Today we’d like to introduce you to Azure Gao.
azure, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in New York, NY. I went to a highly competitive Ivy League prep school and was a good student, up until my teenage years, that is. I was very rebellious and hated (I still hate) people telling me what to do. Basically the epitome of the honors kid to burnout pipeline. I ended up running away to California after getting accepted to UCLA, where I studied Sociology and Asian American Studies. I worked at the university’s community programs office and was a student organizer. I was also the kid who constantly had headphones in, but I never seriously considered a career in music… Until it was my senior year, and I realized that I would never be happy if I was working in anything BUT music. I started DJing in 2022 and became obsessed with it, with how mixing tracks felt like putting together pieces of a puzzle, with the high you get from playing music for others. At first, I was definitely chasing the high, but over time I’ve starting to see DJing as a means of community building. I started a party called lemon pepper, a global music dance party for sapphics. I think at its core, nightlife is ultimately about providing a third space for people to come together and enjoy music with company. All that clout sh*t, sections, VIP is all extra. It’s been so fulfilling and affirming to be able to combine my music with my academic pursuits.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. There’s been tons of rejection and criticism along the way…my family definitely doesn’t think that DJing is a feasible career option. I was expected to go to university and get a job with my degree. I had so much self-doubt, and felt like such a failure for veering away from what was expected of me. I’ve really had to do a lot of shadow work in order to confidently pursue this line of work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I play a LOT of different music. R&B, hip hop, dancehall, reggaeton, Afrobeats, soca, pop, house, Jersey Club, Chicago Footwork… you name it. I think I’m known for my versatility. Even though I didn’t start DJing until 2022, I had been collecting music for ages. My sound is very Brooklyn, so I’ve heard. When I DJ, I don’t feel like I’m performing for the crowd, it feels like I’m dancing with the crowd. I was a party girl & a social dancer for a long time before I started DJing, and it comes across when I spin. There’s definitely hints of rebelliousness and flirtatiousness in my sets, for sure.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Honestly, my advice is to meet people on the dance floor. Just by locking eyes with someone and lip syncing the lyrics together. It’s fun and it’s natural!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/azure.fm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@azurethedj
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/azure-fm
- Other: https://instagram.com/lemonpepperparty
Image Credits
@kilidakid
