Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dave Marmon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Dave, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

Something I’ve learned now that I’ve been pursuing music & DJing over the course of two decades is that having a sense of comfort with oneself and one’s mission is essential. When I started in my early twenties in New York City, the pressure I put on myself often felt crushing. I was working to create the concept and art behind parties, promoting them, investing much of my nearly nonexistent resources into making the events the best they could be, and learning the craft of DJing on top of all that. This left little time for consideration of what I was trying to say, as an artist. In one circumstance I was driven pretty deeply into debt just trying to get an event series off the ground. These experiences put a fairly sour taste in my mouth around the entire endeavor.

What I did not realize at the time is that I had allowed the business of event production, as well as personal ambition, get in the way of the real reason I had started. Playing music for willing listeners is a beautiful way to express yourself and form genuine connections with people you know, and even more people you do not. I lost sight of that very quickly in my original projects and suffered for that.

Years later when I found myself returning to the form I realized that if I started with a vision and expressed myself to the best of my ability, there was nothing bad that could come of it. Every mix, every event, and every person I meet is an extension of the goal of using the project to foster greater connections with my community. It’s a lesson that I wish I had understood in my youth.

I don’t truly wish I had done anything differently. Every decision got me where I am today, and I’m grateful for that. But I do think a little more of the wisdom that comes with age would have helped me when I was starting.

Dave, 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?

I’m a DJ, music maker, and event producer based in the California High-Desert, near Joshua Tree. I currently produce a mix and live event series called DJ Marmon’s Desert Disco, working throughout the Greater Palms Springs and High-Desert communities. I’m one of many voices contributing to the growth of a fantastic artist community in the desert. The goal of the project is to bring my background in NY house and disco and merge it with the sensibilities that are unique to the CA desert.

DJing and dance music events have been a part of my life for over fifteen years. I was formerly based in New York City where I created numerous party series in Manhattan and Brooklyn, collaborating with, and learning from, some great talents. I was happy to have played sets at some of the best live music venues in NY, like Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg, and BB King’s Blues Club. One of my proudest accomplishments was DJing three consecutive years at Governor’s Ball Music Festival, one of NYC’s biggest yearly events.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At this point the most important goal I have is to contribute to a thriving local community. The level of disconnection in society can often lead us to value that which is not present. Many artists of all types feel the need to prove themselves on social media and grow a following of people they may never meet in places they may never see. This can lead to disconnection from their own communities. My goal is to foster a sense of belonging through dance music in the community in which I live, and I encourage all artists to do the same if they can. Start locally. Learn your community. Contribute your art and your voice to it. Good things will come of it.

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

I am lucky to live in an area that values the arts. Local governments and organizations can and should contribute spaces and grants to allow artists living in their communities to meet each other and learn from each other. When local artist voices are heard within a community, it often opens up space for others who may not have felt comfortable to share themselves as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.desertdisco.live/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djmarmon
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/desert_disco