Dj Manuel Padilla (Manny Fresh) He has been involved in Mobile DJ work since 1998. He started out in 1998 assisting the late Ā Dj Boogie Man George. Heās performed in thousand of events from small private parties to largeĀ outdoor raves with attendances of over 1500 fans. DJ Manuel knows his crowd and gives them what they want to hear, whether itās Hip-Hop mix with rock, or old school top 40 fromā¦
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Here at 8tracks we take just as much pride in our ātastemakersā as they do in their mixtapes, which is why we canāt stop shining the spotlight on our best DJs! Today, we bring you our friend from the Great White North, Myra (aka WildernessQueen), a student in piano who views music as a way to shake off worry and anxiety. And clearly she knows a thing or two about the stress of hard work; sheās only been with us since April, yet somehow managed to publish nearly 100 mixtapes since joining! In fact, sheās been one of the biggest contributors to our #back8tracks DJ contest in support of our ongoing crowdfunding campaign.
Explore investing in 8tracks here
Myraās work on 8tracks spans a broad range, from tracks that help you feelĀ the summertime vibesĀ all year roundĀ to mixtapes that provideĀ a feeling of catharsisĀ we all need so badly. It makes sense, considering Myra enjoys so many different genres, describing herself as "a big mess" when it comes to defining her own taste. Luckily, 8tracks is āa community where no one would judge you for your interesting taste in music but enjoy it instead,ā says Myra. And this philosophy is apparent in her playlist creation style, drawing inspiration from others in the 8tracks community and songs she may have heard on the radio to help her create selections that flow perfectly together - transporting you to a wilderness youāll want to get lost in.
Be sure to
follow Myra on 8tracks
and while youāre at it, check out a few of her favorite DJs:
A new day has dawned, and itās time to shine our spotlight on a new DJ! This week weāre happy to introduce you to Emmi, a 28 year old computer science student from Oceanside, California. You may know her better as DJSharkPants. And if this is the first time youāre hearing of her, itās time to make some serious changes in your life.
With a collection ranging from The Music Of Grand Theft Auto V to āevery... single... song... from all six seasons of The L Word,ā Emmi enjoys everything from electronic to relaxation music. As long as itās got synth, rhythm, or āan amazing melodyā to keep her interested, sheās happy. In between listening sessions though she finds other things to keep her interested, such as learning about classical ballet or watching Pretty Little Liars for the trashy pop music. (Itās okay Emmi, weāre right there with ya.)
A lifelong fan of the mixtape, she originally heard about 8tracks through a friend who described it as āthe perfect placeā for her to share her āgiftā with others. We couldnāt agree more, her playlists absolutely are a gift! Emmi has a certain secret technique when it comes to making playlists, but unfortunately for her, weāre terrible blabbermouths. So, in case you were wondering, the key is to āmake a playlist with only 8 tracks because listenersā attention spans are short. It also keeps the theme pretty compact.ā If youāve yet to make a playlist, take advice from one of our best DJs, and try it today!
Thanks again for being such an amazing part of our community, Emmi, and for sharing your gift with everyone on 8tracks. Keep up the incredible work. Canāt wait to hear more mixes from you soon!
For being so incredibly supportive of our crowdfunding journey and our #back8tracks campaign weāre putting the DJ spotlight this week on Glenn McCrary. Weāve also hooked him up with a free year of 8tracks+! His playlists run the gamut from deep house to mixes that are so good they could be considered foreplay. Check the link out above to listen to some of his mixes.
So for our DJ Spotlight series we like to ask our DJs a few questions about themselves and why they use 8tracks to get some insight. Glenn isĀ ācurrently in school taking DJ and production courses. I plan to go back to college and earn a degree in music businessā so we decided to ask:
What song/album never fails to make you cry?
Glenn:Ā āI have cried to a lot of different songs and/or albums but I don't cry every single time I listen to them Or, conversely, what song/album never fails to make you smile? The album that always makes me smile is "The 20/20 Experience" by Justin Timberlake Please explain why? This album makes me smile because it came out on the birthday of a girl who really liked and also because it is by one of my favorite artists of all time as well as produced by one of my favorite producers of all time. It is also one of the best albums in the world. Is there a story? Yes. I didn't meet the girl until Halloween of that year (2013) but had a dream about her prior to us meeting and she has inspired me more than anything to chase my dreams of being a professional DJ/Producer. She knows who she is.ā
Have you ever given a love interest a mix tape or a playlist?
