We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shannon Phillips. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shannon below.

Hi Shannon, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I Learned how to DJ super young, when I was still in High School. And I learned on turntables playing vinyl records vs what Djs learn on today, which is usually controllers or CDJS. I would stand behind the DJs and watch, then one day one asked what I was doing and offered to teach me. He taught me the concept of beat matching, and other basics. Around that same time I started dabbling in music production. I already knew how to play the piano, read and write music, as well as play the drums. But at this time in my life Dance was the most important thing. I was teaching and choreographing at multiple studios by the age of 17 and did not have time for my music. So I guess my other passions were my obstacles to me DJing sooner. It wasn’t until about 10 years later that I decided to focus on DJing and making music, and turn that into my profession. At that time I went to Los Angeles Recording School to learn music production and audio engineering. Then I started working with a mentor to hone in my DJ skills as well as taking more production classes with online programs. I could have sped up the process if I was serious sooner, but I was too busy pursuing my dance career to focus on music. The most essential Skills I learned along the way is beat matching/ ear training, being able to read the room/ energy of a space, being able to research music and curate playlist based on the clients needs, Sourcing good and unique remixes that set me apart being service minded, and the skills I learned in Recording School have been super essential to DJing as well. Being able to trouble shoot, setup my own gear, work on any gear available, and being able to produce my own music, and create remixes. Becoming extremely versatile, and open to continuing to learn is also an essential skill, especially how fast technology is evolving. The obstacles that stood in my way of learning more is time. Before I made this my full time job it was really hard to work full time, and go to school full time, and find time to practice/ be creative. You have to really carve out that time and work on it, a lot.

Shannon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello, I’m Shannon, a professional DJ and music producer known as ShanLynn. I also release music under the aliases ShanLynn and NNON. Last year, I launched my own record label, Open Shape Music, with a focus on alternative electronic music.

My journey into the world of music began at a young age, and I started DJing at 15, driven by my love for electronic music and my background in dance. Although initially focused on a career in dance, I transitioned into music full time about 10 years ago. My core business, ShanLynn Music, offers professional DJ services and music curation, primarily in the private and special event sector. I’ve DJed a diverse range of events, from corporate functions, brand events, and award shows to private parties and weddings.

What sets me apart is my extreme versatility and deep knowledge of a wide variety of music genres. Growing up in Austin, Texas, and having family in Detroit provided me with a strong foundation in various musical styles. As an MTV generation child and a dancer, I’ve been exposed to an array of genres, influencing my unique approach to DJing.

I also think what sets me apart is that I worked many years in the service industry, and I care deeply about my clients events. I go above and beyond to curate the perfect soundtrack for their occasions. I have zero ego when it comes to DJing, focusing on making people dance and have fun. I am extremely easy to work with, reliable, and very passionate about what I do. I am most proud of how far I have come as a DJ as well as a producer, and the fact that I get to do something I love as a job. I am also proud of the fact that I am releasing my own original music, and started a record label to release other like minded artist music.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience on social media by investing in my growth through education. I took a class from an expert in the field, and learned her strategies. Implementing the lessons learned, I discovered the importance of understanding my audience’s preferences. Recognizing patterns in what resonated with them allowed me to tailor my content and consistently provide what they enjoyed.

Social media has evolved, and the algorithm and content expectations have changed, authenticity remains key. In the current environment with the rise of platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok, it’s essential to adapt while staying true to your brand. Creating high-quality, authentic content that reflects your identity and resonates with your audience is crucial.

Building a social media presence is a repetitious process, that you have to continue to refine, as well as honor your own capacity of how much you can do. Start by creating content that you believe in and that aligns with your brand. Pay attention to your audience’s response and adapt accordingly. Connecting with individuals who genuinely believe in your message or product is more valuable than simply pursuing massive numbers. Foster meaningful relationships and engagement, and your audience will naturally grow over time.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society plays a crucial role in supporting artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem by recognizing the value of their work. One way is through financial support. Making a living as an artist is incredibly challenging, and direct compensation for their services is essential. Supporting small artists by hiring them for various projects or purchasing their products and merchandise can have a significant impact on their livelihoods.

Allocating funding for the arts and education is vital, especially for our youth. Providing resources and opportunities for artistic development in schools ensures that future generations have the chance to explore and pursue careers in the arts. Art and music have the power to heal and transform, making it essential to invest in programs that facilitate the growth of creative individuals.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shanlynn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Shanlynnmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shanlynnmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShanLynnmusic
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dj-shanlynn-newport-beach

Image Credits
Andrew Heiser ( The Image that says Casino) Aldaleophotography (The pink dress one/ with the Dj controller)