We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Charles Washington a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Charles, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

My DJ journey started in 2000 when I got my first turntables as a fresh man in High school. Fast forward to 2016 I had my son and it sparked and ignited an understanding of the direction that I wanted to take my sound. I started to disconnect with the direction music was going on the commercial club side of thing, The club commercial side specifically because it became a job requirement to work with records I didn’t really vibe with. As a full time open Format DJ I understood this comes with the territory but I need balance in this part of my career and felt also felt the weight of my influence, I also understood I could change the program because I am a “programer”. We can program a playlist and curate a set to make someone drink, but what if I could curate a vibe to make them think. Some songs program kids to kill, when others songs can heal or even feel other emotions. It became more obvious there was something more to music and my role to restore balance in my playlist. I started researching the effects of music on the human body and the mind, and through this I discover how I could make an impact within my real of reach and use my platform to reset or at least provide an option for some forward and upward movement in the culture. I feel its disrespectful and dangerous because the music we are force feed is molding the youth and their perception of reality. So the creation of The Vibes was created from that realization that music is the key to our future and how we use the music is up to us. As a DJ we play music and music is a combination of sound waves and sound waves a are type of vibration that resonates at a specific frequency depending on the song or vibrations. A study from called cymatics which is the study of visualizing sound vibration and how they affect physical matter like sand or water I Madde the connection that if we are 70% water these vibrations or these songs are affecting us the same way it affected the other physical matter. I came to the conclusion to start curating sets and selecting songs that felt good. I learned things like meditation and different methods and could positively impact our physical body and also affect our mood, this was not magic this was science. Sound bowls and tuning forks are some instruments that specifically used to reset the frequency of a person back to a normal state or a higher vibration, doing this can heal your body physically and mentally. I wanted to figure out how to bring this concept and powerful tools into music as a way too off set the bad energy and restore a balance in my sets. I started implementing tones of 432hz and 528z into my original production as way of making healing to world through musicI release my first track back in 2017 an Electronic Dance Track called Touch this was my first track I made using these tones. I started playing more experimental alt, B-Side tracks to create a less main stream thought/ emotion provoking experience, not every song I play is tuned to these tones, but the experience will generally feel good from the energy and message from the songs tthemself , and thats a strong indication that the Vibes are right. From this I started developing events with a curated vibe and eventually started a DJ collective called The Vibes HTX to help me push movement of good music. I started working with Yoga and sound healers like Yogi Sophie that use these practices in a more down tempo setting allowing me to expand my creative approach to DJing. Lo-Fi music started trending and I was happy about it. It a quick way too normalize music that helps you focus or clear your mind and it helped me find an audience ready for more anti club music. To stay well rounded I wanted explore more “feel good” genres and subgenres I started leaning more into Alt Hiphop, House, Amapiano, Liquid Dnb, Hiphop, UKG, Jazz Trap, trip hop. Around this time in 2018 I remember someone said that what im doing reminds them of Soulection. At the time I haven’t heard of the what they have been doing, but it let me know I was heading in the right direction and it also allowed me to see my same concept on a larger scale. I eventually got to meet Joe Kay one of the founders of the LA Based music collective and got to speak about The Vibes HTX which was a defining moment for me to keep moving forward. The Vibes HTX brand has expanded to partnering with larger brands and venues such as Nordstrom, Mac Cosmetics , Jimmy Choo , Hugo Boss , Moxy Hotel , Axelrad , etc and we are able to bring back a feel good vibe to our audience on a larger scale.

Charles, 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?

