Today we’d like to introduce you to Regan Johnson.
Hi Regan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved music. I consider it my second language, my mom got me piano lessons as a child so with that background I believe I connect and understand music on a special level. In college, I was always requested to be on the aux for our dorm or house parties. In those moments, people always told me that I need to Dj but it was honestly something I never saw for myself. I just loved music. I didn’t understand I could turn that love into what it is today. I am a Houstonian born and raised and in 2022 I began a career that required me to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida. I didn’t know anybody there and I was a couple states away from home therefore I spent most of my time exploring Jacksonville, trying to understand my new life and trying to find ways to expand my portfolio. Before I left, I felt that God was taking me and placing me in a city and state where I knew no one that there was a bigger purpose for me going out there. It was important for me to figure out what that was and I knew whenever I did make my way back home, I didn’t want to return and not have added a new skill set or layer to who I am. Thanksgiving before I left. I was over my cousins house who had a Dj controller that happened to be sitting out and plugged up and I went over, started messing around with it and immediately felt a feeling I hadn’t felt before so in saying that when I got the call that I received the position and I had to relocate to Florida, after processing that I immediately knew I’d use my spare time to learn how to become a DJ. Once I was in Florida at this point for five months, I realized I was not being serious at trying my hand out at simply learning how to DJ. The new year was rolling around so you know how it is start, you start reflecting on the past year and how you want to be better in the upcoming year, and I realize I bought a DJ controller before leaving for Florida and hadn’t even taken it out the box. I looked at that box every single day and not once even attempted to open it. For me, I believe it was the fear of not knowing where to begin or how to begin. I enjoy music so much that I was scared of being a bad Dj. 2023 rolls around and I’m now like “OK I need to learn how to do this, I’m playing around. I’m out here away from the life and people I know, why not lock in”. I finally take the controller out the box and attempt to connect to my laptop and download the necessary software. I’m immediately stressed I’m over it. I’m like nah this isn’t for me. I like music but I’m not trying to learn software’s and how to do all this. This is too much! But that night something just wasn’t sitting right with me. I felt like I quit before I even really tried so I get up the next day and try all over again this time I get a little further but it’s still frustrating. it’s like I just want to play music. I’m not trying to learn all of this. I believe I know what sounds good going into the next song. I believe I know what to play and when to play it but learning how to do it was beginning to seem like too much. At the time I was working a side job to get extra money at one of my fraternity Brothers, Cigar Lounges called “Dapper D’s”, and on this particular day in walks a couple 30 to 45 minutes before we close. At this time, I’m the only person there working and I’d begun the closing task for the lounge. I’m already frustrated but as I’m trying to close so that I can leave right when the clock hits 12:00 in walks a couple that I can already tell is were having a good time. I care about people and I always want people to have a good time so I immediately tell them “hey I’m not feeling it today,” which I wasn’t, I was feeling like I wasn’t where I was supposed to be in life, I’m away from my family and friends plus I’m wanting to go home for the night m. However i tell them “I’m going to take care of y’all and get whatever y’all need, but if I look a certain way, it’s not y’all it’s me.” They’re pretty lit at this point but immediately dial in and ask WELL where would you like to be other than here? I explained that I never saw myself particularly doing what I am doing now although I am consulting I still felt like I should be doing something I truly love. They then ask OK what are some things that you care about or love to do? I answer by saying I care about people and and I enjoy music and entertainment more than anything besides traveling I feel like that’s something that I could do on a daily basis and enjoy. They chuckle and they’re like well man this is perfect. We have an entertainment business and we’re looking for a Dj. Do you know how to DJ? I tell them no but that I know music as it’s my second language and I have a practice board at home, I just need to learn how to use it. my guy Joe then says well I can teach you how to DJ as long as you can help us with our business as well. Immediately after that we lock in and that next week he’s teaching me how to DJ while I’m helping him out with their entertainment business. Joe taught me the fundamentals, the business and everything in between those few months that I worked with them which in turn helped propel me to where I am right now. Fast forward a couple of months I get laid off from the client that I had. After a couple of months on the job hunt I land another role that allows me to go back to Houston. At this point, I’ve been working with Joe a couple of months so I understand the basics of DJing but as this becomes something that I enjoy doing the most, I’m already knowing that once I get to Houston I for sure want to become a Dj in Houston. Not only is it home but at this point, I feel like it’s the number one party city/ vibe in the country so if I’m going to consider myself a DJ I need to be out in the city of Houston DJing. My first weekend back in the city I have my first official gig DJing, my godson’s baby shower. Although it was the most nervous I’d been in years everybody encouraged me to actually try to DJ out in the city because I killed the set. That next week every day after work for the next couple of months, I drove to every place I saw on Instagram that had music and asked if I could give them the hour of my time to DJ, just to see if they like the vibe.