THE FOLLOWING IS AN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
by
Kami

Breesa Renee: Featured DJ

Orange County Raising The Status Quo

Try googling “Top Djs in Los Angeles.” Just try it. Guess what you’ll get. Nothing. For such a commercialized market, electro and Los Angeles, Djs and fame seem to have a love/hate relationship. We know of them. We go to the club and party to their sound – but how many of you really know their names? Technically speaking, you (which = one, and about 1 to 2,000 others – maybe. The closest you’ll get to an answer is an article on the top 5 hottest female DJs in LA by LA Weekly – known more for hits than lack of giggles. Djing in L.A. is a jump off point for getting to know the best and brightest in the business. It is also the ultimate party zone that rivals that of New York, Miami, and San Francisco…What isn’t well known are the plethora of DJ’s streaming out of Orange County…. Opening up the market is a DJ scoping out spot 6; this week we are going down to the deep south – Orange County style.

Currently at Milk Karton DJs and hitting up Imagine Management for national gigs, Breesa Renee is our spotlight DJ this month on Neon Light Show.

NLS: How did you get involved with the company Imagine Management? What are the advantages or disadvantages of being with a company like that?

BR: I became involved with Imagine through a friend. We are a part of the same DJ community, called MKDJs. We're basically a big group of DJs in Orange County that meet up for classes and support one another at our events and give feedback on performances. I've formed a close bond with a lot of them. One of the DJs told me his friend was starting a DJ Management company and was looking for DJs so he referred her to me. She picked up me, and two other MKDJs, Edwin Alzate and Lou Acosta.

NLS: How does you feel about DJing at EDC? How do you prepare for something like that?

BR: Being able to say that I'm going to DJ at EDC this year is crazy!!! I never expected to land something so major so quickly, but it's all thanks to Imagine. Our team is sponsored by SmartWater, so we'll be on call for the SmartWater Lounge all 3 days which is going to be hectic, but definitely worth the exposure. As far as preparation, I am doing everything I can right now to promote myself, by building up my website, creating new mixes, and doing some photoshoots. You never know who's going to come across you, and I want to be sure I portray the strongest image possible when they look me up. I really want to make a name for myself this year so eventually I can take the main stage at EDC!

NLS: Where is your career focused right now? The future?

BR: Right now I'm focusing on building my image. People might hear my sets and like what they hear, but if I don't have a clear image to back it up, they might forget about me. For the near future I'm looking at producing my own tracks. I have some stuff in the works using Ableton, but I need to complete some songs and feel really good about them before I can say I produce. Eventually, of course, I'd like to be on the same level as big name DJs that are touring around the world, living the good life!

NLS: Who are your major influences in EDM?

BR: All my close friends know that I idolize Porter Robinson!! I love his banger tracks with massive drops. He's an amazing producer, and he's only 19! Who better to motivate you than someone younger than you to make you realize that you've been wasting your time haha. I also look up to the typical big hitters like Dada Life, Sander Van Doorn, Wolfgang Gartner, and of course Tiesto.

NLS: Imagine your dream project - now describe it...

BR: My dream would be to create a track that lands on Beatport's top lists. Then I would feel like I've really made it.

NLS: What’s the best stint (meaning gig/event/stunt) you’ve ever pulled?

BR: It's definitely going to be EDC this summer.

NLS: How are the fans?

BR: Fans?! …I have friends that are my biggest supporters that come to a lot of my shows, then I have random people who will hear me play, then they hit me up on Facebook saying how they thought I had an awesome set or something and ask where I'm playing next.

NLS: Describe your sound in a way that will have me locking it on my playlist...

BR: BANGER. I described this to a friend the other day as electro-house with heavy drops that make your heart go UMPH!

Good question... well I use digital control vinyl, so I pride myself on knowing how to beat-match properly, which is a specialty in itself. And most people have told me that the music I play is hard.

NLS: What is like being a DJ in Orange County. Will you migrate north?

BR: Orange County is so diverse and full of opportunity. I love it here, but I definitely can see myself in LA too. I'm definitely open to getting club gigs in LA, and I think that's the next step really.

NLS: Do you get hit on more as a girl or a DJ?

BR: Haha! Actually I get hit on more when I'm not DJing... When I'm DJing, I'm in the zone and don't really notice people. I'll suddenly see a drink in front of me, but don't know who gave it to me. Guys will sometimes approach me after a set, but it's mainly to say good job.

NLS: Wait - what is it like being a female DJ period?

BR: I've always lived in a man's world, meaning I tend to do things where it's typically men in that field. I'm also a video editor and I used to play soccer for many years, so I think DJing alongside a bunch of guys just feels natural. The only difference I'd say is I tend to get noticed more, maybe because I wear dresses, skirts, and heels every now and then.

NLS: What are five things you can’t live without, like electricity?

BR: My Macbook Pro, my turntables, my car, chapstick, and iPhone

NLS: What’s your motto or advice you shout to random passersby?

BR: You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling. - Inception

NLS: Give me a night in the life of....Breesa Renee.

BR: Oh wow... well it usually starts off with a couple coronas and ends up at Denny's or Del Taco and a 4 AM bedtime! Lately I've been going a lot of shows and events throughout the week that has really taken it's toll on me, but it's nothing that a Redbull and 6 PM nap on Fridays can't fix! I figure, while I have the drive and I'm still young, might as well work my ass off 'til I make something of myself. Between practicing, going to friend's events, and my own, I don't have much time to relax.

NLS: $2…Choose one: Laundry duty or bag of Cheetos?

BR: Cheetos puffs

NLS: Ten years from now you will be….

BR: On a big stage performing in front of thousands of people!

NLS: Insider scoop on current/future work:

BR: I'll be DJing at SlideBar in Fullerton on Thursday nights come May, and I'm talking with a venue in Long Beach for a residency on Saturday nights. I'll also be posting a promo video within the next couple months.

Hit up Breesa and get the chance to say, “I knew her when…”

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Interview by: kaMi: Facebook // Twitter