Today we’d like to introduce you to Jovi Cala Vella.
Hi Jovi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, music and exploring different mediums of creativity and ways to express myself has been transformative, empowering, and has provided a sense of comfort and safety for me. As a kid, I felt most myself when I’d lock myself in the room, make up dance routines, write songs, and plan all kinds of performances. I enjoyed drawing sketches of fashion designs in my notebook, writing poetry and newsletters, creating graphics, finger weaving, dressing up in extravagant outfits, and an assortment of other creative activities.
I always had an entrepreneurial mindset, beginning to start businesses and sell things I’d create as early as probably 6 years old or so. I remember drawing pen tattoos on my grandparents’ neighbors for $5 a pop, baking and selling muffins, selling my finger-woven necklaces and bracelets, creating my own newsletter, building a logo business, creating short films, and much more. I was always coming up with something new to spend my time doing; then I’d set up a little table outside my house and share my creations with the world, and send out emails to my relatives updated them on my latest and greatest endeavors
As a kid and as an adult, I have enjoyed the process of exploring different creative outlets, and continue to learn more about who I am and how to express myself along the way. I believe having creative outlets and building businesses was a way for me to cope with what I was feeling inside and a way to channel the pent-up energy I felt was out of my control into producing a cathartic release. The act of creating continues to serve as an aid in supporting my mental wellness to this day, as I’m sure many other creative beings can resonate with.
I struggled with my mental health a lot throughout middle school and high school, but I was fortunate enough to begin receiving therapy as early as 12 years old, and that has continued throughout my adulthood. The town I grew up in in the Bay Area had high rates of depression and an epidemic of suicide among its youth, so much so that the CDC was investigating the prevalence of mental illness during my high school years. Having been dealing with my own mental health struggles up until this point and having attempted suicide myself at age 12, I was inspired to begin sharing my story with others in hopes of providing hope and support for those facing similar struggles behind closed doors.
I wrote an article about my own experience, and it was published in the town weekly newspaper under a pseudonym. I wanted to publish it under my own name, but was told by the paper I wouldn’t get into colleges or be able to acquire a job if I released it under my real name. I realized then and there just how overbearing the stigmatization around mental illness there was and still is today, and it was no wonder so many of my peers were suffering in silence. This only compelled me to share my story further loudly and proudly and to do what I could to abolish the stigmatization of something I and so many others were going through.
I attended college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where I studied Political Science and Psychology. I had the opportunity to create my own concentration of Solving Big World Problems, which was motivated by my desire to make the world a better place. Clearly, this is not an easy pursuit, but that ambitious quest guided me in the direction of non-profit work and engaging in other opportunities and day-to-day practices to do what I can to make the lives of others better throughout my lifetime.
While in college, I got involved in non-profit mental health services, advocating for the destigmatization of mental illness and promoting self-care and mental wellness— which remains a passion of mine to this day. I would speak in classrooms and companies, sharing my own mental health journey with others, as well as provide peer support services to individuals facing mental health challenges. Though struggling with my mental health then felt and sometimes still feels like such a burden, it enables me to connect with and empower others facing similar challenges; and for that, I am grateful. My own experience with mental illness has expanded my capacity for empathy and emotional intelligence greatly, and has made me a more resilient person today. Being able to share the lessons I’ve learned, the coping mechanisms I use, and hold space for those who need it feels like such a blessing and provides me with a greater sense of purpose in this lifetime.
I also had the opportunity to get more involved in the local music scene while at Cal Poly. Music was always so healing for me, and finding community in spaces that allowed me to share my love of it with others was an extremely rewarding experience. I got involved in my college radio station, KCPR 91.3, and had a weekly radio show where I got to learn to DJ live on air. I also gained more experience planning and executing electronic music and art-focused spaces through a music collective I was a part of. The experiences I had as a part of these organizations were incredibly valuable for me in understanding more about the music industry itself, learning about creative direction for events, and getting immersed in electronic music culture and community.
