{Video} Creative Mixing

A great little video from Matt about the way we can mix different songs together to keep your dance floor full. No matter the style or genre of music, you can be sure our resident DJs know how to mix it up!

Fall Music Trends

The wedding world tends to be a little behind when it comes to new music, so you will still be hearing many of the top Summer songs this Fall/Winter. "Give Me Everything," "Yeah 3X," "Forget You," and "Dynamite," should all still be packing dance floors.

Dance music (120 beats per minute, BPMs, or more) will definitely still be going strong. With the success that Pitbull has had on other artist’s songs, it is likely that more and more great dance songs will emerge. Hip hop (105 BPMs or slower) really has been left out - dance music has a strong hold right now. Look for some strong dance tracks from Black Eyed Peas, Rhiannon and dare I say, Madonna.

As each year goes by, we really become more and more distant to those songs we heard 10 years ago. There is just so much more music to choose from. Playing those typical wedding songs just don’t apply anymore. Current music is at least 50% of the music that we play. And I think it is going to remain this way for a while and become more and more prominent.

Probably the biggest trend you will see is the advent of dinner music going away from being slow. Mixing good, creative songs will be something we try and keep up. Guests are expecting the DJ to use dinner to show them what is in store for the night. Now, we don’t mean have everyone dancing, but the typical 40 minutes of jazz, chill type of music is quickly becoming extinct.

As with any blog, this is simply my opinion and the good thing with music is that there is something for everyone. But we are no doubt in a great dance music part of the pendulum and I love it.

-Jason

Hillary and Steve

I met with Hillary and Steve back in 2010, and as with every client that books with Synergetic, we did this BEFORE they signed a contract. We really hit it off and our meeting lasted over 2 hours!


This wedding was a really good, solid, dancing event. As with the other DJs at Synergetic, I tend to be very creative with my mixing, which is what Hillary and Steve wanted. Most of my set list was top 40, with a few older, classic tracks thrown in. I know it's going to be a great night when the crowd screams out when the next song comes on - they must have hated me at this wedding since they never had a chance to sit down.




Many of the couples I spin for don't give me a very big “playlist.” Hillary and Steve let me pick most of the music based on how the night was going. These are always the best weddings, as I was able to dial into exactly what the crowd wanted and keep them dancing. But don’t worry, I can make anything work, if you have a good set list yourself, shoot it over to me and I will find a way to incorporate EVERY song on that list! I promise.

If you're searching for a venue for your wedding or next event, be sure to check into theWilliam Penn Inn. I have worked here many times and the food is always excellent, the staff is always fun to work with and the room is just the right size for a good dancing crowd. I always like the trees outside during the holiday season as well. We also had the pleasure of working with Dell Barnell of Photography by Dell. We owe him a big thanks for the images in this post!

If you're still looking for a DJ, give Kelly a call. She would be more than happy to set up a meeting with me if you are interested.

-Mark

Music Trends

The funny thing about DJing events is that no two events have the same set list, but they can both be equally as great! We change up what we play, we can be creative and we can have fun with music all the time. There is no formula that works for every event, that is what makes our job so much fun.

The last few months have been interesting in the music world. We had a strong winter season with good, solid songs that worked for the dance floor. Songs like “Dirty Bit,” “Hey Baby,” “Party Rock,” and “Only Girl.” The spring season really wasn’t that good in terms of music, even though there were some good radio songs, playing them at weddings didn’t get a great reaction. Songs like “On the floor,” and “Hit the lights,” just didn’t keep the crowds dancing as much as I thought they would have.

Personally, I am seeing a nice trend of more upbeat, dance music at weddings. Our clients are looking for a more top 40 based wedding, with quick mixing from song to song. I am also seeing a little swing to hip hop. Both classic R&B and late 90’s/early 2000 hip hip.

I must admit, I am fan of the “slow song, sing along.” It is something I have been doing for the last 2-3 months. Instead of the classic, typical slow songs, try something like, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” by Foreigner or, “Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now,” by Starship. Songs like that are really a hit and they engage the couples. Plus, it makes for great people watching as the guys sing to the girls!

Overall, I see top 40 dance music really holding strong. We will continue to see solid tracks released towards the end of summer and these will all be songs that will work at weddings/private events.

