgeable about clubbing. So it's probably best if you get a professional in.

This is when you enter the world of the DJ agent, and it's worth getting clued up before you start. Agencies are vital if your career is kicking off and you're taking things seriously. They'll draw up contracts, make sure you get paid, get you gigs, and sometimes even come along and hold your hand if it's a 'scary' venue. Obviously agencies differ in size, competence and professionalism, but the following guide will outline some of the things that they should be doing for you.

To start with though, you have to get on an agency's books in the first place. You need to offer them an original style and tune selection before they will even consider taking you on. There's no room for copycats if you're going to make it in DJ land. You need to be technically gifted, marketable to clubs and promoters, and generally a person that they think will make them money. Having said that though, the agency will make you a lot more.

Making contact
Having taken an interest in you, the agency will send out a press release to all the relevant clubs and promoters who would be interested in your style. It will outline your type of music, experience, and discography and generally hype you up. This will hopefully arouse some interest and, with any luck, a booking will come in. If a club realises that an agency has confidence in your ability then this often rubs off on them. Alternatively, the club will be interested but will want to hear a tape or CD first since press releases can be overly optimistic. Allegedly one press release even said Dave Pearce could mix which, in our opinion proves the point.

Let the music do the talking
So, the second thing that the agency will do is send out your CDs. They may even help you get one professionally mastered, duplicated and packaged. It just wouldn't reflect well on you or them if they sent out a tape with a bit of biro scrawled on it! The beauty of an agency sending your CD out is that it will immediately get listened to. If an agency also has a good relationship with the club it's sending the CD to, this will also help.

If the CDs that are sent out get a good response and the bookings come flooding in, the agency will then sign you up exclusively. A contract will be drawn up meaning that all your bookings will have to go through them, although they sometimes also sub-let their rosta to other agencies.

This expands your booking potential. So, now you're signed up, what will the agency actually do for you? Let's go through their basic functions.

Get you gigs
The primary function of any agent. They will promote you, do some PR and general hyping, and
persuade clubs that you will rock the hell out of them. A decent agent should be able to keep you in relatively constant work.

Prepare Contacts
For each gig your agent will prepare a contract, which outlines when and where you are playing, what fee you are charging, and what other requirements you need. On top of the fee an agent adds between 10 and 15% for his efforts. Most contracts also ask the club to send part of the fee in advance so, if it gets cancelled, you won't lose out completely

Hand Holding
If you're relatively new to the DJing game, the prospect of going to a big club and playing a set may be a tad daunting. If this is the case then the agency will send someone along to help you through the whole process. They'll make sure you get there, show you where to go, get your drinks and basically take away all the stress of the night. Bit like a big brother really.

Travel
If you're at the level of jetting around the globe, then your agency will also take care of all your travel arrangements for you. They'll book flights, hotels, and generally arrange your life for you. All you have to do is turn up at the right time and bring a passport.

Studio skills
In today's DJ world, recognition often comes from your work in the studio and again the agency will be able to lead you in the right direction. If you are a beginner they can help you with techniques and basic remixes. If you are more competent however they can set-up remix and production deals.

Media Training
As your profile grows, you will have more and more dealings with press people like DJ Magazine, XFADE, Mixmag etc… Sometimes even MTV. Agencies are keen for you to sell yourself in these situations and may provide you with media training to be more confident in interview situations so that you get the most out of them.

Debt Collecting
In this dodgy world we call clubland, people sometimes don't get paid. Promoters often have a sneaky habit of not being around when it comes to paying DJs, especially if it's been a poorly attended night.

Never fear though as your agency will get in touch with the culprit and try and retrieve the money. Failing that, they will use a debt collection agency to obtain the money. In such cases the
promoter will also be put onto a blacklist so that all other agencies know he's a dodgy git.

Accountancy
With all the money that's bound to be rolling in when you're playing out, you're going to have to declare it to the taxman.

As it's all quite a complicated business, what you can or can't write off against tax for example, most agencies will have an affiliated accountant who can sort it all out for you.

Legal Advice
If you ever get into legal troubles over anything in your musical career, the agency will know a specialist lawyer. Whether it be music copyright issues, contractual disputes, or work permits, the best advice will merely be a phone call away.

Whatever you do, take advice before you sign with anyone. As with any profession, most people are honest, efficient and loyal, but a minority are dodgy as sin.

Before you commit to anything, run it by a few people. Find out which other DJs are on the rosta and ask them for details about what the agency does for them. Don't just sign on the dotted line straight away because you are over-excited, you may live to regret it.

So that's what to expect when you manage to get yourself signed up. As with any career achievement, it's not easy to get on these people's books, but when you get there, it's going to be a huge step up the DJing ladder.

Get gear, promote yourself, good service.