S4, EP16: We chat party-starting tips with Tim the DJ

Eddy:
Welcome to Project Engaged, a podcast for fun loving couples planning their non traditional wedding.

Aleks: We’re wedding DJs Aleks and Eddy Mac from Melbourne. We run a business called One More Song, and our tagline is No More Nutbush.

Eddy: In this podcast, we’ll share our wedding experiences and chat to some of our past couples.

Aleks: We’ll also interview bold wedding suppliers who share our philosophy of your wedding being a celebration of you as a couple and one epic party.

Eddy: Let’s get into today’s episode. Sorry, we were just pointing at each other like. Okay, so I’m gonna say this bit. You can say that bit. And Aleks just looks at me, she’s like, what am I saying?

Aleks: Psychotic.

Eddy: It was psychotic. But we’ve got a fabulous. A terrific episode for y’all tonight. And it’s an extra special one because I don’t do this very often, but. Oh, can you hear that? That is a beer. I’m cracking open a beer because I’m very excited for today. So today we are actually interrogating the competition. We’re only kidding. Today, our guest is actually a good friend of ours, an all round legend, Tim the DJ. He’s one of the highest energy vendors we know. And that is a fact.

Aleks: Yep.

Eddy: As well as deejaying, he also plays the sax. So he’s very talented.

Aleks: So talented. One squizzard is Instagram. And you’ll very quickly see what we mean by high energy. Tim attracts very similar couples to us. So much so that we pass on inquiries that we’re not available for and vice versa. And today we’re gonna chat to Tim. You did a great job with this psychotic point. We’ve nailed this intro.

Eddy: We really have.

Aleks: So today we’ll hear more from Tim about, you know, the types of couples he loves working with and the must have ingredients for a great party. Of course.

Eddy: So without further ado, let’s welcome Tim.

Tim: All right. There we go. What an absolute pleasure to be part of the body.

Eddy: Yes. So good to have you here. And this is third time, like you, just for our listeners, we tried to get this off the ground a couple of times, and we’re here now. So we’re here and we are ready to party with you.

Aleks: Yeah. So we hope you all appreciate it.

Eddy: Yes, appreciate everyone.

Tim: How are you? What an honour that you’ve cracked a beer. Eddy, I must go get something from the.

Eddy: Please do, please do. I’m pretty staunch on not drinking during the week.

Aleks: And don’t you remind me every single day.

Eddy: But, you know. Yeah, actually, truth be told, I had a I had a gin and tonic earlier today. Another friend of ours, John Edney, who’s a DJ celebrant in Melbourne. We went to like a trade show of sorts. Have a drink. I’m like, oh, I’m breaking my rule, but I’m breaking it twice. And definitely very nice.

Tim: Everything in moderation, including moderation.

Eddy: I say, that’s a very good piece of advice to cap things off.

Aleks: Quote, I live.

Eddy: And you’ve been. Well, I know we’ve chatted before we.

Aleks: Hit record, but let’s pretend that we haven’t.

Eddy: That we haven’t chatted. How have you been for our audience?

Tim: They’ve actually been on this discussion for about 3 hours now. So I’m done. It’s been a pleasure. No, I’m well, guys, I’m well, I’m very excited. I’m starting to feel. I’m starting to recharge the batteries after a big wedding season. So coming into winter, I think it’s starting to quiet down now, which is good. So, yeah, recharging those batteries and. Yeah, ready to go for another big season next year.

Eddy: Yes. And it is so important to do exactly that, to recharge, because I don’t know if you all have seen Tim out on the decks, out on his knees, hurt, thinking about it, he gets down. So he needs this time to kind of bring energise.

Tim: I’m embracing. Yeah, I’m embracing being in the low thirties. I’m sure those knees won’t last much longer, so we’ll give it a red hot crack while they’re in action.

Aleks: Go absolute nuts. Because I can tell you, I’m nearing 39 and my knees creak now, don’t I complain? They creak.

Eddy: They creak. Anyway, I can hear it now if you listen really closely.

Aleks: Yeah, that’s right. But let’s start right from the beginning and tell our listeners how you actually got into weddings.

Eddy: Yeah, sure.

Tim: And great question. Because, to be honest, ten years ago, if you had told me I’m doing what I’m doing now, I would have laughed at you. So it all started well, I’ve always had a passion for music and I played saxon way back in the day. I joined quite a few junior bands back in high school, but I ended up after high school pursuing a legal pathway. So do practise as an employment lawyer, then. It was about five years ago. So my brother shout out to DJ Callum Gracie. There we go. He’ll love that. So he is. We’ll call him a full blown musician. He studied jazz. He also ran Baker boys band, Interstate. And anyway, he started getting to the DJ. He plays sax, plays trumpet. He then moved to Victoria, which is incredible for a very short period. But he lent me some of his DDJ 400s, which for those of you who know what those DJ decks are, they are very fun. A small, little portable beginner’s deck. And once I got behind one of those and we just had a bit of fun and started mixing, I was like, oh, this is incredible. I want it.

Tim: So that kickstarted this whole process. So when I started out, I started off with various agencies across Melbourne. And then the last two years, I’ve now started working fully for myself. And it’s been absolutely fantastic. I made some absolute vendors, some awesome vendors along the way. DJ’s photographers, videographers, celebrants, you know, working at fantastic venues. It really is such a cool and exciting job and I’m so chuffed to be able to do this.

Eddy: Love it, love it. And it is very special. Like, you do meet some very special vendors and that really pour their hearts into what they do. And that’s quite magical.

Aleks: Yeah. And you work with a lot of creators. You’re always surrounded by creatives and other small business owners, which it’s always interesting times. Let’s just put it out very diplomatic. No, it’s very, like, it’s very different to, like, being in the corporate world. You know what I mean? Like, it’s. Yeah, everyone kind of has an opinion, has a vibe and. But there’s a lot of passion there as well, which I think, you know, you’ve kind of alluded to any. Have you got any appetite for the trumpet then? Given it’s a family trait, I’ll keep.

Tim: It strictly to woodwind for now.

Eddy: Never say never, ever say never. And you did mention Callum, but your family’s quite unique in. Well, I’ll let you explain in that they’re quite a few DJ’s sax play.

Tim: Absolutely. There’s good things coming through. So there is a sister in there as well. DJ Emily. Gracie. Shout out as well.

Eddy: There it is.

Tim: So there is, believe it or not, a fourth Gracie brother. I guess it’s kind of like the. The unknown Hemsworth. He doesn’t DJ. But again, never say never.

Eddy: Never say never. Had the chat with him. Like, we’ve got a. Yeah, we’ve got to. Come on.

Tim: Have you met me?

Eddy: Okay, I know the answer to that question.

Aleks: That’s so funny. And he does an easy musical at all.

Tim: Uh, no.

Aleks: Nah, nah.

Eddy: He’s the black sheep. Let’s again.

Tim: Never say never. He loves. He lives up in Queensland. He’s, uh, he’s got a new. A new boar now as well. So I think he’s here. He’s busy.

Aleks: Probably noisy enough in that household before introducing the sacks trumpet.

Eddy: Yeah. Yeah.

Aleks: It’s funny when you were talking about like, your first experience of like, playing around on DJ decks. Could not be more different from my first experience, which was like me. Like, I was like, that’s it, I want to learn. When Ed and I first met and then I just jumped on and I was like, as I normally am with technology. Nah, I remember.

Eddy: I actually do remember we were living in Fitzroy at that point and I had this. Not too dissimilar to what you’re using now. It’s an RX, original RX with a little screen.

Aleks: Bit of a beast.

Tim: Yeah. Nice.

Eddy: Yeah, well, Tim has the RX three a lot. Like, all these people listening have no idea about the technology. Be like, what are you talking about? It’s what makes the music happen. But no, she sort of took one look at it, she’s like, nah, nah. I think I might have been in. Went in sort of too hard with like, this is how you beat match, rather than this is just how you.

Aleks: This is how you fade a song.

Eddy: Hit play.