-Jason

Inspiration

I’m not going to lie, I get bored easily with music. And I’m pretty sure that the people I spin for would be bored if I was exclusively playing music from 10 years ago. I get payed to play good, energized music, so it is my job to find new songs that go with the classic songs I play - this isn't always easy.

Most of the music out today is horrible. It lasts for a few weeks and then disappears. And the radio stations play the same thing over and over again. So where does a DJ find his/her inspiration for different sets to play?

For me, it is pretty simple. I can find inspiration in anything that has a beat. I have found new ideas for mixes at the mall, at a play, at a concert - anywhere I hear music is a chance for me to get creative. Just this past weekend, while I was watching TV and listening to some commercials, I found the following dinner set:

- Three little birds by Bob Marley

- Africa by Toto

- Umbrella by Rihanna

So this weekend, I am going to give it a shot and see how the crowd reacts. I’m thinking they are going to like this one.

I also listen to 100’s of songs a month. This comes from my old record pool days when you HAD to do this to still be in the pool. Some can be older songs, but for the most part, I’m trying to find music that makes the event I’m spinning become electric. Trying to find the perfect mix for 4 hours - not just 4 hot songs, but 40 - all mixed in a particular order that makes everybody tell you, “seriously, you have the best DJ I have heard!”

I will keep you posted on some of the other mixes I do and where I get the inspiration from.

-Jason

We're not Emcees

Don’t get me wrong, we certainly handle all of the “emcee duties” at every event we work, but when it comes down to it, we are DJs, not DJ/MC/Dancers/Entertainment Director/whatever else you wanna call us! In fact, in the 15 years I have been doing this, I have never once had a prospective client call and say they wanted to hire us because we are such great “emcees.” NEVER. They call because the DJ's skills were incredible.

This isn’t to say that our DJs aren’t good on the microphone. They are very good. They speak clear, have nice voices and know not to talk a lot. We will certainly handle all of the introductions, toasts, announcements and other formalities, but we won’t make a big deal about it. We simply keep it professional and make sure everybody knows what is going on. I think many companies today tend to put an emphasis on that “emcee” part.

I don’t think you want to hear us on the microphone all night. We kind of feel like you would rather have an exceptional DJ who absolutely packs your dance floor with incredible programming and creative mixes and is good on the microphone. Versus a person who is impeccable on the microphone and a mediocre DJ. Yeah, I can’t see that being too fun of a party. When is the last time you heard someone say, “wow, I want to hire that guy for my wedding because he is just an amazing emcee?”

Even seeing the word “emcee” scares me. I think of a DJ who is going to be on the dance floor teaching a new dance. Or worse yet, a DJ who is going to be in all of your photographs because he is on the dance floor letting people sing in the microphone! Really?

For the most part, we stay quiet on the microphone. You are hiring us to spin a wedding that you and your guests will talk about for years to come. Pretty much like the one I did on Saturday night for Jennifer and Jason at Northampton Valley Country Club. I swear, after the blessing and toast, I said about three things - but I didn’t need to say much. I played the right music at the right time and the dance floor was packed. I mixed in a few new tracks too like, Jay Sean’s “Hit the lights,” and Pitbull’s “Give me everything.” But the party pretty much took off with “Don’t stop till you get enough” by MJ.

Until the next time…

-Jason

{Tune in Tuesday} Bridal Processional

This week we'd like to share some modern/current suggestions for the brides procession. We know many still choose traditional instrumental pieces such as Pachelbel's Canon in D, I did, but there seems to be more brides going with current, non instrumental songs. If you're in that group, here are some songs you might not have thought of.

-Make you feel my love – Adele
-Feels Like Home – Chantel
-Makes Me Whole – Amel Larrieux
-I Was Made to Love You - Gerald Levert
-Then (Piano Version) – Brad Paisley
-So High – John Legend

Michelle and Tim

Michelle and Tim were married in may and had a beautiful reception at Knowlton Mansion. Kurt and Ed kept the dance floor packed all night and enhanced the beauty of Knowlton with amber up lighting and a dance floor wash. We received an extremely nice, thoughtful thank you from them and are excited to share it.

