We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Luis Martinez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Luis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us 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?
Born in Long Island, N.Y. I started my journey as a DJ in 1985 spinning at high school homecomings and local New York Tech College parties, weddings, and such. After graduating high school in ’86, I landed a Quality Control position at a record pressing plant called HRM. 40 pressing machines there so every day I had upper-hand access to test pressings and promo copies of all the trending hits.
So let’s just say, I made a lot of the right friends in all the record stores in Manhattan. I got my master’s in recording engineering by late 1990. My journey was boosted in 1991 when the “Rave” scene was still a baby. I started spinning House and Techno on Long Island at a venue called “Caffeine”. There, I spun alongside other vinyl junkies like Frankie Bones, Micro, James Christian, Onions, Joeski, and more. From there it was on! I developed my signature sound and soon enough I was rocking underground events at warehouses and other undisclosed venues. With the help of other fellow DJs and promoters, I conquered major landmarks including Limelight, Tunnel, Palladium, Octagon, and other venues in New York.
By 1994, I took it overseas and got to witness firsthand what it feels like to perform in front of the masses. For the next 6 years, I was able to show the world my passion for making people smile and dance to my music with peace love unity respect for one another no matter who you were and where you came from. I am very fortunate to have the pleasure of seeing the Electronic scene blossom from its early stages and being a part of something special. In late 1999 I moved to Tampa Bay Florida. I invaded the Sunshine State with Underground House music when at the time all you heard was “Breakbeat”.
So needless to say within 3 weeks, I landed a residency in Ybor City at a venue called “Om” 2 nights a week. And the owner also had a radio show I ran 4 nights a week called “Om Radio”. Currently, you can catch me at my residency Blur Nightclub located at 325 Main Street Downtown Dunedin, Florida as well as venues mostly in the Tampa Bay Area rockin’ dance floors. Also, I part own my own entertainment company “Monsta Entertainment” as well as having 60 plus releases on 17 worldwide record labels and am part owner of www.mix93fm.com a dance music EDM 24-hour commercial free internet radio station.
There’s nothing better than to proudly say “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life”.
Luis, 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?
Born in Long Island, N.Y. I started my journey as a DJ in 1985 spinning at high school homecomings and local New York Tech College parties, weddings, and such. After graduating high school in ’86, I landed a Quality Control position at a record pressing plant called HRM. 40 pressing machines there so every day I had upper-hand access to test pressings and promo copies of all the trending hits.
So let’s just say, I made a lot of the right friends in all the record stores in Manhattan. I got my master’s in recording engineering by late 1990. My journey was boosted in 1991 when the “Rave” scene was still a baby. I started spinning House and Techno on Long Island at a venue called “Caffeine”. There, I spun alongside other vinyl junkies like Frankie Bones, Micro, James Christian, Onions, Joeski, and more. From there it was on! I developed my signature sound and soon enough I was rocking underground events at warehouses and other undisclosed venues. With the help of other fellow DJs and promoters, I conquered major landmarks including Limelight, Tunnel, Palladium, Octagon, and other venues in New York.
By 1994, I took it overseas and got to witness firsthand what it feels like to perform in front of the masses. For the next 6 years, I was able to show the world my passion for making people smile and dance to my music with peace love unity respect for one another no matter who you were and where you came from. I am very fortunate to have the pleasure of seeing the Electronic scene blossom from its early stages and being a part of something special. In late 1999 I moved to Tampa Bay Florida. I invaded the Sunshine State with Underground House music when at the time all you heard was “Breakbeat”.
So needless to say within 3 weeks, I landed a residency in Ybor City at a venue called “Om” 2 nights a week. And the owner also had a radio show I ran 4 nights a week called “Om Radio”. Currently, you can catch me at my residency Blur Nightclub located at 325 Main Street Downtown Dunedin, Florida as well as venues mostly in the Tampa Bay Area rockin’ dance floors. Also, I part own my own entertainment company “Monsta Entertainment” as well as having 60 plus releases on 17 worldwide record labels and am part owner of www.mix93fm.com a dance music EDM 24-hour commercial free internet radio station.
There’s nothing better than to proudly say “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life”.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Every Career/job has its ups and downs. Normally we are able to bounce back up and regroup, For me it was the time when everything went digital and people were able to download music for free online. There was no way to regulate or monitor people illegally. Thank god I learned two trades in college. I also went to culinary school so I was able to stay a float Until I sorted out the next step. That’s when I decided to move to Florida.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
To make sure I spread my knowledge and experience to as many people as possible. Everyday I learn something new.
Technology will pass right by you if you don’t keep up and take advanced courses in the recording engineering and DJ world. That keeps me drivin and exited to work everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mix93fm.com
- Instagram: @d.j.luis_martinez
- Facebook: Luis Martinez (D.J.Producer Luis Martinez)
