Can an Introvert Be a DJ? The Reasons and The Hows

In short yes, absolutely. An introvert can be anything they want. In fact, there’s a lot of power in being an introvert and many aspects of DJing play into that. For example, there are many hours needed practicing or researching new music. This is often done alone, which is ideal for an introvert and hell for an extrovert. But what about when in the club, can an introvert be a DJ?

When in a club DJing you may think it would be draining for an introvert, but that doesn’t have to be the case. While it is true that clubbing can be a social experience doesn’t necessarily have to be. Often there are no better places and crowds to be alone i.e you don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t want to.

Of course, to get DJ gigs in the first place does require some level of interaction or networking. These days however that can largely be done online via social media. This allows introverted DJs to record mixes at home, upload them and send messages to any clubs they are interested in playing. The level of face-to-face networking has been greatly reduced.

When DJing, You Are in Control

Once you have booked a gig, of course, it is expected to meet the promoter at the venue and have a chat. However long this lasts and how much you interact with other people throughout the evening is entirely up to you. You can lose yourself on the dance floor while other DJs play and just enjoy the music. Then, when your set comes around, you will be performing solo and able to lose yourself in the music. Perfect for an introvert DJ.

That said introverts do to generally enjoy social interaction it just has to be on their terms. In this aspect DJing as benefits also. Many introverts enjoy going to parties but want to leave when they have had enough.

With DJing, you know exactly what time you’ll be performing. This means you can show up at any point before your set and are free to leave at any point after.

Loads of People Are Introverts

Another key thing to remember is that you are not alone after all 50% of the population are introverts. Plus, they tend to be better at drawing people that they can relate to towards them. Just be yourself, put as much effort into getting yourself out there as feels comfortable and the right people will be drawn to you. Everyone has to learn their limits and boundaries so don’t be afraid to test and shape yours. I suppose the question of can an introvert be a DJ comes down to your own limits.

Which leads me nicely on to my next point. If you are authentically yourself and play the music that you love, then this makes it much easier to network. You will always have a common interest with the promoter and anyone else in the club, as they are all (generally) there as they like that genre. So, although interaction can be exhausting, talking to someone with equal passion for a subject can be really invigorating.

There are many famous people that are huge introverts. Perhaps of the most notorious introvert DJs is Aphex Twin. A hugely successful electronica artist, he does very few interviews and prefers to let his production and gigs do the talking for him. This reinforces the notion that DJs really can do things on their own terms.

Can an Introvert Be a DJ? Of Course, Its the PERFECT Hobby!

Introverts don’t dislike people at all. And DJing allows you to go to parties and make a hugely important contribution, entirely on your own terms. In that respect DJing is the perfect hobby for an introvert.

Of course part of a DJ’s role is to feed the energy of the crowd, and the best gigs are a form of exchange. This again is where playing music you truly love helps. The more you enjoy the music the more you will be able to relax, enjoy yourself and pass that energy onto the crowd. In any case, being on stage performing is different from being in a crowd socializing.

Feelings vs Traits

The key is also not to mix up feelings with personality traits. Everyone gets nervous, even extroverts. So feeling nervous before a gig shouldn’t be interpreted as “I can’t do this because I’m an introverted DJ”. Instead, they should be recognized for what they are… Excitement that you’re about to go on stage and do something really fun.

Preparation also helps in the area. When you have confidence in your skills then it is much easier to go to the club in the first place. When you love what you do, and are good at it, then you will be keen to get out there and start showing people. This will make it a lot easier to get over any (self-imposed) limitations you may feel as an introvert.

Can an Introvert Be a DJ? Their Persona Certainly Can

Another aspect that plays into being an introvert DJ is that of playing a persona. This could even be the reason why DJ pseudonyms were invented in the first place…

Choosing a name other than your own also allows you, if you wish, to choose a different character. As the DJ you are there to give everyone a good time and be the life of the party. However, no one can do this all of the time not even extroverts.

That’s why having an alter ego can be so powerful. Because, as soon as you step into the club, you can embody that persona. Put on a chatty, life of the party character. Doing this will allow you to step outside any discomfort you might feel as an introvert. You would be surprised how many people in the industry do this.

In fact, everyone does this exact thing, every single day. The person who puts on a polite voice on the phone is stern to their staff or smiles at every customer. These are techniques often used as coping strategies to mask what someone is really feeling. You’ve probably done it yourself, often. And you can apply the exact same technique to your DJing life.

People Misunderstand Introverts, So Don’t Do it to Yourself

There is a lot of misconceptions around introverts people can think of them as loners or unfriendly. This is simply not true. We just relate people on deeper levels and draw energy in different ways.

In a world that all too often seems tailored towards extroverts, understanding introversion and it’s advantages become hugely beneficial. The book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain comes highly recommended as a way to understand the advantages you, and I, possess as introverts.

Can an introvert be a DJ? Absolutely they can do anything they want. And with an ability for deeper focus and deeper connections, the chances are that they can do it better than extroverts.

What next?

• Got any questions about being an introverted DJ? Or comments on how it has shaped your career? Drop them below, I reply to every single one
• Want more tips on getting DJ gigs? Then this is the post for you.
• Ever wondered what DJs really do onstage? The answers are all here.

Sources

• Aphex Twin image by Octavio Ruiz Cervera, licensed under CC 2.0
• Deadmau5 image by Deadmau5 😀, licensed under CC 3.0