Glenn:Ā āYes. When I was sixteen I gave this girl who I liked at the time a playlist of all of the songs that I liked and I thought were some of the coolest songs at the time over the course of a 1 to 3 year span. If so, what was on that playlist? I had Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, Michael Jackson and Prince among some of the artists on the mix. How did you choose the songs? Well I already had the songs pre arranged on my hard drive to begin with so it was just a matter of me putting them into an order that I thought best. Ā How old were you? 16 What did you like about this person? I liked her personality and her charm and wittiness as well as her spontaneous and adventurous way of living.ā
What music or specific bands remind you of being young?
Glenn:Ā ā*NSYNC and Backstreet Boys as far as band specivity. Music would have to be Electronic Dance Music Why? I grew up listening to a lot of late 90's/early 00's bands which includes *NSYNC & Backstreet Boys which are my top two favorites. EDM because I just love the energetic and youthful vibes that it creates within me and millions of others in the world.ā
Why is the 8tracks crowdfunding journey so important to you?
Glenn:Ā āThis crowdfunding journey is important to me because it will open up even more possibilities and experience as well as continue to revolutionize the historically and influentially iconic monument that is 8tracks. We are the future of radio! :)ā
Big thanks again to Glenn for being such an active member of the 8tracks family and for being so supportive of everything we do. For a chance to be a part of our DJ Spotlight series, tag your playlist with #back8tracks!
Vaasu is a guy who knows his music. Donāt believe us? Check out his 8tracks account, HarmonicVibrations. His playlists tend to fall heavy on the chill side, but we can all use more of that, so weāre more than happy to have him as part of our amazing and talented community.
He recently turned 24 years old, and has goals to start a blog with some friends and other 8tracks users. His long term goal is to be self-employed and to serve humanity in a way thatās different from just a 9-5 job. Something that not only brings joy to people, but is also enriching for the environment we live in. Iām not quite sure what it is just yet but I have a feeling Iāll find out when the time is right.
What a guy right?! Heās not afraid to say that learning is one of his favorite things to do. Whether it be sociological interaction, history, or the universe. I love finding articles or shows about whatās out there in this absolutely MASSIVE place we live in.
We exchanged some emails with our dear future world changer Vaasu to ask him some questions about himself, 8tracks, and everything in between. Click read more to get the details.Ā
Follow him on 8tracks:Ā https://8tracks.com/harmonicvibration
How and when did you discover 8tracks?
Back in early 2013, my friend created an account and began publishing playlists and introduced it to our friend group. He goes by ResidualSound.
If you were to recommend 8tracks to other people, how would you describe it?
Itās a place where people from all over the world can share their love of music, and find like-minded individuals who are passionate about the same things. Even if youāre just listening to someone elseās playlists, itās an interaction because they are sharing part of themselves with you, and youāre both united in your love of the music. It truly is the universal language. Ā
What is your favorite thing about 8tracks?
The ability to share your musical taste with people and interact with like-minded individuals around the world. Also, finding new music on other peopleās playlists is awesome, even though I already listen to way too much music already!
How would you describe your musical taste and general direction of your playlists?
I like to think I have a fairly diverse musical taste, even though I tend to focus on electronic music. On my page, youāll find playlists ranging from classical/instrumental to hip-hop to emerging genres like future bass. Luckily, itās all sorted by genre or mood for ease of listening ;)
Music is one of my greatest passions, and the perfect soundtrack to life. I make playlists for every mood, whether itās a Friday night pre-party or an early morning yoga practice. I like to sift through my sources to find the freshest sounds, and, no offense to those that like to make mixes of popular songs, thatās just not my style. There are a few well-known artists or songs that Iāve used, but I try and find remixes of popular songs rather than just replicate a Top 10 chart. I want to bring something new to my listeners, songs that will inspire them to find more music by the artists I feature, and that will introduce them to new genres.
What tag combination do you typical explore with?
A lot of my playlists are chiller so āchillā is a pretty common tag for me. From there I can dive into a combination of genre and mood (e.g. electronic/party/dance, study/instrumental/relax, indie/electronic/happy etc.)
