Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Santana.
Hi Steven, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I was always surrounded by music. My dad DJ’ed and he and my mom were always playing music around the house while they worked or he was always practicing to get ready for the next event. He had a turntable set up inside of the house in the living room with all his records for whenever he wanted to get some time to try out new songs. I was always intrigued by it and grew up with an appreciation for the different styles of music. I always joked that I got a combination of both their music tastes. As I got older and my own taste in music started to form, I was gifted a pair of CDJ’s and a mixer to get some training in on DJ’ing. My older sister had a friend that loved DJ’ing and would get tips from my dad on what to do and how to rock a crowd. After a year or so of messing around on the CDJ’s, that same friend asked me to DJ his 21st birthday party (that way he can enjoy it and not worry about it!). He gave me CD’s to play throughout the night and I had my own prepared but I was still awful! After a few more events, I figured I had a lot more to learn about being a DJ, so I took some time and did nothing but practice in my free time. My dad let me jump on the turntables and I started to get the feel for scratching and mixing with vinyl. With Serato coming out, I made the shift over and kept practicing.
When I got to college, I got involved with the Campus Activities Board and my Fraternity and just started volunteering to DJ everything. I did as many events as I could and even started mixing on the University’s radio station LeoFM (which is what I was majoring in). After graduation, I got a job at iHeartMedia LA and starting mixing and doing events with KIISFM, Real 92.3, Alt 98.7, 104.3 MyFM, and AM570 LA Sports. During my time there, I continued to DJ every event that came my way which not only helped with me practicing but gave me a good rapport with the station managers. This led to me being able to perform at shows like Wango Tango, Jingle Ball and at the iHeart Theater opening for Flo Rida, the Backstreet Boys, Macklemore and more. I also was doing events for the Dodgers, Kings, Ducks and Chargers. My work ethic always meant that I never wanted to showcase anything but my best at events. No matter the event, I always wanted to showcase my best.
I’ve always been one to try and connect with as many people as I can and really showcase what I’m all about as a DJ and as a person. This mindset has really helped me by creating and building professional relationships with clients. During the Pandemic, I (along with many others) made the jump to Twitch where I really started to create something completely my own and hone in on my creative mixing while connecting with people around the world. During my time on Twitch, I got to meet many different people and learn a lot as a DJ and entertainer. In December 2020, I was featured on Pitbull’s Globalization Radio and was able to perform an essential mix that was the featured mix on the show. That opportunity was from a great DJ I met on Twitch who would tune into my show and loved the energy and creativity I brought every morning on my Morning Munchies Twitch Stream.
Since then, I’ve been doing events with Amazon at a variety of facilities bringing the energy to all their events. I tour about 5-6 different facilities throughout the months and collaborate with a variety of other talent to bring the best events. I also have been involved with the Chargers in a wide spectrum of events from Pre-Game mixing to bringing music to the Training Camp Prominade. Along with Amazon and the Chargers, I’m still involved with iHeartMedia doing events for their stations along with any private events I get booked for. I work with LA’s Original DJ Shop AstroAVL along with the other amazing talent there to help get the next generation of DJs ready for their own future by providing the right gear and supplying lessons in everything from mixing to reading the crowd.
One big thing about the way I DJ is that I bring a lot of energy with me. I’m constantly singing and dancing to every song. I also love bringing that old-school flair to my mixing like scratching and beat juggling whenever I can.
I can say that every experience I’ve been through has created new pathways to continue advancing my career. Even when things have felt like I’m not sure on where to go next, I’ve had the support of my wife and my family to continue to push me to be the best that I can be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It for sure hasn’t been a smooth road in my career. There have definitely been struggles but I feel as though any struggles that have come my way has really impacted how I view anything I tackle in my future.
I tend to struggle a lot with Imposter Syndrome where I don’t feel like I am good enough to be doing some of the events that I get booked for. That has always been a constant for me and I always have to reassure myself that I’ve been doing this for over 17 years now and have pretty much done everything that would make 16-year-old me uncomfortable. I remember the first time I did a big show with iHeart, I was stressing out and overthinking everything I was playing and spent most of my time trying to emulate other DJ’s I had listened to as opposed to just doing what I do. My next go around, I made sure to tune everything out and focus on being me. Each time I went up, I made sure to be better than I was the time before and that helped me learn that it is okay to learn to be better each time. Always be a student and always keep learning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been a DJ for over 17 years now (started when I was 13) and have become known for bringing together fun edits and mixes of songs that you wouldn’t necessarily expect. I’m most proud of the fact that everything I’ve done and any advancements I’ve made in my career have been very organic and have grown from connecting with people through my music and how I treat others. That translates to how I approach my sets when I DJ as well. I like to create the mood organically and not force anything to happen. I feel as though that’s what sets me apart from others as well. I will use any genre of music to create the mood and atmosphere of the event. Nothing is out of my wheelhouse and I’ll make sure to bring everything I can to make the event stand out amongst the rest. I also like to continually keep my energy up whenever I’m DJ’ing. You’ll always see me having the most fun behind the booth. I’m always dancing and singing along to every track I play because I’m a firm believer that I’m the one that sets the tone for the crowd. If it looks like I’m not having fun and having that stone face then how can I expect everyone else to have fun? Also if you aren’t grooving to your own tracks then it might not be the best track to play for the crowd either. You’ve got to be a believer in what you play.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The biggest piece of advice I would give anyone just starting out; would be to not be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone and accepting that event that you got offered or learning how to play a style of music that you might not be familiar with. I’ve gotten the biggest praise at events when people hear me play songs that they weren’t expecting to hear or when I switch it up to a genre they thought I wouldn’t know. It’s a lot of fun to see people surprised and run out to the dancefloor! Something I wish I’d known when I started out was to not be afraid to let my own personality shine in my mixing. I was always hesitant to be my nerdy self whenever I DJ’ed and just wanted to do the things that were cool. Once I got used to being my true self everything got way more fun and people really started to appreciate the uniqueness to my sets that I bring.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DJSantana34/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJSantana34/
- Other: tiktok.com/@DJSantana34
