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

Hi Garett, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

I feel like being in the nightlife scene definitely has its ups and downs. As a natural people pleaser, us as djs, must cater to the crowd and make sure the majority of the room is having a good time. I know at times people have this certain type of perception that because we do what we do, it comes with repercussions. As a working professional dj, I am aware of the image that is being portrayed, that we’re party animals and we get black out drunk every time we work. While there is some truth to that, I can assure you that what is being displayed on social media isn’t always what it looks like. The reality is, is that playing a room of 500+ people every weekend can be very high stress, so we constantly have to have our mental health in check. And some times not every night is gonna be good. Just like in life theres ups and downs. One week might have a full crowd, and the next might be less than 50 and sometimes that can mess with your head. We just have to remind ourselves that not every night is gonna be the same, but what matters most is the craft. I feel like, as long as you’re giving it your all and constantly learning and pushing yourself, you’ll find new ways to reinvent yourself. And at the end of the night, when the lights go on, we’re all just normal people at the end of the day.

Garett, 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 first started Djing back in high school. Me and my friends would sometimes skip class and mess with turn tables at our friends house. I was in record stores like Amoeba, Stacks in Cerritos because I didn’t have enough money to buy the latest Dj software (Serato – music software widely used by djs across the globe). But it wasn’t until I had enough money working at the movie theatre and selling sneakers that I’ve been collecting to be able to afford it. I was always musically inclined even at a young age. I played guitar and drums in middle school, so naturally as I got older, I saw turntables as another instrument. Never would I have thought I could make a living off my talents. The proudest thing I can say is when I was just starting out is, having the courage to reach out to the people you want to work with. It can be intimidating at times, but the risk to reward is well worth it. Since then I’ve learned a lot about how night life works, how working with club managers, throwing your own parties and the ins and outs of working as a professional dj in the night life scene.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As I mentioned earlier, working in this or any industry day in and day out can feel redundant at times. Playing the same music every time can get stale, just like coming into work and doing the same thing each time can take a toll on your mental. But I feel like as a creative you have to constantly look for inspiration, connect with your peers who are in the same field, be around like minded individuals and most importantly find ways to constantly innovate yourself.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building on the new.”

Find ways to continually push yourself, your brand to stay relevant in todays fast paced world. Whether its collaborating with others, find inventive ways to promote your brand, or just trying something new. You’ll find new ways to see what works and what doesn’t. Maybe you can get inspiration from others, but find a way to make it your own.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I was first starting out, I always stuck with the people that I came up with. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the importance of collaboration can definitely help you push your brand to new audiences, while building a community that shares the same common interests. I used to think as others in the same field as competition, but as long as you stay in your own lane and focus on growing your brand, the other competition you have is with yourself. Reaching out to work with others can put you in positions you never thought you’d be in. Not only are you helping others, you’re also building and expanding your network and audience in ways you wouldn’t be able to.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/dj_garett
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/djgarett310
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/djgarett_
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj_garett

Image Credits

My brother Ergel C. for the press photos,