Meet DJ Bean of Austin

Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Bean.

DJ Bean, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always had a deep connection to music; my mother & father used to play it all the time. It didn’t matter whether it was on the radio or they were singing themselves; music filled every room in my house at all times. This led to my affinity for dancing and anything else music-related, which led me to the video game called Rock Band. I resonated with the digital drums so much that I begged my parents to give me a real drum set.

At first, they were hesitant and started me off with bongo lessons, but eventually they caved in and got me my first five-piece set and a drumming teacher, named Teddy Flores, to help me get started. My passion for drumming has brought me so many beautiful experiences; I’ve even been blessed to perform with some of my favorite icons, such as Willow Smith, Courtney Barnett, and Bby Mutha. Being a professional drummer has expanded my passion for music to include producing, songwriting, performing, and mixing. Developing skills in those areas has bolstered my career as a DJ. More than anything else, I love how I can bring people together with music. Connecting with the people on the dance floor, creating memories, and fostering community is my lifes purpose.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No story worth telling is absent trials and tribulations. My challenges have developed within me not only strength, determination and resilience, but an understanding that allowing myself to experience vulnerability is not a weakness. In the face of extreme and repeated discouragement, such people telling you that you should give up, that you’ll never achieve your dreams, it can be hard to want to hone your skills every single day – but you must. At a certain point in my journey, I had no home of my own and had to couch hop while still pursuing my dreams. I’ve endured every form of rejection you can imagine but dedicated to my craft, a crucial part of my calling.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional drummer, performer, song writer and producer. While I’m best well known as DJ Bean, I am perhaps even better known as the drummer in the AfroPunk Rock band, We Don’t Ride Llamas.

In 2024, my bandmates and I released our first LP. Prior to that we’d released an EP, multiple singles, a number of professionally produced music videos and hundreds of home-recorded videos. Ours is a body of work of which I am not only extremely proud but incredibly grateful for. I’m proud of having going on tour with Willow Smith, opening up for Hiatus Kaiyote, opening up for Bby Mutha, and planning and executing two major events in Austin, Texas with Dazegxd as the headliner for one and collaborating with Dream Con on another. It’s rare that a performer (DJ/Singer/Drummer) can also effectively organize, plan and execute scalable events for other performers and also be part of the lineup themselves. That’s something I’m quite proud of as well.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We are all connected. Whatever we do to or allow to be done to others, we do to ourselves. Support Trans Rights and protect Trans People!! Free Sudan. Free Congo. Free Palestine. Free Haiti. Remember, no one is illegal on stolen land. Please donate to crowdfunds and support your community by staying in touch with your neighbors and being an agent of goodwill. Wear a mask so we can live long enough to fight and see our oppressors turn to dust. We’re on the precipice of change and what you do now can really shift the future into a place that creates safety and belonging for all of us.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanz.jpg/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@beanieblakey
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/beanmp3
• Other: http://symphony.to/we-dont-ride-llamas/american-i-con