Disco Therapy

Cheapest Isn't Always Best

2012-01-23T21:00:00.000Z

Thing of interesting blog posts isn't always the easiest thing to do. So, I was relieved when I got the below Facebook message this week, which form the blog.

There's no names mentioned at all. I don't like commenting on other DJs, but I don't have to, the Facebook messages:

Hey stephen just had to share this story with you and i hope you dont know the dude in question!! was at a party last night and the dj was a total nightmare!! to keep it simple i'll compile a list of things he done!!

1. put on a smoke machine which resulted in the building being evacuated and waiting 30 mins till fire brigade came.

2. playing mika's "big girls" and encouraging all the "fat girls" to get up and dance!!!

3. going up to the person who booked him mid-song and telling her to "get the table with the good looking girls to get up and dance"

4. when that failed he then singled out one of the girls at the table and said " can you not at least get her up to dance"

5. jumping off the stage halfway through a song and dancing on the dancefloor like an absolute retard!! legs and arms everywhere!!

6. started playing heavy techno and MC'ing!! shouting " here we f**kin go" and other random loud noises!!

When you're booking your wedding entertainment, please don't always book on price alone. Picture your perfect day, would it include entertainment like the guy above?

Next blog I'll have question you should ask your wedding entertainer. Of course, we hope it's www.discotherapy.com!

You Want What Song!?

2012-01-19T15:02:00.000Z

Just a very quick blog today, of a story from Xmas partyseason that still makes me chuckle.

As you may know, I was working with the fabulous Waterfrontfor the second year in a row for Christmas parties. The way it works is, I’lldo the background music during the meal, do the table shout outs /introductions towards the end of the meal, then get party kicked off. Aroundhalf an hour after I’ve kicked it off, Waterfront come on and do a 45 minuteset.

So, the story… I’m around 15 minutes into my first set and agentleman, who must have been in his late 60’s, come over and asks for The RedHot Chili Peppers, Havin’ a Good Time.

He proceeded to sing having a good time.

Now, I’m a fan of the Chilies, but this was a new one on me.

My plan was to play a wee bit of rock after the break, so Itold the gentleman that I’d have a flick through the Red Hot Chili Peppertracks I had whilst the band was doing their first set.

15 minutes later, Waterfront had were on stage and ready togo. So, I gave them the grand introduction and warm welcome they rightlydeserve and passed over to them.

The hit the first few bars of I Gotta a Feeling. As MairiClare gracefully sung the first line…

“I gotta feeling, ooooooooooo, that tonight's gonna be a good night”

The Gentleman rose of his seat with a beaming grin on hisface. He pointed at the stage and shouted over to me

“That’s the one!”

For one night only, he strutted his stuff to The Black EyedChilli Peppers!

Transform Your Wedding Venue! Stunning!

2012-01-14T10:45:00.000Z

Sorry for the lack of posts so far, it's been a busy wee start to the year. Happy New Year everyone!

The first gig of the year, I had had the pleasure of Mood Lighting the room as well. I'm sure you'll agree, when looking at the picture, the effect is stunning!

It was taken at the Glasgow University Union, in... Well Glasgow obviously!

Disco Therapy have amazing wedding packages available this year, with Mood Lighting and DJ / Disco for your big day. You can contact us at info@discotherapy.com or give us a call 07946345544

You'll see in the picture, we provide a classy and professional setup, which is befitting of the most beautiful day of your life.

We also got option available, where if you don't want such a discreet setup, we can have a more traditional looking disco, with a massive lightshow!

Take a peek at the picture, I think it speaks for itself!

Xmas Top 10 Tunes!

2011-12-20T15:44:00.000Z

In keeping with the festive spirit, I’ve decided to puttogether, what I believe to be, the tope 10 Christmas tunes of all time!

Yes, it’s a bold statement, but it’s just ones man’sopinion, please feel free to comment once you’ve had a read at the list:

1. Fairytale of New York – The Pogues

2. Merry Xmas Everyone – Shakin Stevens

3. I wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day – Wizard

4. Step Into Christmas – Elton John

5. All I want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

6. Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea

7. Christmas Wrapping – The waitresses

8. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – AndyWilliams

9. Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid

10. Thank God It’s Christmas

The list is in no particular order, but my favourite’s Fairytaleof New York!

Go on, have your say.

DJ... pft, I Fart In Your General Direction

2011-12-19T18:00:00.000Z

Christmas party season is over for another year, and what afantastic time I had in the Kerrydale Suite at Glasgow Celtic!

My first post Xmas parties blog will not, however, be aboutthe parties… I’ll get to that in the next one.

I was working with the wonderful Waterfront again this year.The basis of this blog entry is on a conversation I had with the sensationallytalented lead singer from Waterfront – Mairi-Clare Maloy.

This follows on from the previous two blog, slightly tonguein cheek, but there’s definitely plenty of realism in it.

I’d often thought that it’s just DJs that people think theycan talk to however they want, often in a belittling and condescending manner.However, Mairi-Clare, who has a very well regarded full-time occupation, mentionedthat people talk in the same manner to bands as well.

I did feel for Waterfront as people tried to get up the stage and dance as they were performing! Imagine that happened in any other workplace!

The classic example relates to my previous post of… playthis, everyone will love it! If you don’t play that all important request,because your experience and common sense tells you that it won’t work, itsomehow gives the person permission to hurl abuse at you.

It’s not just confined to when you’re at a party though. Agood example happened to me only a few days ago. I’d liked a Facebook page,which I will not name, but it was wedding related.

Like the kind hearty and friendly soul I am, I post a nicewee welcome message there. The reply, from one of the page administrators,astonished me. It read:

“I hope you don't do those lasersthat burn our camera sensors!”

Now, that is hardly an open armedwelcome from a page administrator. Interestingly enough, as a weddingspecialist, we understand that a laser show is not appropriate for a wedding.However, our stunning ambient Mood Lighting is perfect for weddings.

In truth, the amount of guests I gettalking to me in this manner is few and far between. So, I can now take my tongue out my cheek and resume normalbusiness with my next blog and beyond.