"Dear Becky,
I've been meaning to write for some time now to say a HUGE thank you to Kurt and the whole Synergetic Sounds team. My husband Tim and I were married on May 22nd and held our reception at Knowlton Mansion. We could not have asked for a more perfect way to start our life together. Aside from Knowlton being an already amazing venue, the amber up lighting and dancefloor lighting you provided really added that extra special wow factor. Furthermore, Kurt (and his assistant) were outstanding! From the cocktail hour, to the introductions, to our first dance, cake cutting and music selection, Kurt orchestrated everything perfectly. The music was awesome and the dance floor PACKED all night long - I think every single guest was out there at some point during the night (you'll notice in the pictures that even the "old" folks are really getting down). Guests continuously commented on what a great play list we had made, and we had to confess that we hadn't made a play list at all, in fact, we had only requested 4 songs; the rest of the music selection was entirely thanks to our DJs! Even to this day, two months after the fact, our guests are still raving about how much fun they had at our wedding, and i think much of that has to do with the services provided by Kurt and Synergetic.

I wanted to send along a few pictures just to show you how gorgeous the venue looked with the lighting, as well as give you an idea of just how much people enjoyed the music. There are so many great pictures of our guests going crazy on the jam-packed dance floor that i couldn't just pick one (so i chose a dozen or so, eek, sorry). You'll notice that everyone, I mean everyone, from our 5 & 6 year old nieces to our 80 year old grandparents, were out there having fun.

I really hope you enjoy the photos and can use them to show other couples why they should, no, NEED to choose Synergetic Sounds for their own wedding or special event. Thanks again. Your professionalism, expertise and services were more than we could have ever wanted or expected. We know we made the right choice and will forever recommend Synergetic to anyone looking for a high quality, experienced lighting and DJ company.
Best,
Michelle and Tim"

Michelle and Tim, we are so glad you were happy with our services and had the wedding of your dreams. We wish you all the best and are truly grateful for your kind words!

Here are some images Michelle sent to us.


-Becky

Eclectic Mixes

Not every couple agrees on everything. So when it comes to choosing the music for your wedding reception, you may not see eye to eye. And that’s OK. Because when you hire a beat-mixing DJ, you do so knowing that you’ll both be happy with the music that is played.

A beat-mixing DJ is one who can seamlessly mix two different songs together, with no break, from two vastly different genres and keep the dance floor busy. He has honed his skills and mastered his art.

The goal is to play the music the couple wants to hear, at the right times, and make sure the guests have a great time. Not everyone likes the same music so it can be a challenge to keep grandma and great uncle Bill dancing when the next song the bride wants to hear is a rap song. This is where the DJ can really prove himself.

A song that has been requested a lot lately is “Down,” by Jay Sean. It has a good melody and beat and mixes well (with the right song of course). Half way through the song, Lil Wayne comes in and raps – this is where you could lose grandma – so if you take the beat just before the rap starts, and mix in the beat of a popular Rock song like, “You Shook Me All Night Long,” by AC/DC, the younger crowd will keep dancing because they like the original song, and your older relatives will stay on the dancefloor because the new song a rock song they’ve heard before.

When you are dancing, there is nothing worse than the music coming to a screeching halt as the DJ drastically changes the speed of the music and the beats don’t match. This gives your guests a chance to decide whether they want to keep dancing or get another drink. Don’t give them the chance to make that decision - make it for them. Hire a beat-mixing DJ, who can properly read your crowd - your guests will never have a chance to think about getting that next drink, with no “break” in the music.

Not too long ago we had a groom who only wanted to hear Guns N Roses at his reception. Guns N Roses is a great band, but they don’t have a lot of “dancing” songs, so the DJ had his work cut out for him. At one point during dancing, the DJ was playing, “It’s Tricky,” by Run DMC. There is a break in the middle of the song where you just hear the beat. Matt looped that part of the song, so there was a continuous instrumental, and mixed in “Sweet Child of Mine,” by Guns N Roses at a specific guitar riff. The grooms eyes lit up and everyone kept dancing. If Matt had played “It’s Tricky” all the way through, and then played “Sweet Child of Mine,” it wouldn’t have worked. The reason what Matt did worked is because he knew the music well, knew how many beats per minute each song was and was able to match them up at the right points.

So when you start researching DJ’s/entertainment for your reception, think about what is most important to you - whether it be the type of music you hear, how it’s played or that the dance floor is packed - and then find out what their style is and see if they fit into your vision. If you’re unsure, ask for referrals or testimonials from previous clients. If you are a couple with vastly different tastes in music and it is important to you that the dance floor is packed all night with people of all ages, then a beat mixing DJ is for you.