Tim: But it’s. Yeah, it’s funny, though, with those kind of things, though, like when you picking up a new skill, it’s very easy to hit that point where it’s like, oh, this is too hard. And you stop. And I think it’s great to have someone like, for Aleks, that was you, Eddy, you know, to really push Aleks out of their comfort zone and keep persisting. And that was like what Colin did with me. And I think it’s great because then eventually things start to click that, you know, that sort of, that drive, that self drive starts to kick in. It’s just getting over that initial, you know, hesitation, I guess.

Eddy: Yeah. Oh, definitely.

Aleks: It’s funny because when you’re a kid, you’re always learning new skills and trying new things and you got hobbies and stuff when you’re out or you’re like, ugh.

Eddy: Therefore I hate.

Aleks: I’m going to pour myself another wine.

Eddy: Oh, here you go. Should we have a little bit of a. I mean, obviously it will be a break for us, but it won’t be for our listeners because I’ll quickly go snap. Did you want to go get yourself a drink or is that out of the question?

Tim: Yeah, you know what?

Aleks: I will.

Eddy: Okay, no worries. We shall see you soon.

Tim: Sounds good.

Eddy: Yes. And there you go. That’s how quick it happens. Tim does not waste his time getting a drink. Bam.

Tim: It was just like, absolutely not, coach. Appreciate the.

Aleks: Oh, nice.

Eddy: Yeah. I love that sound.

Aleks: Mine was like, glug, glug, glug.

Eddy: It was like glug, glug. But we were actually. When you were gone, I’m not the listeners would have heard this, but we were just chatting about Aleks drop of red. It’s a can. What is it?

Aleks: Let’s go. Nature. Pinot noir. Organic, vegan, but vegan. But it’s more the branding.

Eddy: That’s why. That’s what kind of got me when.

Aleks: I was, like, packaging, like labelling, like, really does.

Eddy: Anyway, I’m sure we’ll chat about branding on this episode.

Tim: So you leave educated in wine, straight.

Eddy: On to the wine. That’s our sister podcast, wine time.

Aleks: Wine time.

Eddy: Aleks and Air Horn Tim. It is. So we did sort of allude to some of the types of couples that you work with, as well as, obviously, vendors, et cetera. So what are your favourite types of couples that you love to work with?

Tim: Yeah, totally. I think this is in a very similar vein, too, with you guys as well and as clients that just want to party. You know, it’s that non traditional, you know, a non traditional style of weddings where they just value, you know, music, fun, good times. And I think it’s that shared with a lot of vendors as well in the industry, which is awesome. I think there’s definitely been a lot more of those kinds of weddings coming to the fore now, which is really, really cool. And I guess the question really does become, you know, as a vendor, how do you attract those clients? And I think, and I be very keen to hear what your thoughts are on it, but I really do think your website and social media is your digital stage in that sense, in that sort of what you put out there, you get back. So it kind of goes that showing, that old saying of, you know, show me your five friends and I’ll show you your future. You know, show me what you’re putting out there. You putting out, you know, fun content stuff that’s in line with people who are similar to you. And I think that’s the way to kind of track those, you know, my favourite types of couples who just want a good time. And I’ve been so lucky along the way to have just some absolute belters, belter of clients we stay in touch with, keep in touch on Instagram and show some love for their stories and it’s really nice. And that carries on well after the wedding because there are some legends out there getting married.

Eddy: No, I love, I love that you’ve gone there and it’s, it’s funny because you eventually kind of bump into these people as they are guests at other weddings and you’re playing because, you know, may, they may have recommended you or they’re just travelling in the same sort of social circles and that’s so much fun. And they tend to be a lot more relaxed when they guess as well.

Aleks: I know. It’s such a different vibe. It’s funny that, um. Yeah, we know we’re talking about, like, we do quite similar weddings and do attract those kind of similar couples, but it’s quite funny when I get on a call with a potential couple and they’ve inquired with you and you’ve kind of recommended us and you’ve not been available and I always have to catch myself because I’m always like, oh, so Tim the DJ recommended us. They’re like, yeah, yeah. And I’m like, he’s such a legend. He’s the best. And they just look at me like. And I’m like, but I’m also great.

Tim: That’s so funny and so nice. And that’s a great thing. I mean, yeah. Being able to share those clients as well, because at the end of the day, we only have a limited number of weekends each month, so it’s great too, I think, in terms of when you do get the chance to have a chat with those clients in those initial stages, finding out a bit more about them as well. Because ultimately, and very lucky now, and I’m sure you guys are similar as well in that the clients that are getting in touch now and inquiring, they’re not ones who are looking for a glorified jukebox. And if they are, I don’t want to take it respectfully. And the reason being is that I’ve only got four Saturdays in November, just like every other vendor out there, so we want to make them count. Yep.

Eddy: Absolutely. Absolutely.

Aleks: And you like, the thing is you want to be enjoying yourself as well because it does rub off on the, on the night, on the atmosphere, on the vibe, on the guests. Like people do notice and you don’t, you don’t want to be put in a position where you are just a glorified jukebox because, you know, you’re super high energy, you’re really into your music. You love working with couples who appreciate that. So it just wouldn’t be a good fit and it wouldn’t be good for anyone.

Tim: Yeah, totally.

Aleks: It’s a really, really good point. So let’s talk about what makes an absolute banging party. And I just want to say, you know, we talk about non traditional a lot, but we’ve had a couple of conversations with people and I think it doesn’t mean that couples will stay away from traditions, as in, like, maybe formalities that you would associate with a wedding. You know, I’m not sure about you, Tim, and we can go into this, but, like, a lot of our couples will still. Still do, you know, the entrances, they’ll still do a first dance, they’ll still do cake cutting and all that sort of thing. It doesn’t mean that it’s not a party and it’s not.

Eddy: Yeah, they’ll put their own spin on them as well. That’s where the non traditional kind of creeps in.

Aleks: Yes, yes. Shots and that sort of thing. So what are some of the things that you’ve seen that you’re like, whoa, yeah, this is gonna be a banging wedding?

Tim: Yeah, totally. I think. Well, in terms of, I guess, what are the key ingredients for a banging party? I think. Do your research on the venue. I think sound restrictions can have a big impact on the ability to sort of, you know, grip it and rip it when it comes time for the dance floor. Now, I do know, and mindful that, you know, venues don’t impose sound restrictions by choice, you know, of course, very mindful that they do, you know, do sympathise with venues, who they may have, you know, neighbours who are giving them a really hard time and they’ve got to run a business, et cetera. So totally respect that. But look, in my experience, there have been moments, though, where clients were not informed whatsoever that there are some very, very strict sound restrictions and they weren’t aware of it. And it can make for a pretty awkward moment where you’ve either got to tell them yourself, which is not nice to do, or. Yeah, or you start the dance floor and the venue manager comes over and tells you to turn it down straight away and it’s tough because you’ve got to work with venue’s limit. And of course, like I said, absolutely being very mindful of venues, they don’t want to do it. But I think it’s just asking the question if you are looking at having a banging party, wanting everyone up and about, just sussing out what their venue restrictions are. And that’s not to say that if a venue does have sound restrictions, that means straight away that it’s not going to be a banging party. It really like, there’s certainly venues that they do have restrictions, but they are loud enough that you still can kick things off. But there are just a very small number which I won’t name on the podcast. But that does make it hard where you can’t put the volume up much more than sort of background conversation levels.

Aleks: Yeah, that’s a good point to raise because we do very often work within sound restrictions, particularly anywhere that’s residential. Doesn’t have to just be in a city. There are places in Yarraval where you’ve got residential properties not too far away and that sort of thing. But. And this is where it gets tricky, I suppose if clients don’t understand, you know, what 90 decibels actually means, it’s probably worthwhile couples actually checking with a DJ or a musician or anyone in the industry. Just what that actually means, because I think that can be quite confusing.

Eddy: I also find that even though some venues do state a decibel level that really concerned about the bass levels, and I know that your sound system that you use, Tim, is similar in ours in that we are able to EQ and change the levels of bass. Maybe turn it down a little bit so it can push out a louder volume, but like roll back on those vibrations that tend to capture the complaints of neighbours and things like that. So there are ways of kind of massaging through it. But I think you’ve knocked it on the head when you’ve said, just be upfront about it. Ask the question. I mean, in the perfect world, ask the question before you book the venue. If you are after a rager of a party, maybe get in touch with some DJ’s prior to the actual venue themselves. Ask them for their advice on what has no restrictions or few restrictions to make their party as big as they want it to be.