Remember, be nice to your DJ and/orband, we’re just there to make sure everyone has a great time.

Speakers… Or Are They?

2011-11-18T14:49:00.000Z

Blog number 2 in the cynical, tongue in cheek life of a DJis about speakers.

I’m really proud of my sound system / PA. It’s a 2400 wattbad boy, with beautiful bass tones. Having a good sound system is reallyimportant to me, I truly believe it can make a huge difference to the qualityof the night.

I’ve mentioned in previous blogs about how accessible DJingis, with a plethora of ‘DJs’ opting for cheap speakers from Maplin.

Yes, the speakers take their toll on my back, but it’s worthit for the well-rounded sound.

As much as I love my PA, I feel like I’ve been a littleshort-sighted when spending my £2,200 on it. However, many guests at partieshave spotted the error of my ways and found another usage for them.

With such a lofty price tag, the speakers really shouldserve more than one purpose. The other function for them… a drinks stand!!!

Genius, I’m equally disappointed and astounded with myself whyI didn’t think of this. In fact, it’s a little bit ignorant of me not to supplycoasters as well.

You can imagine my joy when the rumbling bass tones cause aglass to topple over. I don’t think you can beat a bass bin that smells likelager, red bull and vodka!

Play This, Everyone Will Love It!!!

2011-11-16T18:00:00.000Z

I’ve decided I’m going to post a few blogs about the life ofa DJ, shedding some light on the little intricacies of the job that keeps itinteresting.

The first topic is… quest requests that threaten to destroyyour full dance floor.

Part of the skill of a DJ is being able to read a crowd andplay the correct genre of music. It’s always my goal to get as many people onthe dance floor as possible. I also like to play as many requests as possible.

And herein lies my dilemma!

Let’s take an example; I might be playing some good old rockmusic. Everyone’s got their air guitar out and loving the tunes. Someone comesup and asks, ‘can you put on some scooter?’ Not only do they want Scooter, butalso want it next!

Now, as much as I appreciate the evocative lyrics andmelodic beats of Jumping All Over the World, it’s not exactly my natural choicewhen considering what might mix well with a Slash solo or a John Bonham beat.

It’s difficult to explain this, especially when the guestinsists that the other guests will love it and will all dance to it. Sometimes,in these circumstances, you need to take their word for it. After all, theyknow the people at the party better than me.

So, you can literally see my face drop when you played thesaid request and… everyone sits down, including the person who asked for thesong!

Sometimes you have to trust your DJ in what will and willnot work. Sometimes it’s a matter of building to a different genre, usingbridge songs that make the transition smoother.

The Bentley - Next time I’ll bring the camera!

2011-11-15T15:13:00.001Z

I was back in the Bentley Hotel Motherwell at the weekend.Unfortunately I wasn’t in DJing as I’ve been on a short self-imposed sabbaticalfrom spinning the tunes, which will officially end on Friday!

I went in to set-up mood lighting for a wedding there. In aprevious post I spoke about how much I’d always wanted to DJ at the Bentley.Well, the same can be said for Mood lighting it.

I finally got the opportunity to Mood Light it, and… forgotmy camera!

I was gutted, but I hope I’ll have the opportunity to moodlight it again soon. In fact, I hope to be working with the Bentley a lot morenext year and beyond.

Joy, the manager their, is a joy to work with. Please excusethe pun there!

If you’re thinking about having a wedding in the Lanarkshirearea, it’s well worth going to check out The Bentley in Motherwell. You getfantastic value for money, delicious food and super efficient and friendlyservice.

Next time I’ll bring the camera!

Memories Matter

2011-11-01T13:46:00.000Z

Fiona & David's Wedding - Alona Hotel Lanarkshire

I was having a look through some pictures from last year's wedding disco's and I stumbled upon the one above.

It was taken at the Alona Hotel in Strathclyde Park Lanarkshire. It really is a beautiful venue, especially the marquee, which we were in that night. The white walls of the marquee lend themselves ideally to Mood Lighting.

The picture got me thinking about my caption / company slogan - Memories Matter, which will feature more heavily of the new Disco Therapy website.

I take great pride and put a tremendous amount of time, money and effort into ensuring Brides and Grooms have a wedding reception to remember for all the right reasons.

However, Fiona & David's wedding was particularly memorable for me too. We had a fantastic night from beginning to end, going through the genres. From The Time Frequency to The Time Warp, it was just a fantastic celebration of a wonderful couple.

I'm delighted to say I'll see Fiona & David again at Caroline & Dougie's wedding at the Parkville in Uddingston next year.

Get you dancing shoes on and your glow sticks ready!

Tonight Your DJ Is...

2011-10-18T11:51:00.000+01:00

My good friend Stephen McCann, AKA Flatsteve recently got the below snap of me when I was DJing at a wedding. The wedding was in Largs, which is just outside Glasgow and just inside civilisation!

The picture captures me in full flow during the party. As you can tell, I'm certainly not a DJ who stand motionless behind my decks.

My ethos is, if I'm not enjoying myself then nobody else will.

Feel free to print the picture off to keep the kids away from the fireplace!

Pretty in Pink - Stunning Mood Lighting

2011-10-07T17:07:00.004+01:00

Just a quick Friday afternoon post before I go off to DJ at a wedding in Lanarkshire tonight.

This beautiful Mood Light / Uplighting picture was taken at Pamela & Alex's wedding at the Lounge in Largs.

If you'd like to find out more about our Mood Lighting and DJ / Disco packages, please do not hesitate to contact us.

stephen@discotherapy.com
www.discotherapy.com

How Important is Your Wedding Entertainement?

2011-09-27T19:38:00.004+01:00

I was exhibiting at the Tinto House Hotel Wedding show on Sunday. Having DJ’d / entertained, provided Mood Lightingand been a guest there, I feel I’m in a good position to make the comment… it’sa beautiful venue with really friendly and efficient staff.

