Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Maiz.
Hi Brian, 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?
For as long as I can remember, music has had a huge influence on me. They’ve become synonymous with so many memories of the past. I vividly recall road trips with my folks at an early age listening to Willie and Waylon singing Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys as we drove to Mammoth where I learned to ski, to my wannabe breakdancing days of the mid 80’s through my grunge and metal days of high school where you would stand outside of Sam Goody’s at midnight for specials release. It’s always been there. After high school, I joined the Marine Corps and found an amazing electric guitar that I fell in love with while stationed in Japan to which I used to serenade the barracks on the regular. Once stationed back in the states, I had a fellow Marine invite me out to an underground dance party which changed my life. I had never seen or heard anything like it. A packed warehouse with people from all walks of life and ethnicities getting down under one vibe and one dj. I was hooked and ever since, it’s been something special that I wanted to be a part of. As luck would have it, when I got out of the Marines, I went to a house party in Escondido where I was from at the time and low and behold the dj there was an old buddy Fumi from the metal high school days who also evolved into the scene. He and others helped show me the ropes on becoming a dj. From there, the record collection grew and opportunities to play began to grow. I started throwing events with friends including the Vinyl Frontier and Summer Session series that took place at Hospitality Point in SD.
From there, I moved back to North Carolina to raise my family but still wasn’t ready to hang up the headphones. I quickly became friends with a local promoter and burgeoning DJ who went by the name of Sleazy McQueen. I began having residencies all throughout the Triangle area and started a daytime event called We’re Bringing it Back park parties with my partner in crime Jason Lenhardt. These were all ages, bring your kids, dogs, neighbors or whomever wanted to have a good time. These events were such a success that they still go on today seven years after I have moved back. In fact, we even had a marriage proposal at one them. It was crazy.
That brings us back to present where I’ve been back in SD for the past seven years. During that time, I’ve had the privilege to play at many local events including House Music Fridays, Youtopia, different warehouse events and so on. I’ve also dabbled in producing and have a record out that I did a remix with the so forth mentioned Sleazy McQueen on his Lovedancing Record label under my Brian San Diego moniker. The record can be found here. https://www.juno.co.uk/products/vagabundo-club-social-remixes-ep/760747-01/ or digitally here https://vagabundoclubsocial.bandcamp.com/track/angayusa-sleazy-mcqueen-brian-san-diego-remix.
I’ve scaled back a bit on playing out but continue to do a bi-weekly global radio show on DanceGruv Radio which has a stellar lineup of talent dj’s from across the world streaming 24/7. My show is called Immersion in Sound and airs every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 5pm PST. www.dancegruv.net The intent of the show is to showcase various shades of electronic music. I’m close to 120 episodes so far with each one different. Tune in if you get a chance.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s always a learning curve and in Djing, there is definitely a big one. When I learned it was all vinyl which is not cheap and much more difficult than it is with the technology of today. To differentiate yourself, you had to have great taste in music and the ability to fuse that into the structure of the night. There is an art to be able to play an opening set as opposed to a late night slot where you would just play bangers which is still lost on some. This all comes with time and experience. The other challenge nowadays is it seems to be more political than ever. It’s who you know moreso than how good you are. It’s a game I’ve never been very fond of and it has infected the market. There is also a narrative out there that a dj is a dj and someone is always willing to play for free. It’s a concept that has to constantly be pushed back on as you usually get what you pay for.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a local dj whos been playing music for the better part of 27 years. I specialize in all shades of underground dance music with most of it House focused. I go by the moniker of BrianSD or Brian San Diego due to a flyer snafu in my first gig in North Carolina. I’m also known as one of the event organizers of the Summer Session Series here in SD and the We’re Bringing it Back park parties in North Carolina. One of the things I’m most proud of is every once in a while you play a set and at the end of the night, a random stranger comes up and thanks you for helping them let go and forgetting about their troubles for the night. It’s a great feeling. As for what sets me apart, I would say taste in music and understanding of the crowd. To me, each dj is an artist who has the ability to portray a sonic landscape and take a crowd where they want to go. It can be a thoroughly immersed musical journey or just straight in your face pumping dance music. It’s that ability to recognize the vibe and where you want to go that makes you special.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
If you’re looking to get into djing, go to events and just ask. Most dj’s that I know would be honored that you did and will go out of their way to help you on the journey.
Contact Info:
- Email: djbrian619@gmail.com
- Website: https://dancegruv.net/shows/immersioninsound/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briansd1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianSD/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianSD
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3wDp1Kh2p8vWx17JOAg-A
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=m2Gg8qxOOOPBtJGlp1_JUg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/briansd
- Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/BrianSD/