It was a particular moment at Lightning in a Bottle Festival in 2019 that prompted me to begin DJing entirely. A legendary DJ named Marques Wyatt was playing a late-night set at the Junkyard Stage (then known as Favela Bar), and I remember looking at him on stage in such a flow state and looking around me at all the people on the dance floor lost in the music and thinking to myself– I want to do that. Dancing has always been very therapeutic for me, and movement has always been such a healing source of medicine. Suddenly, being the DJ selecting and sharing the music that resonated with me and dancing amongst fellow music lovers felt like such a calling. On my drive home from the festival, I ordered my first starting DJ board on Amazon, practiced in my bedroom, then on the radio, and eventually began playing shows in San Luis Obispo, San Diego, and around California.
My grandfather, Joe Vella (a nudge at my DJ name Jovella), was a jazz drummer in San Francisco in the 60s/70s, and I grew familiar with counting beats by playing around as a drum kit as a kid. My mother is a fitness instructor, and being exposed to dance music in the gym setting so early on in my life drew me towards electronic music as well. Being exposed to beat matching and electronic music so early on in my life definitely supported me in my pursuit of DJing. Once I began to get the technical basics of using a DJ board down, everything else seemed to come somewhat naturally to me.
I moved to San Diego shortly following college graduation, and began working at a homeless shelter, followed by a variety of other jobs in the non-profit field, and continued DJing as well. I’ve always had an urge to serve marginalized and disadvantaged populations in some capacity, and paired with my own personal experiences as a female-identifying person in the male-dominated music scene, I felt compelled and inspired to create my own non-profit organization, Sisiety.
Sisiety (pronounced: sis-eye-ah-tee) aims to create spaces for artists often underrepresented in the music industry to embrace their creativity and feel empowered by community. Underrepresented populations in the music industry include, but are not limited to, women, LGBTQ+ folks, BIPOC, people living with disabilities, and much more. For instance, female-identifying folks only make up roughly 3% of electronic music producers, and in general, they make up less than an average of less than 25% of music lineups, in spite of representing roughly half of the population overall. The lack of equal representation and diversity and inclusivity in the music scene is often not addressed or talked about by those in positions of power in the industry, but for artists who identify as female and queer like myself, it is something that cannot be unnoticed once you become attune to its prevalence. This fuels my fire to do what I can to use my voice, platform, and passion for event coordinator to educate, advocate, and create spaces to address the issue.
There are many barriers underrepresented artists often face in the industry, ranging from the general lack of representation on event lineups, a pay gap, being stereotyped, sexually exploited, and not offered the same respect as male counterparts, and lack of access to equipment and software to support the development of their artistry. Through hosting nightlife events that provide a platform for these artists, teaching DJ lessons out in the community, and facilitating other opportunities like these, I hope to shift the landscape of the industry by raising awareness on the issue and inspiring other promoters and creative beings to promote inclusivity, diversify their events, provide more opportunities for these artists, eventually normalizing equal representation in the music scene.
Today, I am residing in San Diego, and my story continues to develop. I am continuously learning more about myself, my values, and how to create the change I wish to see in the world around me, and within myself. I am prioritizing my mental and physical wellness, exploring other avenues of creativity, figuring out my next steps in my career path, but most of all, I am just being me and am finding gratitude for my journey every step of the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has had many twists and turns, as I believe everyone’s journey does. I know in the grand scheme of things, all the obstacles and road bumps I’ve faced have made me a more resilient person, and all the strength I feel today makes, and will continue to make, all the hardships worth it. At the end of the day, facing struggles and coming out stronger on the other side is an integral part of the human experience.
One of the biggest challenges people face, and especially when it comes to creativity, is maintaining a sense of self-worth, self-love, and practicing self-care along the way. This is something I have struggled with as well. They say we are our own worst enemies, and that has resonated with me heavily at times. Maintaining my confidence in myself and my worth and owning what makes me uniquely me, rather than trying to blend in, has been a key asset in moving forward pursuing my dreams as my authentic self, and enjoying the journey along the way.
Another challenge I have faced that many artists do, especially in the nightlife scene, is finding balance with their mental health and navigating substance use. Using alcohol and substances is a normalized part of the industry, but can ultimately lead to misuse and abuse and deteriorate our relationships with others and ourselves. Being so young and new to the scene, I really enjoyed the partying aspect early on, but once I took a step back and checked in with myself, I realized a lot of the behaviors and patterns I was seeing in myself and those around me didn’t serve me in the long run.
