Meet Sardis Disla

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sardis Disla. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sardis below.

Sardis, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?

Through my experiences in nightlife I have learned that effective communication is everything. From the moment you meet someone new in the club to your social media presence, communicating what you are seeking and seek from others will take you where you need to go. For me, there is a delicate balance between over-sharing and being real with people, both in person and online. I understand why some people may not want to share personal content online, but I felt that it was important for me to open up for people to understand where I’m coming from and understand my intentions in a scene that is so fleeting and often fragile. Before I started curating events and DJing my social media presence was slightly stand-offish. I was going for cool and mysterious and didn’t have a strong sense of identity. But I knew that to be successful in nightlife, something that is so intimate, I had to start letting people in and let go. I extended this to the dancefloor, talking openly and honestly with other DJs, promoters, and venue owners. Trust is everything in nightlife. As a DJ and promoter, you’re asking people to leave their homes and pay money to come to you. They’re trusting you to deliver an escape, an experience, or just a good night out after a week of work. And in an industry where it’s all too easy for people to get taken advantage of, it is necessary. When you’re in a space where deals are done via word of mouth, and there’s money and opportunities promised that people rely on, you have to be a good communicator if you are going to have longevity. Communication is a skill that you need to continually work on, and in a post-pandemic society, it has become more difficult for people to do so. But generally speaking, if you’re open, honest, and genuine it’s something that should come more easily to you.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

People know me as Quetamine, I am a DJ and founder of Corruption, a queer and kink-centered event based in Miami. Although I am not a Miami native, I am very grateful to have been able to come here and contribute something to the underground nightlife scene. Corruption is the only event of its kind, unique to Miami since there aren’t many spaces dedicated to that kind of experience. I have lived in multiple cities and I believe it has given me a unique perspective that allows me to contribute something new and exciting to the Miami scene, both in my events and my DJing. The support for my visions has been immense from the beginning, and my life has completely changed thanks to the continued support from the community here.

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?

Ideas – It all starts with an idea, I know that’s vague but for me, it starts by experiencing new things so that I gain inspiration for how to become a part of something/how to contribute. You should ask yourself:

Do you have ideas that would contribute to whatever industry/space you want to be a part of? Do you know how to use your skills to contribute to an existing project/space?

Communication – Like I said before, communication is everything. How do you communicate with your community?

Execution – Do you have the resources and support to execute your vision? Remember that its okay to start small and grow, its more important to do things right than to overextend yourself and reach burnout too quickly.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am always looking for people who share a similar vision for what I do. Nightlife is a continuous practice that requires working with others I am always open to new opportunities and ideas. Most of the connections and collaborations I do stem from social media, but you can always email me as well.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: quetamine.png
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Photo credit:

@1800l0lita
@zippeee
@vanessacoy
@someparadise