Today we’d like to introduce you to Dakota Dean
Hi Dakota, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m originally from Southeastern Kentucky, a small town where my love for music started with singing and playing the piano. My mom was always committed to keeping me involved in the arts. I actually got my start in musical theatre really early, at the University of the Cumberlands. I was just six years old when I auditioned and was cast in my first musical. My dad, who was a country radio DJ, often played guitar and sang to us, which really inspired me. From there, my passion for acting and music grew. I stayed involved in musical theatre all the way through high school and college, eventually earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at Northern Kentucky University.
In 2017, I moved to California, to the San Francisco Bay Area, and that’s where everything changed. I discovered house music and disco, and it was a love affair from the start. I found myself drawn to parties all over the Bay Area like Wicked and Sunset Sound System, and was mesmerized by the San Francisco sound and the greats like Garth, Doc Martin, Galen, and so many other Bay Area legends. This was my inspiration to start DJing. I bought my first Pioneer controller and started building my music collection, diving headfirst into this new passion.
A pivotal moment for me was in 2019 when I attended Dusk Campout. It was there that I met many Los Angeles DJs and people working in the scene. That experience was transformative. In 2020, I took a risk and moved to Los Angeles. A friend I’d met at Dusk, Michael Eli, reached out and asked if I wanted to help with filming live streams at a warehouse downtown. From then on, I got involved in as much as I could—running social media for Housepitality LA, hosting parties for Disco Dive and Better Late, doing hospitality and artist pickups for Midnight Lovers and Dialogue. It’s eventually led me to where I am now, event managing and handling artist relations for Midnight Lovers. Throughout it all, I loved going out as much as possible, dancing, and getting lost in the music. It was all about being exposed to new sounds and drawing inspiration for my own DJing.
But my path wasn’t just about music. Before I left San Francisco for L.A., I was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, which got worse when I moved to Oakland. By the time I was in L.A., working in the party scene, my substance problem escalated to the point where I was the unhealthiest version of myself—just going through the motions and not truly living. I was numb. Those close to me repeatedly expressed their concern, and after many rock bottoms, I finally decided (although it sounds cliche) I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.
I thought quitting drinking and drugs would solve all my problems, but in reality, all my issues were still there, waiting for me to face them sober. I realized that I had to address my mental health as well. I had to confront my diagnoses of ADHD, depression, and anxiety. It was definitely a lot to manage, but music, djing, dancing, and working in the scene became my real medicine, along with the prescribed medications that helped me climb out of the dark hole I was in. It’s been a challenging journey, but one that’s made me who I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m both a DJ and a working professional in the music scene. Being a part of Midnight Lovers, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to throw a good party. The people I work with are true professionals, with deep knowledge of dance music and how to create an elevated vibe and safe space for partygoers. I have learned a lot from the team I work with and am forever grateful for the guidance and trust they put into me. I wear many hats for Midnight Lovers. I help with production and deco; I manage the event from start to finish; I do all the artist relations and hospitality — which is one of my favorite things to do. Working with artists that I’ve loved and looked up to is the coolest thing ever and I have so many lovely moments and memories — especially from the long car rides to LAX and back. I am the artists’ point of contact, a fun and friendly energy to welcome them to L.A. and take care of them while they are here. I love making people around me feel good, so naturally this is something I’ve excelled in.
I am proud of so much — pretty much every party we throw for Midnight Lovers. But my proudest moment has to be the huge undertaking my team and I took on: throwing a music festival, Echoes Fest. Midnight Lovers and Sunday Sessions teamed up to put on the event out in the sequoias on the Kern River. When I tell you, blood , sweat , and tears went into making this happen — I’m serious. Through all the stress of making this festival come to life, there was our team holding it together. Shout out to Rolando, Diana, Gus, Nastia, and Sam. Without the support and love from my coworkers I would have spiraled. This was no easy feat. And we made something so incredibly special and well received by everyone there. Forever proud and inspired.
I think what sets me apart from others is the fact I can stay up till the wee hours of the night…or morning, and do it completely sober with a smile on my face. Fueled by Yerba Matte and Celsius, I am able to do my job and be on point, which is needed when you have to be working with bigger artists and keeping a well-respected reputation. I think that’s what sets Midnight Lovers apart, too: everyone is on point. It’s a solid team of people who aren’t in it to just get messed up. Myself and everyone involved takes our jobs very seriously. We are a substantial force in Los Angeles!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
It’s less where I see the industry going versus where I hope it will go. With the popularization of mainstream dance music, you gain an interesting intersection of musical genres and new fan bases. One can only wish that this level of attention will also bring with it a continued increase in interest in the roots — old school vinyl, disco and house, more intimate settings and connection to the music.
Pricing:
- please tell readers (if applicable) to reach out via email about bookings
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewolff/?hl=en
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theshewolff
Image Credits
life style photos by Myles Heidenreich