My Journey into sound started as a kid going to vinyl record conventions with my mother and having access to large amounts of music to listen to. High school was the start of my DJ career where I would make mixtapes and sell them to other students and even teachers under alias DJ PLATINUM, The first time I realized I could make a name for my self was when shooting pool at Fun Plex and my Screwed and Chopped version of T.I. – Urban Legand came on with me talking over it..!! I was famous was my first thought. I started doing House parties for friends before 21. After high school I started throwing parties at venues such as (Hush , Venue , Zula) Fast forward I’ve created a name for myself and began DJing for several clubs in houston and began getting brand sponsorships such as my first endorsement deal by Chivas Regal, and eventually Jameson. I’ve been blessed to do what I love and go places I couldn’t imagine. I stand on quality and professional execution of my craft. Attention to detail is critical and reading the room in real time is key to staying “in tune” your listeners. Going on tour, playing on radio , to playing for a stadium, playing for a packed venue or playing in the middle of the Galleria, every opportunity too be thankful for it all.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes this hobby/passion/sidehustle defiantly starting taking over and I began to see it as my way out. Before I went full time I had many Jobs like UPS, Walmart Overnight, Footaction and other side hustles etc, all of them I for sure know I did see my self doing them long term. Audio engineering , producing , and DJ have always been my main career goals. DJing began to pay the majority of my bills and my other Job began too get in the way of opportunities that could lead to more DJ gigs. When I went full time I took every gig I could find in order to support myself as a full-time entertainer. The result of the wide range of gigs I would do I created a network that I could now expand on and even bring in other DJs to cover events that I wouldn’t be able to. Eventually I would have enough surplus gigs that I could provide opportunities to my network of trusted DJ. I eventually began making partnering with major brands like Mac Cosmetics and providing entertainment to several locations simultaniously along with other companies. The proof of concept started with me and I aimed too share my experience and guidance with my peers. I have mentored and trained many DJs in an attempt continue the cycle of each one teach one, since I have had many great mentors in my journey.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

The Vibes brand has been able to expand in multiple avenues in addition to DJ services. The Vibes HTX is also a record label with some notable records currently available and many upcoming original bodies of work. The Vibes Gear is the official clothing brand of The Vibes HTX with custom created designs available via The Vibes Market pop up events or online order. The next major venture for the brand is the world of Anime. Working with an artist within the collective Lee Fontaine aka Lee the myth who has create MetaKaizoku an original Manga writing by Lee and illustrated by our animator from overseas Nicoy Guevarra. We have produce the Comic into an animated experience along with voice acting, sound effects and original music we are taking this production as far as we can take it. We even have been able to work with the nephew of Dragon Ball Z ‘s Vegeta Michael Fukanaga as one of our voice actors. We have even been supported by Dragon Ball Z’ voice actor Linda Sorta who is the voice of Freeza who is a supporter of the comic. The Vibes HTX has its own comic written by Charles L. Washington. called The Vibe Haus and is also connect to the MetaKaizuko story line similar to the Marvel Universe or DC world would create their stories. The Vibes Haus story. is a Sci Fi adventure starring DJ Charlee Brown and The Vibes HTX as they encounter enemies ands battle to save to the universe. Writing this story has allow me to bring the very complicated message of how music can be a powerful force in to full circle from the brands original goal, by making Frequencies , and its effects one of the many subjects that will be explored in this Sci Fi futuristic thriller, I have learned how quantum physics works along with other extensive information on the science of music on order too make an educational and entertaining experience for all ages and future generations to easily understand such a complicated concept that if explained properly could positively impact the culture and their future. The Vibe Haus : Retro Future Discotheque is the creation that has be born from the comic itself and created into a monthy event that represents the club that is written about in store. This is a monthly dance party at Axelrad every last Sunday, episodes of MetaKaizoku along with other visuals pair with a special curated DJ experience. An animated world and story are just the beginning, it will be an opportunity too create albums and in turn more original music that better reflects the core value of the brand. To have true freedom and complete creative control a whole new world was created. A curated world, A curated Frequency….

Contact Info:

• Website: thevibeshtx.com
• Instagram: thevibeshtx, VIBEHAUSUNIVERSE, DJ Charlee Brown
• Facebook: DJ Charlee Brown
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/B8Za921eIoE?si=ulIEQdlpoVAyuLzi

Image Credits
Photo : @Zae.pics @artbyfarahmitthani @nguevarra_art @djcharleebown