Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rain VanHecke. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rain, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
My mom always told me to be authentic—“people can tell when you’re genuine and when you’re not.” That advice has guided me throughout my life, especially when I’ve been the only one in the room who looks the way I do. I’ve never really blended in: I have long purple hair, visible tattoos, and a style that leans goth or even a little 90s skater. Early on, I thought about changing my look just to fit in—toning down my style, covering my tattoos—but I realized that would mean being disingenuous to myself. It’s taken me nearly 40 years to fully embrace my differences, and once I did, everything changed.
Being authentic has made me approachable. When I carry myself with a smile and show that I’m enjoying myself, people are naturally drawn in. I’ve found that energy is contagious—if you look like you’re having a good time, others feel comfortable around you. That’s helped me connect with people who may not share my style or background, because they can still feel my positivity and openness.
Over time, I’ve learned that what makes me stand out is also what makes me successful. Conforming might make you blend in, but it doesn’t make you memorable. By staying true to my principles, embracing my story, and not being afraid to share it, I’ve built genuine connections and earned respect. Everyone has a story worth telling, and mine resonates most when I’m unapologetically myself.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I like to joke that I work three jobs: my day job at Amazon, my night job as a DJ, and my full-time role as a partner and mom to two kids. At Amazon, I’m an Ops Management Coordinator on the Asset Management/Transition team, where I coordinate with construction teams, utility companies, and vendors to drive energy efficiency. But music has always been the heartbeat of my life.
I’m a first-generation American—my family immigrated from Belgium in the 1950s—and I grew up in Southern California surrounded by music. My parents were Beatles fans, and I was a kid of the MTV era, glued to music videos. I was always the one with the biggest CD collection, the one people asked to bring music to parties. That love of music eventually pulled me into sound engineering, and later into DJing. What hooked me most was realizing the DJ sets the energy of the room—when the music connects, people light up, dance, and share joy together. That’s when I knew this was my calling.
Since then, I’ve built a career I truly love. I’m now a resident DJ for various Portland and Vancouver venues and perform at clubs, festivals, and conventions, from local spots like White Owl and Sanctuary PDX to RollerCon in Las Vegas. I specialize in genres like Drum & Bass, House, Nu-Disco, Progressive, and Trance, and I also run a full mobile DJ setup for weddings, school dances, and private events. Beyond live performance, I host my own monthly radio show Purple Jamz on Same Wave Radio and co-host the Ghost Heads Nerd Talk Podcast.
Outside of music, I’m a roller skater, a former roller derby player, and an accomplished Ghostbusters prop builder. I serve as Prop and Uniform Coordinator—and team medic—for the Portland Ghostbusters. It’s a creative community that lets me merge craftsmanship, fandom, and fun.
At the heart of everything I do—whether it’s DJing, radio, or props—is the drive to create connection and joy. I don’t chase fame; I do it because I love bringing energy, authenticity, and fun into the room. That’s what excites me, and that’s the thread tying all of my projects together.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Authenticity has been my foundation. Whether in a corporate role or on stage as a DJ, being true to who I am has helped me build trust and genuine connections. My advice for anyone starting out is: don’t try to copy someone else’s path—lean into what makes you unique, because that’s what will set you apart.
Adaptability has also been huge. My journey hasn’t been straightforward—I’ve worked in many different industries, tried college but couldn’t afford to finish, and at times I felt completely lost. There were years when I drifted without direction, even experiencing homelessness and selling off my music gear just to get by. It taught me that life rarely moves in a straight line, and that every detour still gives you skills you can carry forward. For those early in their journey, I’d say: embrace being a beginner, and don’t be afraid to pivot—those pivots can become part of your strength later.
Finally, persistence. This one is deeply personal for me. I’m a two-time suicide survivor, and for a long time I felt cursed with bad luck and despair. But even when I had no hope left, I just kept moving forward. Music was always the spark that reminded me why I was here, even when I couldn’t fully pursue it. That persistence—showing up, surviving the hardest days, and slowly rebuilding—has carried me further than I could have imagined. My advice here: celebrate the small wins, hold onto the things that make you feel alive, and remember that even if you feel stuck, moving forward one step at a time is still progress.
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?
The most influential person in my journey has been my mom. She passed away in 2018 after her third battle with cancer, and losing her was devastating. She was my best friend—we talked every day—and I miss her terribly. But everything I am, I owe to her.
She was born in Liège, Belgium, and moved to Canada in the 1950s, later relocating to the U.S. She became a U.S. citizen in 1988, building a life defined by resilience, creativity, and compassion. She was a talented artist and nail designer, a campus dean, an executive in the beauty industry, an office manager, a city council member as a disaster preparedness coordinator, a volunteer, and even my soccer coach in the ’80s. She was a true Jill of all trades, endlessly adaptable, and I see so much of her in myself. Like her, I’ve built a career out of versatility—drawing on skills from music, tech, art, and leadership to create my own unique path.
What I carry most from her, though, is her authenticity and kindness. She taught me to be true to myself, to stand up for others, and to give even when you have little. She instilled my love of music—I grew up listening to The Beatles with her—and she modeled what it looks like to live fully, even in hard times. When I think about my own journey through setbacks and challenges, I realize I’m living out the lessons she gave me. The way I approach DJing, building community, and even raising my own kids all come from her example. I’m proud to be her daughter, and everything I do carries a piece of her forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://djpurplerain.com/
- Instagram: @rainvanhecke_purplerain
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainvanhecke
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/purplerain_76
- Other: MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/SuperRain/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/purplejamz76
Image Credits
@devanstonphoto, @nitrate_fox
