Rising Stars: Meet Brian Nguyen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Nguyen.

Hi Brian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
My name is Brian, or “BRKN” (Broken), and I am a DJ from Torrance, California. 

I started DJing in college at your local college parties and knew I enjoyed playing for the people. Although I wasn’t good with most of my experience being from YouTube University, I was hungry to learn more and stumbled upon this school in Orange County, known as the Academy of DJs. A bootcamp seasonal course meant to teach DJing on a modern level to which they only 12 students out of hundreds of applicants at the time. 

Long story short, after a period of getting rejected from the school but taking their private lesson course, getting rejected again after receiving an email that I had too much experience for the program, to finally getting accepted to be part their Season 7 class, I finally begun my professional DJing journey. This was also during the time when I became a promoter for this popular nightclub called “Arena K-Town,” to which David Ho, one of the creators of the Academy, as well as the club, vetted me into being one of their resident DJs. 

Fast forward from 2018 to 2023 I thought my DJing days were over as I had experienced the club DJing scene, became an instructor for the school, as well as graduated from college and worked a traditional “9 to 5”. I eventually was burnt our trying to do both as I would be up 9 am – 5 pm M-F for my day job and also up 9 pm – 4 am for my night job. It was definitely not a sustainable option for me to be doing both, and so I quit everything. It was probably me going through a quarter-life crisis, but I had lost all interest in a lot of things. I did not like my career at the time, and the DJ equipment I worked hard to save up for was just left in my room collecting dust. 

After taking some time to heal and get back into things slowly, I learned how to have realistic expectations for myself and not spreading myself to thin. I worked a less demanding corporate job and started pondering DJ opportunities here and there. 

After finding this venue in my hometown, I thought it would be cool to start throwing some events with the idea of creating a nightlife scene in Torrance. Luckily, I had some experience working in nightclubs over the past few years and thought this would be my passion project, No Requests. IG: @norequestsla 

It’s been almost a year and No Requests LA has given me a second chance to pursue a career within the DJ industry. This helped me transition from leaving my “9 to 5” and pursue the things that I wanted to achieve with DJing in order for me to be financially stable. 

1. Throw nightlife events

2. Get into the wedding and corporate event industry

3. Teach and mentor other DJs.

So far, I can happily say that these three things gave me the confidence to say that I am a full-time DJ without the negative impressions that I put upon myself, such as it not being a realistic career or that I’m chasing a dream rather than a real life. 

If there was a big takeaway from my experience, I hope that because I was able to achieve these things, that it is not far off for those thinking about pursuing their own ideas and passions and that they could have the confidence to take the first step that I did. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say I was pretty privileged to be given the opportunities I have experienced, but if I had to name some complications, it was definitely convincing myself to stop making excuses and try going full-time with DJing. 

At first, I told myself I couldn’t pursue DJing because I was focused with graduating college, then it was because I was working a corporate job and had to focus on saving and putting deposits into my Roth Ira. In the end, I just think I was just afraid of failing without an excuse to have. If I went with it and failed, what would be my excuse then? Could I live with the fact that I wasn’t good enough to do it and to put my pride away? If it all failed, would I just accept the fact that I am not capable of creating my own success and settle for the typical American dream? 

After having a conversation with my parents, they gave me the confidence to stop worrying so much about my future and to just try it and see how it goes. I knew that I was fortunate enough to be in the position I was in as I was living under their house and not worrying about making monthly payments while those around me had to grow up and deal with typical adult responsibilities. If I was going to be spoiled with this life I, have I might as well use it to the best of my abilities so that hopefully I can succeed and pay it forward for others. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am currently involved with three aspects of DJing. (Nightlife Events, Weddings/Corporate Events, and Teaching) 

Within nightlife, I am a co-creator of No Requests Nightlife, to which we throw weekly events, with some of our expansions being No Requests LA, No Requests OC, Rent Free LA, and DTLA Day Party. 

For wedding and corporate events, I am currently partnered with 949 Studios, Lotus Event Pros, and Hilo Productions as one of their selected DJs and am currently pursuing other opportunities with some friends of mine DJ Mazd and DJ Way2Pac. 

Teaching is something I see myself doing even when I hopefully retire, with the goal of mine to eventually have my own school wherever I end up. I am currently an instructor for the Academy of DJs involved with their seasonal, private, and most recently, online courses while also providing my own private lessons outside of the school. 

It’s kind of crazy to think I got myself involved with all of these things as I told myself not to spread myself too thin, but I really do enjoy this industry and would not have these opportunities if not for the people around me as well as all the experiences I have been given. I really don’t think anything sets me apart from others, as I know plenty of other artists and creatives who have done or are currently involved with the things I am doing. I am just happy that I get to be a part of this industry, and hope my experience gets to inspire others. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
If you are going to take a risk, don’t go into it blindly. I really believe there is a middle line between confidence and arrogance. 

Although you need to be confident in the things that you are doing, it would be arrogant to think that you can either do it by yourself or do it without a solid plan. 

For myself, I really believe knowledge is confidence, and I wouldn’t have made the decision to go full-time with a career in DJing if I had not come up with every possible scenario that I could have to make it work. 

I have seen people be too confident without a plan as well as people who are super intelligent but never make a move. I think once you find that balance of planning and analyzing as well as having faith in yourself to which you are comfortable. Go for it. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djbrkn/
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/djbrkn