Whilst there on Sunday, a bride &groom to be commented that they hadn’t booked their entertainment yet, it wasthe last thing on their list!

Of course, as a DJ who specializes inWeddings, I’m of the opinion that your entertainment should be near the top ofyour list.

A DJ or a band plays such a huge partof your big day. Your dream first dance can quickly become a nightmare. Thevivacious party you envisaged your guests having has the potential to be a dampsquib. The success of your reception is a huge responsibility for your band orDJ.

It’s vital that you choose carefullyand book in advance. We often take bookings for 2 and 3 years down the line. We’veeven got 2 bookings for 2016!

At Disco Therapy, we are fully aware ofhow important our role is in your big day... and we don’t take that responsibilitylightly!

If you’ve taken the time to read this,thank you! And, we’d love to hear from you, please leave your comments.

Have you had a great or terrible DJ orBand?

http://www.discotherapy.com
http://www.tintohotel.co.uk/

Oh What a Night... With Chitterybite!

2011-09-23T20:41:00.001+01:00

I’ve had the absolute pleassure of working with many bandswhilst DJing / entertaining at weddings. However, few have been as much fun asChitterybite ceilidh band!

I’ve always thought that a disco and ceilidh complimenteachother perfectly. I often callceilidh dances when the client hasn’t book a band, but you can’t beat the realthing.

The Chitterybite Ceilidh Band have an established trackrecord operating as a ceilidh collective providing top quality traditionalmusicians for corporate and private ceilidh dance events, Scottish evenings, weddingsand Burns Suppers.

Like me, they place great importance on their role ascallers and every Chitterybite Lineup features this important individual whohelps instruct with the dances and entertains the dancers with some good crack!

Quite simply, they are fantastic fun!

So, if you want to have your wedding guests groovin’ todisco and jigging to ceilidh, book the perfect combination – www.discotherapy.com & www.chitterybite.com

ttttt, Time Warp

2011-09-21T19:45:00.001+01:00

It's not to everyone's taste, which is why I always have a pre wedding disco / DJ consultation, but why not have a bit of fun and teach yourself all the moves to The Time Warp?

At the end of the day, what is a wedding, it's a celebration, so why not have a ball and don't take yourself too seriouslywhilst you're at it.

Go on, make it your dirty secret...

But I'll be testing that you know all the moves when I see you!

http://www.discotherapy.com

Joys of The Job - Eastwood House

2011-09-20T12:24:00.000+01:00

Part of the fun of my job as a wedding DJ / Entertainer ismeeting a wide variety of people.

I get to meet all sorts of characters throughout Glasgow,Lanarkshire & Lotian. Of course, I always hope that I do my job well enoughthat I’ll meet them again i.e., they’ll book my disco services again!

That’s looking at it from a business point of view, butthere’s some people I want to meet again, just because they’re really goodpeople.

As part of my Wedding DJ & Mood Lighting service, I meetclients for a pre-wedding consultation. When I first met Marty & DonnaScott for their pre-wedding consultation, I was immediately taken by whatgenuinely nice people they were.

This made DJing at their wedding at Eastwood House all themore satisfying. It was a fantastic night, with the dancefloor being full frombeginning to end.

I feel the more personal touch really makes a difference… Ofcourse I would say that!

I was over the moon it went so well for such a beautifulcouple. Congratulations Donna & Marty, a couple I’ll definitely keep intouch with

Best Band In Glasgow?

2011-09-10T21:34:00.000+01:00

I’ve had the opportunity to work with some fantastic bandsover the years, but I’d never looked forward to working with one as much as BigVern & the Shootahs.

Two weeks ago, in The Glasgow Hilton, there were two stagessetup in the main ballroom. One stage was for me and the other... Big Vern& the Shootahs.

I’d heard the reviews, read the client testimonials andwatched the youtube videos, which is why I so eagerly anticipated this party.

They did not disappoint!

Even when I was doing my sound checks, their lead guitariststarted jamming along to AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long, which was blaringfrom my PA.

They played crowd pleaser after crowd pleaser, to the pointwhere people were sprinting to the dance floor to boogie along to the soul& funk infused setlist.

Often when I work with a band, I take the opportunity to have a bite to eat or chill out backstage somewhere,but my eyes were glued to the stage when Big Vern & the Shootahs wereplaying. I even came away with one or two ideas!

If you get the opportunity to see them or book them... Doit!

Wedding Show - Georgian Hotel

2011-09-10T19:51:00.000+01:00

Just a quick blog tonight.

I’ll be exhibiting at the wedding faire at the Georgian Hotel tomorrow. I’ll be demoing my mood lighting and will be handing out Teach Yourself the Time Warp & Macarena postcards!

Last time I entertained at a wedding at the Georgian, I Mood lit the room Blue, it was truly stunning...

But of course I’m going to say that!

Come along and have a chat, even if you’ve got another venue in mind.

Wedding Caricatures

2011-08-16T17:44:00.000+01:00

It's often a huge headache for couple when trying to decide what favours to get for their wedding guests.

If you're looking for something a little bit different, get in touch with Neil Thomson at www.neilsart.co.uk

Neil makes caricatures of your guests whilst they mingle. He truly is amazing, his fantastic sketches are sure get your guests talking, a great ice breaker for guests who haven't met before.

For Those About to Rock...

2011-08-15T21:47:00.000+01:00

I'm not ashamed to admit it, the first album I ever owned was the timeless classic, Appetite for destruction by Guns 'n' Roses.

It's an album that, in my opinion, redefined music as we knew it. The album encapsulated the raw and gritty edge that the individual members brought to the band.

This album was my introduction into, not only the world of music, but the universe of Rock.

Growing up with two older brothers, who listened to bands like Motorhead, Frank Zappa, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith (before they were commercial), The Alice Cooper, etc. My childhood was entrenched with rock royalty and musical genius.

When I've finished playing a gig, whether it's a wedding, birthday, engagement party or corporate doo, these are the bands that I listen to on the way home. Rhianna, Black Eye Peas & David Guetta seem like a distant memory by the time I roll into the driveway with Slash blazing out a guitar solo on my car stereo.

