Iowa DJ | Learning Experience

Hey everyone, this is Jesse Veenstra, Iowa Manager of Iowa DJ back on to make another entry.

The most recent event I did made me think about how each event is a learning experience for me as a DJ. I take something away from each event, and use it to make me a better DJ. At Iowa DJ we offer online music requests before the event, and we get a fair share of unusual and unique song requests. Before the event I try to listen to all the songs and kind of figure out which ones to play when. The beauty of this is usually I find a song that really works, and can add it to my "repertoire."

The most recent wedding liked a lot of 80s and 90s music and had some very different selections. I got a chance to play a few songs that I have never played before and one such song really stuck out. They requested "Ma Ya Hi" which is most popular as a workout song. I played it and it was a huge success. It is a high tempo song that I plan on playing in the future.

This simple example shows that every wedding is a not only a "performance" for me, but also a valuable learning experience. I plan to start taking very detailed notes after each event so I can learn and build upon my success and also my failures.

Summer Mix Download!

> Download my mix here <

26 songs packed into an hour of non stop beats! This mix was recorded live, which means there a few errors in my mixing - :)

Nothing too fancy here - just awesome music and quick mixing skills.

Enjoy!

Jeff Meuzelaar
Iowa DJ dot com

Iowa DJ | Gig Log

Interested in learning more about the work DJs put into each gig behind the scenes? Then check out my most recent gig log that I filmed last weekend. 2 states, 1,000 miles traveled, 2 events, in under 48 hours. This is a 4 part series and you can view the entire playlist on our YouTube channel. Below, I have embedded Part III.



Jeff Meuzelaar
Iowa DJ dot com

Iowa DJ | Music Planning for events

As this is my first blog entry I will go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Jesse Veenstra, current Iowa Manager for Iowa DJ. Formerly, I co-owned along with Jeff, but recently decided to cut-back on my commitments as I am newly married. I work at ING, and will be attending Iowa State University in the fall to pursue my masters in accounting.

Ok, on with what I plan to talk about in this blog. Music. I meet with a client last night to discuss their wedding in April, and they asked me kind of an interesting question. The soon-to-be groom asked how long in advance I came up with my play list. Now, I don't know what every DJ does, but I bet some come up with a set playlist before the night even starts, and if they get a request or two they try to squeeze them in. However, that is not how I operate, nor do any of the DJs at Iowa DJ handle music. Rather, we usually have "sets" of music, or 3-4 songs kind of planned out that flow together well. However, we can quickly change the direction depending on requests, crowd reactions, and a variety of other factors. Being a professional DJ is all about being able to read the crowd, and all of us at Iowa DJ pride ourselves in the ability to play music that will make people dance and smile. Being flexible is one key to being successful as a DJ, because every event and every person is different. We take the songs that the bride and groom request before the event and create a good mix between those and the wedding "classics" to provide top-notch music selections for every event we do.

Jeff has trained all of us at Iowa DJ to appreciate and value all types of music, and we are continually learning new songs that get people out of their chairs and off the walls and onto the dance floor.

Jesse Veenstra
Iowa Manager
Iowa DJ dot com

Iowa DJ | Welcome to our Blog

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check out our blog. Please be sure to stop by often, as we'll be having all of our DJs post their recent mixes, pictures, video, and comments. In the mean time, please check out our website at Iowa DJ dot com or Des Moines DJ dot net.

Thanks again!

Jeff Meuzelaar
Owner
Iowa DJ dot com