We recently connected with Pratik Satrawala and have shared our conversation below.

Pratik, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I have been a DJ since 2011, and then a producer since 2022. I have always struggled with managing my 2 life; one being a regular guy with professional job and career, then trying to get myself into the industry as a DJ. I used to go to college in the morning and by the evening I was playing clubs and events. Even today I am living the same life with 2 roles; a regular 9-5 job in Pharma in Philadelphia, USA and produce music in the evening when I get home and try to promote myself everywhere. This has always triggered doubts in me about if I will be able to ever make it to a successful stage while doing 2 different things in life. And, the problem is I can’t give up my primary job as it pays for my family, food and roof over my head. Not having this liberty has always pushed me, punched my moral down and made me doubt myself multiple times. But I take it as another motivation and “One day I will make it”!

Pratik, 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 started my journey when I was 13 years old. It was when I saw a local DJ performing at a wedding that sparked something in me. After speaking to my parents about it, it obviously ended with a no from them and I was told to focus on my studies and career. Luckily I still convinced my mom and she gave me the money to get trained at a local DJ workshop, this was in 2011. After that, I just practiced everyday nonstop for 3 months which made me very comforatble with the decks and good understanidng of mixing difficult songs and do complicated transitions. Slowly I started getting gigs and started my journey but then life happened and I had to focus on my job and MBA. This was all in India but in 2017 I came to US for Masters. I tried to network and started playing in Boston, MA, US in 2018 for a Bollywood promotor. Eventually I started learning music production in 2022 online via Zoom calls with a teacher in India.
My unique skill which sets me apart is how well I can read the room and understand the mood of the audience. Additionally, my selection of remixes and tracks as well as their transitions have been my key factor for success. I am an open format DJ so I never focus on what I want to play or what is just popular, I always focus on my client’s taste and preference. I always do my homework, research and study to make sure I am 110% prepared for my gigs.
My most proud moment was when I played a private event for an Indian-American wedding, I had very hard time to shuffle the mood of the crowd but still was able to make them dance and nobody was leaving the floor. At the end, everybody clapped on closing and the couple gave me some couple of $100 additional on top of the payment because they were very happy with the session and they even mentioned I was able to make their wedding night very memorable and special.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, when I am playing a party and I see people screaming and singing the songs out loud that just gives me bliss and so much of satisfaction, Also, many a times I see people sweating and tired of dancing but I pull up another banger and they give me a look like “what are you doing to me”, of course in a happy excited way and then they start dancing again! All these moments gives me so much more power and moral support to keep going and make people happy as well as give them best times.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I started my Djing journey I used to always play what I liked for myself like which gave me the adrenaline rush. I would play top hits and my personal fav.s thinking that people will also like them but eventually it hit me in the face with empty dance floors and people leaving the floor in between the sessions. Lately after coming to the US when I started my journey again, I changed my srtategy and began playing what people would dance to not what my personal favourites were. It turned out to be a great startegy and since then I have been following this and that has made my Djing stronger and better. Because ultimately its about the people not you! Of course you have the skills and talent, people are coming to listen to you but they are coming to have a good time at first place which is our as DJs is the key responsibility.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeatbanger/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DjBeatbanger/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satrawalapratik/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamBeatbanger
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djpratiek-satrawala
• Other: Threads – https://www.threads.com/@iambeatbanger?xmt=AQF0H6sItSUEbSXYKF2qM29fr9PXiaHrPtebIq3DELhhMHo