Services:
Established:	2000
Employees:	1
Accepts:

Since 2000, DJ D-Mac has been filling dance floors all over the DC area. Bringing an eclectic and crowd-pleasing mix of tunes to his DJ sets, D-Mac always demonstrates taste and skill. His broad range of experience and deep selection of music–-encompassing soul, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, disco, Latin, funk, pop and more–-make him the ideal entertainment choice for your wedding, party, or corporate event.

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Are you a discerning party planner looking for a different, yet high-class approach to the music for your event? I separate myself from the rest of the mobile DJ pack in that I have real club experience (i.e. I blend and beatmatch records well, not simply play an unconnected string of songs from CDs like most mobile professionals) and better insight into not just the music that is right for your event, but how that music is put together. A sense of flow and dynamics informs all my DJ work. I pride myself on playing the right song at the right time, paying close attention to what came before it and what comes on after it. To the uninitiated, this may seem like a minor detail, but it makes all the difference on the dancefloor.

That said, I do not consider myself too 'clubby.' Nor do any of my satisfied clients (check the testimonials). I know what's appropriate for the crowd I am playing for. Whether it is bossa nova for a cocktail party, classic rock for a corporate event, old school funk & disco for a wedding, or the latest hip-hop for a house party.

It takes talent and experience to DJ any event properly. I am sure if you are reading this, you've attended events where they've hired a professional DJ and thought, "I could do that with an iPod." Check out this ADJA-produced video of an iPod wedding reception and think again. With apologies to the newlyweds depicted, it is a bit painful to watch, but the ADJA makes a good point.

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A little Q&A courtesy the Washington Post...
Recently David Malitz at the Washington Post wrote a Going Out Gurus blog entry about hip wedding DJs. He asked me a few additional questions that didn't make the article, so I thought I'd publish them here.

1.) How would you describe your specialty/normal set?
When I play the clubs, I focus on funk, latin, funky breaks, downtempo, disco and hip-hop. Its eclectic and deep but definitely cohesive and always aimed straight at the dancefloor.

For a wedding, I still bring my wide-reaching, eclectic approach but I mix in more classic tunes (and some current hits) that are going to get everyone on the dance floor. I think it is a very user-friendly sound; it is solidly funky and danceable but touches on all those classic genres that have broad appeal: soul and funk, Motown, 80s pop, classic hip-hop. And I am always refining my sound, coming up with new blends that keep it fresh. And working with my clients to make sure their favorites songs are included brings in other elements. So it is always different.

2.) What do you play when you want to give the parents (even grandparents) something they can dance to?
This relates directly to my eclectic approach; I am keenly aware that I've got a much broader audience at my wedding gigs so I try to include something for everyone. Parents are always down with 60s Motown, Otis Redding, Beatles, Stones, some disco. And I've been by-and-large very fortunate to work with very, very cool couples who've got very cool parents! They're often right out there on the floor with the young folks, getting down to Estelle and Daft Punk.
Grandparents always appreciate being able to dance as a couple. So I'll get into some slower tunes for them: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nina Simone, Astrud Gilberto and bossa nova in general, big bands like Les Brown, Duke Ellington, 50s ballads... Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk" is a personal couple dance favorite. And when they're ready to swing, some Louis Prima always fits the bill.

3.) Traditional and non-traditional first dance songs that you'd recommend?
There are so many wonderful songs to choose from that go far beyond the usual fare like Etta James' "At Last" by or Elvis' "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You." Those are undeniably great songs and are obviously classic for good reasons. But I feel the more personal the song is the better. I always advise couples to dance to something that really means something to them, even if it isn't something that everyone is going to know. Last October a couple chose "Into My Arms" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as their first dance, which was really gratifying for me since I've been a Nick Cave fan for a long time. A few years back, a couple chose "Here We Go" from the Punch-Drunk Love soundtrack by Jon Brion. That was very unique and very cool; they had really refined musical tastes and knew exactly what they wanted, which I definitely appreciated. Other notable songs include Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed," Otis Redding's "These Arms of Mine," and The Zombies' "This Will Be Our Year." They've got real emotion and are touchingly beautiful.

What gear do you carry to events?
My mobile gear includes:

• pair of Technics SL-1200M3D turntables
• Mackie D2 mixer
• Denon DN-S3500 CD player
• 2 pairs of JBL Eon15 G2 powered monitor speakers
• Galaxy Audio CORE PA 5X140 Hot Spot monitor
• pair of Shure model 55SH Series II 'Elvis' microphones
• Behringer Xenyx 1202FX audio mixer
• Apple MacBook laptop
• Rane Serato Scratch LIVE digital DJing system

Are you insured?
Yes, as many venues require outside entertainment vendors to carry insurance, I carry a comprehensive $2,000,000 liability insurance policy.

How much experience do you have?
I have over 10 years experience as a professional DJ, including weddings, corporate events, and club experience. I am also a current member of the American Disc Jockey Association.

Can we come and hear you play?
Weddings (and corporate events) are typically private affairs, but you are very welcome to come and hear me play at any of my club gigs. While it is not the same environment and playlist that you'd experience at a wedding, you can still get a good sense of my DJ skills and the diversity of music I always play. Indeed, I have worked with several couples who have told me they knew I was the right DJ for their wedding after coming to a club gig.

What areas do you cover?
I cover primarily the Metro DC area, including Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. But I have provided my services as far away as Philadelphia and Chicago. With any travel to destinations greater than 50 miles away from DC, there is an additional charge for overnight accommodations and travel expenses.

