Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Davies.
Tara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Knoxville, and there weren’t many places for “cool kids” to dance. I’m a music lover. I love to dance, so I asked some friends who own a bar inside a Victorian house if I could play songs from my computer and made my own dance party. When I moved to Atlanta in 2006, I met Decatur Social Club DJ Preston Craig and was introduced to the scene. I started playing with him at Graveyard, then kicked off my first party at Highland Ballroom called Square Pegz. I later became the first female resident DJ at MJQ Concourse with my (ongoing) party Heartbeeps. I now also DJ regularly at Music Room, for my funky house party Club Soda, as well as Banshee Late Night in East Atlanta and other one-off events.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been a very difficult path, but it has been hard to get people to take me seriously as a DJ. I focus on being kind, fun, and keeping it about the music. I’ve had to create my own spaces to play in and grown some respect from others along the way.
One thing that truly has been difficult for me is maintaining a balance between my side hustle as a DJ and my career as a product manager for a local tech company. I’ve had to really think about what amount of djing is too much vs what is just right. I don’t really do many weeknight gigs these days unless they end early, because I want to be on point at work. The last thing I want to do is seem fuzzy when I need to be there for the team. I think the biggest misconception about being a DJ is that it’s easy. It’s not. You are on your feet for hours at a time. Constantly thinking on your toes about what songs are best for the crowd and the vibe, lugging heavy equipment, taking time to practice at home, studying and listening to new and new-to-you old music to keep your sets fresh – see?!? That’s really a commitment! I’m committed, and I truly love the feeling that I get when people are dancing and singing along to songs that I’ve selected.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I love playing so many different styles of music and I’m lucky to have the opportunity to play different parties that all have different feels and vibes. My sets can range from the familiar to the strange – pop to house to ambient or drone. I love playing house music the most though. I think my range is what sets me apart from others.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Finding a home in the DJ community can be hard, but I highly recommend meeting friends in the bar and club industry and regularly attend local DJ events. Support the DJs, meet them, be their friend, follow them, make mixes, and hopefully, they’ll wanna support you one day too! Something that I learned in college orientation that has stuck with me throughout my life is that it’s all about who you know. It’s true!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.djtaradactyl.com
- Email: djtaradactyl@gmail.com
- Instagram: @djtaradactyl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djTaradactyl
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/djtaradactyl
Image Credit:
Oh Snap Kid, Lizzy Johnston
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