Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michaela Donahue. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michaela, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
It all started with my first big risk. Running down train tracks and sneaking under a fence into a nightclub (don’t do this!) to see what surely became my favorite drum and bass DJ when I was 16. From that moment I knew this was it. DJ’ing is what i wanted to pursue along with being a visual artist. That night club meant everything to me and everyone else in Baltimore. That very moment I got under the fence and into the court yard I could feel the trajectory of my life changing. For the last 10+ years I’ve went on to travel the country to different music festivals doing every job imaginable that goes along with hosting them. I’ve designed stages for nightclubs and festivals, got to DJ with artists I’ve only dreamed about working with, I learned how to do sound and lighting, I got to meet people from all over the world and so on. I don’t endorse sneaking in to places but I’m glad i did because throughout the years i was able to meet so many friends that’ll end up progressing and nurturing my talent. That DJ’s name is Deinfamous, he changed my life, gave me my DJ moniker and became one of my greatest lifelong friends and inspirations.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is MIKILLA, a Baltimore born and raised multi-genre dance music DJ and artist. Music and art have always been a part of my life growing up. My cousin was a savant and could play any instrument he touched, when I was really young he’d always play me the Charlie brown theme song on the piano. From there I went on to play the double bass alongside other instruments, the double bass mainly because I wanted to be in a blue grass band in the future. The high school I went to was for visual arts where I discovered my passion for photography and mixed media art. I created tons of shadow box collages with photos I had taken, took photos at different music events advancing my knowledge on the things that interested me. Although I didn’t continue my education at an art college the learning never stopped. I found myself in DJ’ing. DJ’ing meant I could create my own art for events along with inspiring future artists. I traveled the entire united states selling crystals and jewelry at music festivals and doing any job I could working within them from trash pick-up to Artist relations. I learned how to design stages, run sound and lights, and what it takes logistically to throw the events. Now a days you can find me in Las Vegas, NV playing and hosting different music events around the city and all along the west coast, while teaching people young and old how to DJ. Next on my personal agenda is learning to produce my own music, I’m grateful I’ve met so many friends that are producers over the years I can call up to help me achieve this new journey in the world of music.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Sharing what I’ve learned along my journey with other people is the greatest reward of it all. Actually the person that mentioned me for this interview was the first person I had ever inspired to take on photography and she’s doing wonders with her art (thanks Rodesca!). I’m grateful for the friends who helped nurture my art. Recently I have been working with a child who has autism & muscular dystrophy making collages and showing him things I’ve done in the past. I had left for a few months but when i returned the walls were covered in paintings and collages, I was even told he asked to go to art camp that year. So again, sharing your art and inspiring someone is and will always be the greatest gift of being an artist. The art of being a DJ is getting to share new music and maybe even old in a way someone’s never heard it before opening minds to different styles of music. Oh yeah also getting to meet your favorite musicians and artists is great if you can not get so starstruck you forget how to make words.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
GO OUT AND SUPPORT THEM! Go to that art gallery. Go out to that music venue. Just go. Even if you have no idea who the artist/musician/DJ is get out and go. Attendance is how a lot of people can get bookings to do these things, so by going you’re supporting someone’s art. And since social media plays a huge part now too even just taking one second to like and share something could change the trajectory of someone’s dream.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__mikilla/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djmikilla
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/michaeladonahue
Image Credits
in motion fotoscura