Where have you played?
701 Restaurant (Washington, DC)
American Visionary Art Museum (Baltimore, MD)
Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel (Taneytown, MD)
Arts Club of Washington (Washington, DC)
Bartram’s Garden (Philadelphia, PA)
Birkby House (Leesburg, VA)
China Garden Restaurant (Rosslyn, VA)
Circle D Farm (Woodbine, VA)
Collingwood Library (Alexandria, VA)
Columbia Country Club (Chevy Chase, MD)
The Cosmos Club (Washington, DC)
Darnall's Chance House Museum (Upper Marlboro, MD)
Decatur House (Washington, DC)
Dumbarton House (Washington, DC)
Evergreen Country Club (Haymarket, VA)
Evermay (Washington, DC)
The Fairmont Hotel (Washington, DC)
Fairview Marriott (Falls Church, VA)
The Four Seasons Hotel, Georgetown (Washington, DC)
Glenview Mansion (Rockville, MD)
The Governor Calvert House (Annapolis, MD)
The Hay-Adams Hotel (Washington, DC)
Hidden Creek Country Club (Reston, VA)
Hillsborough Vineyards (Purcelville, VA)
Hilton Embassy Row (Washington, DC)
Hollin Hall (Alexandria, VA)
Hotel Monaco (Washington, DC)
Hotel Washington (Washington, DC)
Jurys Hotel (Washington, DC)
Karma (Washington, DC)
L'Auberge Provencale (White Post, VA)
The Lowes Annapolis Hotel (Annapolis, MD)
The Mayflower Hotel (Washington, DC)
Meridian House (Washington, DC)
National Building Museum (Washington, DC)
National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington, DC)
Newton White Mansion (Mitchellville, MD)
Normandie Farm (Potomac, MD)
Oatlands Historic House and Gardens (Leesburg, VA)
The Occidental Grill at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel (Washington, DC)
Old Town Hall (Fairfax, VA)
Omni Shorham Hotel (Washington, DC)
Omni Shorham Hotel (Charlottesville, NC)
Phoenix Park Hotel (Washington, DC)
The Regency at Dominion Valley (Haymarket, VA)
Rehoboth Beach Country Club (Rehoboth Beach, DE)
River Farm (Alexandria, VA)
The Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center (Washington DC)
Rosehill Manor (Leesburg, VA)
St. Regis Hotel (Washington, DC)
Sheraton Hotel (Crystal City, VA)
Sheraton National Hotel (Arlington, VA)
Strathmore Mansion (Bethesda, MD)
Tabard Inn (Washington, DC)
Thomas Birkby House (Leesburg, VA)
Top of the Town (Arlington, VA)
Torpedo Factory (Alexandria, VA)
Tregaron (Washington, DC)
The University of Maryland at College Park (College Park, MD)
Waterford at Fair Oaks (Fairfax, VA)
The Washington Club (Washington, DC)
The Westin Grand (Washington, DC)
Women’s Democratic Club (Washington, DC)
Woodend Sanctuary (Chevy Chase, MD)
Zaytinya (Washington, DC)

How extensive is your music collection?
Approximately 7,500 vinyl LPs, 12 and 7 inch singles and counting. The number rises on a weekly basis as I am constantly looking for new vinyl and building the collection. I am first and foremost a traditional vinyl DJ (nothing beats the sound and feel of vinyl records), but my digital collection is building as well. This makes obtaining special songs for your event that are not already in my collection that much easier. I will work with you to make sure we have everything covered.

Do you provide lighting or any other props?
No, I do not. My primary focus is on the music and the dancefloor. The only equipment I bring to an event is the gear you see in the list above. [However, if stage lighting, fire jugglers or pyrotechnics are requested, I am certainly willing to discuss it with you in detail. Just a little joke there.]

Do you provide karaoke?
No, I do not. Again, my primary focus is on the dancefloor. Karaoke is really not my thing.

Do you have backup DJ(s) just in case?
While I've never had to cancel a wedding gig, I do have back-up. I work closely with two exceptional DJs--Neville C. and the Secret Chimp. Both are top-shelf DJs with lots of wedding and party experience. Together we are the Deep Crate Collective.

How are you attired for weddings?
For weddings I typically dress conservatively in a suit and tie. Upon request I can dress more formally in a tuxedo.

Can you furnish references?
Yes, [with their permission] I can provide the contact information of recent clients who will be glad to share the details of their experience with you.

Do you provide discounts?
Unfortunately, no. I do not operate a volume-oriented business so discounts are not possible. Every client is given an exceptional level of attention resulting in high quality service at their event.

How do we get started with working with you?
After a no obligation initial meeting about your event in which I find out some details including date, location, start & end times and the kind of music you are looking for, I will prepare a personalized letter of agreement and send it via email as a PDF or mail a printed version (your choice). Once it is signed and returned along with the requested 10% deposit (payment can be made by check/money order or via Paypal--see Online Payments), the date of your event is officially reserved. With few exceptions, due to the nature of the business, the date of your event can only be guaranteed after a deposit has been received.

How often may we contact you about our event after the agreement is signed?
As often as you like. I certainly appreciate a client who takes an active interest in the music at their event! Customarily, I expect the play list from the bride and groom 6 to 8 weeks prior to the event so that I can properly prepare the tunes you'll hear throughout the evening. Working from your play list, I'll fill in the gaps and provide the audio glue, so to speak, that holds it all together.
But most clients will continue to revise their playlists with a few additions as their wedding approaches. No problem. This is your big day and I will work to make sure all your favorite tunes are included.