The Harsh Reality (and Opportunity) of Being a DJ in Southeast Idaho
Let’s get straight to the point: if you’re a DJ in a small town—especially somewhere like Southeast Idaho—you have to be on social media.
Yes, it feels cringe.
Yes, it’s uncomfortable.
No, it’s not what you want to be doing.
You just want to make music and play gigs, right? But here’s the reality: there aren’t many gigs happening here—and even fewer people throwing events that cater to underground genres like house, progressive, or melodic techno. If you’re not consistently getting booked, you’re not getting in front of people. And if you’re not getting in front of people, your music isn’t being heard.
Gig Scarcity Is Real—Especially Here
Let’s put things in perspective:
I live in Southeast Idaho. If you drive an hour and a half in any direction, you’re looking at a collective population of maybe 120,000 people. That’s your entire target audience for live events—across cities like Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and maybe Bozeman, Billings, Boise, or Salt Lake City if you stretch your reach.
With a population that is only a fraction of major metropolitan areas, the events that do make it to east Idaho are always the ones that will cater to the biggest crowd – in the case of east Idaho, that’s the bass/dubstep/riddim/DnB crowd. I am not a bass DJ. House music gigs aren’t exactly falling out of the sky here.
So if you’re waiting to get booked without a presence online, you’re going to be stuck in a loop:
- No gigs → No visibility
- No visibility → No bookings
- No bookings → Still no gigs
Social media is the only tool you have to consistently show people who you are and what you do.
My Personal Reality: Why I Post So Damn Much
Look at my schedule. Outside of weddings (which are private and an entirely different business), my club and event bookings are limited.
Yes, I have Konnexion Music Festival coming up—that’s big, and I’m hyped for it.
But the rest? I’m booking myself.
Why? Because no one else is putting on house music shows here.
No one. Not one person. Except me.
I’m running Atlantic Progression. I’m putting on events. I’m building the infrastructure that doesn’t exist here. And I’m doing it because the community wants it— no one else seems to be willing to put their personal time, money, or gear into making house happen.
So yeah, I post. A lot. Because if I don’t promote what I’m doing, nobody will.
Building a Scene from Scratch Requires Visibility
As a DJ, producer, and event promoter in a small market, here’s what you need to accept:
- You’re going to have to put on your own shows.
- You’re going to have to book your own venues.
- You’ll need to coordinate your own gear.
- You’ll need to build your own community.
- And you’ll have to promote the hell out of yourself online.
That means posting regularly. That means making reels, writing blog posts, recording livestreams, starting FB groups, doing everything you can to keep showing up online.
Do you know what else it means? It means that you need to learn marketing.
No Social Media = No Gigs
If you’re not putting your face, voice, or music out there on social media—even if it feels awkward—you’re missing out on the only way people outside your town are going to discover you.
So yeah, it might feel weird. But it’s necessary.
The algorithm might not always work in your favor. But if you’re consistent, intentional, and engaged with your scene online, you’re way more likely to get picked up for gigs outside of Idaho Falls.
Final Thought
You want more gigs? Then it’s time to get uncomfortable and get visible. Social media is your tool—use it.