We were lucky to catch up with Daman Singh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Daman, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.

My musical journey began in early childhood, under the guidance of my father, a musician of considerable skill. He introduced me to the tabla, a pair of South Asian hand drums. Their unique sound quality, derived from the harmonious interplay of a higher and lower pitched drum which captivated me from the beginning.

From my teenage years into adulthood my fascination with the vast landscape of music started to grow. A desire to expand my musical knowledge led me to pick up the bass and electric guitar during my high school years, providing a profound understanding of musical composition. My pursuit of musical understanding extended to a self-directed exploration of music theory. In my early university years, I discovered the dhol, a powerful South Asian percussion instrument, which became a sought-after element in festive gatherings, especially weddings. My prior experience with the tabla, and my sense of rhythm, allowed me to readily adapt to the dhol’s percussive demands. These two instruments, the dhol and tabla, became the cornerstones of my musical offerings, which I presented to diverse clients seeking to elevate their celebrations with their dynamic and unique sounds.

The opportunity to blend the distinctive sounds of the dhol and tabla with the diverse musical landscapes of numerous DJs has been a true privilege. Because of this, I recognized my own potential to expand my artistic horizons, realizing the art of DJing was a natural progression. I had been limiting myself, and was now ready to grow.

The year 2022 marked my introduction to the art of DJing. I picked up my very first DJ controller and began a self-taught journey of YouTube tutorials; my musical background came in handy, making the learning process remarkably fluid. I began with the essential skill of beatmatching, aligning the tempos of two tracks. Once I felt comfortable with the beginning steps, I delved into song structure, understanding their constituent elements, such as the highs and low points of the song. This led me to master the technique of mixing, seamlessly transitioning between tracks through strategic crossfading.

Every day after work, I immersed myself in the practice of DJing, watching countless online tutorials and slowly perfecting my craft. Although I feel that perfection doesn’t exist, this commitment led to a level of proficiency that I felt compelled to share via Instagram, a step made possible by my established musical foundation. For the next few years, I focused on improving my DJ skills and building relationships with local wedding planners. This combination of practice and networking helped me feel ready to DJ small weddings and events.

Reaching 2025, DJing took center stage in my creative life, but it was earned, not given. I discovered that even short, consistent practice sessions are crucial. My musical background helped, but it didn’t eliminate the need for hours of work. I encountered financial and knowledge-based challenges, but I learned to view them as opportunities to grow. It is about choosing to be positive, and allowing passion to drive your work ethic

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Raised by immigrant parents, I arrived in the United States at the age of three, and grew up in a home where music was both a cultural touchstone and a daily practice. My father, a gifted musician, dedicated himself to my studies in the tabla and harmonium, spending one to two hours each day helping me practice after school. Upon mastering the rhythmic foundations of the tabla, I began to perform alongside him during Sunday services at the local Gurudwara, a weekly commitment that shaped my childhood and instilled a sense of musical responsibility.

My early mastery of the tabla laid the cornerstone of my musical understanding, and with each passing year, my affinity for music expanded, allowing me to delve into the realm of stringed instruments. Although my experience as a bassist with various local bands offered a period of exploration, by late 2023, I realized that my artistic fulfillment lay elsewhere. Years of providing South Asian instrumental music for wedding celebrations had imbued me with a deep appreciation for the unique energy of those events, guiding me toward a more harmonious alignment of my musical talents and professional endeavors.

Though I maintain a deep appreciation for the dhol and tabla, and remain available to provide these instrumental services, my artistic focus has shifted to the realm of DJing. I observed a growing appetite for a more eclectic and culturally diverse musical landscape, especially within the context of fusion weddings that celebrate the union of different heritages. My DJ sets are crafted to serve as a bridge between cultures, seamlessly intertwining the musical traditions of Punjab, Africa, Latin America, and the West, amongst other cultures. The aim is to create a harmonious and dynamic sonic experience that resonates with a broad spectrum of attendees; my goal is to ensure that everyone feels included and energized on the dance floor.

