Today we’d like to introduce you to Manny Morales.
Hi Manny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am currently a full-time DJ/Creative here in Austin. I attended ACC and worked various odd jobs until beginning my journey as full-time DJ in early 2018. Using connections, I had built up over the three previous years rapping as well as hosting and directing programs for an independent radio station I co-founded with my close Friend Mike ‘KB” Smith, I began taking gigs and cutting my teeth playing in bars and different events in central Texas. I’ve had the privilege of holding residencies in Austin and also recently had the pleasure of being booked to DJ in Los Angeles.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Taking the leap from a 9-5 to basically becoming my own business was scary, Thankfully my then-employer eased the transition by laying me off. Thank God for severance packages. I had some time to reevaluate things and think about what I was really passionate about and for me, it always comes back to the music. I had expressed interest to some people my circle and they took it upon themselves to help me by gifting me a laptop and a beginner DJ controller and we were off to the races.
Initially, some of the bars downtown didn’t want me to play incorporate Latin music in my sets.
It sounds crazy to say now because you can walk down 6th street and hear Selena or Bad Bunny blaring out of any one of the bars downtown, but just a few years ago they weren’t as accepting. Thankfully things have shifted in recent years.
Covid was probably obviously the biggest obstacle that I’ve faced on this journey. I remember we were gearing up for a monster run of shows for SXSW and were literally shut down the night before. I had to pick up odd jobs and there was a period of time where I definitely wondered if things would ever get back to some semblance of normal. It definitely gave me a huge appreciation for the people in my life and the fact that I get to do what I love for a living.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I DJ a variety of different events mostly specializing in bars and clubs here in Austin and the surrounding areas. I’d say I’m known for having a wide range of musical tastes and a willingness to try and push boundaries when I feel it necessary. I’m most proud of the work I accomplished with WBMProRadio, a local online station I co-founded and ran from 2016-2020. I was able to highlight local artists and give a meaningful platform to folks I thought were deserving. I’d say what sets me apart from others is my ability to keep a crowd guessing. Sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t but at the end of the day if you do it with love, it will resonate with people.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Listening to music with my family. I’m the youngest of six and my brothers and sister always had such amazing and diverse tastes. I remember my sister blasting Jerry Rivera in her room, My older brothers cruising around Maryland in suped up Hondas listening to Mr. Vegas, or my Half brother absolutely losing it like a madman when Jump Around came on. The music is forever tied to those memories for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: BookMannyMo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @txmannymo
- Twitter: @txmannymo
Image Credits:
Lorenzo Marez @lorenzo.Marez (Instagram) Lorenzomarezvisualmedia.pixiset.com Brandon Green @immersed (Instagram)
