We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Munar Aka Wahine recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
As an Asian female DJ, I am often faced with being the only person in the room representing in the club/events space. It has been a challenge throughout my career, but I focus heavily on showing up as my whole authentic self, with all of my values intact. In moments when I might feel pressured to show up differently to fit in, I remind myself that I am there to represent other Asians and other women in the scene, and all that we have to contribute creatively that is unique and different from whatever might already be represented. I am very aware of the white, hetero-masculine energy that can dominate the club space and I am here to serve as a balance to all of that. Recently I’ve been doing a lot of checking in with myself musically to ensure that I’m not pandering to anyone (audience, promoter, or fellow DJs) because it doesn’t serve me or anyone else in the room to play something that doesn’t represent what I stand for sonically. No one needs to hear more-of-the-same. As a DJ, I’m here to educate listeners on music they may not be familiar with, or to hear familiar music in a new way.
As a result of these very intentional efforts to show up as my whole self, I think I’ve gained a lot of respect from my peers in the scene for playing music that is meaningful and has integrity. That respect goes a long way in terms of being tapped by my peers to DJ at events, appear on radio shows, and other collaborative opportunities.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a DJ, Radio Host, Event Producer, and aspiring Music Producer. As a DJ, audiences can find me playing a mix of downtempo, disco and house music with a world music lean at many venues around town including: Georgia Beer Garden, Muchacho, The Works, El Malo, Palo Santo, The Basement EAV, Buteco, Stereo, Commune, and beyond. In October, I am looking forward to playing some long-established house music scenes for the first time including Toronto, Detroit, and Chicago.
For the remainder of 2024, my focus will be on music production, as well as gearing up to produce some exciting new events for folks who love disco and all of the different types of music that the genre encompasses–from soul, funk, and world music, to nu-disco and proto-house. My aim is to unify the various crews that have been representing disco in all of its rich forms throughout the scene, whilst educating the dance music community on the origins of house music and modern clubbing, as we know it. I hope to host several fun themed events with a strong visual element that will engage audiences in a deeper way.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Curiosity – Being willing to explore and go down musical rabbit holes to find the treasures that lay beneath the surface. Along with that, not allowing myself to get stuck in a certain genre helps keep my sound fresh and unique.
Discipline – When I returned to DJing after a 10 year hiatus, I spent a month preparing for my first big and very important overseas gig (playing at Defected Croatia in 2019). I got up every morning at 5am to practice transitions and listen to music, so that when it came time to perform, I was ready. I continue to prepare for my gigs with similar focus and I believe that it pays off in the quality of my performance. Performance anxiety can pop up at strange times and being prepared is a hedge against those moments that might otherwise catch us off guard.
Integrity – There are many outside pressures to conform to a certain sound, but remaining steadfast in playing the music that I want to represent and represents me, is the best way to communicate clearly with any audience. It’s my special sauce that keeps me from sounding like other DJs. It has also prevented me from suffering DJ burnout, which would definitely happen, if I was to succumb to the pressure of playing music that I don’t feel passionate about.
My advice for new DJs is to not get caught up in trends or popularity. Listen across genres. Play the music that is in your heart. Be intentional about the message you are sending to the audience. Avoid looking to social media for what is good–crowd size is not everything.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My husband, Jonathan has been a massive influence on my ‘ear,’ as someone who has a very elevated taste in music. There are countless artists that he has introduced me to through his eclectic record collection, that have been influential on what I play today. He has also also been a steadfast supporter, always reminding me to educate audiences and play what’s in my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/wahine_dj
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/wahine_dj
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wahinedj/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wahine_dj
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/wahinedj
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