Meet Danielle Johnson | Electronic Music Producer & DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance has changed drastically over the years. When I was younger, I worked odd jobs at odd hours and would spend massive amounts of time in the studio with no breaks. I also hung out with friends and went to see live music constantly, as I had the time and no real liabilities. I now have two kids, run a business, and go to school part time while also trying to sustain my passion for music. If I wanted to accomplish all the things I wanted in life, I would need to learn how to juggle a variety of things while also spending time with my family. When I decided to take on all these major aspects, I was a bit overwhelmed at times. I thought about maybe putting music down again or breaking from school (again), but each thing was too important to me. I had to find a way to balance everything and stay mentally healthy. It is so important to understand that while being productive, you also must take time for yourself. Sometimes that is the hardest task!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is music. I have always played music since I was little, and it is an extension of who I am. As I got older, I started producing electronic music which has been such an amazing journey. I think production allows for boundless creativity, which is what attracts me to it. What I am most proud of is being able to manage making music again considering major life changes and obligations, and sometimes I can even surprise myself with what I can accomplish. Now that I know I can do it, I am most excited for the future of my project. Picking up gigs and releasing music again has been fulfilling, but also approaching my music with a more business mindset has allowed me to push the boundaries and grow professionally. I am ready to take my music to the next level, and I intend to do just that. With that being said, I am eager with anticipation for the release of my new EP, Back to Bassics, set to drop in a couple of months.
I would say that my style of production is unique, as I have been creating a lot of cross genre tracks which pushes the norm in this segment of the industry. I haven’t seen too many artists jump between house and broken beat styles in their production, and I am here to blur those lines a bit. Another aspect that separates me from others is being a female producer. When I started out, the pool of female producers (at least ones getting bookings) was pretty small, but now there are more and more amazingly talented female producers on the come up. With that in mind, being a woman is becoming slightly less of a differentiating factor, but I think that is AWESOME. We need more women producers! I think it can be tough for most women in this industry, and getting to where I am today has not been the easiest of roads. First off, being in a male dominated field will come with its challenges, but that balance has been improving over time as more women have been getting recognition for their talents. Though, the biggest hurdle was becoming a mother. There is a lot of attention that is required raising a family, and there were a few years where I had to put music down completely. It was hard letting that go, but it allowed me to take a step back, re-evaluate, and pick it back up with more tenacity and focus than ever before. Sometimes breaks can help, and even though it was hard, I am extremely pleased with the work that I have put out with my newfound perspective. My music has evolved with me, and it shows.

One piece of advice that helped me with my challenges in music is to never give up and keep pushing. That still rings true today. Every artist has their moments and blocks, but persistence is key. Another key lesson was to not put so much emphasis on what others think. When I stopped trying to be a people pleaser and started making things that felt right to me, things really started to fall into place. That is a lesson I still have to remind myself from time to time.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that we are all in this together, and that we should all support one another. In times of division and hate, it is important to be a beacon of love, respect, empathy, kindness, inclusiveness, and caring for others. Life can be a bumpy road, but with the right mindset, hard work, and surrounding yourself with a supportive environment, you can accomplish just about anything.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One thing I can say is that I LOVE Arizona. There is something truly magical about it, and I would highly recommend anyone to visit. There are multiple things I would plan for a friend. At the top of my list are the Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend near Page, AZ. It is such a beautiful site and was a personal bucket list item for me. Also, you can really get to experience the Navajo Community there and support their local artists. Another amazing place and event in Arizona I love is the Gem and Mineral shows in Tucson. Not only can you browse some mind blowing exotic gems and jewelry from all over the world, but there is also the Gem and Jam Music festival (in which I hope to perform one day). If you are a foodie, Tucson has some of the best authentic Mexican food around. Some of my favorite restaurants are El Rustico, The Little One, La Indita, and Bata . Another fantastic spot in Arizona is Sedona. A magnificent little town, and some even say it has healing properties. The natural beauty of that place is jaw dropping and there are a lot of little pockets to explore. Between those three towns, you can drive through the Grand Canyon to take in the awe of one of the wonders of the world and spend a night or two in Phoenix, where you can pop into a couple speakeasy type places like Killer Whale S*x Club and Valley Bar. Another amazing spot in Phoenix where you can catch some great music is Walter Where House. It is the most magical venue that I know in Phoenix. That may be too much to see in a week, so either a longer trip or a couple trips might be necessary, but even then, I believe it is only scratching the surface of what Arizona has to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a lot of people that played a part in how I ended up here. First of all, my parents always supported me playing music growing up which laid the groundwork of my path. I don’t know if they ever expected me to do it professionally, but here we are! Secondly, all my loved ones, friends, fellow musicians, and fans of my music have given me all the moral support anyone could ask for. There can be highs and lows of being a musician, and I couldn’t get through either without them.
There are a couple institutions that really guided my trajectory as well. The SAE Institute is where I learned how to produce electronic music and use DAWS, such as Ableton Live. That really jump started my electronic music project, which started in 2011. I am also currently wrapping up the Joel Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program, which has really allowed me to sharpen my tools for the business side of music and get real hands-on experience with industry professionals.

Lastly, I just want to shout out to all of the music festivals, promoters, and venues that gave me a shot at performing from the get-go. Getting in front of an audience can be tough, so I have great appreciation for the offers to perform.

Website: www.jirikimusic.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/DJ_Jiriki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DJ_JiRiKi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JiRiKiBass

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8OViUtyv_asRbtReD9EIaw

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/26iKceUpmT14tCFm2cdwaz?si=Jkns-SbgQmuUJ77iT0XbGw&dl_branch=1 http://www.soundcloud.com/jiriki

Image Credits
Alec Robertson