Although Disco Therapy has, in many ways, been a culmination of dream for me, my next brand / project truly Rawks!

I'm bringing my childhood musical influences to a party near you!

So, if you prefer Black Sabbath to the Black Eyed Peas, Kiss to Keisha, Cream to Coldplay, Disturbed to David Guetta, Pearl Jam to Paulo Nutini and Metallica to Michelle McManus (lol), then RAWK DJ is for you.

We're bringing good old-fashioned rock to a party, wedding or corporate function near you. So, break out your air guitar and stay tuned (excuse the pun) for the launch of Rawk DJ.

For those about to RAWK!!! We salute You!

In the mean time, please visit http://www.discotherapy.com/

Wedding DJ Gone Wrong

2011-07-29T14:37:00.000+01:00

I was having a trawl through youtube & stumbled upon the video below (click the link).

It's titled "Wedding DJ Gone Bad - Bad Wedding DJ"

However, is he really that bad? Have a look and see what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NYlNQBj1n8

Yes, he’s extremely animated, but one of my pet hates is DJs who are totally inanimate. I feel that a huge part of my job as a DJ is to impart my love for music, positivity & energy on the party guests.

I’ve seen DJs who seem to have a chair as part of their standard equipment; they’re armed with it at every function they attend, ready to plonk their bum down at the first opportunity.

Based on the video, I don’t think he’s a bad DJ in the slightest, he’s just a man who’s extremely passionate about his work.

DJ - A Dirty Term!

2011-07-21T15:25:00.000+01:00

I was having a look at a well known UK Wedding Directory website and stumbled upon the below:

“In terms of music, people in the UK tend to hire a cheesy DJ with flashing party lights and a bit of microphone banter, safe in the knowledge that he will play all the old disco favourites, from Sister Sledge to the Bay City Rollers.”

Unfortunately, articles like this do not help the perception held by the general public about DJs, especially when it is contained within a website that advertises the services of professional wedding DJ’s.

Articles like this have seen many DJ move away from calling themselves DJs and shift towards calling themselves Wedding Entertainers, MCs, Presenters, Hosts, etc.

Certainly, there is a huge spectrum of DJs within Central Scotland in terms of quality and experience, some of which definitely match the description of being ‘cheesy’ with ‘flashing lights’. However, there are also those (me included J) who dedicate a lot of time, money & effort into honing their skills, musical knowledge & ensuring that they have the best possible equipment available.

As mentioned in previous blog entries, I truly feel honoured when someone chooses me to entertain / DJ at the Wedding. When I DJ, I want people to have the best possible time & remember their wedding reception or party for all the right reasons.

The term Disco Jockey shouldn’t be something I’m embarrassed of - after all, it’s what I do. I’m also someone who cannot simply be described as someone with ‘flashing party lights’ or ‘microphone banter’. Infact the DJ industry as a whole has moved on vastly since the good old days of rope lights & light boxes.

Your wedding disco can be a classy & discrete, or as flamboyant as you want it to be. Choice within the Scottish marketplace has never been as good.

Client Testimonials

2011-07-19T13:55:00.000+01:00

It's not often I take the time to blow my own trumpet, but one of the most satisfying parts being a DJ / Wedding Entertainer, is receiving positive client feedback.

We realise how important my role is on my clients' big day. Here's some recsent feedback I've

“Just wanting to say a big thank you Stephen for your services at my wedding, you certainly have a gift and will be hiring you for every other event that I am organising highly recommended the best DJ ever :)” - Lindsey Lane

"Thanks for a brilliant night Stephen!You were great! Everyone had a ball. Everyone commented on how good the DJ was...so job well done!" - Ali Ross

“Hi Stephen, just want to say a massive thanks from Paul and myself for the superb night you gave us and our guests at our wedding in the bentley hotel on the 18th June. Once again a huge thank you and we will definatley recommend you.xxxxx” Beth Hastie

Wedding Specialist

2011-07-18T17:21:00.001+01:00

We're proud to say that we're now a member of The Wedding DJ Alliance.

This reaffirms our commitment to, no only specialising in wedding entertainment (Mood Lighting & DJing), but also to service excellence.

The Wedding DJ Alliance website states: "All member of the Wedding DJ Alliance are very experienced and specialise in providing first class wedding disco entertainment. Our wedding DJs agree to abide by a strict code of ethics, which is based on professional practices. They are committed to providing a high standard of wedding disco service for your special day"

Dunphail House mood Lighting

2011-07-18T10:50:00.000+01:00

In my last post I spoke about last weekends wedding at Dunphail House. For the first time in my DJing career, my client requested that I did not use any disco effect lights, just mood lights.

The effect was stunning. Set in the African themed, custom built marquee, the mood lighting helped create the atmosphere and mood the client was looking for.

There was fairy lights on the ceiling, flowers hanging from the wooden structure, chill out areas and replica elephants.

It truly was a unique and special occassion that I was proud to be part of.

Highland Fling!

2011-07-17T20:17:00.000+01:00

This weekend I had a 3 hour drive up to Dunphail House, in Morayshire, for a beautifully set wedding in the Scottish Highlands.

Not even the torrential rain could dampen (excuse the pun) the sprits in the custom built marquee, which had an African theme, complete with full-scale replica elephants.

I was joined on stage by the fantastic Dunphail Dance band, who played a few reels to get the party started. After that, it was over to me. We went an hour over time, but what difference does an hour make when you’ve got a three hour driver home!?

Georgian Hotel - Mood Lighting

2011-07-09T17:21:00.001+01:00

A wee Pic - of me

2011-07-05T13:45:00.001+01:00

I logged into my emails today to find that I'd been tagged in a Facebook picture from a recent wedding I entertained at.

The picture was tagged with - "Our Fab DJ Stephen Elliott"

It's small gestures like that and the wonderful feedback I get that makes it all worthwhile.

