Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Perez aka DJ Puréz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been a huge techno fan since I was about 10 years old. My aunt Brenda, who I thought had the coolest life, would be traveling to see shows with her friends and LOUD house & techno music playing in the background all of the time. She taught me what music was all about. Back then there were a couple of EDM albums that really changed my life. It was the type of experience as an early teenager where I couldn’t believe how amazing the music was to me. I mostly have to thank my Aunt Brenda for turning me on to the music at that time. It really has shaped the direction of my life over the last 10 years.
When I was around 21 years old, I met Jason (my current husband). He had been producing and performing music for a long time. After really settling into our relationship and our lives, we would often have conversations about how my love of music could really help the creative side of producing original music. I started practicing DJing at home and getting involved with the production of the music we had. The goal was to have as much original techno and house music as possible to play out in our DJ sets. I started DJing out around Austin as soon as I felt comfortable with how to play sets in front of people. Wow, it was tough. I had performed in theater and sang a bit when I was younger, but it had been a long time, and performing in front of people was really hard to get back into. Fast forward a couple of years to more recent. I’m feeling great about the progress I’ve made in the music scene. Met some really great people in the Austin music scene. Jason and I have a solid collection of original songs that we can mix into our DJ sets. I often DJ as a solo artist as Puréz and I also DJ as a duo with my husband, Jason, as Supply Dealer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, not a smooth road at all. The music scene in Austin is very saturated. On top of that, the DJ scene is super saturated. Technically a DJ can be anyone who knows how to use the gear, regardless of if you play original songs or not. And playing the music you love for people is great, so of course tons of people want to do it. Basically, It’s been difficult at times to find shows to play due to the crazy competition. Even more so, being a female DJ can be difficult. Yes, there are fewer female DJs to compete with, but let’s just say there are some pretty lame negative stereotypes that automatically get attached to a new female DJ coming up on the scene. I work hard with my partner in life and music (my husband Jason) to bring new and professionally produced music into the DJ scene. It requires a ton of patience and perseverance. But we are happy with the current results even with the bumpy road.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, we are working over-time on producing original music at the top level for our DJ sets. The production is partnered with trying to get out and play as many DJ sets as possible at venues that cater to electronic, house, and techno music fans. Networking as much as possible. Looking for labels to work with. Growing my social media following. Everything we can that helps build our music brand.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Patience in the process is key. I feel good about the brand we’ve been building. In the long run, it’s a pretty unique position that I’m in and I’m hoping that If we keep at it, we can make a significant impact in the music scene.
Also networking and vibing with new people & friends is also really important. We have to be part of a community to create success. Especially the female DJs in the scene. There’s plenty of opportunity to thrive when we work together and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some really amazing people over the last few years while out networking and DJing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/supplydealer
- Instagram: @pereznatalie_
