We were lucky to catch up with Leah Walton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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 am a self-taught DJ. I learned to DJ through YouTube, a course I purchased online (shoutout to Crossfader!), and endless hours of practice. I would occasionally link with other DJs to trade knowledge, but for the most part, I taught myself.

Knowing what I know now, I wish I had gained a mentor and collaborated with other DJs more often. This still stands. Mentorship and community are SO important when learning a new skill, not only to expedite and enhance your learning, but to feel supported and seen.

The skills most important to learning to DJ are of course the technical, “hard skills” (beat-matching, mixing different genres, getting comfortable with your gear, etc.), but more than that are the “soft skills” (reading a room, knowing how long to play a song, and my personal favorite, taking your audience on a journey).

The obstacles that stood in my way of learning more were (and still is) my full-time job. When you have to split your time with something else that you do 40+ hours a week, it can be difficult to get as much learning time in as you’d like. But being a DJ is therapy for me, so I never mind it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began spinning during a depressive season. I needed something that was not tied to money, a goal, a project, or a deliverable. I’ve always loved music, and in college wanted to become a DJ, but chose a different path during that time in my life. So I decided “why not now” and felt I had nothing to lose if this was a hobby and I was doing it for me. Turns out, not only did I fall in love with it, but it became an essential part of me.

I was a bedroom DJ for a while because that was my way of protecting my hobby. So many times we discover we are good at something and immediately attempt to monetize it, and I didn’t want to fall into that trap. But eventually, I was nudged to DJ for one of my friend’s events, and it was up from there. I began getting booked consistently, which was an undeniably great feeling. It wasn’t about the money though; it was about me using my God-given gift to affect others positively.

My parents influenced my musical taste from an early age. Growing up, I’d hear all sorts of sounds circulating through my home. Everything from Old-School Hip-Hop and Reggae to House, Bluegrass, and genres in between. At 4 years old, instead of asking for toys from Santa, I was asking for the new Destiny’s Child CD! Some of my favorite memories have involved music, such as singing in the church and school choir, attending festivals, and throwing shows, so it has always been a huge part of my life.

When I DJ, I incorporate genres I grew up with and new genres to create fresh sounds. I create unique blends that allow my mix to flow seamlessly while keeping my crowd’s experience in mind. I aim for everyone in the space to be on the same frequency, creating an energy in the room equivalent to euphoria.

What I am most proud of from my DJ journey, is how it has improved my self-awareness and presence. It has deepened my resilience, emotional intelligence, and how I see myself. All of this is because I decided to bet on myself instead of continuing to operate with a scarcity mindset. MY DJ journey has shown me what can happen in a short time span if you just believe in yourself!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is finding a path to my most authentic self. I’ve tried many creative things in my life, but none have felt 100% like me and my true “calling”. Maybe 80% or even 90%, but never 100%. I feel alive, free, and confident when I spin, which is how I aspire to feel daily. When you are confident, conquering anything feels attainable, and then you can spread this feeling amongst others.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative person is using my talents and gifts for the greater good of my community. Music heals and brings people together (mostly in a positive way), and realizing you are a catalyst for that is a powerful, humbling feeling. Creativity makes the world go round, whether to solve a problem or help lift spirits. I continue to find ways to use my creativity to help my people, and being a DJ has been my best contribution thus far.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tikaafterdark.com
• Instagram: @tikaafterdark
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tikaafterdark

Image Credits

Olivia Mcewen
Tessa Kingsley
Hare