Do you need a mobile disc-jockey for your up and coming affair?
I have thousands of terabytes of audio files and thousands of CDs designed for listening and dancing. Rock, dance music from the 1930's to the '00's, hip-hop, electronica, alternative, jazz, Latin, country, blues, new-age, or big band will fill any taste for the listening ear. Available for all parties, weddings, formals, film and television wrap parties, school reunions, sorority and fraternity functions, dances and banquets.
I have been a mobile DJ for over 20 years and performed hundreds of weddings, film industry parties, and corporate events. I am incorporated, carry a City of Los Angeles Business license, 2 million dollars of liability insurance and mobile audio gear insurance. I throw an amazing party by reading the crowd and choosing great music. I do not resort to playing “cheesy” games or using embarrassing forceful tactics.
I am a professional music recording engineer and I am fanatical about quality gear. I bring a backup system with me to every event at no cost to my clients. My equipment is as follows:
MOBILE DJ SYSTEM
Pioneer DJM-800 Mixing Console
Mac Powerbook Laptop with Vestax VCI-300 Controller
JBL MRX515 Speaker Systems
Denon DN-2000F Dual Compact Disc Player
American DJ Dual Compact Disc Player (Backup system included)
QSC PLX3603 800 W Power Amplifier
Hafler 800 W Power Amplifier (Backup system included)
Shure Beta 87 microphones
Sennheiser 500 series wireless Microphones
ADDITIONAL 2ND SYSTEM
This system is frequently used for wedding ceremonies
Soundcraft GigRac 1000 Mixer
Denon DN-2000F Dual Compact Disc Player
JBL 4408 Speaker system
Haffler 400 W Amplifier
Mackie 16 Channel Mixing Console
Sennheiser 500 series wireless microphones - both clip-on lavalier and handheld
Shure Beta 87’s for micing up musicians or vocalists
Audio integration with videographer from mixing console
Don’t get stuck with the high prices of agencies!
Hire a DJ who will BE your DJ! –
Damon Tedesco “The DJ for all occasions”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long have you been a DJ?
It has been over 20 years. I started in High School djing parties, proms and dances, I went to Loyola Marymount University and started into djing weddings. Now I split my time djing weddings and Hollywood wrap parties for film and television shows.
Why is it so difficult to hire a DJ?
I think when you are planning a wedding or an event there are tangible items such as a cake, flowers, food, locations etc. A DJ is at times kind of a mystery – Will he play good music? Will he show up on time? Does he have a good music selection? How is his equipment? These are difficult questions to answer unless you can get recommendations from other clients.
What makes you different from other DJs?
I am not a cheezy, over the top, salesman type of guy. I think that when people go to a party they are there to hear a great selection of music and to enjoy a well-planned and executed event. I don’t do line dances, or force people to dance. I try and avoid the usual "YMCA", "Shout", "Tequila", "Chicken Dance", etc.
Are you an agency?
No. I am not an agency. People hire me because of my ability to read a crowd and play music that you don’t always hear at every wedding or party. I think that there is so much bait and switch with agencies that it makes the whole DJ industry look bad,
Do you have a video that you send out of you Djing?
Well…. No. I think that videos of DJs are so cheezy.
Any advice on hiring a DJ?
Get together with your DJ and just chat about what you are all about - your expectations and what you want from your DJ. You need to feel comfortable with whomever you hire. Speak with their recent clients or go see them on a DJ job.
Do you ever have a “meet and greet” meeting before you get hired?
All the time! People want to know that they can get along with their vendors. I think this is the best way to know if everyone meshes well with each other.
How many times do you meet up with your clients before the DJ job?
It all varies – everyone has a different comfort level. I like to meet up with brides and grooms 2-3 times before their wedding. Weddings are all about pre-production. The more I know about what kind of event my client wants the easier the job will flow. Many of my repeat clients such as holiday or birthday parties trust that I will do a great job and don’t feel the need to meet up with them at all.
Are you wedding planner?
Well, I’m more of an event coordinator. I work with the bride and groom to figure out what formalities they want and work out a timeline with them. I rely on my experience with literally hundreds of weddings to suggest the best flow for the formalities. I speak with the caterer or banquet manager before the event and give them a copy of the Wedding Program that we have worked out. I also bring copies for the photographer and videographer. Everyone needs to be on the same page so the wedding rolls along flawlessly.
Any advice to brides and grooms on their actual wedding day?
Yes, take off your watch and enjoy your day. Look around and soak it all in. Rely on your vendors to do their job well.
What kind of packages do you have?
Well I don’t really like using the word "packages". I have my hourly rate with a five hour minimum. I don’t charge for set up or break down time – just music time. The wedding system is most commonly a flat rate rental on top of my hourly.
Do you have a "day job"?
Yes I do. I am a professional music recording engineer for film and television and have worked with such composers as Danny Elfman (Spiderman), Tom Newman (American Beauty), Don Davis (The Matrix), and Randy Newman (Seabiscuit) to name a few. I have recorded and mixed music for hundreds of commercials and have had may featured on The Super Bowl over the past many years. A view into my “other life” is at
Do you advertise?
