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014 ESSEX DJ - Don’t Snooze, Baby




mp3

 Trigger warning: morning alarms


“Hey man, your local DJs deserve to be paid better.

50 euros per gig in Kammari is a joke. 

You know yourself how much actual work DJ craft is.

Maybe renovate your pay system, not the soundsystem. 

Huh.

Man, I’m tired of this. 

Like for real. 


Alright, I’ve been sitting with this for a while now, and I think it’s time I say something.

If all the DJs unionised and collectively agreed to not play for such low fees, then your clubs could end up silent. 

Think about it. 

The system’s been working because everyone’s just going along with it, but I can’t ignore it anymore. 

I would be excited to see what happens in Hel-sin-ki nightlife club culture, if the DJ union became a REAL thing. 

It’s nice to create things outside of the club, too. 

Nevertheless with all due respect to years of music and culture that these clubs have been providing (in whatever unjust system it has already happened), I think it's important to have this conversation. 

People are here to dance, sure, but I wonder if anyone’s listening to us—the ones making it happen. 

Most likely club owners are not even here to witness this set, but whatever. 

And I hope that it resonates with a few fellow DJs and musicians in this club. 

Even the partygoers who might have no idea how little we’re paid for making these nights come to life. 

What I mean is that the other night I got paid 15 euros for playing in this room, another night it was 50 euros. 

I've heard that my case is no exception and it’s standard rates on many occasions. 


We also all know that kammari fees are a joke, like for reals. 

Local culture? 

Is that really what we’re building? 

It’s hard to see that, when every weekend there’s another DJ from Berghain taking over the decks, and Helsinki’s image is strengthened internationally, while local culture feels like it’s being drained. 

I get it, those big names bring the crowds—but what about the ones who are here, who live and breathe this city’s sound? 

If we’re serious about culture, shouldn’t we start by supporting the people who actually make it? 

Why wouldn’t we want our DJs here to be happy and Helsinki to actually become the unique place in the world? 

A place where musicians& DJs could take little less shifts at their day-time jobs to concentrate more on their art - only if they were paid better? 

Let’s get this straight, what do club owners actually care for? 

Their own image? 

Or the people who make this city’s underground music scene alive and exciting? 

‘Money can’t buy happiness’ - I assume that’s the motto when deciding on the local DJs’ fees.

DJs do it for the passion. 

Passion,

Pa-Passion.

Passion-Ssion.


But passion will run out while the clubs stay. 

Sometimes I feel as replaceable as a t-shirt from h&m. 

You know, I strongly believe that a raise to our fees per gig per person in all rooms and all nights is not that much for us to ask. 

Even with all the excuses you have a.k.a low budgets. 

But in my view you survived the pandemic, raised the entry fees, did a few big renovations, still have famous international artists play here every weekend. 


What excuses do you have left for underpaying local artists? 

I don't think there’s any, I really don’t think so.


I don’t want to give up on my love & respect towards you, but you really have to see the need to change. 

And do the change, not avoid it. 


I'd like to stay, but I've felt unseen and unheard for many years, and now I've come to speak with you. 

I've felt unloved; the motivation for my art is leaving me, and I'm afraid it’s because of the ways I had let myself be treated. 

I'd really wish to smooth out the corners with these conversations, but it doesn’t feel honest. 

Maybe renovate your paysystem, not the soundsystem. 


I couldn’t even prepare for 1 hour of DJing for tonight, because these thoughts have been swirling inside my head. 

I hope you all, lovely dancers and club’s staff, are having a great night tonight.”



This DJ mix was played at Ääniwalli night club in April 2025, Helsinki. 2 times consecutively, followed by 20 minutes of pure dance music. ESSEX DJ is a local DJ from Helsinki. Text by the DJ, casual spoken speech at the end by Safety Model.

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