Here are some questions Beat Train founder, Ari Rosenfield often gets from prospective clients interested in booking him to DJ for weddings & corporate events.
What do you wear when you DJ?
For weddings or other private functions I wear a suit, tie, dress shirt, and dress shoes. I aspire to look sharp in a nuanced and inconspicuous way. In other words, I try not to draw attention to myself. But I am available to show up in one of my “super-fly” get-ups on request ; )
Why are your rates higher than other DJs?
Back in 2011, when my prices were around the industry average, I DJ’d over 70 weddings in one year. As fun as it was, I decided to take on less because I wanted to focus on delivering exceptional (5-Star Service) results to my clients. I also wanted to pursue music production, a music startup app, and various other endeavors.
By the nature of supply & demand, I increased my rates so I would have a more manageable amount of wedding bookings. That said, I work very hard to build my DJ professionalism, music knowledge, and turntablism skills. My ability as a DJ has grown at a much higher rate than my rates have (granted, it’s a statistic that’s tricky to quantify).
What kind of music do you like DJ’ing?
Funk, Soul, 60’s to 70’s Rock ‘n roll, and Classic Hip-Hop are very close to my heart. One week I may be digging deep for soulful jazz records from the 50’s or revisiting the 60’s British Invasion; another week, I may be immersing myself in 80s motion picture soundtracks, French house music of the 1990s-2000’s, or updating my crates with the latest Top 40 hits, mashups, and remixes. It goes on and on.
That said, as a DJ, it’s not necessarily about what I like. I’m here to work with my clients to figure out what kind of music they like. At their event I connect with the crowd and create a fun experience for everyone. The ability to “read the crowd” is an integral DJ skill, one I take very seriously.
Do you spin Top 40 music?
If you like, absolutely! If not, no worries either. Up to you! Adaptability is a crucial skill for DJ’s. I work with a broad spectrum of music depending on the event. One night, I may be spinning classic party jams from Motown to Top 40s. Another, I might spin an eclectic set of 50’s Doo-wop and 70’s Glam Rock. It always depends on the sentiments of my clients and their guests, presuming you’d like me to feel out the crowd.
Will you emcee our event? If so, what’s your style?
Most certainly! When I emcee, I speak naturally and clearly with a casual, friendly tone. I’m a very detail-oriented person and put great focus in effective communication and organization to ensure everything goes smoothly with announcements.
Do you do improv as an emcee?
My de-facto game plan is to stick to the script and keep announcements to a bare minimum (not make myself the center of attention). If you’d like me to be more boisterous, I am open to the idea : )
Don’t you need to emcee to make people dance?
I find that it helps to make a basic announcement like, “I’d like to invite you all to the dance floor!” Usually, after the guests have finished eating. I take pride in being able to win over the crowd as a DJ without needing to use over-the-top emcee’ing as a crutch. But let me know if you do want me to do my Lil’ Jon, Flava Flav, or wrestling announcer impersonation ; )
Where do you live?
I live in Brooklyn, New York and frequently travel to Boston. But I’m available to travel anywhere!
Any other questions I should ask?
Well, I would definitely suggest checking out my testimonials, bio, and mixes if you haven’t had a chance yet. If you consider booking me, feel free to reach out! I’d be happy to chat with you about what you’re looking for, and how I can create an inspired and dynamic DJ set for you.
For more general Beat Train Productions questions, check out our FAQ page!
