We recently connected with Joe Hren and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Joe thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I had two good mentors, but I learned a lot from online training and self guidance. There is so much out there from websites, to videos you can learn to do about anything 20 different ways. You just have to find the way that works for you. I wish I would have started sooner, it’s hard to take the leap of faith. I’m lucky to have a few good friends who pushed me. To grow I needed to take what I learned to the stage.

I think I’ve always been my own obstacle by self-doubt. Am I ready? What if I’m not? But it’s what keeps me trying to learn more and do better. I think patience is key, but also persistence. It’s cliche to say, but nothing comes easy. You have to stick to it and love it or you’ll quit doing it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always loved to entertain. Bringing people together, forming relationships, and creating memories is so important. Music is something almost everyone can relate. I think it’s such an important tool in our lives.

I’ve found that some music makes the hair on my arm stand up. It creates energy and an atmosphere conducive to dance. It’s a get-away from life’s struggles and challenges. I felt I could help provide a soundtrack to my community.

It all started after the pandemic. The quarantine ended the career of some local club DJs. A friend who was a bartender suggested I apply. A couple other friends pushed me to try DJing Thursday nights to get started.

That led to weekend nights and then other clubs around town – and then to Indianapolis and Louisville. My two mentors eventually moved away and I was next in line.

I take all parts of being a DJ seriously. From marketing, graphics, logos, set lists, video playbacks to technical aspects. It doesn’t hurt that I work in broadcasting as my full time job.

I think that’s what makes me most proud. I want people to see an entire product. The music is the most important detail. But I take the entire job seriously. You might only see me those two hours on a Saturday night, but I’ve already put in ten hours that week preparing.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is seeing the smiles and laughs, patrons mouthing words to a song, even someone tapping their feet. I know I’m providing their backdrop for the evening and it’s so rewarding to see.

It’s also so fun to hear people say they came out because I was playing that night. It makes me feel part of a team, even though I’m a one-man band.

I think sometimes we also tend to stick to certain artists or music. I love taking requests because I get to learn new music. I mean, there’s SO MUCH music out there. But I hope I do the same in return. I love it when someone comes to the booth asking what that song was and hope they found something new too.

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

I think the best thing society can do to support artists and creatives is to realize what you’re seeing is maybe 10 percent of what it took for that artist to get there. It doesn’t matter if it’s a DJ, an actor, a painter, or a musician. You are only seeing them during a performance or seeing their final work. It look ten times that to get them to showcase their work. So really appreciate what they do, even if it isn’t something you’d take home and hang on the wall. Put that dollar bill in the tip jar. The act is ten times more impactful that what the dollar is actually worth.

More specifically to DJs, understand that not every song is going to be tailored to you. Take that opportunity to hear what someone else may have requested or that the DJ thinks you might like. It helps create a thriving creative dance floor ecosystem.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/axipitor
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axipitor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Axipitor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DJAxipitor
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/axipitor
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dj.axipitor

Image Credits

Courtesy: Axipitor