Tell us a little bit about your playlist making process.Ā
There are usually ~15 playlists under construction at any given time on my account, covering the various genres I represent. As I find new songs, they get placed into the playlists. Once a playlist nears completion, I can organize and pick my favorites and place them at the top. However, there are times when I hear a song or re-listen to something in my library that simply inspires me to make a whole playlist within a matter of minutes.
I actually have a folder on my computer of artwork collected from a variety of sources, and itās all sectioned by mood/genre for the types of playlists I create. So it really depends; sometimes the artwork fuels the mix, and other times the songs help me choose the artwork. On some playlists, Iāve used my own photographs or done some original overlays and edits to create the artwork.
Where do you find inspiration and the music you curate in your playlists?
The inspiration comes from my love of sharing what I enjoy with people, and 8tracks is the perfect platform to do just that. Iād say the bulk of my music comes from Soundcloud and YouTube subscriptions, combined with artist/song suggestions from my friends.
What is your favorite playlist that you made and why?
Itās a toss up between Free Your Mind and Awaken, as theyāre basically one playlist split into 2 parts. I like them because theyāre the most thought-inducing playlists in my collection, making you question your existence, but in a good way. And the responses Iāve received on them have been really cool to read.
The playlists contain speeches by exceptional human beings such as Alan Watts, Joe Rogan, and Neil Degrasse Tyson. I absolutely loved space and cosmology growing up, and actually wanted to be an astronaut for the longest time. I know that dream is shared by a lot of people, but mankindās connection with the cosmos fascinates me, right from Ancient Egyptian history to the SETI institute (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence). It really helps put things into perspective in terms of our place within the universe, and makes me excited about the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
What are you current 3 favorite playlists (not your own) and why?
Can I pick more than 3? Haha there are just so many awesome mixes! Lately, Iāve been enjoying the Focus collection by Impossible.Soul. Itās a series of jazzy instrumental type songs that are perfect for those productive hours.
Another one I thoroughly enjoyed was āThis will change the way you think.ā by CiaraMurphy. It was actually the playlist that provided the spark for the 2 inspirational mixes that Iāve created, and really got me to reevaluate a lot of things. Ā Ā
And I really like āSpring Chillsā by LeAwesomeKiki due to the awesome remixes used in the mix, and the overall mood of the playlist.
How would you describe the 8tracks community?
I think no matter what your musical preferences are, youāre part of the same 8tracks family. Thereās a lot of give and take as people introduce each other to different kinds of music and share ideas, free of limitations caused by physical distance and cultural differences. Some of the interactions Iāve had with other users have been nothing short of amazing, and totally unexpected. Going through the comments section on my playlists is always a pleasant surprise, and I try to take the time to respond to each one (even if it does take a few days sometimes).
Who are 3 of your favorite DJs on 8tracks and why?
This is an unfair question because I could write pages about some of the awesome DJs in the community, as each one has a different approach to their musical selection and does certain things really well. However since Iām limited to 3, Iād have to go with the following:
ResidualSound, because he has spectacular taste in music and an abundance of awesome playlists (which is why I couldnāt pick one by him for my 3 favorite playlists).
Impossible.Soul, who has shown me a lot of awesome artists over the last few months, and put out a lot of wicked mixes to boot! She also happens to share my love for Oh Wonder!
Mariane PG, as she has an extremely diverse musical taste. Her playlists are nice and long, and usually result in me discovering at least a few new, awesome tracks.
Do you have a memorable moment that happened because of 8tracks?Ā
I think my favorite moment was when an artist who goes by the name of Unfamiliar Identity messaged me after hearing my playlist Free Your Mind, saying it had inspired him/her to start a new project. Since then, weāve been talking back and forth throughout the production process. Iāve had a chance to provide periodic feedback and help pick a name for the track, and will be sure to feature it on one of my future playlists once itās complete!
In the meantime, you can find more music by Unfamiliar Identity here: https://soundcloud.com/unfamiliaridentity. Itās a blend between orchestral and electronic, and is perfect for studying!
Do you have a favorite meme or GIF?
Iām not a big meme person, but this gif always gets me: http://i.imgur.com/bSE9nTM.gif
Who is your dream artist youād love to see perform?
