We recently connected with Christopher Cardwell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Christopher, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I started experiencing Dj at the age of 14 when my mom brought my an Ion Dj cd turntables. I was very interested in this equipment where I can change speed of the music along pitch to the sound where I can make it sound like a chipmunk lol. also more importantly how I can transition from one song to another. usually I dj during my family gathering around the holiday seasons. my entire family was so impressed how I rocked the party out and that’s where I was determine to make this my career
Christopher, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was born and raised in Washington D.C. currently living in Maryland also known as the ” DMV”. I grew up loving pop culture from anime, comics and video games so im pretty much a nerd. Music has played a big part of my life especially anime opening and closing songs. that’s where my Dj comes in along attending conventions from Magnets to Blerdcon and Dreamcon.
I started attending to conventions and my friends would host a hotel party and I decided to ask if I could dj the party and once people see your energy and performance you’ll draw in potential clients that is interested in you dj for major events. I would dj from afterparty to club venues. along the way I would reach out to friends that I help me make a dj logo , a management team along getting an LLC which is very important especially when it comes to business. the Dj business has it’s pro’s and Con’s due to competition along avoid dj repeated sets and burnouts but as long as you practice daily along staying in shape in the gym and taking care of your mental health then the sky’s the limit. My brand represents a black nerd dj that can mix any songs into existence along have the crowd sing along their favorite tunes from ” Yeah ” by Usher to ” ” I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic! At The Disco and ” Crank that ” by Soulja Boy. What I am most proud of is the client would reach out to me about a gig from weddings to special events and even word of mouth clients would contact me while im dj and give me compliments on my skills along interacting with the crowd even coming out of my dj booth and dance with everyone.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I wish that I knew more about the Dj business like obtaining an LLC along getting a manager and a assistant that can help me keep up my schedule because their are times where I would be double booked along place a better rates for booking.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to be a full time Dj where I would perform at corporate events or travel overseas to a festival shows performing like Japan or the UK. Most importantly I want to make my own song.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.djtaylorsenpai.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djtaylorsenpai/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djtaylorsenpaiDC/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DjTaylorsenpai
Image Credits
Kris Gooden , K.g.thephotographer Samuel Famoyegun , SF Designs Henry ” KT’ Ng , ktstudio Marlon David , Marlondavid_photography Taylor Fenner, Tfennerphotos