-Becky
(This post was written for and posted on The Chestnut Club's blog a couple of months ago)

Andrew & Lauren

There’s something about the initial meeting with a client that I can tell a bit about how their reception is going to go. From the connection we have, to the descriptions about their friends and family, the meeting is where the foundation is built. The most important part of the meeting for the client is getting a chance to meet me and feel out my personality to make sure we’re a good match for the reception. The most important part of the meeting for me to figure what type of couple I am going to be working with. The strength of our relationship ultimately plays into the success of the reception.

Immediately after meeting with Drew and Lauren back in November of 08, I knew how fun their reception was going to be. Not only were they excited to be planning their wedding, but they were very interested in making their reception the best time anyone has ever experienced; and their goal was attained quite well. Drew and Lauren put together an amazing team of vendors in Cairnwood Mansion, Robert Fair Caterers, Artistic Imagery, Video from TJR, and Synergetic managing the entertainment and lighting. I had this wedding circled on my calendar for quite some time now, so when the day finally came I was excited to be able to take part in what was to be the best reception ever. However there was one huge problem.

The Eagles were scheduled to play against Dallas in an epic playoff matchup. When I learned that the game was to be played during their reception I was disappointed because I didn’t want it to take anything away from the hard work Drew and Lauren put in to making their reception a great time. After speaking with Drew we came up with a plan that would work not only for the reception but also for the after-party as well. DVR is a beautiful invention. The plan was for the guests to not mention any score during the reception, and all go to the afterparty to watch the game as if it were live. The key to the success of this plan was to make sure no guest mentioned anything about the game (good or bad) during the reception. So right before introductions I made an announcement that the Eagles had learned about Drew and Lauren’s wedding and made an agreement with the Cowboys to delay the game for 4 hours until the reception was over; and any guest who thought there was a “playoff football game” going on would keep the imaginary score to themselves. The planned worked perfectly, except for the Eagles loss, and the wedding lived up to its excitement. Lauren looked absolutely beautiful even though some of her pictures required her to outside in the cold with no coat!!

At the end of the reception one of Cairnwood’s staff members mentioned to me that you know it’s a great reception when the entire library’s windows are fogged to the point where you cannot see out of them. From myself, and the entire Synergetic team we wish Drew and Lauren the best of luck in starting their new family!

Matt

Thanks to Jen from Artistic Imagery for the amazing photographs.

Express Yourselves (and your relationship) Through Music

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to give Brides Magazine my input on some different ideas for songs to play during the formalities at a wedding (ceremony & reception). Reflecting on recent weddings I’ve done where the music was a bit different, I began to formulate a list that was, "The remedy for the common wedding music."

In writing the article for the magazine I tried to reach as many different types of couples as I could with my picks. I found that no matter what type of music is suggested, it has to be meaningful to the couple for it to work for them. Because music is such an important part of my life, it would be difficult for me to suggest the same songs to every couple that I work with for their ceremony, recessional or first dance. Just because I think a song is a good fit for one couple's first dance, doesn't mean it will work for another couple.

So instead of suggesting particular songs for the ceremony or reception, my job is to help the couple figure out what their collective identity is, and help them to display it through the music at their event. When a couple hires a DJ for their ceremony, they have free reign to communicate with their guests the type of love they share through music.

Some couples want to hear "The Wedding March" and "Here Comes the Bride" because they identify that music with a wedding. I feel as though that only scratches the surface. Why not find music you both enjoy that represents your relationship in the deepest way? Why not have your guests associate the lyrics and melodies of a particular song with the smell of the flowers you’ve picked and the sight of your beautiful dress? The best part about having a DJ at a ceremony is that you can pick any song, from any group, in any genre.

The music you select can accomplish several things. One may be to lighten the mood during the ceremony. I once had a client select REM’s, "It’s the End of the World" as their recessional song. The guests laughed - but it was a song the couple enjoyed.

Some couples choose a song they heard on the radio during their first date. When I worked with my couple from last weekend, they selected "Bed of Roses," by Bon Jovi as their first dance song. They did not choose that song because of the lyrics, or because it represented their relationship, rather they wanted that song because they met while standing outside in line for a Bon Jovi Concert and it met something to them.