There are so many, but right now Iād say Oh Wonder. All the songs theyāve released so far have been magical; I canāt wait for their album tour this fall!
What are the first albums of music you owned?
I grew up listening to my dadās music, including artists like the Beatles and the Carpenters. The first album I actually ever owned was The Party Album by Vengaboysā¦hahaha
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Weāve been searching far and wide for more amazing contributing 8tracks DJs, so get ready for more amazing stories and music tastes.Ā
This week, weāre highlighting Valery. You may be surprised to read that this 26 year old London native, has a BA in Japanese, a MSc in Psychology, and is currently trying to gain enough experience for a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Wow, right?Ā
As a lover of language, volunteering, statistics, and neuroscience, and the occasional urban mischief, you can probably gather that she has an interesting and unique taste in music.Ā
We asked Valery a few questions about herself, and her experiences with 8tracks. You can follow her profile on 8tracks at cinnamonmocha
Whatās your 8tracks name?
cinnamonmocha
How and when did you discover 8tracks?
I donāt remember how exactly, but I stumbled across 8tracks in 2010, and clearly, itās been a captivating experience.
If you were to recommend 8tracks to other people, how would you describe it?
A cool place to hang out.
What is your favorite thing about 8tracks?
Never-ending cycle of playlists. I guess itās as addictive as wikipedia. You know, when you only load it to look for a certain thing and five hours later youāre still on it. Other djāing mixtape websites just donāt get me like 8tracks does.
How would you describe your musical taste and general direction of your playlists?
My music tastes are pretty vast. Thereās a lot that I listen to that doesnāt make it into the playlists. When it comes to playlists, I find myself drifting toward pretty dreamy and sensual tones, sometimes with a dash of glitchy goodness. Ā You will also find that synthpop and that kind of 80ās electro energy are my favourite. And of course, a secret stash of witch house volumes.
What tag combination do you typical explore with?
electronic + experimental + dreampop
Tell us a little bit about your playlist making process.
My playlists are arranged either by going for a similar feel or around one particular song. Either way, the songs have to compliment each other and the entire playlist has to come together to be just right to make a perfect arrangement, even if it means leaving that one super special and super awesome song that you want everyone to hear until the very end.
Some of my playlists just sit unpublished for months until I can find the right songs to complete them.
Where do you find inspiration and the music you curate in your playlists?
Anything that grabs my attention. Sometimes it's a TV advert, or an awkward song on a store radio.
What is your favorite playlist that you made?
http://8tracks.com/cinnamonmocha/doping-droning was my first try to compile a witch house playlist that kick started Witching Kitty anthologies. An assortment of hauntingly dark tribal beats still has me spellbound. I donāt know why, but I remember feeling so nervous about publishing it, haha
What are your favorite playlists?
http://8tracks.com/wildfl0wer/sleep-under-the-stars-Ā One of my favourite easy listening playlists <3 Itās so unbearably tranquil.
http://8tracks.com/ablank/after-sundown-in-heartbeat-city-Ā Just canāt get enough of that Get Lucky cover.
http://8tracks.com/blakegilbert/it-s-dark-i-m-disoriented-Ā Darker edge of electronic and sensual witchy goodness.
http://8tracks.com/nuno-castro/this-new-thing-Ā Tastefully dreamy and upbeat at the same time.
How would you describe the 8tracks community?
Pretty cool and chilled out. I think generally a pretty positive bunch of people who just love music and want to share with others.
Who are 3 of your favorite DJs on 8tracks and why?
http://8tracks.com/nuno-castro - every single playlist is expertly rendered and tastefully arranged making me always anticipate any updates from him.
http://8tracks.com/blakegilbert - blakegilbert is always ready to please with really ace glitchy trippy goodness.
http://8tracks.com/c-ves Ā - a secret place to go to "discover your inner witchā
I know you said 3, but - http://8tracks.com/ablank , because I like his ways.
Do you have a memorable moment that happened because of 8tracks?
I made a few close friendships through 8tracks. I love that about 8tracks. You can just leave a shoutout, like itās no big deal, but you never know where itāll go. Music is definitely something that I connect with people though. I know that my tastes are eclectic and weird at times, but I appreciate and love all my followers who seem to share my mild insanity <3 x
Social media links (if applicable, because we want to give you shout outs and virtual hugs)Tumblr Ā http://cinnamonmocha.tumblr.com
What goals do you have for next year (or longer term)?
