Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Wang.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jess. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was a drummer when I was super young and after I moved to US for college from China, I immediately dived into the EDM and general music scene and fell in love with it. I started DJing as Js.DOPAAH in 2017ish in San Diego, and just working hard socializing and networking, talk and learn from many talented people. Now I have played most major clubs in San Diego like BASSMNT, Rich’s, Parq, etc. I have also traveled around world and have been to counties such as Peru, Costa Rica, Czech Republic and also made connections there to be able to play locally and experienced different music scenes and cultures.
After about two years of just performing, I wanted to spin my own music as well, so I started the journey of production. I have been taking online classes, attending masterclasses and seminars to learn all the wonderful thing in music production. So far, I have five official releases and my goal this year would be to release more and better musics and luckily signed to labels I love. Interesting thing about me is that I am also a pre-PA student before I started everything in music, and now I wanted to keep both routes going and wish to heal people in both ways. My parents are kinda traditional but last year when I went back visiting them and showed them the songs I made, they actually started to really support me.
I came from a family with no music nor medical background, so at first my parents were like: you can’t even sing how can you even make music? Well, I guess I successfully proved them wrong haha. It is super intense with everything going on and the challenges I have to face, but I am thankful of all the wonderful people, family and friends who support me love me. I hope one day I could be the best artist among all the PAs and the only PA among all artists. Heal people physically and mentally, that’s my goal 🙂
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing is ever smooth, at least not for me. As an international student, I just have so much to overcome compared to other local artists and also starting in a place branding new where I know nobody. And also as a female go up talk to the managers, ARs for the clubs and other people in the scene, it is easy to be neglected or not been taken seriously, you really have to be at the top of your game and sacrifice a lot to get closer to your goal. You will have less time with family, sometimes your close friends and not mentioning having a normal relationship. It is really hard to be on the road alone but it makes it even harder to find someone to walk it with you.
My life is like a rollercoaster because I am the type of person that always want to push the boundaries and try new stuff, I asked my mom once that why am I always having hiccups in my life and can’t it be as smooth as the others？ My mom is like “no cause this is the life you chose, you were born this way and do you think you will be satisfied with a normal and ordinary life?” I don’t think I am in a place that I can give advice to others but what I really learned a lot will be strong, always be positive, and cherish your friends and family. If I didn’t make it, that’s ok, at least I tried and lived my life worthwhile and I was never not alone in this.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a DJ/Producer with an artist name of Js.DOPAAH. I mainly make bass music and trap but I am also dabbing into the field of pop and electronica. My shows are mainly bass trap and hiphop based but I have played almost all genres possible. For me personally, I really liked this brand because it is very me and what I what to pass on to the public. I want it to be cute, accessible and related to my listeners, emotionally but always with a smile on the face.
My logo is rock paper and scissors, part of the reason is because Js.DOPAAH is homophonic with rock paper scissors in my mother language, a Chinese dialect from Chongqing, and it is also my favorite drinking game. I want to pass on the idea that we all can have some simple and easy fun in life, like playing rock paper scissors without thinking anything, just by luck, along with my music. To clear out our minds and feeling cute and happy.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Like I said before I don’t think I am qualified to give any advice, but what have worked for me really well and also heard from many other artists is that if you can find a mentor you like and work well together, it would save a lot time and money along the way, but self-learning and experimenting is also kinda necessary as well. I found it helpful finding a mentor and at the same time, learn myself this way.
I will always have questions when meeting him and I will absorb it a lot better after practice it myself as well. As for networking, there is no short cut. Just have to get out there meet more and more people, but like be friends with them not just go straight up, make it business-related. People won’t hesitate helping out a friend, but not necessarily colleagues.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jsdopaah.com
- Phone: 8582912537
- Email: zhentan0123@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsdopaah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/js.dopaah/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jsdopaah
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/jsdopaah
Image Credit:
EeveeVision, EAClub Zhuhai, C_U photography
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
