The right ceremony and reception music for your wedding could totally make or break the vibe. Aaron of DJAA Entertainment makes it his goal to ensure the crowd is hyped and having the time of their lives.
Aaron will be at Twin Cities Bridal Show on Jan. 31st and Unveiled Rochester on Feb. 7th, so we wanted to give you a sneak peek at the person behind the music!
Q: Let’s get to it, what’s your business’ specialty?
A: DJ and MC services
Q: Where can we find you?
A: I’ve been all over the state of Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin.
Q: Tell us when and how DJAA Entertainment began.
A: I realized the job I was in no longer felt like a fit. I’m the kind of person that goes all-in with what I do. A friend of mine suggested I look into becoming a wedding DJ. He said my experience in music and speaking publicly would fit right in with the expertise needed to be a DJ. So…I went for it. Did my first wedding in 2018, and LOVED IT. I quit my job and started my own company. Since then, I have done over 65 events.
Q: What makes your company unique from others?
A: Well, I would say the relationships built with my clients. Because no one else works with me, it’s just me! So all contacts, consultations, meetings, phone calls, all that goes to me. So by the time we have the event, we know each other pretty well! I feel it gives me an advantage because I know what they are expecting, and how to make that happen for them.
I would also add that I have made a major investment in the equipment and gear I use. That investment pays off in great sounding speakers and top-quality lighting.
Q: How long have you been in the industry? What do you think has changed the most since then?
A: 2 years. While I haven’t been at it long enough to remember using CD’s, the thing that changes the most in my industry is the music. That’s why it’s so important that I keep listening and finding new songs. Anytime I’m watching a movie, TV show, or even at a restaurant and I hear a song, I’ll turn on Shazam and think, could that be a banger? It might, it might not, that’s the fun!
Q: Walk us through your average workday.
A: Start off having breakfast with my family, which is something I was never able to do before, and one of my favorite parts of running my own business from home. I work on emails, social media, and if I have an event coming up, I will put all the music together so that I can practice. Practice usually means going through some songs I haven’t played before and see what they work with. The dance floor is about maintaining that energy and playing the song that the crowd didn’t know they wanted to hear, but when they hear it, they go nuts.
Q: What would you want couples searching for DJ’s to know?
A: That the DJ’s role is more than just playing music. The DJ can make or break an event. And that can happen before the dance even starts. You want to find someone that you vibe with and that gives you the confidence that your event is important to them. You’re not just “another wedding”. This is your day. You want to hear Shania Twain right after Usher? You got it.
Q: How far in advance should a couple book with DJAA Entertainment?
A: I would say 6-12 months.
Q: What’s one wedding trend you’d like to see fade out?
A: The early ceremony. I tell couples not to plan an all-day wedding because no one loves them that much. I say keep the whole thing 6-7 hours. Start at 5 pm and the last song at 11 pm. That might seem short, but some of the best weddings I have done have been that time frame. I would rather the party end with people wanting more than it fizzling out with you and 6 of your friends left.
Q: What’s your favorite song to play at a wedding? Least favorite song?
A: It’s not a specific song but, my absolute favorite moment at a wedding is when I play a song I’m not 100% sure will work and it kills. Ahh…I love that so much. Sometimes I won’t look at them for the first few bars just in case they’re like, “What is this garbage DJ!!” I’ll take a peek up and when I see the hands in the air and the smiles, boom. I’m doing my job right.
Q: What’s the most unique wedding you’ve ever DJ’d for?
A: Everything 2020. The amount of pivots everyone has had to do, guest count cuts, uncertainty, all that. It hasn’t felt like a real wedding season, but the events I have done were amazing. Everyone that came wanted to be there for the couple and there was a lot of love.
Q: Any cool first dance stories?
A: I got off the phone with a couple the week of their wedding and the groom texted me secretly. He wanted to play a song on his guitar for his wife right after the first dance. Thought that was really sweet. I mean…it was a heavy metal song haha!
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Q: What show are you binging right now?
A: I’ll try and start something new but end up watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Q: You’re in charge of the lineup for your dream concert. Who are your headliners?
A: Oasis then Elton John then Radiohead and the closer — The Beatles
Q: Gold or Silver?
A: Silver
Q: Favorite Minnesota pastime?
A: I’ve only lived here 4 years. I tried getting into the Juicy Lucy but it’s not worth the shower afterward.
Q: You’re at brunch. Are you going for something sweet or savory?
A: Savory
Q: Favorite board game?
A: Scategories
Q: Do you have any favorite podcasts?
A: The Ricky Gervais Show and Improv for Humans
Q: Mountains or Beach?
A: Beach
Q: If you could choose any celebrity to sit next to on a plane, who would it be?
A: Jerry Seinfeld
Be sure to check out DJAA Entertainment if you’re on the search for a wedding DJ, and see Aaron at one of our upcoming shows!