I do very little advertising. I would say that 80% of my work comes from good word of mouth and referrals. Anyone can use the internet or go to an agency to hire a DJ. The problem is that many times you don’t know what type of DJ you will get until the day of the event – and then it is much too late. I receive many last minute calls from people that have gone with large companies and can not get a return phone call once they have their deposit. There is nothing scarier than not speaking to your DJ or even knowing who your DJ will be when your wedding is fast approaching.
Have you won any awards?
I have been pre-approved and accepted into “Here Comes The Guide” for Southern California. The pre-screening process is intensive and only about 10 DJs are pre approved in Southern California. I was voted “Best Wedding DJ of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012” by the Project Wedding website. I won “Best Scoring Mixer” in 2007 in The Film and Television Music Awards and have had my music mixes played on hundreds of commercials.
QUESTIONS ABOUT GEAR
What type of system do you bring to a DJ job?
It is a Vestax laptop computer system along with Dual Denon CD players, QSC power amplifiers, Sennheiser wireless microphones, and a Pioneer mixing console. I also have a backup Denon CD player, amplifier and mixing console with me on every job, I have yet to use it, but if I need any form of back up it is with me. Asthetically, it is a compact powerful system. I do not have a banner with my name on it or any other high-pressure tactic.
Are you going to change to a computer based MP3 system?
I use a combination of computer based Mac laptop system and CDs. I have all of my CDs as well as hundreds of gigabytes of music with me on my laptop system. I had all of my vinyl transfered into iTunes as well. I love being able to search my catalogue in just a few seconds. I use the new Vestax VCI-300 computer controller and NOW it finally feels like DJing from a laptop.
Do you have a Ceremony System?
Yes I do. It is a separate system from the reception system to eliminate any musical "dead air". It consists of a Soundcraft GigRac 1000 Mixer, JBL speakers, Sennheiser clip-on wireless microphones for the groom and minister, and a wireless handheld for readings, singing, and micing up instruments such as string quartets and guitars. I do not put the speakers on stands. If you shoot video or photos of a wedding you should not have speakers visible in the shot.
Pioneer DJM-800 Mixing Console
Mac Powerbook Laptop with Vestax VCI-300 Controller
JBL MRX515 Speaker Systems
Denon DN-2000F Dual Compact Disc Player
American DJ Dual Compact Disc Player (Backup system included)
QSC PLX3603 800 W Power Amplifier
Hafler 800 W Power Amplifier Shure Beta 87 microphones
Sennheiser 500 series wireless Microphones / ADDITIONAL 2ND SYSTEM
(This system frequently used for wedding ceremonies)
Soundcraft GigRac 1000 Mixer
Denon DN-2000F Dual Compact Disc Player
JBL 4408 Speaker system
Mackie 16 Channel Mixing Console
Sennheiser 500 series wireless microphones
(both clip-on lavalier and handheld)
Shure Beta 87’s for micing up musicians or vocalists
Audio integration with videographer from mixing console
MOBILE DISC MUSIC HAS FURNISHED DISC-JOCKEY
WORK FOR FUNCTIONS AT THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES:
Hotels
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Adamson House – Malibu
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Le Bel Age – West Hollywood
Hotel Bel-Air
Casa Del Mar – Santa Monica
The Ritz-Carlton – Marina Del Rey
The Ritz-Carlton – Pasadena
Shutters on the Beach – Santa Monica
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Biltmore Hotel – Los Angeles
W Hotel - Westwood
The Los Angeles Bonaventure Hotel
Metro Goldwyn Mayer - Century City
Le Mondrian – West Hollywood
Queen Mary - Long Beach
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Sheraton - Universal City
Holiday Inn Crown Plaza Hotel - Century City
Desert Princess Hotel - Palm Springs
The Four Seasons – Los Angeles
Pacifica Hotel - Los Angeles
Jamaica Bay Inn - Venice
Malibu Lake Inn - Malibu
Hacienda Hotel - El Segundo
Film and Television Studios
Warner Bros. – Burbank
20th Century Fox – Beverly Hills
Sony Pictures – Culver City
Paramount Pictures – Los Angeles
Grammy Awards
Emmy Awards
Schools
University of Southern California
California State University Northridge
Loyola Marymount University - Los Angeles
California State University - Long Beach
Oxidental College
Notre Dame High School - Sherman Oaks
Corpus Christi - Pacific Palisades
Golf, Tennis, Yacht Clubs & Restaurants
Porter Valley Country Club - Porter Ranch
Kate Mantillini – Beverly Hills
Matsuhisa – Beverly Hills
Prego – Beverly Hills
A Votro Sante – Los Angeles
Canyon Club - Agoura Hills
Encino Glen - Encino
Knollwood Country Club - Granada Hills
Genghis Cohen – Hollywood
The Ivy – Beverly Hills
The Palm – West Hollywood
Chan Dara – Santa Monica
Geoffrey’s – Malibu
Versailles – Los Angeles
Cabrillo Rackquet Club - Santa Paula
Cabrillo Marina Club - Cabrillo Beach
California Yacht Club - Marina Del Rey
Buccaneer Mardi Gras Cruises - San Pedro
Redondo Portofino Inn - Redondo Beach
Calamigos Ranch - Malibu
Reuben's Restaurant - Marina Del Rey
The Odessey - Mission Hills
Hornblower Dinning Yachts - Newport Beach
Rodgers Marina Cafe - Marina Del Rey
The Cheesecake Factory - Redondo Beach
Manhattan Beach Yacht Club
REFERENCES FURNISHED UPON REQUEST
Unsolicited Email on , and
projectwedding.com message boards and reviews.