Aleks: You can even jump on one of those Facebook groups where there are other couples planning their weddings because there are a lot of vendors on those groups. So rather than having to like, reach out to people that you might not inquire with, jumping on a group like that could help. Or like a wedge shed or something where. Yeah, any. Any kind of space where there are both couples who maybe have gotten married there as well as vendors is a good idea. Cool. That’s a really.

Eddy: That’s a. That’s a good number one.

Aleks: Yeah. How many got? How many got?

Tim: How many do you want? I mean, there’s many, I think, some other things, I think, which you know, make for a great dance for is. And this is more relevant for when you have a DJ, it is different to a band, but when you have a DJ, I think not having dance sets, I’ve been a big firm believer in one. That first dance occurs around that 830 mark that there about you kick off into the dance floor and that’s a solid. That’s a solid set. I do find that if clients especially notice this early on when I was working with agencies, but if, for example, they had a predetermined time sheet that had to abide with, that’s no worries at all. But I found that sort of if there were three sets in the night, the first set would always go off. Then when you have that break, that second set always comes back sort of 20, 30% less energy. And then when you have that next break, that third bracket is always tough to get people up and about. Yeah, yeah.

Eddy: Well, I’m going to play devil’s advocate just a little bit. Not on three. Not on three of them, because three, exactly, as you’ve mentioned, is very, very tough. Where I’ve found that maybe one very early works is if the couple wants to get their first dance out of the way straight away. So I had one last weekend.

Aleks: We very rarely have them, though. That’s the first time we had it in like a year.

Eddy: Yeah. So this is, this is quite. Yeah, it’s quite good that this happened because it’s front of mind, but they came in to fireball by pitbull. They did a shot of fireball.

Aleks: Okay, but that’s not very traditional.

Eddy: That’s not either. So this is the order of events.

Aleks: Yeah.

Eddy: Up the stairs. Them and their wedding party did the shot. They cut their cake. They had a first dance, mother daughter, father, son, because the parents wanted that. And then we opened it up for about 15 to 20 minutes of just throwbacks. Like eight and a minute high enough. September, I want to dance with somebody. And what that did was that basically told the older generation that I knew what I was doing in terms of throwbacks. So they trusted me more. And then when it got to the second dance bracket, the only other one, the proper one, everyone just rushed the dance floor, even without the couple racing up there quickly.

Aleks: Good point.

Eddy: However, I typically agree with Tim on just the one big one at the end and just let everyone let their hair down.

Aleks: Absolutely. Yeah. It’s hard to get that energy initially. And I think what it does as well, and it’s. It always comes from the venue, is it actually cuts down on that main dance floor time. So it does cut into that. Whereas you know, it’s better to have a solid two and a half hours of like everyone’s had a few drinks, formalities.

Eddy: Is the sweet spot perfect?

Aleks: We always talk about like a perfect dance floor time. Do you have like a perfect. Because we had a few dance, we’re like 4 hours, four and a half. Like the cocktail salad. Like we’re like yeah, it’s great but like that’s a long time. But like do you have like a. We say it’s two and a half hours. Do you have like a sweet spot?

Tim: Yeah, no, totally back bang on. I think 20 out and 25 hours is the perfect amount of time. And I’ve had clients who have put forward some, some, some time travelling of their night and asked for some suggestions and they’ve had the dancer kicking off at 730. And I said hey guys, like don’t get me wrong, as a DJ, I would love to throw down mixes for that long, but I think to get the most out of the night, you want, you want a good quality dance floor, not just a dance floor. And I think you’re right by pushing it back that a little bit, it gives. There’s a couple of things I think it’s, I guess, firstly guess lickering up a little bit something, get a bit more loose, bit more comfortable. And I think too as the sun starts to go down, it gets a bit darker. You know, people’s inner party animals come out. So yeah, I think sort of. Yeah. Kicking off that a little bit later around the 830 mark to eleven or midnight or sort of whichever time works. Yeah, that’s one. 2 hours is the sweet spot for sure. And I also think too it’s great regarding that early bracket. Like first dance is great, especially for couples whose photographer might be only be booked until sort of say 07:38 p.m. you get some sweet shots of all your guests on the D floor early. So yeah, that’s right. Option for the couples who might be a little bit limited on photography time as well.

Eddy: I’m so glad you mentioned that because that’s really important.

Aleks: That’s a good point, but disclaimer, this literally happens. So we have dance brackets once every.

Eddy: Two years, which is why I mentioned it because.

Aleks: Yeah, it’s just because that actually works.

Eddy: Uncommon for us.

Aleks: And look, it does depend. I mean you can get very lucky, you know, obviously starting off that dance bracket with shots kind of sent a signal of hey, like this is what we’re here for. Yeah, it’s that we’re gonna party. It does work. Sometimes I personally get offended when the photographer’s like, yeah, I’m gonna leave, like after the first dance, I’m like, you see? Okay, well, maybe 20 minutes. Like some dance floor shots.

Eddy: Like, yeah, like, yeah. Having said that not too long ago, but like, in their defence, they have.

Aleks: A long days and it depends on what the couple wants. And, you know, like sometimes they do want those getting ready because they’ve got like their grandparents there and they might not be there for the reception, etc. So they want to start earlier or whatever. So I totally understand that doesn’t maybe work within their budget or the photographers package, but, yeah, I just take personal offence to it when photographer, and I.

Tim: Guess for clients, if there’s any, if there’s anyone still listening in terms of people in the planning process for their wedding and if they’re not quite sure about what they’re. And I’m sure, of course I’m not going to speak for photographers, but if they’re, if they are looking at photography packages and they’re mindful of the time, it’s going to be quite tight. It should give them a bit of comfort. That they only need 20 minutes on a dance floor is ample time more than to get some great snapshot. Yeah, yeah.

Aleks: I do find that, like a lot of photographers, you know, if things are like running a bit late or they kind of say there’s a good vibe going on for the dance floor, you know, the good ones will stay around.

Eddy: They’ll see the opportunity for 1015.

Aleks: Yeah. Some extra shots.

Tim: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Yeah.

Eddy: But photographers, please still be our friends.

Tim: Yeah. We love you. You got the good work.

Eddy: So you’ve come. Okay, so you’ve come out with a couple of bangers there. In terms of a banging party, is there anything else that you wanted to sort of round it out with that you would recommend?

Tim: Yeah, I think really it’s just getting to know your DJ or your vendors and I think that’s a real benefit of booking vendors who run their own business. You get to meet and I guess it sounds a bit lame, but I guess you really do kind of build a bit of a relationship with them in the lead up. And I think too, you get to follow their social, see what they’re up to, you see their style. So you know that you’ve got no surprises come your big day. I think that’s really important that you do trust your vendors. I couldn’t imagine anything worse the night before. If there was a couple, had books and vendors, and they were nervous the night before. Are they even going to rock up? I have had poor communication with them. Rah, rah, rah. So, yeah, I think getting to know your vendors and really building that trust and connection, I think, is key.

Eddy: Definitely. Yeah, I could not agree more with that. And you mentioned before that you kind of catch up with your couples on Instagram and things like that. And obviously, your couples would be very similar to ours in that they’ll start following us, even our personal accounts. Aleks and I, depending on who’s playing the wedding, and they’ll comment on things and we’ll have a chat, and they might be like, oh, I love this song on that you’re playing on one of your stories. So you note that down, you throw it in their questionnaire. So you are kind of helping build that music brief. And obviously, that overall connection along the way, which is definitely not something you get, I imagine at most, like, multi op businesses that have a lot of DJ’s and they might not even know who the DJ is till the week of.

Tim: Yeah, yeah.

Aleks: Which for some people, you know, it like, if music is not a huge priority, works well, we’re talking about people.

Eddy: That want to bang.

Aleks: No, we’re not. Yeah, let’s. Let’s disregard the others. All right, moving on.

Eddy: But no, yeah.

