We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joshua Gomez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joshua below.
Joshua, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I am prior military – us army with the 601st Aviation Support Battalion in Fort Riley, Kansas. 1st infantry division. I joined back in 2006 and was honorably discharged in 2011. Upon Moving back to Round Rock, Texas I started learning the ins and outs of Djing from my cousin ( Jason Hernandez – DJ Lil J). This started around the end of 2011 and I started going to gigs with him and proceeded to play a back to back setup with him. Continued to learn my new craft, and then in 2016 I started making this DJ career my full time job. This has been a great way for me to meet people, learn from some of the best DJs to do this and further my craft. When covid hit we had a slow down but myself and other Djs were able to keep our businesses going by streaming and putting out mixes to help people deal with daily life.
Joshua, 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 am a club/ bar Dj. I also do private events around the city and travel to play as well. I have done and do corporate events in Austin. I feel that my military background helps further my career as I am approachable, I am always early to make sure everything on my end is ready to go and im doing what is expected of me. I love to play all genres of music, as well as open to any kind of music that patrons are wanting to hear. I feel that my core values from the army have transferred over to my new career and stay with me in my daily life.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I grew up on 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, and country music from my grandfather, Also my mother had a musical influence with 80’s music and country. The music that they played for me at a early age and had me listen to fuels what I get to incorporate in my weekly sets and gigs, plus it gives me a chance to show and teach a younger generation of great music from a different time. When I got out of the army I didn’t think that I would ever find a job that would be as fulfilling as where I had just come from. I always had a love for music and being able to become a DJ and play music weekly has been a love that I didn’t think I would find! My mother, my aunt Angie and my grandparents have always been my biggest supporters. My grandparents passed away during the pandemic but the music I could play for them before they passed brought us all together!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal these days are to further not only my career but my brand. I am looking to travel more in the future and spread my love of music to people. Also my cousin and my friend (DJ Lil J – Jason Hernandez – DJ Manny Mo – Manny Morales) we have a dj crew called The Go Hards. To build that brand and get our names out there more is a huge goal I am wanting to achieve. Plus I would love to be able to have the chance to have us play a large scaled festival or event one day, and all 3 of us being apart of it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jgoodiezatx
- Soundcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/DjJGoodiez/
