Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Rodriguez.
Hi Ariel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey truly began when I bought my first controller in the summer of 2021. At first, it started with me having fun with all of the music I had been wanting to mix together, but then I just started to practice, have fun and create. Soon it started to alter the way I listened to music in public settings. I don’t quite know how to explain it, but there was an immediate shift to where I couldn’t go to certain places because all the music sounded the same. At the time, I was living in the DFW area, where I met so many great people and started to do what I like to call “following the music.” One of the people I met was a DJ who goes by the name of Mutemor of the Faded Deejays. I guest DJed with him for the first time in Deep Ellum, and from there, I started to establish myself in Dallas, and then I made my way to back to Houston. The first DJs I went out to meet, and support were Kayillah, Yisel, and Rob, and Issac of Chicano Boulevard. The way they played music reeled me in, and I started supporting their events and began to naturally build a network for myself in different communities with people that helped me get closer to my culture, were interested in the same things I were or were working towards goals in either a similar or different craft. It was the passion and energy that began to speak for itself.
Fast forward to now, I am blessed to get booked at different bars with various people across Texas, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I am looking forward to the future and what else my journey has in store for me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have definitely been some struggles along the way, but it’s all been an important part of my growth. At some point, I realized that there are different spaces for everyone and not all spaces are meant for you. I found myself in places where the energy I gave was never reciprocated, which showed me that that wasn’t where I needed to be. Lucky for me, situations like that continue to lead me towards the people that I am meant to share my energy with.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a DJ from Houston, Texas, known as Areal La Dramática, or DJ Areal for short! I am a huge advocate for introducing people to music in a way that they can understand. Music is a universal language, so if I can make someone’s foot tap, head nod or make them want to dance with the music I select then I feel like I have succeeded. In addition to that, I embrace my Chicana and Houston culture with my music because the way I grew up definitely molded my ear for music. Some of my very first mixes and playlists I made were because I missed my family and friends while I was in school and living in the DFW area, and I think that love for the culture sets me apart from others, but it also unites me with people who have similar backgrounds or passions for their culture.
I think one experience that has impacted me significantly was guest DJing for the Houston Rockets for their installment of Noche Latina. It was such an amazing experience, and I am forever grateful for the entertainment team for having me as their first-ever female guest DJ. That experience helped me realize that I could use my love for music and women empowerment to create safe and fun spaces for fellow women looking for community or who just love to go out and listen to good music.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
An important thing I learned due to the Covid-19 crisis was the importance of community on a small and larger scale, and it also forced me to learn to value my alone time and helped me discover things about myself such as my likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/arealtheedj
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arealtheedj/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/arealtheedj
Image Credits
Channel Purple Photography
Rumadatme
stlathird
calebisnotokay
Max Hummels
Simon Silva