Aleks: Or very, very good points. And obviously we agree with all of that. I’m pretty sure we’ve covered all.

Eddy: Pretty sure we’ll agree with most things.

Aleks: If not, it’s gonna be an awkward.

Tim: Podcast. Just cuts out.

Eddy: Yeah. So that’s all we have time for. And so. Okay, so we’ve talked about the ingredients for a banging party, which we would 100% agree with. What kind of trends are you seeing in weddings? Because you’re a DJ, specifically in relation to. To tunes.

Tim: Yeah. Great. Trains. Well, champagne. Sorry? Champagne. Champagne. Champagne sprays, I think, are definitely in for entrances, and that’s definitely been spiced up with a bit of sacks as well. So I think that’s definitely having a moment and similar to you, to you guys as well with entrances. I love making it a big thing. So when couples come in, that music comes in loud for their songs. Yeah. And I think shout out to do sacks. Harry from Bendigo, I think he’s really got that. That movement going with the champagne spray on entrances. I’m not sure if you’ve seen that footage of him that went viral a little while ago of the remix to the next episode.

Eddy: No, I’ve missed out on this.

Tim: Well, I’ll flick to you. But it’s funny, I’ve actually had a few clients reach out to me, been like, hey, we’ve seen this. Can we do this? It’s so funny. So I’ve messaged Harry. I said, mate, you’ve started.

Eddy: You’ve ruined it for me. I just. Whenever I hear, like, anything spraying anywhere, any liquid, I freak out. Just spray it away from the equipment.

Tim: Totally. And it’s funny, I have had that little rundown with a client before. Just say, hey, just a quick one. When you do it, let it rip. Just point it away.

Aleks: I’ve seen the champagne spray. That’s interesting.

Eddy: Yeah.

Aleks: Have you seen it for anybody?

Eddy: Our phones are listening to us right now. I’ve only seen champagne sprays on the f one podiums, really?

Tim: But, yeah, I think that’s kind of where I started.

Aleks: All right, from now on, after this podcast, I’m gonna have to put that plastic cover on my decks. Like, you see, like the dog table with the, like, furniture, you know, the plastic.

Eddy: Tip top.

Tim: Absolutely. I have that already. I am. I am a quarter italian, so a quarter of my couch has plastic on it.

Eddy: You probably got just the bottom, though. This isn’t doing anything.

Tim: I haven’t dog in this household. It’s, um. Yeah.

Eddy: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Fair play, fair play.

Aleks: We know about pets and couches. Champagne spray. Very interesting.

Eddy: Yeah, that’s good. No, I like that a lot. You can, like, you can have fun with, like, you alluded to this, Tim, but you can have fun with the tunes. On entrances, you make him super energetic and loud, and it just really signifies the start of a fantastic night with heaps of energy and heaps of fun. So. Yeah, definitely on the same page there.

Tim: Yeah, great.

Aleks: It’s funny. I had the couple I deejayed for last weekend, they said, oh, we don’t want to do an entrance. And then I was like, in my mind, I was like, yeah, you do. Yeah, you do. So I prepared a song and lo behold. Lo and behold. Of course they wanted one. Sorry. And it wasn’t a big energy one, but I played give me some love and, you know, Spencer Davis group, which was in their, like, briefs in their request, sorry. In the brief. And it was like, the song, like, they weren’t hype, but they kind of, like, were glowing. They were like, walking in, like, really excited to be entering the reception. And it was a high energy song and has a good build.

Eddy: And it’s funny, like, I love that you’ve mentioned that you kind of had one up your sleeve, like, a lot of the time, couples. But we’re not doing this, this and this. Yeah, but I’ll like, just have things ready, like, just up my sleeve, just in case they kind of change their mind, you know, it might even be like, we don’t do this a lot. We don’t see this a lot. Bouquet tosses and stuff like that. But I always have something up my sleeve just in case some, they know someone touched me on the shoulder and be like, we’re going to do it. Cool. No worries. I’m ready to go.

Aleks: Yeah. That’s one formality that we see very, very infrequently, maybe once or twice a year. How about yourself, Tim? Do you see the bouquet toss much?

Tim: Yeah, I think it’s definitely on the way out. I don’t see it as often. Look, when it does, it’s fun. If I’m on the mark that night, I’ll get not only single ladies, but single men taking men taking women. Whatever. Get on down, you know, reach for that bouquet. Let’s just go for it.

Eddy: Just.

Tim: Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Markers up with the bouquet.

Eddy: Exactly. What about, um. This is one we never. I never see anymore. Only in my agency did I see. This is the garter toss.

Tim: I’ve only had it since my. I had a lot with my. Not a lot, but I was more regular with the agency work. Yeah, my line of work, I’ve had it twice. But I, admittedly, one of the photos that I saw, the gallery and one of the photos from the garda toss, it was the groom flicking the garda toss to the guys. And it actually made for a pretty epic photo. But, yeah, I do agree. I think whilst bouquet toss is on the way out, I think garda toss, I think even more so.

Eddy: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Aleks: Although it’s. The gaita toss is funnier and more fun than the bouquet toss. About it, I think.

Eddy: Depends if it’s. If it’s an all, it’s all in. If everyone is there, like, you know, trying to catch that bouquet. It’s pretty funny.

Aleks: In fact, one of the most memorable garter tosses ever was at your. We went to Eddy’s sister’s wedding and your brother in law did a garter toss, but could not, for the life of him, remember doing one. Do you remember that? No, you don’t. You wouldn’t remember either. Anyway, moving right along, it was a big night.

Eddy: He blocked it out and saw.

Aleks: Yeah, true.

Tim: While we’re helping remove the guard, I.

Aleks: Definitely am gonna have an incest warning now.

Eddy: I don’t think Apple has an incest.

Aleks: Oh, well, we haven’t sworn yet, so. No. All right, moving on. We have. We’ve talked about. Let’s talk music. Are there any particular music briefs that you especially secretly like? Not to say that you don’t like other types of music, but when you get a briefing, like, oh, yeah, this is awesome.

Tim: Oh, yeah, totally. Well, I love diving into their sort of vibe playlist that they provide. So when I think it’s probably similar to you guys, but with clients, once they book, I’ll send them an online questionnaire and that’s where they can put in their sort of their must plays and their do not plays. And I do like to limit the must plays because I do think it’s a bit planning a g four in your living room versus on the night, so having that flexibility to be able to manoeuvre. But of course you want to have their must plays included as well. But I do have a spot for them to put in their vibe playlist. So what they, they listen to in their private time. And I love walking the dog. In the week leading up to the wedding, I walk my dog, get a coffee, listen, and pick out some of my favourite tunes in there. And quite often it really does get me excited for the wedding because especially when you sort of hear those songs that you know and love, um, they’re your, you know, your own guilty pleasures from, you know, the early nineties.

Eddy: Yeah.

Tim: Um, so, yeah, so I love that especially, too, um, when they have a real mix of songs in there as well, um, sort of shows that they are sort of down for, you know, a whole lot of tunes that you’ll be spinning that night. So, um, yeah, yeah. Actually, I think it was you, um, Aleks, actually, you said on this potty a little while ago, and it was a great point. And it was about when you would find your clients, Spotify profiles and jump into their old playlists.

Aleks: Love it. Have a little creep around.

Eddy: Yeah. You feel kind of like you stalker ish.

Tim: Yeah.

Aleks: But you know what?

Eddy: Like, oh, your, you know, your 32nd birthday. I’ll go in there, like, have a look around.

Aleks: But they, I feel like the couples will, you know, that. I don’t know, everyone’s like, you know, they’re thinking like, okay, wedding, wedding, wedding. What do I want for my wedding? Right? And then when you delve, you’re like, oh, really good stuff. I can play early in the night. So, like, I’ve thrown in, like, obscure tune, like, upbeat fun, and then I’ve had, like, the groom, like, look at me like, in disbelief. I can’t believe he chose this song, like, you know, in, like, a Spotify playlist from, like, you know, my gym workouts five years ago. But I, like, love this song.

