The Rise of DJ Tayana
As she mixes her way forward, DJ Tayana is making strides in the Phoenix EDM scene with her unique sound that blends classic EDM music with R&B, the fusion becoming an enjoyable exploration of other cultures’ music.
Tayana first got involved in music as a teenager. She grew up on YouTube, learning about different genres of music and eventually becoming interested in mixing. As a high schooler, she taught herself how to create her own mash-ups using a virtual deejay app, but it wasn’t until 2018 that she met her best friend and leapt out of her comfort zone. With the help of her new friend, Tayana began meeting more of the Phoenix EDM community and began collaborating at local venues.
Tayana’s sets typically include mixes and mash-ups of her favorite artists, her sound inspired by fellow EDM artists Kaytranada and DJ Swisha. Her preparation process is all her own, though, the specifics of which depend on the event, venue, and even the time she goes on. Her favorite part of being a musician is not playing live, but rather the research she does to prepare for one. Before each set, she usually digs around SoundCloud for new mixes or genres to add to her set.
“I take a lot of time and care when it comes to my craft, even when I'm nervous or going through something,” she says. “It always warms my heart when people enjoy my stuff and have a good time. It's really important to me that everyone's having a good time.”
However, as Tayana explained, not every set can be as high-energy as the last.
“On days when I don't have the social battery to be around people, play[ing] high-energy music can be challenging. It can feel like I am forcing myself to push through it,” she says. “On days where I don't feel like the sets weren't the best, I can be hard on myself… I'm working on being kinder to myself.”
Tayana is currently working on her own mix and hopes to explore producing her own works to one day showcase her current music obsessions. As she continues to learn and grow, she will share her interpretations of new music and genres on a separate account and engage with the Phoenix EDM community.