Top priority right now is to learn to scuba dive and swim with whale sharks.
Do you have a favorite meme or GIF?
Who is your dream artist youād love to see perform?
The Jesus and Mary Chain and WEEKEND WOLVES <3
What are the first albums of music you owned?
Spice Girls, Spiceworld - my 9 year old self has no regrets.
Youāve probably seen this weekās Featured DJās playlists around 8tracks. His cover photo choices often make you wish you could teleport. Teleport to the beautiful serene places, ideal for lounging and relaxing. Whoās this DJ you wonder? Well itās Tony, known to the 8tracks community as AKHL08.Ā
If you enjoy chill, feel good music then youāll love this weekās Featured DJ. Even if you donāt like this style of music, youāll love this weekās Featured DJ. We highly recommend that you listen to a playlist from his rooftop series, the pictures alone leave us breathless.Ā
The 26 year old currently lives in London and loves food. Not many people will own up to the foodie label but Tony has the dream to bridge food with music. Not only is he hard at work to bring this blog alive, he also is determined to continue his piano practice.Ā
We asked Tony a few questions so take a minute and check out his interview below. Be a nice person and follow Tony on 8tracks and his various social channels :)Ā
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/akhl08
Twitter ā https://twitter.com/AKHL08
Instagram ā https://instagram.com/akhl08/
Tumblr - http://akhl08.tumblr.com
Who is your dream artist youād love to see perform?Ā
Really into French house at the moment. So would love to see Kartell and Darius.
What are the first albums of music you owned?Ā
Children by Robert Miles. First album that got me really into electronica music.
Whatās your 8tracks name? ā AKHL08
How and when did you discover 8tracks?Ā
I think it was through a tech blog I read on twitter on new emerging music websites. The power of social media hey. Never looked back since
If you were to recommend 8tracks to other people, how would you describe it?Ā
I canāt speak of 8tracks highly enough. 8tracks is a deeply engaging music platform to express yourself.
What is your favorite thing about 8tracks?Ā
Discovering new music from people who share similar style to myself.
How would you describe your musical taste and general direction of your playlists?
Gosh my taste varies depending on my mood. I am currently really into Jazz-Hop and French House. Jazz-Hop is one of those genres you can listen to, for any occasion. So you can expect another coffee playlist very soon.
What tag combination do you typical explore with?
Chill, Study, Summer, Lounge, House, Good Vibes
Tell us a little bit about your playlist making process.Ā
I follow various artists on Soundcloud. When I like a sound that are similar I will compile them into a playlist to give a it a theme. This is the main building blocks to my playlists.
The cover photo is the final stage of the process. As the photo has to reflect the identify of the playlist. I use a caption across all my playlists āthis is the lifeā. Which gives all my playlists a ābrandā you could say.
Where do you find inspiration and the music you curate in your playlists?Ā
I guess my inspiration is constantly hearing new genres of music. Ā It is so difficulty these days to pin point exact genres as new genres are created every minute.
What is your favorite playlist that you made?Ā
I guess my first ever rooftop playlist. It was a sound I was really loving at the time and thought it would be good idea to compile them into one playlist. But little did I know over 1,000 people shared the same love for this. This playlist has been by far the most successfully playlist I have ever created.
What are you current 3 favorite playlists?
Living on heights by Indira Tjokorda ā Love the rooftop vibes
The Lounge ā Beats&Noodles ā All his jazz-hop playlists are just perfect. Every song has its place in the playlist.
If I Owned Urban Outfitters 3 ā JoanneKim It does exactly what it says on the tin. I can see all these songs playing in the background in Urban Outfitters.
How would you describe the 8tracks community?
Itās amazing. The feedback I get from the community is very touching which give me more of an incentive to continue to make great playlist for the community. Great quote below:
āSeriously, whenever I'm really tired and in urgent need to relax and clear my head, I put on one of your remixes. or sometime when im lacking a sensation that it's weekend :) your remixes are just so good !ā - irina.serenity
Who are 3 of your favorite DJs on 8tracks?
