We were lucky to catch up with Rainan Vega recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rainan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Growing up, I was raised by my grandmother. There was a pretty big period in my life where I didn’t see my mom. When I was 13 or 14 years old we had finally reconnected. Around that time was when I first met my stepdad, pretty quickly me and him grew a strong bond, and it turned out that he was a DJ. Thick Optiks, used to be a pretty big name locally (still is). But after one night of hanging around listening to him spin, I was captivated by electronic music and the feeling that he was creating while mixing. What’s funny is my mom (who is very much not a DJ) was actually the one who showed me how to use a controller. I recorded my first ever mix, which was terrible, and then got some further instruction from my stepdad. From then on I was hooked.

Rainan, 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 go by RADIVM, Im an independent music producer and DJ from the heart of Ogden, Utah. I started mixing when I was about 16, and started writing music when I was 17. I just barely turned 21, so I would definitely still consider myself an amateur in the game, but this is my life. I simply just supply the vibe. I think what sets me apart from everyone else is my age, my range, and my morals. I’m pretty much always the youngest in the room, I play any genre, anytime, anywhere, Im sober, and a devout Christian. Those last 2 parts are definitely the hardest part about being a musician. I never drink when I go to the clubs (which makes networking so much fun btw) and no matter how late I’m out playing Saturday night, I’m always at church Sunday morning regardless. A lot of people think it’s strange but strange is better than normal. I thank God for all the opportunities that I have been blessed with and I hope to one day use my platform to spread His love.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

How much work actually goes into this. To a lot of people, being a DJ or a musician just seems like nonstop parties, women, money, etc. It is completely the opposite. Long, sleepless nights curating sets. Hours upon hours of writing, mixing, and mastering tracks. Too much time on social media networking, promoting, all just to get a couple drink tickets. Which don’t get used because like I said, sober.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Pay your artists. Consume their art. Stream their music. Like their posts. PAY FOR THE ART.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radivm.music?igsh=aTM2MHhoYjZkOWl2&utm_source=qr
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/myN7FUzpKAVq882KMw

Image Credits

SoundWave Photography