19/12/2025
As we're fast apporaching the end of a challenging but also rewarding year I'm going to write something down I've been putting off. Why do I do this? (if you don't want to read the whole thing - TL;DR: it's a passion and if you know a promotor pester them to contact me for bookings - I do this for free)
For some context: I've been a goth/industrial DJ for over 20 years now. A little over a year ago I made the switch from cd's to digital/computer based so I would have an easier time playing and recording sets at home. About a month or so later I started the weekly :beatnation: mixes. During that time I moved cities, started new relationships, gained and lost people, and was generally poor.
Still every week I go out looking for the latest releases in the genre(s) that I play and music adjacent enough to it. To give you an idea of what this means practically: I go through bandcamp, scene charts, webshops and zines for what's being released. On average I spend about €30 every week on new music, some really just for the weekly mixes. Considering I've been dirt poor for the last few months that's been most of my entertainment budget. Other costs I make specifically for this is the license for the DJ software that works with my controller and a monthly fee to mixcloud for uploading my mixes. I never wanted to post this earlier because this isn't a plea for a handout. My financial situation is about to improve drastically so these costs won't hurt me in my wallet anymore.
So why do I do this?
There's a few basic reasons: I love promoting the talents of the artists making the dark music I love. I have a saying that I'm just a promobitch for people far more talented than myself.
It works wonders for my mental health, and I hope some people just enjoy listening even if that's all they're taking away from it.
But here's my slight gripe. I've already put over 50 mixes online this year, but I've only done 4 club nights. And this is still what I love doing the most. I love to get in tune with the energy of a dancing crowd. Especially when they're willing to also pick up on new music. If you've ever seen me spin anywhere you know I'm one of the most enthusiastic and intense DJ's you're likely to encouter in our little scene (and I'm quite proud of that). I realise Belgium is tiny - and I hope to find a way to do a 3rd relaunch of the :beatnation: concept sometime in the near future now that I'm back in Ghent - but I'll gladly travel. I want to bring the TheSurvivor experience to more places. So maybe you're a band who's appreciated my active promotion and maybe plays at a venue still looking for an afterparty DJ. Maybe you're a(n occasional) listener to my sets or maybe you've even has seen me perform. I need your help. Talk to your local promotor, club night, ... Send them to my mixcloud profile (or just here on FB), and tell them I have always refused payment for a goth scene event. Nobody's getting rich here and I'd rather see club nights thrive than pay me a pittance for something I love doing. But if you want a DJ who'll take you on a journey through new dark beats and puts himself out there to make a point - I can't wait to be that DJ for you!
(pic at R-evolution Halloween edition)
