DEREK ENTREKIN | wedding DJ

My price for weddings and private events begins at $4,000 for eight hours of coverage which includes the option for separate locations such as a ceremony, cocktail area, dinner, dancing, and after-party.

The main reason we should collaborate on your wedding is that you buy into me and I buy into you. That’s the only way this works in my opinion. At least, that’s the only way to make events that I want to be a part of.

My clients tend to fall into a few categories and if you identify as one of these, then we should talk. 

SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE DIFFERENT

If you have found the same vibe from most DJs you’ve read up on, met, or you were referred to, then chances are they provide the same things in generally the same way.

PREFER TO AVOID LINE DANCES 

Nothing against people who love line dances, but for those of us that don’t like them, they trigger a feeling of boredom. I’ve danced to them and I’ll even play them, but I won’t ever volunteer them as one of my go-to songs. It breaks a moral code of mine.

BELIEF THAT MUSIC MAKES A PARTY 

I believe that food, alcohol, flowers, linen schemes, uplighting, nor pictures make a party. I think they can enhance a party, but rarely do you see people dancing to silence and a meal. Music uplifts the spirits and directs the energy. Music can make a room feel warm on a cold night and can make you dance completely sober. I believe that music is the soul of your party and my clients tend to agree.

THE UNDERSTANDING THAT MIXING MUSIC IS A CRAFT 

It takes software like Spotify to play songs from a playlist and fade in between them. There’s even advanced software that can mix songs on beat.

It still takes a DJ that can read a crowd to see if the floor needs to add more energy or a slower break. Or ask questions like are people enjoying this genre? Who’s dancing and who’s not? What songs are left on the Must Play list? Is this mix short needing to be short because the song is getting a bit stale or is everyone singing every word and this song deserves to be played to the end?

Balancing BPM, song key, artist selection, requests coming in, time remaining before the next special event, and more are always going through my head. This is a craft that requires experience and a passion to perform in order to deliver high-quality events.

SPEAKERS

I prefer the professional L1 series from Bose. This includes the L1 Model 2 with a B2 sub plus additional L1 compacts for wireless coverage. The system is discreet and projects the music in a clean yet powerfully rich fashion.

CONTROLLER

My DJ controller preference is Traktor which tends to lean towards EDM mixing vs scratching which I do not do. If you want scratch effects, though, my team can deliver. It just won’t be me doing the mixing.

Yes, and then some. While I prefer to work close to home to get back to my family, I also travel across the country to perform at various private events.

When I travel far enough from home, I’ll cover my own expenses including room, rental car, flights, etc. If I choose to take on the event, it is because I want to work it enough that I’m willing to eat the costs. Plus, it’s easier on you.