I’ve been navigating my own relationship with being alcohol-free and being intentional and abstinent from most substance use in the music scene this last year or so, and I can honestly say it has been very challenging but incredibly rewarding. It is so empowering to not feel the absolute need to use alcohol or substances, even when those around you are indulging in them. I have no judgment over how others live their lives or what they choose to put in their bodies— all I know is how my body feels, and reducing and abstaining from consumption has allowed me to connect with myself deeper as a human being and express my creativity more authentically. I aim to be in the scene for a good time as well as a long time, so finding balance early on in my career is essential for me to be sustainable in the long run.
Another challenge that a lot of creative people face, including myself, are financial barriers. The term “starving artist” is commonly thrown around, and the lack of financial security that many creative people and small business owners deal with can be daunting and discourages people from pursuing their dreams. Especially in the aftermath of the pandemic and the current economic climate, maintaining financial security and stability is an obstacle so many face even beyond the scope of identifying as an artist. It has been difficult navigating getting Sisiety off the ground while largely depending on my own personal savings to keep the dream alive and the projects moving along. I have been in and out of full-time roles in the non-profit field quite a bit over the last couple of years, and it can be challenging to balance it all, but keeping Sisiety going and mission moving forward remains a priority of mine.
Building a team to support the organization poses its challenges, too; as life tends to shift, so does people’s availability and ability to continue pouring energy into the project, which is so understandable seeing as the organizations work is currently unpaid, and people coming and going as life circumstances change is all a natural part of the process. My hope is that by continuing to invest in myself and share the vision with others, we will continue to gain more support from external sources to keep growing and expanding the community. I want Sisiety to have a presence across the country and even across the globe one day to impact as many artists’ lives for the better as possible, and the obstacles faced along the way will only continue to make Sisiety and I even stronger than before.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am best known under my DJ alias Jovella, and I am a self-proclaimed creative connoisseur, self-expressionist, and dance floor enthusiast. Though I am probably most recognized for my DJing, I most closely identify as an artist and creative being Though there are times when that title of being a “creative” triggers some imposter syndrome in me, labeling myself as a “creative” also motivates me to keep investing into other ideas for projects I have, and I plan on continuing to expand my horizons and exploring other avenues of self-expression and creativity and live up to the name.The reality is, creativity comes in many forms, and I believe everyone is an artist if they allow themselves the opportunity to create. I am learning that the key to being a fulfilled creative is to embrace and enjoy the process (both the lows and the highs) rather than focus on the productive outcome, being open to learning about and expressing ourselves vulnerably and boldly, and refraining from self judgment or shame, but rather embracing curiosity, exploration, and play. This is a lifelong practice I am working on embodying every day.
What sets me apart as a DJ is definitely the sound and energy I deliver. The sets I put together tend to embody a lot of faster-paced, hard-hitting breakbeat, electro, techno, hard groove and booty bass-focused music, which is not super prevalent in the San Diego music scene, but is definitely gaining attention and admiration around the world. I am a music lover to my core and appreciate an eclectic variety of music, ranging from psychedelic, alternative, and surf rock, to new and dark wave music, old-school hip hop, RnB/Soul, jazz, singer-songwriter/folk, and of course, electronic music. I am inspired by a broad range of music, and that translates over into the energy of the music I play and the sets I put together. I am excited to continue refining my DJing skills and be able to keep incorporating these influences into the music I play and produce.
There are a lot of DJs out there who play music they think people will want to hear, but in my opinion, the best DJs out there are the ones who play the music that heavily resonates with them and shifts the audiences’ horizons to sounds they don’t hear often or haven’t heard before. You can relay a lot about different parts of yourself as a person when you are DJing. Though I know from the outside eye I often am perceived as small and sweet (and I recognize that is a big part of me), I also like to challenge that narrative and play music that is big and bold too, because that is another part of me that I am proud to possess. I do enjoy playing music that speaks to the soul and pulls on the heartstrings too, but when I am playing in the club and warehouse setting, I tend to share music that gets the dance floor moving and heart rates pumping. I am excited to begin producing my own music next year to uncover what my own unique sound is, and eventually share that with the world as well.