Damon Tedesco was my DJ. Again just a pleasure to have around. He was never too pushy or overbearing as I have seen too many times DJ be. We were very strict on what we wanted in the music or more importantly what we didn't want musically. He really did an excellent job in figuring out what kind of people we were and played such great music. I am into hippie, classic rock, funk, soul, disco, jazz, and eclectic music and he never had me once say "why is he playing that?" All night I was so excited of the choices he made. Never once did the dance floor go empty after a song was played. I am still being told how great the music was and how different each song was but how it all worked. He didn't play a single typical song you normally hear at wedding. We were both so happy with Damon. – jessica (dylanbob)
Simply put, Damon was phenomenal. He is a breath of fresh air in an industry that reeks of cheese. I planned my wedding from across the country, and it just so happened that he was free to meet one afternoon while I was in town. He invited me to his home for our first consultation, which was really accommodating, since my schedule was tightly packed. His manner put me completely at ease, and it was clear that we felt the same way about the DJ's role at a wedding - he's there to keep the music playing and help move things along, but in a backstage, behind-the-scenes kind of way. So many DJs use a wedding as a platform for their own posturing and goofy gimmicks - I'm not the type of person to say the wedding is all about the bride, but it's definitely not all about the DJ! Damon made me feel 100% confident that with him as our DJ, it would be all about class. He was extremely flexible and accessible, which is crucial for someone planning long-distance, and whatever questions I had or ideas I gave him, he followed up and knew just what to do. His announcements were crisp and clear, and he worked well with the waitstaff and other vendors to coordinate the first dances, meal service, etc. He played music that was right in line with our tastes, and the dance floor was almost never empty. I surprised my husband with a serenade at the reception, and Damon had the accompaniment CD ready to go. He even had me listen ahead to make sure it was the right track. That kind of attention to detail and readiness made everything go smoothly the whole night. The DJ can either make or break a wedding, and Damon's ego-free style definitely "made it." A month later, our guests are still talking about how classy the wedding was, and I attribute a great deal of that to him. Sarahmw from projectwedding.com
Damon has an uncanny talent for reading a crowd and playing music that gets everyone in the mood and dancing. His style is that of a great DJ, not cheesy announcer man. He announces the events, but doesn’t tell lame jokes or talk just to hear his own voice. Every musical moment was absolutely perfect, he played every song we requested, none of our “do not plays” hit the air, he even had a totally obscure song Ryan’s college buddies requested. Heck, he even pronounced my mom’s Korean name correctly! We could not have been happier with his work – and he’s a great guy to boot! Damon and our caterer have worked together in the past, so they both made sure our entire day went without a hitch. We didn’t have to worry about a single thing, we just relaxed, had a great time, and knew everything was being taken care of! – Ryan and Christine (screen name Kimo)
I interviewed several DJs. Damon by far was the most professional. He had great input and had absolutely no attitude. Working with vendors can be very, very challenging. He was one vendor that made it super easy. His directions were cleared and he followed-up as promised. I did not need to "chase him down" to confirm appointments, etc. No micro-managing required with Damon. Damon completely followed all directions to a tee. For example, for my entrance, our officiant had queued me to begin walking down the aisle -- to the wrong music. The processional song was still playing. For whatever reason, our officiant thought I was walking down at that time. He would not stop motioning me and my uncle to walk down the aisle. We just stood there. Awkward. Anyway, our officiant was confused. However, Damon was not. He knew exactly what song I requested for the entrance. He saved the moment and quickly starting playing Edelweiss. Total save!!! As for the wedding reception, he did a fantastic job on reading the crowd. He played the songs we selected (our top 25 songs + other various milestone songs). He also knew when to switch up the music based on the guests. The dance floor was full for the entire reception. We even had him play an hour longer than planned because the guests would not stop dancing! He definitely contributed to making our wedding a fun, memorable event. We cannot thank him enough!!! Hgaitanis from projectwedding.com
My wife and I are pretty particular with the music we wanted played at our wedding. We set up a meeting with him explaining what we wanted and we wanted to stay away from for our reception. Damon's music choices were on point all night. He made our reception flow and really set the atmosphere. He knew when to pick up the pace and when to back off. He reads a room exceptionally well. We had over 200 guests and everyone really had a great time dancing to great music. I wrote a special song for my wife and wanted to surprise her and sing it to her at the reception. Since Damon is also a professional sound engineer it made it easy for me to do this. The sound of my acoustic guitar and voice was rich and warm and he made me sound great! Not only is he an excellent DJ but he's easy to work with. Smiling all night, it shows that he loves what he does and that makes all the difference. Musicman from projectwedding.com