Today we’d like to introduce you to Raymond Cruz.
Hi Raymond, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a huge interest and love for music since I was younger. I grew up playing the drums in my dad’s Tejano band and was a drummer throughout high school. In college, I began working more on music production and edits and began DJing simply as a hobby and a way to make money every now and then. After I moved to San Marcos, Texas, there was a huge influx of a DJ scene that happened during that time and I was able to really hone in on a DJ career. I networked, played small gigs and then eventually paid my dues to have residencies and play at local festivals in the area.
During this time, I attended Media Tech Institute and received a certification in Live Audio + Sound. This really helped me be able to advocate for myself at gigs, be able to troubleshoot during an event and be more knowledgeable about how live sound impacts a crowd.
After moving to Austin, Texas, my wife was in the wedding industry and began referring me to her couples for their big day. Although most people think of the cliche wedding DJ’s to be cheesy and just press play, I attract couples who are really into live turntablism, my mixes and overall wanting to have a high-energy party. When I’m not in wedding season, I have residencies throughout downtown Austin usually Thursday – Sunday of every week.
Being able to book higher dollar gigs such as weddings has allowed me to be more present at home and prep to welcome home my first daughter in just a few weeks. Although the schedule is non-traditional, it’s been great to be able to determine my workload and have more freedom than an 8-5 would allow.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Ha, definitely not! There’s been plenty of challenges. DJ equipment is expensive and I’ve finally been able to have a set-up that I’ve always wanted. Most people don’t realize how much investment goes into all of the equipment and it’s not just a laptop that I work off of.
Most recently was the challenge of how the pandemic has played out. I didn’t DJ from April 2020 until February of 2021. Not only was it not safe, there just wasn’t the same culture or need for it the way there was before the pandemic. This caused financial strain on our home so I decided to get an 8-5 manual labor job to make up the income.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a live turntablist DJ and I mainly specialize in hip hop, Latin and EDM – which is a wide range. I’m known for playing to a crowd and love to be able to amp an atmosphere up.
I’m most proud of finally knowing my worth and being able to charge what is appropriate / more than fair. In the beginning, when DJ’s are starting out, most will work for anything just to get a spot. But once you build your reputation and become a dependable resident, you’re able to set your price and know what’s worth working and what isn’t.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve had lots of colleagues that I really admire that have helped me along the way. Although we all have different styles, they’ve helped me grow my craft and want to strive to be better. Networking is huge in this industry. I began just showing up to gigs of people who I really admired and introduced myself and was able to build relationships that way. It’s not always about networking to get a gig or a new one up in the industry, but more so to connect with like-minded people and building community.
Contact Info:
- Email: officialcruzcollective@gmail.com
- Website: www.cruzcollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialcruzcollective/
Image Credits:
Lauren Apel Photography Sam Hugh Photography Brooke Taelor Photography
