Randy Perez Fights for Voting Rights and EDM Joy
By day, Randy Perez fights for those who don't have a voice, but by night, he fights with his sound board to mix up stellar sets on the dance floor. As both an advocate for voting rights and a deejay, Perez lives a blended life where his passions for politics and music create a cycle of endless inspiration. Between the rallies and raves, he lives life hoping to achieve his most important goal: Bring joy to others.
The Phoenix-based deejay grew up on many classic rock icons, including Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and Bon Jovi. He distinctly remembers being nine years old and watching the Fall Out Boy Dance, Dance music video on MTV, one of his first memories of music becoming a pillar of his identity. It wasn't until much later, at the Electric Forest festival in Michigan, that he became involved with EDM.
“It was really freeing and everyone could be themselves,” he says. “It was a really special memory”.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Perez turned to deejaying and producing music as a creative outlet. Since then, he’s gained experience within the l scene, enough so that he can now play a set without preparation, each set building up his music library and teaching him exactly what he likes and dislikes. Now that he understands the types of music that bring joy to him, the job has become much more meaningful.
“I just go with the flow,” he says. “I can plug in any time, any place. A lot of hard work and practice went into it.”
Perez recently headlined a Halloween show at Almost Famous in Scottsdale, with friends from all over the country in attendance. The show is his proudest moment as a musician, but his day job is even more rewarding. As a nonprofit professional fighting to protect voting rights and lead progressive movements in Arizona, Perez has the opportunity to positively impact the lives of those who need it the most.
“If you live your life oppressed and broken, if you don't have any moments of joy, that trauma is intense,” he says. “I think moments of levity help people breathe, and remind them it will get better.”
His focus on accessibility in his music blends the two sides of his life together. According to Perez, the EDM scene used to be more authentic and connected but has more recently become filled with glitz and glamour. He much more prefers authenticity, inspiring human connection in his crowds, and bringing people together.
“I really come to life in a crowd,” he says. “Being able to lead the vibe and feeling for people [is the best].”
Though his activism keeps him busy, Perez plans to release a significant amount of demos in the next year, with some originals and a handful of SoundCloud edits for other artists. Both on and off stage, Perez will continue to blend his activism into his art, making his music available to anyone who will listen.