Eddy: It’s, like, coming across, like I’m a bee, right? And, you know, caveat. Like, some people don’t like black eyed peas and whatever, but, you know, you find Amity in one of their, like, playlists, and then they’re like, holy shit. Yes. There’s a swearing.

Tim: Oh, yeah.

Eddy: You know, you’re like that. They’re like, whoa.

Tim: Yeah, it’s. It’s funny. There’s definitely a small selection of songs out there that like it. People don’t listen to. I don’t listen to my own, you know, private, you know, listening world. But you hear that in public on a dance floor, and it makes you. It just makes you. Yeah, go for it.

Eddy: What can I say? This. The slut drops and all that kind of stuff.

Tim: Again, testing my knees. But once they’re good, I love that.

Eddy: Like, I’m talking about the crowd, but you’re. You’re in there doing it as well.

Aleks: It’s like, yeah, he’s in the crowd. Yeah.

Eddy: Well, that’s the thing. That’s the difference between Tim and you and I. Unless one of us, like, learns how to play the trumpet or something. Tim’s out there in the crowd at times during the wedding.

Aleks: Well, let’s talk about. How does that. How does that work, typically? So how often will you kind of get out there? Do you kind of get out there in the crowd throughout the whole night playing the sax? Or does the couple kind of choose when you go in and out, or how does it work?

Tim: Yeah, totally. Great question. So I’m very mindful with the sax, that it’s there. It’s there to complement the music but not take over. So I bring it in and out sort of at the right moments, at the right time. So the right song. So I. It’s definitely not every song. Not every song. Perhaps not even every third song. What it tends to, or sort of how it usually works is when that D floor opens, that sax will come out for a big feature in the first sort of two or three songs. And people, like, love it. They really are like, whoa. The DJ plays the sax as well, because often it’s kind of hidden a little bit behind my booth, but then sort of after. So, yeah, after that, it just comes out as special twist because it really does lift that arm, that dance floor. But I’m mindful. I don’t sort of noodle. I’ve really worked at curating that, that sort of, that dance floor set. Those real feature songs that like when the sax is out, people are like, hell yeah. But I’m also very mindful that I don’t ever want people to be like, too much sax.

Tim: Bring it back. So I think, yeah, if for me this spectrum at the end of the night I would want a client being like, oh, that sax is great. Wanted, I wanted more than being like. I did, it was cool. But he played too much.

Eddy: That who’s here in my face.

Aleks: That’s so, yeah, that’s kind of like, it’s kind of like what we were talking about before with like an extra long dance floor. It’s better to have people kind of like ah, wanting to like keep him.

Eddy: Sort of peppering it in. And look, we obviously have sax players that can play with us, we obviously don’t play it ourselves. And we explain it the exact same way to our couples. If they’re inquiring like, yeah, you do compliment the music. It’s not about just as it’s not about myself, Aleks, yourself as a DJ at someone’s wedding, it’s not about the sax player taking over and being about them. It’s obviously about the couples in their nearest and dearest at that wedding.

Aleks: Yeah, absolutely.

Tim: Totally.

Aleks: And it looks like you, you know, you mentioned like champagne spray and stuff. So do you bring out sax for like key moments before the dance floor kicks off?

Eddy: Yeah.

Tim: So if the client wants it for sure. But I tend to find that the sax coming out for the dance floor is, I think that’s when you get them the biggest reaction from guests where they kind of lose their minds like well where the hell does that come from? Yeah, I do find for example, if you, if you have sax in cocktail kanapay hour or people, you’re playing some, you know, incredible, you know, even technical music and people, people don’t give.

Aleks: Yeah.

Tim: That won’t appreciate as much. Yeah.

Eddy: Whereas it’s lost on most people.

Tim: It does, yeah. So that’s why it’s really nice having it as that surprise because at that point in time people are ready to, you know, let their hair down. So I think when you pull it out of that moment it just kind of really lifts that um, that energy.

Eddy: Yeah, I love that. That’s so good. I was actually, I kind of had a chuckle to myself. This is about a month ago. I was in your neck of the woods in Ballarat playing a venue and there was a photographer there for the life of me, I can’t remember his name, so I feel really bad now. But he knew who you were.

Tim: One point, Scott, shout out to one.

Eddy: Point, Scotty, shout out. So, I’m sorry, Scotty, that I. That I forgot your name just then, but. Lucky you’re here, Tim. Anyway, so I. Hey, I’m Eddy. I’m the DJ. Hey, you know. Oh, do you play this act as well? I’m like bloody Gracie. Yeah, but it’s after you leave, so.

Tim: Hey, Tim, what time do you leave? 09:00 right. Thanks.

Aleks: Is it. Is it hard to learn? Could we learn the sax? Is it hard to learn?

Eddy: Of course.

Tim: Of course. You can.

Eddy: Go for 2025. You can.

Aleks: You can be celebrating.

Tim: Incredible. Absolutely.

Aleks: I just do one.

Eddy: One gig a year. That’s.

Aleks: That’s my salary.

Tim: I’d have to book you just like. And have you playing sax.

Aleks: Yeah.

Tim: I would love you to serenade me to careless whisper.

Aleks: Do you have songs like that? That.

Tim: A month ago, that was all that he wanted for the dance floor. Yeah, he had no song requests other than he just wanted to be serenaded to careless Whisper. And by did it, and it was great. It was so much fun. So. Yeah, it’s one of those things that you can have a lot of fun with.

Eddy: It’s making dreams come true.

Tim: Yeah. Well, that’s what we do.

Eddy: All in a day’s work.

Tim: All in a day’s work. But, yeah, I think maybe. Tough topic there, but I think really, in terms of the particular music briefs from the client as well, I think ultimately, it’s just like when you see stuff that screams, you know, fun, you know, these people are just here to really enjoy themselves. That’s what, you know, really puts a smile on my dial. And, like, for example, I’ve got a wedding this Saturday at the Yarra Valley, and one of the number one song was Lizzie McGuire, what dreams are made of. So.

Eddy: Oh, my God, I had the exact same thing last weekend.

Aleks: Did you?

Tim: Yeah. It’s nice. Yeah. And I’m guessing it was a great, fun wedding.

Eddy: Oh, it was awesome. Yeah, yeah. Actually, the bride actually jumped behind the decks and put the headphones on, and I was like, press this button.

Aleks: You.

Eddy: You do an air horn. But, like. Yeah, she didn’t.

Aleks: The air horn.

Eddy: She had a few. She had a few drinks.

Aleks: By that point, it was too much. It was beyond skill level.

Eddy: Yeah.

Tim: And I was doing speeches as well. Yeah, yeah.

Aleks: Are there any in terms of, like, I suppose, genres and stuff? Are there any like, that you prefer, just, like, for your own your own tastes. Not. Not necessarily. Like you said, it’s always good, like. And we’re the same. We love when couples come with a really good mix of stuff and, you know, crowd pleasers and that sort of thing. But do you lean more towards like a disco, funky, housey, soulful vibe or are you more of a, like mainstream pop or a dirty r and b? Kind of. Yeah.

Tim: Yeah. Well, look, guys, you do know me and my love for disco. So disco. Disco definitely does feature, but I love all music, all genres, or nearly all. So, like, the oldies are great. Your Frankie Valleys, which is, by the way, that I can’t take my eyes off of you song has definitely really come back. But, yeah, your eighties love, my nineties, early noughties, your pub anthems, brit punk, sort of rock. That stuff I love. I don’t get to play it as much as I’d like that kind of triple j 2000, sort of eight to twelve era. Want to play more of that. But, yeah, definitely disco House later on at night, I love it all and really just sort of playing those sort of that right genre at the right time. But I guess that’s the beauty as well of having a DJ who’s live mixing on the night, is that you can really sort of go through all those genres and you can always go back to something as well. So, for example, if you have your pub anthem sing alongs are sort of, you know, kicking off around town, then you start to go to a bit more sort of, you know, modern. They wanted a couple of, you know, house tunes or a bit of, um, you know, freed from desire, a gala. Those are like old nineties. But, you know, you’ve still got a few, you know. Oh, yeah. Your uncle, your dad’s, your aunties are still sort of around, still keen for a sing along. You can always then go back to those sing alongs. So I think that’s a beauty.

