Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Sean Anthony.
Thanks for sharing your story with us DJ Sean. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
This dream of mine started after dealing with a lot of depression. I used to work for a telecommunications company in New York, that basically controlled my life. The money was great and I felt that I had to stay because opportunities like that didn’t come often for me. I was on my own and having a steady income was mandatory. My options were limited but I had to find a way out. Eventually, I quit this job and on that very day, I maxed out my credit card on DJ Equipment. A microphone, two speakers, a stand, and a controller. To this day, I couldn’t tell you what made me purchase all of that equipment. I never played before and damn sure didn’t know the first thing about being a DJ. I worked a part-time job and every day after that, I practiced and practiced with this new equipment. On the 4th of July, I remember having a bbq with a few friends and family members. For the most part, I played what I could, and everything that I had practiced. The feedback that I received really changed my life.
From that moment, I began to play more and ask around for gigs until I was able to figure out a path. An old friend reached out to me about her father opening a new lounge and how he was looking for a DJ on Thursday nights. Man, was I nervous but excited to have this opportunity. Everyone stepped in to help me execute my big night. My sister had a flyer made, my best friends promoted for me and even went over a special menu for drinks and food, this was a sign to me that they believed in me. On the opening night, the lounge was packed from wall too wall. I remember it being a sweatbox, lol. I believe I cried while spinning because of the familiar faces and excitement that everyone had to support their friend and family member. Shortly after that, I moved to Atlanta. A good friend of mine from New York put me in contact with an amazing person named Kalvyn. Kalvyn helped develop me in so many ways.
By helping me with professionalism, building my brand, and expanding my creative pallet. The first few events that I did in Atlanta went bad. The way that I played was too different. Coming from New York, I didn’t adapt to the southern sound as fast as I wanted to. So, I took a year off. It was depressing, I definitely felt that I didn’t belong in Atlanta. With this year off, I took in as much sound as I could. I recorded parties and whatever came on the radio. The more people that I started to meet, the more material they began to share with me from their cities. An opportunity opened up when I met Jamaal Terrance at a kickback that he held. I shared with him that I was a DJ and one thing led to another, he asked if I wanted to play for one of his events that upcoming Sunday. From there, he allowed me to head all of his events. This exposure has given me a second chance in Atlanta. I’ve been able to show just how much I’ve matured in this skill and how serious it becomes to me. The responses that I receive after playing truly keep me going and pushing for more. I’m grateful for my position and for the people that haven’t been afraid to extend a compliment or advice.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This has not been an easy road for me. For starters, I moved to Atlanta by myself. So, communicating with everyone back home about why I wasn’t playing in Atlanta was somewhat a disappointment for me, and confusing for them. The small gigs that I did receive were damaging to me. I often played for free, and from there, people still managed to give me “feedback” that wasn’t helpful but harmful. I remember playing at an event and the person that booked me only gave me $54 dollars. In my mind, this is what people thought of me, this is what I was worth. I’ve reached out to other DJ’s in the past and never got any support. I don’t know if it came off as if I was coming for a position but no help was given to me. Everything that I know about being a DJ has been from being self-taught. These things have broken me for quite some time, but I’ve grown and appreciated the hard times because it has made me want the spotlight even more.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a DJ. But at events, you get more than that. Along with me playing, I MC and Dance. I interact with the crowd and make sure that the event moves in the direction that I want it too. The way that I play separates me from all Dj’s because I curate my own sound into how I perform. The elements that I provide are not limited when given the range to share my energy.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very spontaneous and outgoing. I didn’t deal too much with family, but my friends were definitely always around. When I wasn’t at dance practice or at school for sports, I was always to myself. I would stay in my room with headphones and listen to my father’s cd collection until it was time to go back to school the next day. I would go to my mother’s house and do the same thing, but with gospel music. Music was definitely an escape for me and a way for me to get in-tune with who I was. In high school, I started making mixes and experimenting with samples and tempos. Everything was done with one of those huge dell computers lol. My parents weren’t able to afford DJ equipment for me. The closest thing that I got was a karaoke machine. But I guess it was a step in the direction.
Contact Info:
- Email: soundsbyseananthony@gmail.com
- Instagram: DJSEAN.ANTHONY
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngseany
Image Credit:
Timothylevelle
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