MOBILE DJ PROFILE
and two of them were in the bridal party. DJ LIFE: What hurt you the most during the lockdown? Bartosik: What really hurt during COVID were schools. We were focusing so much on school dances that, when COVID hit, we lost a big chunk of our revenue, as it was right before prom season. This continued through the fall when some school boards even canceled homecoming dances. Most of our schools are hopeful for next year and we always try to work with them the best we can. Some even had other events for us to be a part of, which were a lot of fun and really help to bring more normalcy back. Priorities: Post-tragedy, ' Another major change is just staying in touch with other DJs in Chris D’Amico balances work & family. and around the area. They have always been our biggest supporters and we try to help each other out as much as possible. We all know we can run the one-man show, but having others DJ Raptor: Chris Bartosik. to bounce ideas off and brainstorm can do so much more. It was good to hear how many others adapted and took to online events and some even took to social media. DJ LIFE: For Raptor Productions, what’s the elevator pitch? Bartosik: For homecomings, we turn their school into a nightclub for one night, making it the place they all want to be. We have DJs that mix and have a continuous flow of music while reading the crowd. We also aren’t limited to just social celebrations, as we can provide AV solutions and do rentals of much gear around our area. DJ LIFE: Sounds good… By Stu Kearns Bartosik: I really don’t have much of an elevator pitch these Westminster, Md. – Chris Bartosik, owner of Rapdays, as I really want to understand what each prospective tor Productions, is one of those DJs on the mobile client is looking for – we try to make each event unique to the circuit who has seen it all. He began as a college-radio DJ at the University client and there have been a few that we just couldn’t do or I expressed that we weren’t a good fit. At the end of the day, of Alabama in the 1980s and transitioned to mowe want to be a part of events where those in attendance will bile/event work in the early 1990s. In recent years, enjoy music and appreciate our talents. I also like to qualify “DJ Raptor” has been heavily involved in industry each client before we move forward, as there are only so association work and, like many mobiles, had to many dates available in each year. I’ve learned that we don’t survive the effects of the pandemic. We caught up with the northern Maryland-based need to book every event. DJ LIFE: Let’s talk about TikTok – how do you use it and how Bartosik to hear his story and explain how he persehas it changed the way you program music at gigs? vered through tough times. Bartosik: We touched on this back in March of 2020 and DJ LIFE: You’ve been in the business for a while I even stated how the platform’s videos were only about a – what are the biggest changes you’ve seen and minute long or less. This has really helped in the aspect that the how have they impacted your business? attention span for a song has become shorter. This really allows Chris Bartosik: Where to even begin? Over the for us to quick mix, and play more songs per hour. I remember past year, many of us have found ways to do our years ago when you would mix out of a song after a chobusiness online or do more outdoor events. We’ve rus that some guests would get upset. But not these days. Of moved most homecomings outside, even took course, we all would let a banger ride a little longer, but there part in many graduations and other events that is just so much music out there and we love playing as much as would normally be inside. We went from covering possible. a small ballroom to having to fill a football field or DJ LIFE: What else? many other large outdoor areas. Also, last-minute Bartosik: Another good thing that has happened, so many changes and bookings have become expected. older songs getting new life and becoming popular once We even had a lineup change this past weekend, as 10 guests were not able to attend the wedding, again. We really noticed this over the past homecoming season. It used to be that everyone would want mostly newer songs, or those that were popular on YouTube. Now with TikTok, many DJs are doing mash-ups… who did it first? And even where did that sample come from? On top of all the influencers doing short dances to many older songs. Know it’s just a matter of understanding which songs are more “family” songs and
Maryland DJ
REBOUNDS from Lockdown
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