I never take my duties as a Wedding Entertainer / DJ lightly, I realise how important it is that people remember their big day for all the right reasons. This is why I always like to meet clients beforehand, gaining a good understanding of what's important to them on their day.

So, for the first time every, I'm putting a picture of myself out there! I'm the guy behind Disco Therapy - the DJ in the kilt!

Thank you to Beth Hastie for posting the pic!

Mood Lighting - Trade Halls Glasgow

2011-07-04T11:27:00.001+01:00

The Bentley Hotel

2011-06-27T13:57:00.000+01:00

As a DJ, I’ve had the great fortune to entertain in some fantastic venues in Glasgow & the surrounding areas – Cameron House, Glasgow Hilton, Oran Mor, Tinto Hotel & Airth Castle – to name a few.

The one venue I’d always aspired to play was… The Bentley Hotel in Motherwell. Built in 1874, the hotel has real character, Park delicious food, with nearby picturesque surrounds, such as Chatelherault country park & The Dutchess of Hamilton it’s an ideal wedding venue.

However, the Bentley’s main asset is its wonder & efficient. The Manager Joy, is just that, a joy. Nothing is too much trouble for her & her team.

Being a local Lanarkshire lad, my motivation to play at The Bentley was always deeply personal. My wife & I experienced the superb service first-hand when we had our wedding reception there in 2009.

With that in mind, it was a huge pleasure to finally entertain at a wedding in the Bentley, just two weeks ago. It was an even greater pleasure to have my second booking there the following week.

I truly cannot say enough positive things about The Bentley Hotel & Joy. If you’re from the Lanarkshire area & mulling over your wedding venue options, I’d strongly recommend you have a chat with Joy.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2011-06-21T10:27:00.000+01:00

Just a short & simple post today. This is one of my favourite songs, it's a beautifully power version of the Arlen & Harburg classic, Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

This version is by the late Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole. Ok, it's not very disco, but it's perfect for any wedding reception, playing during the meal or buffet.

I hope you enjoy it... please click here to see the video.

For more about our Wedding Entertainment & Mood Lighting services, please visit our website - http://www.discotherapy.com/

Mood Lighting - Before & After

2011-06-20T23:44:00.000+01:00

We recently Entertained at and Mood lit a Wonderful Wedding in The Tinto Hotel. We took the opportunity to take some pics of the beautiful Mood Lighting, which was blue to match the Brides Maid's dresses...

Click the pic to see a bigger version.

Also, please visit www.discotherapy.com for more information about our Mood Lighting service.

DJ Reliability

2011-06-08T13:30:00.000+01:00

It amazes me how many calls we take on a weekly basis from people who've been let down by their DJ. Some people call when they arrive at the venue to discover the DJ is not going to appear. They are then left in a blind panic trying to find entertainment for their party.

We took a call last night from a client who had a slightly more considerate DJ, he let them down a week in advance. The reason / excuse he gave the client... His lights aren't working.

This was a new one, I think he perhaps meant, the lights are on but nobody's home!

If this was a genuine reason, it really emphasises the fact that DJ's should ALWAYS have backup gear.

The harsh reality is, however, he probably got offered a gig that is going to earn him more money. This type of person tarnishes the reputation of the whole mobile disco industry.

Fortunately, we're not all like this, there's some of us that still believe in giving fantastic customer service and being 100% reliable.

Top 10 Party Classics

2011-06-03T14:47:00.000+01:00

There’s a select few songs that have stood the test of time, party classics that still fill the dancefloor. Depending on your taste in music, the definitive top 10 is open to debate. However, we’re going to put our necks on the line & suggest ours. So, in no particular order, here’s our top 10:

1. Billy Ocean – Love Really hurts
2. Candi Staton – Young Hearts
3. Dolly Parton – 9 till 5
4. Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now
5. Elvis Pressley – Burning Love
6. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
7. Jackson 5 – I want you back
8. Abba – Dancing Queen
9. Kenny Rogers – The Gambler
10. Erasure – A little Respect

These are only our suggestions for a top 10, even this will change by the time tomorrow comes. Try and write a top 10 of your own, which song songs get your bum off your set and onto the dancefloor?

http://www.discotherapy.com

Heyyyyyyyyyyy Macarena!

2011-06-01T17:54:00.000+01:00

Wedding Videographer

2011-05-27T13:43:00.000+01:00

Being a Wedding specialist, we often bump into other suppliers who offer clients an amazing service. We’re always delighted to recommend these companies to brides who perhaps need pointed in the right direction.

One of these suppliers is Mark Devine from Devine Videos - http://www.devinevideos.co.uk

Besides the fact that mark is an amazing human being, he offers a fantastic service. Like Disco Therapy, he offers a highly personalised service, and has over 15 years experience in producing the best wedding DVDs possible.

The Nutbush!

2011-05-23T11:38:00.001+01:00

Daniel Boone’s Beautiful Sunday has long been a mainstay at Scottish weddings & parties. As a DJ, the song has become a little on the tiresome side. Let’s be honest, it’s not the best song around, is it?

Thankfully, our Aussie friends have saved the day with… The Nutbush!
We discovered this Australian craze at a recent wedding, when a guest (who was from the land down under) requested Tina & Ike Turner’s classic hit Nutbush City Limits. Much to my surprise, the dance floor filled with people sloshing!

To my delight, The Slosh has been reinvented, with a much more up-tempo tune.
So, go on, let it be your guilty pleasure, stick on Tina & Ike & practise the Nutbush in your living room. The neighbours will never know.

Latest Mood Lighting Picture

2011-05-21T09:59:00.001+01:00

This stunning Mood Lighting picture was taken at a recent wedding, at the Abode Hotel in Glasgow. Our client was delighted with the Mood Lighting.

As always, the Mood Lighting added a stunning effect, completely changing the dynamic of the room, colour matched to the beautiful brides wedding colour scheme.

Choosing the right DJ / Disco

2011-05-11T13:55:00.000+01:00

With disco equipment varying greatly in quality & price, the DJing profession is more accessible than ever. With this, there is a multitude of DJ’s within the marketplace, which brings a huge amount of choice for clients. Therefore, what should you look for when making your decision?