As I spoke about in my life story, being the Creative Visionary and Founder of Sisiety is another area I specialize in and am perhaps known for in San Diego. I am a “jack of all trades” when it comes to Sisiety– typically curating the lineups and booking artists, creating the graphics, running social media and promotion, designing the event production and decor, coordinating volunteers and venue logistics, and much more. My favorite part of this role, as well as the other experiences I’ve had in other music collectives, is creating event concepts from the ground up, as well as discovering new artists and booking them for events. It is such a special thing being able to put lineups together and provide a platform for artists to be able to share their sound with the world. I dream of more opportunities to curate lineups for larger-scale events and festivals around the world and be able to prioritize creating more spaces for underrepresented artists and practicing inclusivity in the industry at a larger scale.
Beyond the music scene, I want to continue investing my creative energy into other projects. I am also very passionate about self-expression through fashion and have found a sense of empowerment in being intentional with what I wear. I love putting together expressive outfits with lots of colors and patterns, and probably 95% of what I wear is all thrifted, vintage, and upcycled fashion pieces. I am currently in the process of learning to sew and am back to drawing sketches of designs like I did when I was a kid. I love to style myself and others and have recently begun launching a business of styling and shopping for others using all upcycled and thrifted clothing, and I wish to release my own fashion line one day. I would love the chance to help and empower others to express who they are through how they dress and be able to support small businesses and sustainable fashion practices as well. One of my other long-term goals is to continue to write and eventually release a memoir of my life. I’d like to start curating blog posts as well in the meantime and am tinkering around with the idea of starting my own podcast. I have a lot of ideas and creative vision; it is only a matter of time and energy to bring these ideas to life and build up the momentum to share them with the world.
And last but not least, I plan to continue practicing what I preach when it comes to mental wellness and use my platform as an artist to shed light on mental health, harm reduction, safety in the music scene, and other issues that mean a lot to me. I would love to be known as an advocate as much as a DJ, as I believe advocacy is artistry in its own way. I know one of my core purposes here on Earth is to shed light on some of the “darker” topics and more difficult dialogue others tend to avoid and ultimately help heal the world collectively through my individuality. If I can use my own experiences and my voice to make the lives of others better, as well as continue to prioritize my own wellness and finding fun and pleasure in my journey, then that is ultimately what makes life worth living for me.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My biggest piece of advice for finding mentorship and networking is a tad cliche but incredibly on point— be yourself. Don’t be who you think people want you to be because that is just a disservice to yourself, and the world around you. The more you can step into your power by embracing your individuality in an authentic way, the more it inspires others to be themselves too. We are all conditioned to think, act, and exist in a certain way based on our upbringing and the world around us, but it takes great courage to be who you truly are, and that is what the world needs more of. You may ruffle some feathers along the way of being “the real you” and speaking up about your core values and needs, because a lot of people are intimidated by the courage of those who don’t conform to the norm and live life their own way. With that said, marching to the beat of your own drum paves the way for others to do the same and makes life that much more rewarding of an experience in the grand scheme of things. Surround yourself with people who appreciate your authentic self; those who love and support you equally when you’re at your high as well as your low will make a huge difference as well.Additionally, I recommend trying to focus on finding sources of inspiration rather than get caught up in self-comparison and jealous of others’ success. Look at the people around you who are doing things that resonate with you, inspire you, and share similar intentions as you— those are the most valuable people to have in your network. I think one of the most common and destructive tendencies many humans face is comparing ourselves to others and dealing with imposter syndrome. I know this is something I have personally struggled with. The saying “the grass is always greener” really has truth to it, and the reality is that comparing yourself to someone else– their journey, their success, the way they do things (especially through the lens of social media)– just simply isn’t doing yourself or anyone else any good.
The reality is we are all on our own journeys, and each of our lives has a different timeline. Shifting my perspective from being envious of others’ opportunities and success to being inspired by it has made a world of difference for me and expanded my network and community greatly. When you look up to someone or admire what they’re doing, tell them. No one’s day has ever been made worse by someone complimenting them, seeing them, and supporting them in a genuine way. Letting others know you appreciate what they’re doing stimulates a domino effect of sharing love and light. I believe that is what creative expression should be all about, and can enable you to build beautiful connections with other people you can learn from and grow with along the way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovella.the.creative/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcalavella/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jovella
Image Credits
Dakotah Puccio
Jacob Cardell
Lee Hernandez
Carla Frias