Tim: You know, the beautiful thing of having that DJ being able to weave and move through the different motions of the night.

Eddy: Oh, absolutely. And it’s funny you mentioned that you don’t get to play a lot of that kind of pop punk stuff because I think one of our colleagues and friends, Chris Appleton, aka DJ Apples, he’s taken all those gigs with the pop punk. He’s got. He’s got that.

Aleks: He’s got that market completely cornering inquiries from human booking. Those with the pop punk. I’ve had a couple of pop punk. I love the 2008, like, you know. Yeah. Welcome to the black parade, like, into the night.

Eddy: That’s a long song. You can’t mix out of that one. So you gotta.

Aleks: You can’t. There’s no.

Eddy: There’s no big explosion.

Aleks: If you, like, cut it out, like.

Eddy: Just before that, like, man, like, you’d be in trouble.

Aleks: But it’s like. It’s like a modern day bohemian rhapsody or something. Like, you have to play that. Actually, I had a. I had one recently where I did like a little pop. Like, I did like skater boy. So, like, everyone kind of enjoyed that because, you know, quite, you know, popular and then. Yeah, I write scenes, not tragedies, which I can love.

Eddy: You really do have the crowd sort of eating out of your palm of the. Of your hand in that. And you’re like, yes, this is great. I’m here for this.

Aleks: Yeah. If they’re enjoying it.

Eddy: If they’re enjoying it, you’re out of.

Aleks: There quick and that. Yeah, as you say, team, like, that’s the beauty, right? If you can see like, oh, the couple, like loves would love a bit of pop punk, but no one else is into it. You play a couple of songs. Okay, cool. Back to Aberdeen.

Eddy: You know what I’ve. So because we’re on the topic, like, of pop punk and things like that, there’s. When you play a few of those songs, so many people came out of the woodworks, I didn’t even know at the wedding. And they’re on the dance floor just from nowhere. Like, where’d you come from?

Aleks: Waiting all night, activating.

Eddy: Yeah. All of a sudden I never saw you. Because obviously they’re waiting for that moment and they’re like, this is it.

Aleks: Like, imagine if you never played it. How sad for the guests.

Eddy: Well, that comes back to what Tim is saying in that, like, as an open format wedding function DJ, you’re able to play. Yeah, anything.

Aleks: Anything. But it’s also, I think it’s a good reminder for couples to make sure they do think about all of their guests as well. And I think our couples are pretty good. I’m sure yours are too, Tim, because they do want a big party. They want a great party. So they do consider what other people want to hear, not just what they want to personally.

Tim: Yeah, totally. And I think that goes back to sort of the benefit of the must play song list. Like, really limiting it to. Well, for me, I like to limit it to five. Just so you as the DJ without that experience on wedding dance floors, know that you can move to all the different genres.

Aleks: Yeah, yeah, I think we’re the same. I think we say absolute Max five, maybe. Maybe five each if you want to. But I never make any promises. I always say, look, I will try to play absolutely every song on your must play, but sometimes the moments passed, sometimes they’ll provide stuff that’s maybe more background appropriate rather than dance floor as well. So I’ll let them know. But, yeah, I know there are some dj’s who do like, you know, a hundred must play songs and they have to play all the songs.

Eddy: What a nightmare.

Aleks: That’s a nightmare. Also, you’re not. You’re not reading the crowd, you’re not watching what’s happening. It might not work.

Eddy: Well, I’ve heard stories of, like, you must play these songs. Cool.

Aleks: That’s called Spotify and save you a few thousand bucks.

Eddy: Yeah, exactly.

Tim: Yeah, I confess, I had one of those when I was looking for an agency, and I think that was probably the catalyst for me to be like, right, I’m making my own business. I love.

Eddy: That was the catalyst. It’s so true, though. Yeah.

Tim: Yes, totally.

Eddy: There are some incredible agencies out there, obviously, but a lot of the agencies, they’re there just to really, really please their clients. And I understand why, but they didn’t seem to be a lot of flexibility, particularly from the ones that I came from, which I think might have been a bit different to the ones you came from, Tim. But they were like, nah, just do what the client says. And you’re like, well, yeah, I get it.

Tim: Yeah. And I think that’s kind of the benefit of, again, booking the vendors directly is I think that you can really, as couples looking to. To sort of book and plan and maximise their day, you can sort of lean on them in terms of asking advice or suggestions or recommendations. I think maybe that might be a little bit more limited. If they’re going through an agency, it might be a bit more. And this is not speaking for all agencies, there are some brilliant ones out there, but there’s a bit more of a. Yep, yep, that all sounds great. Sort of get it done, sort of palm it off to the DJ and they get the brief sort of a day or two before. So, yeah, I think that’s, that’s the advantage. But of course, you know, there’s. There are great agencies out there.

Eddy: Absolutely, absolutely. I know we’ve kind of touched on this already in terms of, like, song requests from the couple, but what’s your take on guest requests? I’ll give you two little scenarios on the RSVP coming through to you after the couple’s vetted them, because I know you’re going to say that. And number two, guest request at the wedding itself.

Tim: Yeah, totally. So I think in terms of the, the guest request on the invite scenario, one, if they’re not good, I’m not going to play them good. I was probably already going to play them anyway. Yeah. So, yeah, I think that when I get those lists, I treat it like the divide playlist. I look at that, I’ll pick out the great ones in there, the ones that are not going to work. Well, the one thing that you don’t have much control of is you don’t know what communications have gone out from the couple to.

Aleks: Promise you that all.

Tim: These songs will definitely be played to let us know. So you don’t want sort of people dancing, waiting for their songs coming yet. So, yeah, so for me, I always be guided by what I think will work well. And, yeah, when I get those lists again, I’ll look at them and I’ll pick out the good ones, but I won’t. Yeah. So much play. Play the ones I don’t think will work. And then in terms of guest requests on the night. Yeah, totally. That’s the great benefit of being a DJ who live mixes. You can take those requests. But I am very mindful, and I’ve sort of worked on how to respectfully knock back a request often. It’s, oh, that’s a great song, but I don’t have it.

Eddy: Sorry.

Tim: And I do have it.

Eddy: It’s a task of negotiating. I do it somewhat differently. I try to negotiate. I was like, oh, yeah, I love that song. It’s a great vibe. Probably not, like, right. It depends on how drunk for the couple. But, like, what else do you like? Do you like x, y, and z? If you give them a couple of options, then they’re like, I love, like, I don’t know, living on a prayer. Like, not that I’d play that or whatever, Madonna or whatever. Like that. And they walk away from me thinking that they came with that choice, depending on how drunk they are.

Tim: Yeah, nice.

Aleks: I’ve got another way as well, which is, um, I will say, oh, yep, yep. I’ll see if I can squeeze it in later.

Eddy: Yeah.

Aleks: Non committal.

Tim: 08:35 p.m. yeah.

Aleks: Wait, Caroline’s not gonna cut it at 08:35 p.m. but, yeah.

Tim: Look, it’s kind of funny, though. I said it’s modestly, but I do find that often not don’t get a whole lot of requests. And I think it’s because when you do, when you’re hitting that vibe, the dance floor, that right time. And people are up and about, you know, it’s working. They’re happy you’re listening through songs and so they’re loving it. So it doesn’t look, it’s not like, you know, a wedding. You get sort of, you know, 2345 requests every night. To be honest. I think on average you might get sort of one to two.

Eddy: I’d say that’s about right.

Tim: Yeah. Yeah. So. So, yeah, I think though, in terms of if the couple asked for a song that wasn’t there must play. They say, hey, check this one on. It’s absolutely that song on next. Yeah. Yeah.

Eddy: So it’s funny, I’m sure you’ve had this too. You had someone come and say, oh, the. The groom really wants this song.

Aleks: Oh, yeah.

Eddy: And you know that they don’t.

Aleks: Yeah.

Eddy: Oh, yeah. Okay, I see what I see.

Tim: Yeah. I see number one.

Eddy: Yeah. Well, that’s why, like, I’m sure we’ve probably mentioned on this body, but like, that’s why we write down not just to share our do not plays, but on our instagram. But I write them down a sticky note so I can hand the sticky note out to whoever’s requesting that song say, I want the nut bush here. This is what they don’t want.