Beats&Noodles ā My inspiration for Jazz-Hop. Without him I would have never discovered Jazz-Hop.
JoanneKim ā She has 12,000 followers for a reason lol
Indira Tjokorda ā Loving her living on the heights series. Breathtaking. Clearly spent a lot on time perfecting it.
Sheās a 21 year old student living in New York City. Even though sheās working on a double major in finance and accounting, she still finds the time to create amazing playlists on 8tracks. How does she find the time? Well itās because making playlists is her hobby, sanctuary, and a place where she feels comfortable to express herself creatively.Ā
We asked her a myriad of questions so read more below to learn what her favorite tags are, artists she dreams about watching live, and her favorite playlists.Ā
Follow Sarah on 8tracks (8tracks.com/saraherv) to stay up to date with all her playlists.Ā
How and when did you discover 8tracks?
I stumbled upon (using StumbleUpon) 8tracks about four to five years ago while browsing in StumbleUponās music section. I was taken to a page of a very popular 8tracks playlist that had some of the best classical music. It would be lovely if I could remember the name of the playlist, or still had the link somewhere, but I still remember that day! How could I not?
If you were to recommend 8tracks to other people, how would you describe it?
I usually describe it as a growing, open, and friendly community of DJs looking to inspire others with music, and listeners looking to broaden their music taste or use some inspiration.
What is your favorite thing about 8tracks?
After being part of the 8tracks community for quite a while, Iāve found that every DJ on 8tracks is an artist in their own way. Getting to know other users and their different tastes and styles is such a wonderful part of the 8tracks experience. We help each other discover new music and expand our taste every day. I have met wonderful people on 8tracks who I can relate to, and a few of them have become close friends of mine. They mean the world to me.
How would you describe your musical taste and general direction of your playlists?
As someone who has gone through different phases of classic, underground, mainstream, foreign, video game theme and just the weirdest music, I can honestly say that my musical taste is pretty eclectic. However, I donāt show my musical history on 8tracks. When I first joined 8tracks, I had just discovered modern underground and mainstream EDM. Modern EDM is mainly what Iāve been enjoying for about four years now, and what my playlists have mostly been about. My followers enjoy it just as much as I do, and I intend to continue in the same direction.
What tag combination do you typical explore with?
chill + electronic
Tell us a little bit about your playlist making process.Ā
A new playlist idea is usually inspired by a new song I hear. It could also be inspired with a mood, idea, or image, but more often a song. I begin to create a collection of songs similar to that vibe on soundcloud. Overall, my playlist making process is a step process that takes about a week or two to complete. Sometimes itāll take working on a playlist for a month or two, and I just spend all that time figuring out the best music and look for the playlist. Since Iāve started making playlists, Iāve created quite the collection of photos and music files in my personal storage. My friends always say that Iām extremely dedicated to making my playlists. I didnāt realize this until I found out how others make their playlists. Looking for inspiration, collecting music and cover photos, and going on downloading binges does take some of my time, but hey, I love doing it.
Where do you find inspiration and the music you curate in your playlists?
I find that it is important to keep up with artists and their new works, since they are the moving heads of modern music. Trending music channels and teams do a good job at showing off those new works. While they are important inspirations, having an inspiring idea or mood is also important. I feel like that is a creative way to make playlists that people can relate to.
What is your favorite playlist that you made and why?
āFuture Bass & Distant Worldsā- This playlist is my most favorite right now, because it offers some of the best future music, which is one of the genres that are trending right now. Itās inspired me to make my own future playlist, which is coming up soon.
āUnityā- zllynch did such a great job in bringing my current favorite genre of music out to the crowd! Cheers, friend.
āAlice in Acidland.ā-Ā Just anything with Alice.
How would you describe the 8tracks community?
As aforementioned, I usually describe it as a growing, open, and friendly community of DJs looking to inspire others with music, and listeners looking to broaden their music taste or use some inspiration.
Who are 3 of your favorite DJs on 8tracks?
@JoanneKim- She was the first person I ever followed on 8tracks four to five years ago, and who inspired me to bring about my own taste to the community. She has her own great taste, yet still manages to make it universal. I mean, the girl has diamonds. About a year later, she became a fan of my playlists, and it was one of the best feelings ever. Now she is a great pal of mine.