This first question that we’re often asked when someone is making an enquiry is, ‘How much do you charge…’

Of course, this is a valid question as the vast majority of clients have a budget for their entertainment. However, there are many more factor to consider other than price; a bigger factor is value for money.

Many DJs price they’re jobs very cheaply and their service reflects this. They may have a poor sound system, a cheap lightshow, have very little musical knowledge & have bad microphone skills.

In many cases, the more expensive DJs in the marketplace also offer a service that reflects the level of service you can expect from them, they are legally run and professional companies with a fantastic lightshow, crystal clear sound system and excellent microphone skills. They will also have an extensive musical knowledge, with the ability to read a crowd and play the most appropriate for them.

So, when considering a DJ for your night, the main question is – how much value do you place on having the best party possible?

Disco Therapy QR Code

2011-04-28T13:37:00.000+01:00

We're catching up with the times at Disco Therapy, we've now got a QR code, which are 2D barcodes.

Every Smart Phone can also read these codes with the free Quickmark QR Code Reader you can get availablehere! Downloads are in CAB format.

If you scan the Disco Therapy QR Code, you'll be taken to all of our links, including ones to Facebook, Twitter & Flickr, which is ideal if you're looking to see pics of our setup & Mood Lighting!

DJing - Easy?

2010-10-15T12:45:00.000+01:00

People often say to me DJing is an easy job, after all, you just turn up, play your tunes, have a couple of drinks and go home. As the Meerkat would say – Simples!

My response to that is quite simple… here is what a mobile DJ faces for a wedding:
Pre-Event Advertising then getting the bookings, confirming all details and play lists, getting confirmation from the venues for access rights and times available.

MorningCheck dates for tonight; ensure you have correct contact details for party and venue, then check that all requests/play lists are complete and the collection that you will be taking tonight. Double check that your first dance selection plays including a second copy of it as back up. Check for any extra items that have been added for the event.

LunchtimeLoad up the transport with all the equipment required, check to make sure you have enough spares in case something breaks down. Get to the venue to rig up to find that the space you were told you can have is no taken up by Uncle Bob who has set up his video camera on the stage for the afternoon meal. Negotiate with staff at venue to get gear loaded up and put in. This takes time and when you have a number of locations to rig up increases the stress as you know you have to get everything in before the evening.

Find that the plug sockets are further away than you thought, the lights are too tall for the room, the speakers are too near the table where they’ve put all the old people, etc.
Leave everything there ready to go in the hope that no one decides to interfere with the equipment while you are out of the building. Sticky pieces of wedding cake on the CD players are normally a good giveaway.

EveningReturn to the function with all your CDs ready for the evening, all suited and booted looking good and ready to rock the party for a solid 4 hours then go home, easy isn’t it? Except during the course of the night you have to face:

Dealing with kids whose parents think you are a children’s entertainer and that it’s ok to stick their heads in the speakers.

Drunken guests who demand that you put Megadeath/Iron Maiden on straight after the first dance.

Getting paid for the evening before the groom/best man is too drunk to remember that they owe you money.

Distant relatives wanting to sing on the mic because back home they are professional singers (in reality they normally destroy ‘Simply The Best’ at the local karaoke night and the regulars there are glad they’ve got rid of her for the night).

The Groom and Bridesmaid going missing just before the first dance and reappearing together (and I’ve had this happen more than once).

Going to the toilet and coming back to find someone looking through your records.
Oh, and the little task of thinking every 3 minutes or so what record to play next to keep the dance floor busy all night.

Then after the event’s done and the B&G have thanked you (occasionally), you’ve got paid, survived another night and everyone has gone, there is still the rig to dismantle and load back up into your transport, get home, put into storage. It’s normally about an hour and half after the gig has finished by the time you get home, then back into bed to do it all again the next day on 5 hours sleep! Not forgetting that most of us have families that would like to see us once in a while at weekends.

So yes we do have it easy and just turn up and go – don’t we???????

Flickr

2010-09-30T14:41:00.001+01:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

The Surfin Bird

2010-08-23T09:25:00.000+01:00

Every so often you get caught offguard with a request. Sometimes it's a song that you've never heard of, one that you can't possibly play as it's too heavy, has swearing in it, too slow, etc, etc.

However, this Saturday I was caught off guard in a good way with a request at a wedding I was doing in Motherwell. For the first time I was asked to play The Surfin' Bird by The Trashmen. For all the Family guy fans out there, you'll be very familiar with this song!

It just so happens that this song has been stuck in my head for months now, it has that effect on you. I was however unsure of how people would react to it. Afterall, not everyone might have seen this piece of vintage '60's cheese on Family Guy.

Never the less, I plucked up the courage and play it. Much to my delight, the dancefloor was filled with people doing the Peter Griffin dance!

If you haven't seen it, treat yourself and click on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184

Oran Mor

2010-08-19T16:29:00.001+01:00

I've played many venues throughout Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Lothian. From parties, to weddings and every type of occasion inbetween.

The type of venue I play in varies from gig to gig, from a plush house in Glasgow's South Side, extravogant ballrooms in posh hotels, to local Social clubs. Each venue has it's charms and challenges, but what is the best venue out there?

Personally, the winner every time, has to be Glasgow Oarn Mor.

Firstly, the accoustic within the building are outstanding. This is obviously of paramount importance for a Mobile DJ.

However, no matter how many times I play there, I am always in awe at the beauty of the building itself. A converted church, set within Glasgow's Byres Road, with orginal pagan stained glass and, as well as retaining many of the original features of the church, offering a contemporary setting in which to hold events.

What is perhaps most fitting, is the meaning of Òran Mór, meaning the 'great melody of life' or 'big song'.

Mood Lighting Picture

2010-08-03T17:01:00.000+01:00

Modern Day Classics!

2010-08-02T11:17:00.000+01:00

There's so many old classics that are played at Discos week in and week out. Bay City Rollers, Queen, Elvis, Roy Orbiston, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones...

