Off The Record - The DJ Podcast by Crossfader Ep-153. "Not Every DJ Needs to Play Clubs Anymore" - Elijah
Nov 27, 2025
Elijah, a dynamic DJ, writer, and creator of the Yellow Squares project, explores the evolving landscape of DJ culture. He discusses what it means to be a DJ in 2026, emphasizing creative freedom over traditional club gigs. Elijah reveals insights from his collaboration on the AlphaTheta Omnis Duo controller and highlights the economics of niche audiences. He advocates for authentic storytelling on social media, the importance of reading and writing for DJs, and breaking out of industry bubbles to seek diverse inspirations.
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Use Small Spaces To Test And Improve
- Get into small local spaces, back-to-backs, or online communities to bounce ideas off humans directly.
- Use niche venues and YouTube/Twitch hubs as modern equivalents of pirate radio for real feedback.
Charts Don't Capture Live Community Demand
- Mainstream charts can misrepresent active subcultures; smaller, dedicated communities still sustain live demand.
- Elijah stresses that consumption may shift but passionate fans continue to buy tickets and support artists.
Price Releases To Cover Real Costs
- Price music and events to reflect value and real costs instead of giving everything away cheaply.
- Elijah suggests aligning single/EP/album pricing to everyday reference points like coffee or a pint.
