Last year we ran a feature on awkward notes that get passed to the DJ booth; usually they were requests for certain songs or styles of music. We've also run a graphic on when you should actually be approaching the DJ. Sadly, it looks like DJs still have to worry about being able to spin the music they were paid to spin; they tried to physically assault DJ Dan, and we've seen plenty of stories regarding DJs being kicked off the decks over the music they're playing. It was high time someone took a proactive approach when it comes to requests...
Enter DJ Mike Miro. He's been in the game since 1996, and is tired of the rude and selfish music requesters that seem to hit every venue he plays. After hearing about the DJ Dan situation (and having a particularly rude attendee approach him during his own deep house night), he decided to take matters into his own hands and create the handy "No Request Sign" you see up above. It looks exactly like a street sign, and he says he had positive results: "First I saw a girl came up about to make a request, but she read the sign and quickly backed off. Any that asked were shown the sign and never asked again. Nor did they seem upset. No long conversations, or unnecessary altercations. A DJ that plays Hip Hop/Top 40 on other nights came up and said "I NEED THAT." He told me about a situation where some drunk girl was so rude she pulled away his laptop to try and find songs."
You can own this sign for $2; it comes to you as a PDF file, with a second page full of DJ rules (which states that its "rude to make requests" and that the DJs are paid to play this music). Buy it, print it, then post it during your next gig.
Shouts to DAD reader Naes Yelworc for the tip.
