The Bite Magazine - Spring 2016 - Issue 15

bitemusic in my life up to this point was leading towards it. I was running a monthly club night in London at the time, which had become popular within the industry and it helped me to understand and experi- ence how promoters operate. I met lots of great DJs and musicians through this club night I held.” Before he established the agency, Smith had been looking at ways of fusing his ideas together in getting female DJs more known.“There was a brief interval with an app that I was putting together which came about in linking DJs with event organisers,” he admitted. “I really got brain storming on that along with my friend Abi. It was she that suggested I start my own agency. With The Bks Agency, it was all about a collective of the coolest female DJs I knew from around the globe linked in with all the fashion contacts I had while modelling in cities such as New York, London, Paris, Los Angeles, Miami and Milan.” Whilst it isn’t just about keeping the books, Smith says running a DJ agency actually involves, “attending the events the DJs are playing at and making sure everything runs smoothly. We look after our DJs all over the world and events happen anywhere and everywhere so I am constantly on the road. This is a lifestyle, traveling is one of my biggest passions. And I really enjoy being free- lance.” The good thing about his business is that his clients are involved in other activities. “The majority of our DJs are also impacting the fashion world as well as the music industry, and this is where we stand out from most DJ/Booking/ Talent,” he added proudly. “The girls are all superstars in their own right: amazing DJs by night and fashion bloggers, models, musicians, producers, singers, actresses or presenters by day. Hot women and hotter tunes are what set The Bks Agency apart from other agencies.”  Thanks to a great team including his brother Charley who is an international fashion photographer and has done majority of the DJs’ portraits for the website and social media, Smith is proud of his all-female agency. By way of expand- ing the business, Smith announced some very good news.“As we speak, we’re also launching a record label called 'The Bks Records’ and have a few close friends helping out the DJs on the roster who produce.We have our first few releases out this year.” Providing the right DJs for events rather than organising the events themselves can take a few minutes or a few weeks. “If a particular DJ has been requested, it's a simple and speedy process. Frequently, we'll be given an outline of the vision for the event and we would suggest a DJ from our roster that would fit the bill.We want to make sure our DJs are going to be a perfect fit for the event, so we take our time to ensure this happens with face to face meetings and testing music.” Whilst working with DJs in for example NewYork compared to DJs in London is different in terms of musical styles, Smith says the way events are organised and DJs booked are the same so it’s a similar process. “I have some great DJs in both cities,” he added. “I'm currently taking care of bookings worldwide, which can sometimes mean long days and longer nights. I've had help from a few friends and family members this past year when things got really busy and plan to expand the team as we take on more talent through out 2016.”  When asked if there have been any memorable venues that really stood out, Smith replied, “We’ve had events in so many great venues. One that stands out was the opening of Soho House in Dean Street, London. It’s an awesome location and there were lots of celebrity faces on the dance floor letting loose. A few of the girls were playing at Miami’s Art Basel just a few months ago and there were some spectacular venues on the beaches and in the hotels.”The other outstanding venues that Smith mentioned lists like a who’s who in the world of club nights. “I really like Blue Marlin in Ibiza for the sunset sets. I like theVinyl Room in Soho House, NewYork; it can get really busy and is real fun! I used to be a regular at The Nest in Dalston, London for its crazy sweaty club nights and DaveyWayne's in LA.”  Scarlett Maad Moiselle Lola Langusta