The list goes on and on.

But what modern day songs will we still be playing in years to come? Will Lady Gaga still make the crowd go... Well gaga!?

Will we still have a feeling with the Black Eye Peas 20 years from now?

These are two artists / bands that seems to have tapped into what captures an audience, they've both churned out hit after hit over the past couple of years.

David Guetta also sees to have accomplished this, helped by his strategic parnerships with some of pops most popular artists.

Another honourable mention goes to the Scissor Sisters, I Don't Feel Like Dancing. For me, this song encapsulates what a Disco should be about - FUN!

Click the link below to enjoy a modern day disco classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9d7FcHMNC8&feature=related

This Weeks UK top 10

2010-07-27T15:42:00.001+01:00

Yolanda Be Cool Vs D Cup - We No Speak Americano
Eminem Ft Rihanna - Love The Way You
Bob Ft Hayley Williams - Airplanes
Katy Perry Ft Snoop Dogg - California Gurls
Eliza Doolittle - Pack Up
Mark Ronson & The Business Int - Bang Bang Bang
Professor Green Ft Lily Allen - Just Be Good To Green
Enrique Iglesias Ft Pitbull - I Like It
Jls - The Club Is
3oh3 Ft Kesha - My First Kiss

Song of the moment

2010-07-26T21:14:00.000+01:00

Well, it seems that the song that's getting all the kids bopping at parties just now is We Speak no Americano.

It's a great wee tune that has a really catchy 1950's swing groove, which is great for young and old alike.

The song is by Australian duo Yolanda Be Cool and producer DCUP. It was released on the independent Australian label Sweat It Out on 27 February 2010. The song samples the 1956 song "Tu vuò fà l'americano" by Renato Carosone and written by Carosone and Nicola Salerno. "We No Speak Americano" has become an international hit, reaching the top of the charts in Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It peaked inside the top ten of the charts in countries such as Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Israel, Spain and Norway.

Question to Ask When Booking a Disco

2010-07-22T16:19:00.000+01:00

Of course, we always hope that you'd decide to book with http://www.discotherapy.com/ if you don't though, here's some useful questions you should always ask when booking a Disco:

Do you have Public Liability Insurance (PLI)?

Is you equipment PAT tested?

Do you carry back-up equipment?

Do you accept requests?

Can you provide references?

The type of DJ you require is entirely up to you, but they should always be reliable. If a DJ does not have PLI or their equipment is not PAT tested, there's a good chance that the venue may not allow them to perform.

Back-up equipment is also a must. No matter how new or reliable equipment is, it can always fail, make sure the DJ has a back-up.

We pride ourselves on being a professional and reliable company, with fantastic equipment and a great nights entertainment!

First Dance!

2010-07-20T11:33:00.000+01:00

Your first dance song should be an extremely personal an emotional choice, but if you're in need of a little inspiration, here's 2009's top 10 first dance songs.

Aerosmith still sit at the top of the top 10 first dance songs with their modern day classic - 'I Don't wanna miss a thing'. Taking second place was another ageing rocker, Bryan Adams, with the Robin Hood track 'Everything I do, I do it for you'. Bryan's obviously still 'doing it' for you!

Top 10 Wedding Songs

Is your favourite here? The final Top 10 went like this:
Aerosmith - Don't Wanna Miss A Thing
Bryan Adams - Everything I Do (I Do It For You)
Lonestar - Amazed
Shania Twain - You're Still The One
Shania Twain - From This Moment
Van Morrison - Have I Told You Lately
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
Savage Garden - Truly Madly Deeply
Robbie Williams - Angels
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

Is old-fashioned best when it comes to your first dance song? Only three of the top 10 wedding songs date from the past few years: James Blunt's 'You're Beautiful', Robbie's 'Angels' and Savage Garden's 'Truly, Madly, Deeply'.

Unusual Choices

Looking for something a little less predictable? Our complete Popular Wedding Songs list contains a wide range of songs with something to suit every taste. Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Elton John bring classic romance to the list, with tunes that were simply made to be popular wedding songs.

But there are also plenty of unusual choices for your first dance song. Cool couples are choosing Snow Patrol (Chasing Cars), Jack Johnson (Better Together), or David Gray (Sail Away). And there's the mother's choice – Ronan Keating, Westlife or Robbie have plenty of tracks simply made to be first dance songs.

Father / Daughter Wedding Songs

Traditionally, the bride and groom will be alone on the dancefloor for the first dance song. Sometimes the bride's father will cut in and dance with the bride halfway through, but sometimes the second dance is reserved for the bride and her father. Brides who have more than one father figure may wish to dance with both during the song. If the father of the bride wants to choose a song, you might want to direct him to this page!

Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings
Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses
Charlie Rich - The Most Beautiful Girl
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Nat 'King' Cole - Unforgettable
Paul Simon - Father and Daughter
Temptations - My Girl

Mother / Son Wedding Songs

Shortly after the bride and her father take to the floor, they are traditionally followed by the groom and his mother. Finally, the newlyweds dance with their in-laws, and bridesmaids and ushers join the dancing.

Boyz II Men - A Song For Mama
Boyzone - No Matter What
Commodores - Three Times a Lady
Deniece Williams - Let's Hear It For The Boy
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
Queen - You're My Best Friend
Robbie Williams - She's The One
First Dance Tips

http://www.discotherapy.com/

Wedding DJ

2010-07-19T16:18:00.000+01:00

It's amazing the endless amount of planning that goes into your big day. The Dress, Cake, Flowers, Location - everything has to be perfect on the day. Yet, even after all this planning, many couples leave the Disco till the last moment or book the cheapest one they can find, regardless of quality, equipment or attitude. They then wonder why, after the excitement of the day, the ceremony and beauty, their guests leave feeling that they haven't had the best possible time. With Disco Therapy, we guarantee that we will do all we can to help your reception go as successfully as possible! We provide a professional & reliable Wedding Disco.

The main aim for us is to ensure that the spotlight is always on you at your wedding. And no, we don’t mean we’ll be shining lights on you all the time!