I emphasize the personalized nature of my service; I work closely with each couple to understand their musical preferences and cultural backgrounds. This allows me to showcase my ability to seamlessly transition between genres, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere on the dance floor. Furthermore, I can also highlight the flexibility of my service, noting that I can incorporate live dhol or tabla performances upon request, adding that extra layer of cultural richness to their celebration. Other than music offerings, I offer a cultural experience, a celebration of diversity, and a memorable night for everyone involved.

What sets me apart is my ability to seamlessly blend diverse cultural musical styles. It’s not just about playing different musical genres, but understanding the music and song structures to create a cohesive and engaging experience that can resonate with a wide variety of audiences. While most DJs may specialize in one or two genres, I’ve embraced the challenge of weaving together Punjabi, Hispanic, Afro, Western, Bollywood, etc. beats that allow me to create a unique and vibrant soundscape.

My background as a dhol and tabla player adds a unique dimension to my services. This cultural fluency, combined with the art of DJing, allows me to offer a personalized and culturally rich music journey. I prioritize working closely with clients to understand their vision and create a tailored music experience that reflects their unique story. In the end, I offer more than just music, I provide a cultural celebration that brings people together.

I’ve been blessed with the art of playing music. For me, it will always be about connecting people through music, celebrating diversity, and creating a vibrant atmosphere. I’m excited to continue bringing that unique blend of sounds to weddings and events

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

While I feel that social media has definitely helped with artists and creatives putting their craft out into the world, I think there are many other ways that society can help these individuals to have their voice heard.

Integrate the arts education into all levels of schooling from an early age: this helps to ensure access to quality arts education from childhood through higher education

Provide affordable and accessible skill-building workshops and mentorship programs: for thriving arts and beginners, offer workshops on business skills, marketing, and technology learning. While an individual may be talented in the arts, they may not be as skilled in other areas such as business and finances, therefore providing open access to platforms allows an artist to be skillful in other areas to help them in their journey.

Create vibrant arts districts and cultural hubs: create a community where artists can meet up and collaborate; artists with cultural backgrounds can collaborate with artists from other communities and create something unique. For an artist to thrive, they should work in an environment where they can bring their ideas to light.

Create collaboration and networking communities: Support arts festivals, exhibitions, and events that bring artists and audiences together; use social media to promote these events and give the artists exposure within their communities and beyond. In this era of technology, online platforms and communities allow for artists to connect and share resources.
Support Local and Independent venues: venues are the lifeblood of the creative community; supporting them allows artists to thrive.

Promote Arts and Cultural Literacy: encourage media outlets to feature stories about artists and their work(like CanvasRebel!) Furthermore, Support initiatives that educate the public about the value of the arts.

While social media and online platforms have let artists create unique works of art, Societies can also create a more supportive and vibrant environment for artists and creatives, fostering a thriving creative ecosystem that benefits everyone.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

While there’s no one particular goal or mission for me, I like to simply play music. It’s a form of therapy and I am blessed to be able to share it with the world. Knowing that someone will bring me in because they recognize the talent behind the music is a good feeling in itself.

Oftentimes I will get asked how I became so talented with music, I don’t feel that its talent alone but putting in the work behind it as well. Talent is only the beginning – it takes consistent practice, dedication, and the desire to learn to perfect your craft; passion and persistence are also critical factors. With all these things combined, one can achieve their goals. You will have your good and bad days, but the main thing to remember is not to give up.

Perhaps my mission in this world is to live a life simply filled with music and to navigate a journey of constant discovery and growth. To me, music is a universal language and I feel blessed to have the knowledge to play it for others. The goal is to keep growing in my musical journey and keep sharing the language with others.

While I don’t have a grand mission, I do hope that my music can inspire others to pursue their own creative passions, regardless of their circumstances. It’s a reminder that creativity can thrive alongside any career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djx_beats
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsingh365/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6-K8KmXF5z0YXtidiMDU9IEY3r23F9FO&feature=shared
• Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XAeWQQxELdhB7PBp6

Image Credits

North Arrow Creative
Zettl Photography
Ray Prop Photography