Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Zuniga.
Hi Aaron, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My musical journey began as a child, growing up in a house of musicians where my father had a cover band with my tíos (his brothers). They played anything from Rock N Roll to Classic Rock, Ballads, Cumbias, Rancheras, and more. You could find them playing weddings, private & public events on the weekends around the city of Tijuana, Mexico. We had a live room at our home with all the instruments set up for their weekly band practices, which was my playground as a kid. I would get my hands on every instrument that I could, and on my 11th birthday, I played my first show with them. After that, I became the backup musician; whether they needed me on guitar, bass, piano, or drums, I was ready to fill in the spot.
During middle & high school, I was lucky enough to be part of the SCPA program in Chula Vista (School of Creative & Performing Arts) which allowed me to take 4 years of guitar lessons (House of Guitars), 2 years as a lead guitarist for a show choir (The Main Attraction) and 2 years of piano. This was a great experience that enabled me to continue to grow as a musician & performer.
After graduating high school, I attended my first electronic music festival in 2010 and fell in love with the music, the people, the art, and the atmosphere. I knew right then & there that I wanted to learn the art of DJing. I shared my vision with my older brother, and within a week, he blessed me with my first pair of CDJs, mixer, laptop & headphones. I was ready to start my journey as a DJ.
I practiced for hours, days, and weeks trying to perfect my first-ever DJ set. Once I felt ready, I started DJing any and all parties for free. I didn’t care about the money; I just wanted to get out and play. There were nights that we went from house party to house party until the cops would show up. Eventually, friends started recommending me, and I was able to charge anywhere from $50-$100 dollars back then. Shortly after, I got involved in the San Diego night scene playing venues such as House of Blues, Onyx, Belö, On Broadway, and more.
I’ve always known I wanted to pursue music as a career, but it wasn’t until I attended music production school – Icon Collective in Los Angeles in 2015 that my dreams started to feel within reach. Going to Icon Collective not only opened my eyes to all the different opportunities within the music industry, but it served as a strong backbone in viewing myself as a business. Since then, I started my mobile DJ business and released records on various labels, including Nite Records, Witty Tunes, Understated LA, Bedroom Muzik and more.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My father always told me, “Music is a fun hobby, but you need a real job to get by”. Being the rebel that I am, I knew I had to prove him wrong. Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not. There have been many struggles along the way.
The first struggle that comes to mind is one that we all experience as creators; self-doubt. Am I good enough? Is this worth all the time & energy that I’m putting into it? This is where most people give up. You have to believe in yourself before anyone else does. Don’t give up!
Another struggle that we experience as artists/performers is financial stress. You can have a killer month followed by a very slow month or more. This leads to self-doubt, feeling desperate, and contemplating changing your career path. It was during these difficult times that I considered joining the police academy, Air Force, and even UPS.
Lastly, another major struggle that we experienced along the way was the Pandemic. The entertainment industry was the first thing to get shut down, and it absolutely killed any and all momentum for us artists/performers. I had the best year in 2019, and 2020 was gonna be MY year! Or so I thought… for the first time in my life, I was living off of unemployment and food stamps. These were definitely hard times that had me questioning my career choice.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am now a full-time DJ and bilingual MC (English & Spanish). I specialize in weddings, private & corporate events, providing sound, lighting & entertainment services. I am known for bringing your celebration to life by using my club DJ background to execute a flawless high-energy performance leaving your guests wanting more.
I would say I’m the most proud of following my heart and not giving up. I always dreamed of making a career out of music, but it seemed like a fairy tale until now. I absolutely love what I do and couldn’t picture myself doing anything else.
What sets me apart from others is that I was born for this. I’m a passionate musician, DJ, MC & producer that will always go above and beyond to ensure a quality experience and create unforgettable moments.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Know your value and stay true to yourself. It’s ok to say no or walk away from a job that is not right for you. Not only should you ask if you’re the right fit for your client but is the client a right fit for you? Do your values align?
I have found myself working for companies where our values didn’t align. Or taking on gigs where the money was good, but the environment was taxing on my mental health. This made it very difficult for me to perform at my best; therefore, I ended up walking away.
I now only take on work that feels right and lines up with my goals & values. Work smart, not hard!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj.zuni/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zunimusic
- Other: https://linktr.ee/djzuni
Image Credits
Ernie Padoan
Fiona Padoan
