Daily Inspiration: Meet Lyris Greene

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyris Greene.

Hi Lyris, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When people ask how I got here, I usually tell them music has always been the thread connecting every chapter of my life. I started as a DJ because I loved the feeling of bringing people together through music. Whether it was a wedding, a club, or a private event, I realized I wasn’t just playing songs—I was creating experiences and memories.

Over the years, that passion naturally evolved. I launched Behind the Groove to explore the stories behind the music we love, and later created Groove Theory 101, a listening experience where people gather to rediscover classic albums the way they were meant to be heard. Those projects taught me something important: what excites me most isn’t simply performing music—it’s creating spaces where people can connect with it more deeply.

Today, I’m in a new chapter. Alongside DJing, I’m learning music production, creating original edits, documenting my creative process, and building what I think of as a creative ecosystem. Every project I work on—from The Creator Within to The Other Crate, Groove Theory 101, and my productions—is connected by the same question: *How can music help us reconnect with ourselves, with each other, and with the stories that shaped us?*

One thing I’ve learned is that creativity isn’t a destination you arrive at—it’s a practice you commit to every day. This season of my life has been less about chasing the next opportunity and more about intentionally building something meaningful, one project at a time. Looking back, I can see that every experience, every performance, and even every setback has been preparing me for this chapter. I’m no longer just documenting music—I’m documenting the evolution of the artist creating it.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—and honestly, I’m grateful it wasn’t.

Like many creatives, there were seasons when I believed success meant being busier, getting more bookings, or waiting for someone else to recognize my potential. The music industry has a way of making you feel like you’re always chasing the next opportunity, and for a long time I measured my progress by external milestones.

The biggest shift came when I realized I wanted to build something that couldn’t be taken away by trends, algorithms, or someone else’s decision. That meant stepping into unfamiliar territory—learning music production, developing new creative skills, creating original work, and becoming comfortable being a beginner again. It’s humbling to spend years mastering one craft and then willingly start over in another, but it’s also incredibly freeing.

There were also moments when I had to let go of opportunities, collaborations, and environments that no longer aligned with the kind of creator I wanted to become. Those decisions weren’t always easy, but they’ve taught me that protecting your creative vision is just as important as pursuing it.

Today, I don’t see those struggles as detours. They were the training ground. They’ve taught me resilience, patience, and, most importantly, to define success by what I’m creating rather than by what I’m chasing. Ironically, the more I’ve focused on creating meaningful work instead of seeking validation, the more fulfilled I’ve become—and I believe that’s the foundation for everything I’m building next.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I often tell people I’m not in the music business—I’m in the experience business. Music just happens to be my medium.

Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats: DJ, curator, educator, event producer, and now music producer. While those roles may look different on the surface, they’re all driven by the same purpose—to create experiences that help people reconnect with music in a meaningful way.

As a DJ, I’ve always been known for reading a room and taking people on a journey rather than simply playing songs. That same philosophy inspired projects like Behind the Groove, where I explore the stories behind the records we love, and Groove Theory 101, an immersive listening experience that invites people to slow down and rediscover classic albums together. More recently, that journey has led me into music production, where I’m creating original edits and documenting the process of becoming an artist in real time.

What I’m most proud of isn’t any single event or accomplishment. It’s that I’ve finally given myself permission to build a creative ecosystem instead of fitting into a single lane. Every project I create supports the others. A conversation becomes content. Content inspires a mix. A mix leads to an edit. An edit becomes a live experience. They’re all connected because they’re all expressions of the same curiosity.

I think what sets me apart is that I’m just as interested in *why* music moves us as I am in *what* we’re listening to. I’m fascinated by the stories behind the songs, the memories they unlock, the communities they create, and the emotions they carry across generations. Whether I’m behind the turntables, producing a track, or leading a room full of people through an album, my goal is always the same: to help people experience music in a way that feels intentional, nostalgic, and deeply human.

At this point in my career, I don’t just want to play the soundtrack to people’s lives—I want to contribute to it.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way to support my work is simply to become part of the journey.

Whether you’re attending a Groove Theory 101 experience, following Behind the Groove, listening to my mixes, downloading my edits, or engaging with the content I’m creating, you’re helping me build a community around intentional music experiences. Every share, conversation, and connection matters because this work has always been about bringing people together through music.

If you’re looking to collaborate, I’m always excited to connect with people who believe music can educate, inspire, and create meaningful experiences. That could be through live events, creative partnerships, brand collaborations, speaking opportunities, or projects that celebrate music, storytelling, and culture in fresh ways.

And of course, I’m still available as a DJ for events where the goal is to create more than just a playlist. I love creating experiences that feel personal, memorable, and rooted in connection.

More than anything, though, I hope people don’t just follow my work—they follow the evolution. I’m intentionally documenting what it looks like to grow from DJ to curator to producer and artist, and I hope that journey encourages other creatives to trust their own process, even when they don’t have all the answers yet.

I believe the most meaningful work happens when people create from a place of curiosity instead of certainty. That’s the community I’m building, and I’d love for people to grow alongside it.

Pricing:

• DJ services are customized based on the type of event, location, and production needs. Quotes are provided after a consultation.
• Groove Theory 101 ticket prices vary by event and venue. Follow for announcements on upcoming experiences.
• Brand partnerships, speaking engagements, workshops, and creative collaborations are quoted based on the scope of the project.
• Music edits, mixes, and future digital products will be released through my online platforms, with pricing announced at launch.
• For all booking inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through my website

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.djlyris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djlyris and https://www.instagram.com/behindthegroove
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djlyris
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyris-greene-381237155/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lyris81
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj_lyris