Selecting the music for your wedding can be as trivial as using Google and searching for "Wedding Music" or as intricate as finding the acoustic version of Foo Fighters, "Everlong" that they sung while touring in Colorado. Either way the music should mean the most to you, and should convey the message of your love for one another. If your identity is shown through the style of dress you select, or type of flower you carry, the music should express the relationship you’re vowing to uphold.

-Matt

Brides Philadelphia Magazine

Brides Philadelphia Magazine, recently asked Matt for his input on a music story for their Fall/Winter 2009 issue, which hit newsstands on July 28. Matt was also asked for his input for a music story they ran in their Spring/Summer 2009 issue, you can see more about that here.

Check out the article below. And for more information about local vendors and wedding ideas and trends, be sure to pick up the Fall/Winter issue of Brides Philadelphia.



-Becky

What we're listening to

Once a month I'll be posting what some of us at Synergetic are listening to on our own time. My song choices seem to change with the weather ... we'll see about everyone else.

Joan (Administrative Assistant) - "My Wish,"Rascal Flatts; "Before he Cheats," Carrie Underwood; Michael Buble; Il Divo.

Becky (Sales and Marketing) - Missy Higgins; "Say," John Mayer; "I'm Yours," Jason Mraz; "Closer to Love," Mat Kearney.

Matt (GM, DJ) - "Turnin Me On," Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne; Sam Cooke; Al Green; Marvin Gaye.

Jason (CEO/President, DJ) - "Poker Face," Lady Gaga; "Livin On A Prayer (Remix)," DJ Serafin; Dance/House Music.

-Becky

"Refresh your Playlist"

Matt was asked for his opinion on ways for brides to update their wedding playlists. New songs, to replace the ones heard at most weddings. Matts' suggestions were published in the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Brides, Philadelphia.

Here's what he said:

For the ceremony-
Instead of "Canon in D major," by Pachelbel, consider "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," by Israel Kamakawiwo' ole for the Bridal Party Procession. For the bride's Procession, instead of "Bridal Chorus," by Wagner, consider, "Fairytale," by Enya. And for the recessional, consider Coldplay's "Clocks," by Buena Vista Social Club, instead of "Wedding March," by Mendelssohn.

For the reception-
For your grand entrance, instead of "Lets Get it Started," by Black Eyed Peas, think about "Lovely Day," by Bill Withers. For that all important first dance, consider "The One Who Loves You Most," by Brett Dennen, instead of "Better Together," by Jack Jonson. Instead of "How Sweet It Is," by James Taylor, consider "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," by Lauren Hill for your cake cutting. "Daddy's Little Girl," is a great father-daughter dance song, but what about "My Wish," by Rascal Flatts instead? And for the mother-son dance, consider "Forever Young," by Rod Stewart, instead of "A Song for My Son," by Mikki Viereck. To get everyone up out of their seats try "The Way You Move," by Outkast, instead of "Brick House," by Commodores. And to end the night on a high note, consider "Take Me Home Tonight," by Eddie Money instead of "Don't Stop Believin'," by Journey.

There are millions of songs out there. Don't be afraid to try something different!

-Becky

Attack of the Generic Ceremony Music

Your wedding ceremony is arguably the most important facet of your wedding day. It is the reason you’ve been planning hours upon hours for over a year. Typically one of the first steps in the planning process is deciding what type of ceremony you want to have and where it will take place. Traditionally, the ceremony is held at a church (or Temple), with an organ playing "Here comes the Bride," (or perhaps "Sunrise, Sunset"). But, what if you don’t want a traditional ceremony? Shouldn’t your ceremony music reflect your personalities and style?

If you plan on having a jazz trio or string quartet play live music at the ceremony then your options are limited in terms of what music they can play. Most ceremonies that have live music are filled with Canon in D, Bridal March, and other classical selections. By having your DJ handle your ceremony music, you now have a wider variety of songs to choose from. Not only will you have a microphone so your guests can hear your officiant more clearly - as well as you and your fiancé when you say your vows -but you will also have the ability to play any music you like. As your guests are sitting in their seats waiting for you to come down the aisle tell them your story through music. Think about how many weddings they’ve been to. Why not make your ceremony stand out? We’ve played anything from "Clocks," by Coldplay, to "It’s the End of The World As We Know It," by REM.

Your ceremony is an event that describes you and your fiancé’s love for one another. If music is an expression of feelings, then use your ceremony music to help you express your love for your husband or wife to be.

-Matt