DJing at your wedding is not just another job. Each wedding is unique and a very personal, loving and emotional day, which Disco Therapy feel privileged to be a part of. We always provide a completely tailored service for your big day, meeting you beforehand to ensure your needs are fully understood and exceeded.

There are many add-ons we can offer, from mood lighting, to custom made highlight videos of the special couple during their time together.

2010-07-16T10:12:00.000+01:00

It really is amazing how many Scottish artists and bands that have fantastic party music. The list includes:

Paolo Nutini
Deacon Blue
AC/DC
Bay City Rollers
The Fratellies
Marmalade
Danny Wilson
Orange Juice
The Eurhythmics
The slightly cheesy Kelly Marie

All of these fabulous can be heard at hundreds of discos every week throughout the UK.
Then, of course, you have the two best ones, the anthemic 500 Miles by The Proclaimers and the one that gives everyone an excuse to go mental! Loch Lomond by Runrig.
Scotland really is a country that has rich musical roots, which makes my life as a DJ a wee bit more easy!

www.discotherapy.com

I won! American Audio VMS4

2010-07-14T10:19:00.000+01:00

Got great news yesterday, I won a swanky new Mixer from the good people at Phase 1 DJ Shop!

Check them out http://www.djanddiscostuff.com/ There's great guys there, really friendly and always have fantastic deals, they keep Disco Therapy up to date with the latest and best gear available.

The Mixer I won was an American Audio VMS4 (Velocity MIDI station). This all-in-one unit has all the features found on top-of-the-line professional mixer as well, such as: Balanced XLR outputs, Gain, Treble, Mid and Bass for each Midilog™ channel, crossfader assign and curve, and 2 Microphone Inputs with Treble, Mid and Bass control.

This will help take the Disco Therapy sound to another level!

Slash Plays Edinburgh

2010-07-05T11:25:00.000+01:00

There's always a sense of anticipation when a gig you've been looking forward to arrives, but this was gonna be a big one - Slash was playing Scotland's capital! Tickets were sold out in minutes and I had one.

The Picture House in Edinburgh is a converted cinema/night club which, to be fair, isn't huge but acoustically is ideal for music and tonight was no exception. When the lights dimmed the noise level rose and before we knew it the top hat could be seen through the mist. Slash's guitar sound was crystal clear and the tightness of the band was astounding. He's pulled a master stroke by bringing Myles Kennedy on the road... the man's voice is unbelievable.

It was incredible to hear Myles Kennedy apologizing for feeling a little off color as his vocals were outstanding. None more so than when he performed "Starlight". The man has a range you would not believe.

The highlight of the night was just around the corner though when the opening chords of "Sweet Child O' Mine" began.

They played a energising 2 hour set, and there was only gonna be one ending here and "Paradise City" just topped the cake... what a night!

2010-06-30T10:50:00.000+01:00

The tickets for the Dare to Care charity Halloween party will be going on sale soon.

This is an absolutely fantastic charity, supporting underprivelaged children within North and south Lanarkshire, giving them a Christmas they'll never forget.

Please take time out to read the letter in this post. It tells you about the brilliant work this amazing charity does.

The man behind this is one of a kind and has a heart of gold.

2010-06-29T14:19:00.001+01:00

Hey Macarena! - Teach yourself the Macarena!

2010-06-22T12:24:00.001+01:00

Disco Therapy - Sound System

2010-06-22T12:10:00.001+01:00

We're very proud of the sound system we use at Disco Therapy, it's a McGregor Mytek 212. Not only does this system sound stunning, it also looks the part too!

This is an £1800 system, which delivers 2000 watts of crisp sound and can handle venues up to the size of the Glasgow Hilton or Motherwell Civic Centre!

The Mytek 212 is used in our premium setup, we love using it at weddings, where sound and asthetics are equally as important.

Uplighting

2010-05-19T11:52:00.001+01:00

I'm delighted to say that Disco Therapy have now added venue uplighting to its services.

Uplighters can change the look of any function room or marquee by adding vibrant colour up the function walls or marquee lining.

This is a brilliant idea for weddings, we can match the colours to your colour scheme, which gives a really personal and stunning effect.

We use the latest LED technology as uplighters, which are low in power and rich in colour. LED uplighters are much safer to use than the traditional Parcan uplighters as they give off very little heat and use minimal amout of energy.

You can choose to have the lights set to static colours, or we can make them part of the light show when the Disco gets going!

Thank You Flat Steve

2010-04-27T10:42:00.000+01:00

We're sad to say that the man that made the Disco Therapy website a reality, Stephen McCann (aka Flat Steve) is moving to Canada for 6 months. We'll certainly miss him whilst he's away, he's a salt of the earth kind of guy.

Stephen is a very talented designer, please check out some of his work http://www.flatsteve.com/

From me, Stevie E, thank you Stephen for making Disco Therapy a reality and I hope you have a smashing time in Canada.

The Disco Therapy Concept

2010-04-27T10:36:00.000+01:00

Disco Therapy is much more than a mobile disco company. It's the combination of some very talented individuals, offering a complete solution for people organising a party, occassion or event. Each individual is a speacialist in their own service area, with extensive experience and qualifications.

We know that people can get a wee bit stressed out when organising a party, so we're here to take that stress away.

Aimed mainly at the wedding market, we give you everything you need to look & feel good on the dancefloor at your wedding, occasion or event – Mobile Disco / DJ Hire, Beauty Treatments to look your best, Invitation & RSVP service, Party Planning service to take the stress of planning away & Photography to capture your special day or event. Our unique service is available throughout Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Lothian & the rest of Scotland.

Disco Therapy goes a bloggin'

2010-04-15T09:33:00.000+01:00

Our IT guru, the very talented Mr. Stephen McCann, finally persuaded me to join the land of blog.

My aim just now is to update the blog at least once a week. Not sure exactly what the content will be yet though, although I'm sure it won't all be disco based.

Exciting times lie ahead in the land of blog, the Disco revolution has begun!