Tim: Yeah. Yeah. Well played.

Aleks: I had, I had one at Jackalope, actually. I know you had a meeting someone from Jack Lobe tonight, but, um.

Eddy: Oh, that was Tim recommendation, by the way.

Aleks: Thank you.

Eddy: Thank you very much.

Aleks: I know I still owe you lunch to you.

Eddy: Oh, yeah, I think Aleks owes you like three lunches, by the way.

Tim: That’s right. Interest is accumulating daily. We’ve now ticked into, you know.

Eddy: No, boo, like seven courses.

Aleks: I have to squeeze it in before the end of the financial. Yeah, lunch is for everyone. No, someone came up to me and it was. Oh, no, sorry, it was Zonzo. And she requested the two only songs that were on the do not play. It was like eagle Rock, eagle rock and Sweet Caroline. And I just gave her the post, I think I put it on our instagram. And her face, she was like, not even angry. She was so amazing and impressed that she happened to choose the two songs that were on the channel.

Tim: That’s the most worth buying them, right? I mean, if you can pick any.

Aleks: Three songs in the world, she deserved them.

Eddy: Yeah.

Aleks: She really deserved them.

Eddy: She took it like a champ. Like. Yeah, because you got a photo with her holding it up.

Aleks: Yeah. And she, like, smiling.

Eddy: She’s like, so I love that.

Aleks: Yeah. But, yeah, it’s so true. Like, and you know what? There are, like, I played a corporate the other night, and I was on a massive stage. It was like, one of the huge ball.

Eddy: These are the kinds of things that Aleks demands at gigs. Like, huge stage and.

Tim: Yeah, yeah. Fruit platter in the back room.

Eddy: Exactly. Funny that she didn’t get fed at all.

Aleks: I don’t want to talk about it. It’s traumatic. Okay.

Eddy: She was very angry when she got home.

Aleks: It’s the only time I haven’t been fed in, like, two years. But anyway, I love the clients, so. Hi, if you’re listening.

Eddy: So they obviously didn’t get a writer beforehand.

Aleks: Blue M and M. Right up. But anyway, um. So I was like, you know, and it was only an hour and a half dance floor. Cause it was a big, like, awards gala thing, dinner. And I was like, there’s no way anyone’s gonna bother me on the stage. It was a massive stage. It was so much room. That was the first mistake that was. Right. And up the stairs they went, on the side. Security came dragging people off. Like, managing director came up, someone held their phone up, like, yep.

Eddy: No, it’s always that when you think you’re not gonna get any requests, that just, like, the floodgates will open.

Aleks: Yeah, sorry.

Tim: Sorry.

Aleks: No, I’m gonna say other times it’s like, fine, you know?

Eddy: Yeah.

Tim: Yeah. Well, I’m curious. What were the requests at a corporate event?

Aleks: Sandstorm.

Tim: Right on. These guys know how to party.

Aleks: Yeah, they actually do. It was, like, the third event I’ve done for them, and they get really going in the last hour, which is annoying.

Eddy: Often happens at corporate events.

Tim: Yeah.

Aleks: And they’re like, stickers. And I’m like, uh. It’s, like, really late. It’s a Tuesday night.

Eddy: Give me my food and I’ll think about it.

Aleks: Yeah, but it wasn’t. Yeah, but it wasn’t just me. There was, like, a whole av team and all the hotel staff. So I’m like, there’s no way anyone’s. Let’s stand sandstorm. What else? Oh, someone requested, really drunkenly, some song from the Lion King. And it was a circle of life. Because after I was, like, packing down the photo booth, they were all drunkenly singing it. But I thought he said the song of life. I’m like, I don’t know. I’ll have a look. And I was playing, like, dance bangers. I’m like, this is not really gonna fit. But I know from next time, I’ll do an event for them. I’ll play that.

Eddy: It’s kind of funny, Mitch, because they always seem to have, like, one of those very left off field team song. I had my heart will go on Celine Dion at a recent corporate event. And it just. The biggest song of the night.

Aleks: Yeah.

Tim: It’s a real intense moment, too, when you get those requests where you’re like, oh, that. Like, that could either be absolute fire or I could just go down like a lead balloon or Titanic.

Aleks: But do you ever get. Because we were chatting to Renee, who’s a celebrate and DJ, on a recent podcast episode, and we were talking about when a guest is really adamant about a request and it’s a really rogue request, and you’re like, okay, you know what? I’m going to play these. Like, do you ever get on the mic and kind of, like, make them own it?

Tim: Yeah. Look again, back in the agency days, that had happened every now and then, you guess that may have had a few too many drinks. It hasn’t happened in the last couple of years, but, yeah, look, if they start doing it early in the night as well, where there’s plenty of time where they can be a bit of problem, then. Yep. Totally jump on the mic and just say, guys, we got a request from, you know, Nathan, give it up. Here it is. You play it. You know, it’s an absolute stinker. And then you like the next song. Yeah.

Eddy: And no one. No one else is gonna bother you for the rest.

Aleks: Yeah, yeah.

Tim: They’re like, exactly.

Aleks: I’d be like, I’m always like, and Nathan is gonna get in the middle of dance and show us his best dance moves. And everyone’s like, I’m not making you, though.

Eddy: They have.

Aleks: I had someone who was, um, enjoying their time, maybe not only just on the alcohol, if you know what I mean. We’ve got an explicit warning on this one.

Eddy: We did. This is an adult episode, everyone.

Aleks: Um, yeah, it was enjoyed. I’m like, oh, man. And who’s. What do you want? Um, honky tonk woman.

Eddy: Oh, yeah.

Aleks: So that. I was like, sure, mate. And I just got on the mic and he got in there and he owned it. He like, great.

Tim: Yeah. If he owns it, yeah.

Eddy: Kudos to you.

Aleks: Yeah, I wasn’t mad at that point. I was like, this is great. All right, let’s crack on. We have to talk about a very important.

Eddy: We need to. We really do. Because you are planning your own wedding. Yellow is the clapping and the green is the air horn. I figured them out four years doing so. So tell me how is it? What is it like to be on the other side?

Aleks: And also, Tim, I heard that you booked Melbourne’s second best DJ for you.

Eddy: Numero uno joint number one with Alex and Emily.

Tim: If anything, the DJ should be nervous about me. They haven’t seen my music, music brief yet.

Eddy: Oh, I often do think, by the way, listeners, I’m deejaying Tim Airhorn, which I think is like one of the greatest honours that I’ve ever experienced in my professional career. So it’s fantastic. I often do think of what you’ve got cooking up. I’m very excited.

Tim: That’s good. Well, I didn’t misread your website as we only played nutbush, so.

Eddy: Just nutbush on repeat all night. You’re gonna break some records.

Tim: Totally. But no, it’s interesting being on the other side. Interesting in that you think you’ve got it all in hand and then you realise that there’s just a whole lot of stuff that you don’t have to deal with as a DJ. So stationary invites all the other bits and pieces that go with it. We are having our wedding out in a private property, but we have. The benefit is that I’m tapped into the industry to sort of have that network of amazing vendors. And look, there’s just so many incredible vendors out there. Unfortunately, you can only pick one. But big shout out to Dan Brannan behind the lens.

Eddy: You’re waiting for it.

Tim: There’s Ruby from down the road. Shout out to her from hat as well.

Eddy: You know, I’m gonna put all these in post production. There’s just too many.

Aleks: Yeah.

Tim: Anyway, list goes on, but that’s great. I think being able to have those, you know, amazing vendors on the team. But, um. Yeah, I think. No, it’d be bloody great.

Eddy: Love it.

Aleks: Can I just say, though, I feel like you’ve got a. Quite a skewed perception of what it’s like to plan a wedding because you do know all the vendors. Where I feel like a lot of the work would be in doing your research, having to inquire, having to do meetings and look for the vendors.

