Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna ( Visionista) Flores
Hi Joanna ( Visionista), thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started with a little controller I received as a xmas gift. At that point in my life, I wanted a new hobby and thought dj-ing would be something I’m down to explore. Since I was always going to shows or catch dis around the city, I figured why not try ?
I’m constantly surrounded by music—it’s on 99.9% of the time for me, it’s limitless. It’s like I’m on a never-ending journey with music and I love that. It’s never boring. One of my good homies djs too so he gave me a lil lesson. I got on YouTube, downloaded some tunes and started practicing until it finally clicked ( mashing 2 songs that sounded good). Months went by of practice until I was confident enough to dj at friends rooftop pool parties, holiday parties etc. It wasn’t until a dj friend of mine asked me if I wanted to dj at a wine bar, very last minute ( I had 3 hours to prepare for this 4 hour set) that solidified I wanted to pursue and see where this journey goes. I began to dj more and more picking up little gigs here and there all of last year. It wasn’t until this summer, things started ramping up, I now have a residency at a bar, and even got to dj at a festival earlier this month. I’m just taking every opportunity I can get, that aligns with my vibe right now no matter how small or big the venue is. I’m working on other things as well, I’d love to create my own parties one day, and even own a bar playing whatever tf I wanna play!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a slow burn of obstacles of overthinking, and having ideas you wanna create. I’d say the most challenging is putting yourself out there and believing in yourself. Sometimes I have moments of imposter syndrome but you gotta kick that lil voice out of your head with an even bigger voice saying “GURL PLZ, you’re doing it already!!” haha It’s a full time job believing in yourself and putting in the work too. It’s crazy how things changed me for this year, I was unhappy at my corporate job, took a leave and began dj-ing after that and began to take it seriously. I’ve been pretty happy since with my decision of leaving corporate. Life is too short to not pursue a passion.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work revolves around curating experiences thru music. I specialize in blending genres from reggaeton to house, to trap, Baile funk, Jersey club, honestly anything in between that captures my ear. I love when it draws people ( ppl come up to me and ask where I’m from bc they didn’t expect to hear jersey club at a lil town in NC lol ) in because many times they don’t expect that, I just like to switch it up and play.
I think what sets me apart is my commitment to exploring new sounds and keeping every mix unique. When I’m working on my personal sets, it’s a reflection of my current mood or where I’m at in that very moment. Can be dark/moody or silly and unserious or sexy, or just cruising vibes, just depends! haha I’m here to share that perspective with others and hope at least one person can resonate.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see many dis doing their own thing, create their own parties, virtually too. Using AI to get a lot more creative with marketing, design, creating new music. It will become even more saturated than it is right now.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @JoannaFlowers
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/joanna-flores-16
