This week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday DJ spotlight shines on Jason Cohen, known as DJ Demand of SCE Event Group in New Jersey.
New Jersey-based mobile DJ, Jason Cohen, often referred to as DJ Demand, is this week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday spotlight. Growing up, Cohen and his friends were in a band, and it wasn’t until he began his further education at Rutgers University that he decided to take his love of rap music and DJing to the next level.
Fast forward to present day, and Cohen proudly showcases his DJ skills and talent as part of SCE Event Group in NJ. When he’s not performing at weddings and parties, he tells DJ LIFE that his work with SCE has job has opened doors and given him opportunities to DJ for the audiences for Saturday Night Live (SNL), getting some airtime on the Real Housewives of New Jersey, playing and speaking at DJX, DJing events at stadiums where his childhood sports heroes have played, playing movie premieres, and traveling for destination events, among others.
When DJ LIFE spoke with Jason Cohen regarding all things mobile DJ as DJ Demand, here’s how it all went down…
DJ LIFE: What does being a mobile DJ mean to you?
Jason Cohen: Having a background of both a nightlife and a mobile DJ, I can tell you that there are a lot the two have in common, but also a ton of differences! At the end of the day, we all want the crowd of people in front of us to have the best time possible, and our way of doing that is through the music. Being a mobile (and specifically wedding) DJ means we need to do all of that, but also keep in mind that this is the most important day in the life of the couple we are working for! Our job starts months before the party, meeting with and getting to know our couples so we can personalize that experience for them. Of course, the dancing part is important, but it’s all about paying attention to details and making sure the day ends up better than they ever could have expected.
DJ LIFE: Tell us about your current DJ setup
Cohen: I have been spending years trying to figure out my perfect DJ setup, and the problem is my taste keeps changing! Right now, I am working with my favorite configuration yet, centered around the Toadmatic DJ booth with a tv built in. I am able to display a monogram or slideshow of pictures that either we took, or that the guests send me using the Momento program from RequestNow. I love the TV booth because everything is built in which makes for easy setups and breakdowns. My Shure QLX microphones are flawless, QSC touchmix mixer gives me perfect control, and there is plenty of room for my Pioneer Rev7 or S11 with turntables. I surround my booth with a black facade and pair it with some tube lights to finish the look. Then we always have the option of adding in moving heads or uplights as well. I control my TV screen using Ecamm which lets me layer and create all types of video scenes. And finally, I gotta have my RCF speakers to power the dance floor! I either use my evox12’s or my 8004 subs with nxl24 tops for the bigger events.
DJ LIFE: How did you get started as a DJ
Cohen: When I was younger and all of my best friends were in a band, I was busy listening to Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97 in my headphones. They always joked around that I liked rap so much, I should just become a DJ. Once I got to college at Rutgers University, I immediately became friends with some of the DJs that were doing all of the frat parties and bars. I tagged along and learned the basics from them and then it just became an obsession. By the time I graduated, I decided rather than sending out my resume to look for that 9-5 I would put everything I have into becoming a full time DJ. That was over 20 years ago and I never looked back!
DJ LIFE: What are some pros and cons of being a mobile DJ
Cohen: Pros: Simple… every day of work is the happiest day of the couple’s life you are working for! It’s crazy to think what a huge part we play in the biggest day of a person’s life and seeing a room full of people dancing to the music you are playing never gets old. It was fun and exciting when I was a club DJ on a stage in front of a big crowd, but it is so much more meaningful when you have a room of family and friends there for such a wonderful reason!
Having this job, especially with SCE Event Group, has also given me the chance to do some incredible things. This job has given me the opportunity to DJ for the audiences for SNL, getting some airtime on the Real Housewives of New Jersey, playing and speaking at DJX, DJing events at stadiums where my childhood sports heroes have played, playing movie premieres, traveling for destination events… the list of cool stuff just keeps growing! As much as I love doing weddings, these types of events are always new, challenging and exciting!
Cons: I think most full time DJs will tell you, it is important to be able to set your priorities and properly manage your time. Sometimes you have no choice… all of my friends and family know that if they invite me to an event on a weekend, chances are I won’t be attending. I mean let’s face it, taking off a Saturday as a DJ is like taking off a whole week for a 9-5’er. And as for office work, most of my meetings aren’t until my couples get home from work, so I’m used to my weekdays starting at 5pm and going till 10 at times. This is why it’s important to set some boundaries. I keep Mondays for myself to catch up on whatever I need to or prep for the next week. My wife met me when she had similar hours, but now that she works 9-5 it is important we make time for each other. Sometimes that means dinner together with the phones off after her work and before I start mine, and on the weekends it means even if I’m tired on Sunday after doing two weddings, I’m making the most of the time I get to spend with her, and we do something fun together… There’s always Monday for resting!
DJ LIFE: Any favorite gear you are using lately?
Cohen: These lights have been out for a while now, but I recently picked up a set of 4 Chauvet Freedom H1 lights. I always have them with me, because I am always finding new uses for them. They are perfect for when a client does not book lighting but you know it’ll help the dance floor. They’re battery powered, wireless, and magnetic so you can stick them anywhere! I’ve used them to light up dance floors but also to highlight the flowers on a sweetheart table or cake. I never charge for them, I just always keep them just in case I find a good use for them and I think it’s those little details that will set a DJ apart from the rest.