Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Bree Williams of Silverlake (neighborhood)

Bree Williams shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Bree, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people are secretly struggling with their mental health, even if they don’t say it out loud. There’s so much pressure to appear like we have everything together — to seem nonchalant, unbothered, and always “okay.” I think many people hide the things they’re having trouble dealing with instead of opening up or asking for support because they dont want to open up or seem weak. We slip into that “fake it till you make it” mindset, not because we’re fine, but because we’re afraid of being vulnerable. So many of us are carrying more than we let on & unfortunately, I also feel social media maybe plays a part in that for many people as well.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Bree Williams, but most people know me as Butterbaby — a DJ, creator, and energy curator based in Los Angeles but from Fresno, Ca. What truly makes my work unique is how deeply it’s connected to mental health, healing, and the emotional impact of music. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, I’ve seen how much people need moments of release, grounding, and connection. That perspective naturally shapes the way I DJ.

For me, music has always been therapeutic. The right song, beat, or instrumental can shift your mood, ease your mind, or give you a moment of clarity. When I’m behind the decks, I’m intentionally crafting an emotional journey — blending instrumental music, West Coast hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, R&B, soul, house, funk, nostalgic Y2K gems, and all the beauty of an open-format set.

Someone recently told me, “You always had the hits in college. When you started DJing, I knew immediately you found your calling — you had the skills before you even knew it.” Hearing that meant a lot, because it reminded me that music has been woven into my life long before I ever touched a mixer. This path feels like a natural extension of who I’ve always been.

The name Butterbaby represents softness, warmth, and melting into the moment — and that’s the energy I bring to everything I create. Whether it’s DJing or pouring candles, my goal is to help people feel comforted, seen, and emotionally lighter.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding my presence across not only LA but everywhere and building intentional events where people can breathe, move, and let the music take care of them, even just for a night. At the core of everything I do is the belief that music isn’t just entertainment; it’s grounding, it’s healing, and can truly transform you.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling truly powerful was in 2022, when I had the opportunity to dj at Fixins Soul Kitchen on Super Bowl Sunday. A few days before the event, I was there having dinner with my family. The owner, Kevin Johnson (Former NBA star), came over to our table to greet us and asked what I did. I mentioned my work in mental health therapy, and my dad nudged me to tell him what else I did, so I told him I also dj. Without hesitation, he asked if I wanted to dj at his restaurant for Super Bowl Sunday.

I was shocked, excited, & a little nervous. Up until that moment I had only djed at home. That Super Bowl Sunday 2022 was my first time djing publicly for a real crowd, and of course, all my friends came out to support. The energy was electric, & seeing so many people respond so strongly to the music I was playing was surreal. The next day, Kevin told me he received incredible feedback from customers and staff about my set, how impressed they were and how much they loved the vibe. I started djing there regularly Saturdays and or Sundays until I was then offered my 1st residency, djing every Saturday Brunch.

That moment changed everything for me. It was the first time I realized I really could do it, not just privately, not just for fun, but publicly, professionally, and with impact. It was the moment my confidence clicked into place, and I felt powerful stepping into a part of myself that had been waiting for me all along.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I feel deeply listened to when I talk to my parents before a set or after sharing how an event went. It always starts with me calling one of them, & within seconds the phone is on speaker and all three of us are talking together, like our own little family huddle. They give me advice, encouragement, and the kind of grounded perspective that instantly calms me. Its always adorable when they send me song suggestions before/during sets! They don’t just hear me; they feel what I’m saying.

They listen with so much intention and I love that it makes me believe I can do anything I want to succeed in. Times when I’m nervous, second-guessing myself, or just hoping I’ll do a superior job, their voices are always what bring me back to center. They remind me that I’m fully capable, talented, and more ready than I realize.

Their support is the kind of listening that doesn’t just comfort me, it really uplifts me. It makes me feel seen, believed in, and held. That’s love in its purest form!

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes!!! The public version of me is very much the real me. People have described my energy as a little gypsy, a little fairy, a little free-spirited & magical. Friends often tell me I have this naturally positive attitude, that I’m super goofy, warm, and easy to be around. Thats all true but comes out most when I feel safe and comfortable. I’m someone who takes a moment to open up, but once I do, there’s no going back. I blossom in the right environments.

When people get to know me beyond the surface, they pick up on the emotional, intuitive side of who I am — the joy I carry, the softness, the genuine care I have for others, and the value I place on healthy friendships and relationships. I’m deeply invested in the well-being of the people around me. That’s part of why music and mental health are so intertwined for me.

So yes, the public version of me is real. I am whimsical, warm, intentional, & a little magical once I’ve had the space to breathe and just be. The aura, the warmth, the humor, the empathy, the vibe… it’s all real. It just opens up more fully when the space feels right.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel almost at peace when I’m at home, where everything slows down and I can slip into my own rhythm. There’s something sensual about putting on music with no expectations; no crowd to read, no requests coming in, no pressure to perform. Just me, the speakers, and whatever songs my body wants to hear in that moment. Sometimes it’s music I’ve produced myself, and letting those sounds fill the room feels intimate, almost like sharing a secret with myself. That’s when I get to dj in my purest form, unguarded, relaxed, and lost in the flow.

I also feel that same deep, sensual calm when I’m making candles. The warmth of the melted wax, the slow pouring, the way the scents rise and fill the space, it becomes its own kind of meditation. Creating candles with intention, especially when I’m making them for someone specific, feels tender and meaningful. It’s soothing to move slowly, to create something with my hands, to be surrounded by soft light and scent.

Those moments the low lights, the music humming & the warmth of the wax are when my world feels soft, grounded, and deeply connected. That’s where I find my peace.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butterrsbaby
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djbutterbaby
• Other: https://linktr.ee/butterrsbaby

  http://twitch.com/djbutterbaby

  https://www.tiktok.com/@djbutterbaby