@peppermintn- This girl is incredible. Her taste is so sexy and diverse, and Iāve been a loyal fan of hers for as long as I can remember. I find her overall taste to be one of the most unique and attractive on 8tracks. Iām not surprised sheās collaborated with lots of the well-known DJs in the community.
@zllynch- He has grown to be one of my favorite DJs for delivering such a unique taste to the community. His works deliver my current favorite style of music, which is getting more popular now. Heās inspired me to also deliver some of the most unique sounds from that area of music. Iām excited for him as he continues to head in the direction heās in as his own 8tracks artist.
Do you have a memorable moment that happened because of 8tracks?Ā
I have quite the memory that impacted my life! Around May 2014, I met up with two 8tracks users for the first time ever. They were both fans of my playlists, and it was the first time I had ever met any of my followers. We went to see Shlohmo perform at the Music Hall of Williamsburg that night, and it is such a memorable night. We all became close friends, and continue to have many music outings and experiences together. Iād say they were my first soul friends ever, since I had never had any friends who shared the same music taste as mine. They influenced me to have more music outings and experiences, and Iāve grown to show appreciation for my favorite artists at their shows. It would have never happened without 8tracks.
Do you have a hobby that youāre really proud of?
The hobby that Iām the most proud of is making playlists on 8tracks. I always felt alien to the world since I was very young. It was when I was in grade school that I discovered something powerful in the magic of music ā a sanctuary. Music became my home...my savior when in sadness. Eventually, I found my spot in the crowd. I learned to express myself creatively, using my artistic and musical traits as my natural directors, like any artist would. While creating art is just as powerful, I mostly rely on music to transcend what I find inexpressible about myself. Ultimately, my taste in music is the face of my persona. I believe that by finding other like-minded people and learning to stick together, that we could create a unique movement and bring change ā a beginning of something harmonious. In my ideal world, music will be the revelation that unites everyone. In the real world, Iām one among the many who are trying to achieve that every day. So I try to share my creativity and taste with others as much as I can, and one of the biggest ways that I do that is by making playlists. My playlists donāt just bring new music, or express new ideas or feelings people can relate to, but also new insight and in some way forms of art. There is nothing more rewarding to me than inspiring others in such a way. Making playlists is just the first stepping stone to one of my greatest achievements in the future. Definitely the hobby Iām most proud of.
What goals do you have for next year (or longer term)?
My short-term goal is to obtain my degrees and reach my desired financial status. My long-term goal, which I have also started to work on already, is to have my own music bring a large crowd together. While I am working on achieving those main goals, I like to plan adventures with friends and family, as long as my time and finances permit. I hope to have a photo album of places Iāve visited and mountains Iāve conquered when Iām an olā granny.
What are the first albums of music you owned?
Well isnāt this a tad bit embarrassing, haha. I have quite the musical history. The first albums I ever owned were passed down by my dad. I was a kid listening to a bunch of disco hits with my cool blue CD player that had stickers on it. Michael Jacksonās huge collection of music was also always included. Some of the first albums I later personally owned (please, bear with me):
Spice World by Spice Girls
Metamorphosis by Hilary Duff
Under My Skin by Avril Lavigne
The Chronicles of Life and Death by Good Charlotte
Toxicity by System of a Down
Morning View by Incubus
Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park
Fallen by Evanescence
The Queen of the Damned soundtrack
Do you have a favorite meme or GIF?I have way too many, but hereās a recent one! http://imgace.com/pic/2012/10/when-i-eat-grass-its-like-im-giving-the-world-a-haircut/
Who is your dream artist youād love to see perform?Iām grateful for the opportunity to have seen many of the music artists that have inspired me, like Flume, Odesza, Tycho, and many more. However, there is still that one dream artist that I really canāt wait to see perform, and itās Above & Beyond! Iāve been a loyal fan of them for the longest. They came to NYC recently, and I missed their show. I almost fell into depression after seeing the video of their live performance in Madison Square. Iām joking, but I did cry. I just feel like I missed out on a big experience. Iāve seen many videos of their live performances since, and I die inside each time. It is currently my ultimate goal to see them perform. They are the most inspiring artist to me, because theyāre one of the very top faces that are bringing everyone together, and itās something so wonderful.