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, I don’t think it’s been a smooth road. It’s actually been pretty tough. As I mentioned earlier, Houston is the most lit city in the country at the moment. With that comes amazing music by what I also will say are the best DJs in the country. This means great competition, not a lot of open slots and people that have been doing this much longer which has allowed them to build relationships within the industry. Trying to build these relationships and connections while also continuing to master the Craft has created an uphill Battle but it’s one that I enjoy. I believe this is something you can get better at every day so I’m constantly learning and trying to be better than I was on my previous set. Although at one point in time, I was truly learning on the Fly. I had so many, what I would consider now as bad sets early on. I remember I used to not understand transitioning, how long you actually need to play a song or even crowd control. These are all things I learned in real time as I felt the silent boo’s from the crowd. For me there has been no better teacher than DJing in real functions. DJing with a crowd and feeling the space I believe has helped propel me to the DJ I am today. For me the feeling of “ I shouldn’t have done that or that sounds horrible” while DJing and seeing facial reactions and body language changes have been great learning moments for me. I truly care about DJing and people’s experiences while I’m spinning so seeing or feeling like I’m ruining a vibe quickly taught me how to correct those mistakes. Also equipment and software’s issues were at one point a challenge but with doing this, daily, you become a student of the game and learn what works and doesn’t.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
God has blessed me immensely and Currently, I am honored to be a resident Dj at two amazing places here in Houston. The first spot that brought me on weekly about a year ago was Cheroots Cigar Lounge. Quickly approaching the number one Cigar spot in Houston as they are approaching a year of being open. Here weekly every Wednesday starting at 9pm I set their vibes for ladies night. Upscale smooth vibes that range from old school Hip hop and R&B to everything current of today’s music. The second spot that brought me on is Confessions Houston. Here I set the vibes as I spin Thursday night through Sunday night. Thursdays and Sundays I close from 9:30 PM until 12 AM and Fridays and Saturdays I close from 10:30 PM until 2 AM. Big shout out to Dj Nayyz for giving me the nod of approval and big shout out to Tarek and Sterling, I appreciate you guys for trusting me to set the right vibe at your establishment which is the #1 dinning experience in Houston! There have also been various corporate events, birthday parties, weddings, church events, NFL player hosted youth football camps, Girls Are Drugs activations at sneaker con, I’ve flown to Colorado over 10 times to Dj for Colorado university, & my most recent trip to Dj was to the Dominican Republic. So shout out to everyone who’s trusted me to Dj their events! Although I am no longer currently DJing for them as I oncewas, I have to shout out Sneaks, which was once 40All. they allowed me to DJ for them weekly when it was 40All and also brought me on when they became Sneaks. They let me DJ weekly for them at a time when i was truly growing as a DJ which allowed me to sharpen every DJ tool i need and use today. I also have to mention Cru lounge the galleria location for also having me spin for them weekly very early on.. Here I was able to learn how to be a Houston club DJ so I thank them for having me there even though I wasn’t too god at the time!
I’m an open format, Dj, who never has a curated set, reads the room and executes based on what I see and feel looking to create perfect moments. I believe I am doing this and beginning to be known for it as well. I am most proud of the progression I’ve made up to this point, I am proud of the residencies that I hold and the people I’ve been able to work with and DJ for.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For me, the best practice was not in my room, Djing for myself, but the moments where I had someone else hearing what i was doing. Those days at 40All it might’ve been some nights where 20 max walk in through the time span of 3 to 4 hours as they had me on a Tuesday. It’s not about the crowd size, but the fact that you’re still having to curate vibes for someone who you don’t know. If you begin getting blessed to where you’re getting bookings take all of them. I’ve leavened from every single set I’ve had and make sure you understand the payout schedule beforehand while having measures in place to receive those funds in the event that you don’t receive them. There are promoters and even everyday people looking for your service who will not prioritize paying you. Be firm on your price and know you deserve to get paid, without The DJ there is no event. This is an industry, therefore performance, accountability and respect matter. If you walk into every room holding those three things you will do alright.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://canva.link/i3nee7dvl0wq1lg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writethe_future?igsh=bzI1MWxjazJjOG96&utm_source=qr
