FAQ | Northern Lights and Music

Choosing a DJ is a big decision.

Many wedding clients in particular look back on their DJ as one of the most important night-of variables right up with choosing a photographer and a venue.

I have a wide and unique skill set as an event DJ. I've worked hundreds of events as a venue manager, event curator and service staff. I understand what makes a wedding shine from several angles. I'm also a middle school teacher.

I'm a great planner, I know what to look for, I ask the right questions and having years of experience curating memorable moments laced with great sets of music.

What types of events do you DJ?

By volume and experience, I DJ weddings. I know weddings inside + out, and I actually still cry at most of them.

I have also DJ'd school dances, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, neighborhood block parties and other backyard hangs. I cherish helping people create beautiful moments, and I just really love playing music. I will take an inquiry on just about any request.

More recently, I've been flexing my artistic muscles playing less mainstream, personal favorite tracks skillfully blended together at smaller, more intimate gatherings. In addition to weddings, I'm open to garden parties, arts gatherings, tasty lounges, political jump starts, niche retail locations and other occasional settings.

What makes you stand out as a DJ?

I listen to a hard-to-believe amount of music from most genres and eras, and from all around the world. In addition to eclectic tastes I also truly love popular music, with a discerning ear: I don't naturally play just anything that's popular, but I'm also not difficult -- this union of opposites helps me curate great sets of music for all occasions.

I also bring a ton of general work experience pulling off large events. I've planned and managed events for almost two decades at theaters, farms, museums, churches, galleries, cabarets, you name it -- so I know the roles of a good DJ well. I'm a reliable and flexible person to partner with. I don't naturally over-engage on the microphone, but I am an accomplished public speaker if you need one. I'm organized, and I can MC your event to whatever degree of engagement you prefer, seamlessly.

what do you charge?

It depends on the event.

What's your favorite type of music to play at weddings?

I love DJ'ng weddings: I play the highest tier, tried and true classics alongside tasty modern hits trimmed with your crowd's requests. I have a lot of successful song sets ready to crack and shuffle, and every wedding I play I get a good new idea from the wedding couple, or the crowd.

I like to open weddings with well loved artists like Whitney Houston, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, and transition to a more modern mix of music. Some of today's artists I love to play include Chapell Roan, Lady Gaga, Francis and the Lights, BTS, Beyonce, Rhianna, and many more.

And, I don't skip the slow songs.

Outside of my opening and closing sets, I never pre-plan and I work with the crowd mixing different crates I've assembled over the years.

What's your favorite type of music to play at other events?

what else should we know?

I've recently started taking gigs as DJ BUBBLE JUICE, mixing genre-fluid sets that bring eclectic, engaging vibes to smaller events. I include music I have loved across my life into these more unique blends. Artists I've mixed a lot lately include Four Tet, James Blake, Air, Janelle Monae, Yebba, The Roots, Daft Punk, Vince Staples, Kiefer, Japanese House, Bon Iver, and many others.

I pride myself at being professional, emotionally intelligent and discreet. I am not a maximalist DJ, a turntableist, or a hyphy sample-laden club DJ. If you are looking for a high energy vocal MC, a skilled tactical disc jockey, lots of sound effects and large crowd engagement that's just not my lane.

I am very aware, I'm seasoned -- nostalgic even, and I understand the prescience of the moment. I'm a great person to work with for an event that is important to you, big or small.

I live in Oakland, CA and incur travel costs taking gigs in the Twin Cities (where I'm from); however, I love coming back and for weddings in particular on many occasions I can work with you to create a competitive price and package.