Tim: Yeah. And. And I think, too, one of the things that I, you know, really do appreciate on the planning side is, you know, what is really solidified for me is that the importance of, you know, good communication and just how great that is. And I think for vendors listening, I mean, this. Yeah, there are so many, you know, vendors out there. There are so many options for people when they’re booking vendors for their own wedding. And, look, if they don’t have that knowledge or that sort of insider intel, in a way, it can be quite overwhelming and hard to choose. Well, who’s the right vendor for me, who’s good, who’s not. I think really, for me it’s just because there are so many options out there. It’s really reflective for me. I’ve really reflected on it and just how, you know, sort of proud I am for, you know, the clients who, you know, book me. And I think it should be the same for other vendors as well who, you know, when clients book you, you know, they booked you out of all the hundreds of options out there, you know. So for me, you know, it makes me really, you know, be proud of my clients. I’m going to bring my all, you know, if you’ve chosen me out of everyone else, you know, I’m going to be there, you know, rain, hale or Sean. If I’m sick, I’m still going to be there because there’s just so. Yeah, just so much, you know, out there. So just kind of really. Yeah, instils that, you know, wanting to really do the best for your client because they’ve, they’ve, you know, taken a punt on you and, you know, you know, you make sure that it pays off. So I think for me, that’s what’s sort of really stood out from the. From the process.

Eddy: Yeah. I love that.

Aleks: I have two important things to say. First of all, we need to shout out to your wife to be.

Tim: Yes. Give her a follow, guys. Imogen photography. I’ve dropped the gun already.

Eddy: Oh, yes, yes.

Tim: She’s behind the lens now, guys. Give her a follow. She’s. She’s got an eye for detail. So I’m also very lucky with her eager eye that she’s picked up a lot of the planning parts for our wedding as well. I’m sure she could probably hear me in the other room.

Eddy: Her ears would be.

Tim: Love you, babe. If you can hear me.

Eddy: That’s so good. You’re building. You’re building a little bit of an empire between the two of you. Wedding empire.

Aleks: Obviously inspired by us.

Eddy: Confidence is seeping from her.

Aleks: No, this is. It was actually only a third.

Eddy: It’s vegan.

Aleks: It’s vegan. Yeah. No pesticide. Pests. Yeah. Um, the second thing I wanted to say, it’s very important is there is a pizza hut in Ballerina and I think we should sleep over your house on like a Friday or Saturday night.

Eddy: Well, it’s. Look, I don’t know if you can confirm or deny this, but I think it’s the last restaurant style pizza left in Victoria. And I’ve often said that I really need to go to it. I think it’s. Is it Ballarat or is it Bendigo?

Tim: So, guys, are you sitting down?

Eddy: Yes.

Tim: You want to lean in?

Eddy: Yes.

Tim: Little bit closer. Little bit closer. It is open.

Eddy: Oh, yes.

Tim: It is around the corner from my house. And we are absolutely going there.

Eddy: Oh, my goodness.

Tim: We are going to Pizza hut, baby. And we get to work.

Eddy: Yes. Oh, I’m sorry.

Aleks: All right, we’re putting a date after we finish this podcast. We’re putting a date in the diary.

Eddy: Has to be done.

Aleks: We’re sleeping over your house. I don’t care.

Tim: So it’s a confession, actually. This is a safe space, right?

Eddy: Of course. It’s just asking all the listeners.

Aleks: Yeah.

Tim: Great. So I. Imogen and I actually did go there with a couple of friends somewhat recently, purely to hit those nostalgic vibes. And I can confirm that not a thing has changed since I had my 10th birthday party there way back in the day. It’s still the same. Hey, Marie. Still the same crappy ice cream that is broken every ten minutes. And it’s incredible.

Eddy: Oh, man, that’s. That’s so good to hear. Because what I’m gonna do is I’m gonna have one half of slicer pizza just so I can get to the dessert straight away like I used to when I was ten.

Aleks: Oh, you have to eat your.

Eddy: You have to eat your meal before. Okay. Three bites later, lick a slice of pepperoni, and then I’m running over that soft serving machine.

Aleks: All right, well, I’m excited now. I’m excited. We’re gonna have this. It’s gonna happen. It’s gonna happen.

Eddy: It’s gonna happen.

Tim: And we’re gonna pizza drink pizza dreams.

Aleks: And that can be. I’ll just pay for the whole thing. That can be my lunch to you, is our drunken Pizza hut dinner.

Eddy: I love it.

Aleks: Yeah.

Tim: Beautiful. Love it. Yeah. Come in.

Eddy: That is so good. Well, I’m glad to hear, coming back to the wedding that you’re having. I’m so glad to hear that it is going along nice and smooth. And no doubt we’ll be catching up, you know, in the near future, Pizza Hut or otherwise, to chat all about it from the music perspective. Our last question for you, Tim, which is always my favourite question to ask. I need a drum roll for this, to be honest. Maybe I can put one in post production. What? Actually, you know the answer to this question.

Aleks: Well, I think I do.

Eddy: I think you might surprise me. What is the one tune that will always get you on the dance floor?

Tim: I mean, huge question. Eddy. Can you please reveal what track you’re thinking?

Eddy: Well, actually, you know what? I’m not going to. Because I want this to happen naturally. I want this to be organic.

Tim: Do we say it at the same time?

Eddy: I want. You have to own this. This is you. I don’t want to take it away.

Tim: From you because I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong. No, no. Sorry. You’re not wrong. But not the one that I had in mind. But no, the song that Eddy has seen me. My ears did prick up, my hips did go side to side. My feet did move out of step out of time to Gwen McRae’s keep the fire burning. Love that song. Love my gift.

Eddy: Go.

Tim: But for like a dance. Fall for me. It’s, uh, the others. Tv, rock and jukes of Windsor.

Eddy: Whoa.

Tim: Wow.

Eddy: That was when. What year was that was. That was like circa 270.

Tim: Eight era. Yeah. Yeah. Back in my ipod shuffle.

Eddy: Oh, my God. Yes. I tell you what, I’m very much looking forward to dropping that at your wedding. That’s a great answer.

Aleks: It’s gonna be a very unique music brief for you. That’s like.

Eddy: Bring it on. Yeah, bring it on. No. Well, yes. Thank you. Thank you for that. And obviously, I’ll still play keep the fire burning as well.

Tim: Thank you very much. Maybe I can save. I can save two songs on my must playlist. I’ve dropped this conversation, so that’s great.

Eddy: Oh, well, you know, we’ve had an absolute ball talking to you.

Aleks: So much fun.

Eddy: Always do. Yeah, it’s just. Yeah, it’s always a pleasure.

Aleks: And look, I think it’s really nice that we’re so aligned in terms of how we think and how we do things and our approach to weddings. So. Yeah, it was. It just reconfirmed it again that we are, like, very well aligned. And I really appreciate that because it’s great to know other vendors like you.

Tim: You guys are rock.

Aleks: Thank you so much. And where can people find you? What’s the best way for people to get in touch with you about their wedding?

Tim: Yeah, sure. So Instagram is Tim the DJ Sachs. And the website as well. Www.timthedej.com dot au. Not a very creative name, Tim the DJ. But, you know, here we are.

Aleks: Memorable.

Eddy: It’s memorable, though.

Tim: Yeah. I mean, you know who I am, so.

Aleks: Hey, you would think that our name is memorable. We get the same thing. One last song. One song.

Eddy: Yeah, one song.

Tim: There’s not no more songs, you know.

Aleks: But even my close friends, like how’s one.

Eddy: How’s one last song?

Tim: I’m like, how’s one direction going? Oh yeah.

Eddy: I just go along with it now.

Aleks: Yes, mom.

Eddy: Yeah, it’s great.

Aleks: Like your poor mom always get caught.

Eddy: She doesn’t listen to it so it’s safe space for us. But she’s like, have you got any shows this weekend? They’re not shows, mum.

Tim: Any recitals?

Aleks: Not shows. Anyway, we’ve loved chatting to you. Thank you so much for taking time on your Thursday night.

Aleks: Bye. Thanks for tuning in. If you’re enjoying project engaged, please hit the subscribe button on your fave podcast app.

Eddy: You can also follow us on Instagram, @projectengaged, and @onemoresongdjs.

Aleks: We’ll see you next time. And until then, have fun out there.