Sister SF Resident DJ Amber brings her DJing advice column, Cue & A, to the pages of SisterSF.com! Every month she'll be answering two questions sent in by different DJs from around the world.

Cue & A for July 2003:

QUESTION: It's my understanding that when you are one of the first DJs of the night you shouldn't really expect much because the crowd is just walking in and they are meeting their friends, getting comfortable, and getting their vibe on. But you are also kind of expected to warm things up and hopefully get the floor somewhat filled for the main DJ. This sounds good in theory but when you are up there you can't help but feel you aren't doing something right if the place isn't jumping. Should you really be all that concerned or get a complex about it?

ANSWER: DJs just breaking in to the scene are commonly booked in opening slots, at the sleepy start of a night. The enthusiasm of a new DJ, combined with a thin or distracted crowd, can often cause a frustrating disconnect between the DJs level of wild excitement, and a crowd that's just arriving and warming up. Don't worry, this feeling doesn't mean you "aren't doing something right". No need to get a complex, you'll get your headlining DJ slot and a crowd that's riding on your every groove some other day. Until then, don't forget that even the "opening slot crowd" is still relying on you. And, believe me, they're listening.

QUESTION: What is the right thing for you as a promoter to do if you ask a DJ to spin a party or event for you and they say "don't worry about it" when you ask how much they charge. I wasn't raised like that but at the same time I don't work for the mafia. What is a fair and appropriate "tip" for the DJ?

ANSWER: Bless your heart for wanting to insist on paying. A good "thank you" amount is the estimated cost of gas, plus car wear & tear, plus travel time. $20 for local travel is a good starting point.

QUESTION: Say you are that free DJ, and maybe you do it compensation free because you are just that cool, or possibly because the person asking shows up to all your gigs and buys you a drink or hooked you up with a good hairdresser back in 1998. But how disappointed are you when the party turns out to be 10 guys in Babylon 5 t-shirts who just want to play Xbox and whine about how the hot chicks from Craigslist didn't show up?

ANSWER: Most empty parties disappoint me, of course! But I've often seen the vibe of an empty party salvaged by the enthisiasm of the few people who are sticking around. As long as I can tell they're excited, so am I.

Now, as for the Xbox-ers you mentioned, I'd probably post in Craiglist's "missed connections" asking if I could come over for a game of Halo.

Want to ask Amber a question? Email her your burning request at amber@sistersf.com. Amber can't reply to all the mail she receives. We also can't guarantee she'll answer your particular question in this column, but check back often just in case! And don't forget, if Amber tells you to do the DJing equivalent of sticking your hand in the fire, don't hold us liable!