Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to DJ Asthmatc (Kyle Francis Ordona Dacallos). We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi DJ Asthmatc , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Becoming a DJ stands as the biggest risk I’ve ever taken, a decision I made at the age of 18. My inspiration sparked from watching the Netflix series “The Get Down.” After sharing my aspirations with a few close friends, I dove in headfirst. Armed with just a Numark Mixtrack Pro 2 controller, a jumble of wires in a Timbaland shoebox, a single speaker stand, and one speaker, I embarked on this journey without knowing where to start.
Over time, I invested thousands of dollars in turntables, upgraded speakers, and more. This investment paved the way for me to establish myself as “DJ Asthmatc, the DJ who takes your breath away.” The road hasn’t been easy; I’ve balanced full-time work (a commitment I maintain to this day), battled moments of doubt, and encountered setbacks along the way. Yet, through resilience and determination fueled by these challenges, I’ve turned adversity into wisdom and motivation to push forward.
DJ Asthmatc , 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 DJ Asthmatc, the DJ who takes your breath away—and yes, I do have asthma. My journey in the DJ industry began by breaking records at family and friends’ parties and hosting events at a clubhouse I managed in my hometown. Through word-of-mouth and networking with artists and creatives, I gradually built my reputation.
Managing the clubhouse opened doors for me to organize parties, host showcases, and contribute to fundraisers. As my name gained recognition, I received an offer to DJ at a club in downtown San Jose in 2019, right when I turned 21. Soon, I was booked for clubs & bars across the Bay Area. However, my momentum was cut short by COVID-19 after just five months. Like many in the entertainment industry, I faced challenges during this period.
Despite the setback, I used the time to connect more deeply with my audience, posted more videos, and honed my skills. As the situation improved, opportunities flooded in once again. I found myself being asked to DJ for multiple gigs in a single day. Many weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other events have been delayed due to the pandemic. Simultaneously, clubs reopened, and people were eager to celebrate after nearly two years of quarantine.
By 2021, I was invited by a legendary East Side San Jose DJ by the name of DJ Eternal, to join his collective, “The Uplifters.” This group of like-minded DJs aims to uplift audiences at weddings, mobile gigs, fundraisers, concerts, and clubs. Being part of this collective marks the pinnacle of my DJ career so far—an achievement I’m incredibly proud of Shoutout the whole Uplifter crew: EJ, Mastermind, Txibal, DJ Diversik, DJ BIg Kev, Jaybee, DJ Jeffaahhh, DJ Dre, DJ Krucial and JJ. You can follow us on Instagram @theupliftersllc to book us!
In addition to my experience hosting various events and managing the personal training department at a commercial gym at my full-time job, I launched my event organizing business called “WYA Functions.” This venture wasn’t my first attempt at launching a project requiring organization, content creation, and a broad network. In the early stages of my DJ career, I started a collective and even a podcast, both of which didn’t succeed. This time, I aimed to create something truly memorable and impactful.
“WYA Functions” was founded in 2023, and since then, we’ve successfully hosted club events, day parties, markets, and fundraisers. Our goal is to continue fostering culture, creating enjoyable experiences, and giving back to our community as we move forward. Big shoutout to my team, DJ Txibal, Wayne, Jeremy Hann, Jazz.FM, DJ Bitesize, JXGRIZZEL & Kuwitis, Follow us for many fun events on Instagram @wyafunctions
Just recently, I created a Streetwear Clothing Brand by the name of Kababayan ERA (KBYN ERA), with a group of close friends. We are a streetwear brand that represents always being HUMBLE, dedicated to the HUSTLE, and keeping it HYPHY. Shoutout TMAC, Regan, Daryl and Annie! Follow us for future drops on instagram @kbynxera!
n essence, my DJ career, event organizing business, and clothing brand are the sources of my creativity, vitality, and passion. I aspire to nurture these passions throughout my life, right up until my final moments. They serve as my avenues for healing, giving back to others, making a living, and enjoying life to the fullest.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being creative is being able to see the joy and happiness in others. As a DJ, moments of people letting loose on the dance floor, clients giving us praise for making sure their event going well, and being able to unite people under one event is truly a blessing. There’s just something about music and community the heals the souls of humans. Being a DJ gives you influence, a network of different people and a platform. This is the reason why I use my energy and love to unite others, spread positivty and bring communities together.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of being creative is witnessing the joy and happiness it brings to others. As a DJ, experiencing people letting loose on the dance floor, receiving gratitude from clients for ensuring their events run smoothly, and uniting diverse groups of people under one roof are truly blessings. There’s a profound connection between music, community, and the healing of human souls. Being a DJ grants influence connects you with a diverse network of individuals, and provides a platform. This is why I dedicate my energy and passion to uniting people, spreading positivity, and fostering community bonds.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Being a DJ and building an audience on social media is one of the most crucial aspects of our job. Personally, my most successful social media account is Instagram. Many people who follow me see that I’m actively posting and DJing. Whenever I’m out at a gig, I always direct people to my Instagram to stay up to date. I create various content, such as DJ videos, reels, fun moments at gigs, flyers, and even my schedule. This demonstrates that my services are in demand and showcases my character and personality.
The most important aspect is to stay authentic and true to who you are. In this age of the internet, many people create a fake image of themselves online. I always make sure to bring the same energy I post on social media to real life. Building your brand is essential! Branding and social media presence are EVERYTHING in this industry!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://djasthmatc.framer.website/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/djasthmatc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dj-asthmatc-milpitas?uid=c4BwRRobRY3elW1M9p–DA&utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/rc6N5wpALG3rMRhL9
- Other: The Uplifters:
https://www.theuplifters.net/
https://www.instagram.com/theupliftersllc/WYA Functions:
https://www.instagram.com/wyafunctions/Kababayan ERA (KBYN ERA)
https://www.instagram.com/kbynxera/
Image Credits
PC: Steez of Dfined studios, EJ & Jeremy Hann