Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Ramirez.
Allie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was a creative growing up. I took art classes, went to cosmetology school and dipped my toes in the fashion industry when I studied at FIDM. Growing up, I had gone to concerts and was heavily influenced by my parents taste in music. I joked around about being a DJ in high school but never really acted on it until I started to surround myself with creatives. I joined an art collective in Santa Ana after I was kicked out of FIDM for being on academic probation. I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do after getting kicked out of school. I went to a soulection show and was so inspired by one of the Producers, I felt like that dream of being a DJ was birthed again.
A few months later, I bought my first ever DDJSR and DJ’d my first party one week after that. I just downloaded songs off YouTube and played them (I didn’t even know how to mix that well but I still went for it). I then started getting shows with local art walks in Santa Ana and other fundraisers. I didn’t always feel like I was great but I just tried my best! My goal was to make you feel nostalgic throughout all my sets. I practiced a lot and had a lot of growing pains. I never gave up though. In the summer of 2017, I started picking up a lot more shows. Suavecito Pomade had reached out to me to do an event for them. They said they were big fans and I freaked 😭😭😭, I had been a long time follower of them and I just couldn’t believe they wanted me to DJ. I kept being consistent in DJing that in the summer of 2018, I felt like I blew up. I collaborated with Lxgndrxy for #forher campaign which was incredible, I DJ’d every weekend until now. I now have two residencies in Santa Ana. First is at Indio bar and the second is Marvin’s room by the Feel Good collective hosted at Vacation bar and I feel so honored. I hope to someday be able to sell out my own shows go on tour and play on the Coachella stage as well as inspire everyone I encounter. I want people to feel like they belong and that they matter, their story matters 🙂
Has it been a smooth road?
The road hasn’t always been smooth but doesn’t let that discourage you. Everything is a process and sometimes we want things to happen right away and it doesn’t always happen right away. So, my advice would be to enjoy the uncomfortable process and be patient with yourself. Everything works out 🙂
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a DJ and Iove it. I feel like I am known for my nostalgic sound when I DJ and for my bubbly personality. One of the proudest moments was when I was able to DJ for dime piece LA!! Ahh, that was so amazing and also when I was able to DJ for Suavecito/Suavectia! I had followed those brands for a while and I just was so happy that they reached out and wanted me to DJ for them. I am also proud of the #forher collaboration I had with LXGNDRY (a local brand from Santa Ana) I think what sets me apart is that I put myself, my feelings, my everything into DJing. The joy I have when I listen to music is the joy I have when I spin.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
Yes! I feel as women we can do anything we put our mind to! The possibilities are endless.
Pricing:
- Shows 125 an hour
Contact Info:
- Phone: 7144186937
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/allierockk
Image Credit:
@directedbyjoel, @cynthiadiaries, @mictyson, @feelgoodcollective
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
