Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Days.
Hi Robert, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My introduction to the technical side of music and live audio came from my days as a teen and preteen volunteering to work in the Audio/Visual department at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church here in KC. In addition, I’ve always been into music and trying to find ways to make my mark with it. I would even sell burnt mixed Cds at my elementary/middle school as well.
Finally going to college at the University of Missouri I attended a party where I was disappointed in the music that was played and felt I could work a crowd much better than what occurred that night and that sparked my interest in becoming a DJ. I found a free DJ program and began to explore how it worked. As fate would have it I was able to gain mentorship in Lloyd Cooper aka DJ C-Style of LC3 Entertainment as he was starting his DJ business. I was able to shadow him on events and set up and break down small and large concert-type events for the city of Kansas City Parks and Recreation.
In doing so, I would practice mixing my own music, and as soon as I was comfortable I was given my own paid gigs most notably for the original club kc events for Teens in KC. From there, I took the skills I learned back to college and built a reputation from djing house parties which eventually turned into frat and homecoming events. Post college I continued to expand my music reach building a blog platform In Refresh KC that highlighted local talent and music.
Refreshmap (Refresh marketing and Promotions) is the business I created to house the mix of my audio/visual talents. I continued to press forward with my DJ career doing private events and clubs such as Club 42 (4244 Indiana) which has brought me this far to most recently Djing at Aura with Dj Q and Joshua Lewis of Updown Night life for their Nexus series.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any path is smooth regardless of the profession. There have been times when I was less motivated than others. I think every DJ goes through times when it’s difficult to get paid what you desire to get paid or even collect funds from completed gigs. I am no stranger to those struggles.
Strength and resiliency are important qualities for a DJ and I believe I hold those. Inspiration is also important and more specifically for me when doing visual projects. I have to continue to learn to find my own inspiration daily.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in turning up crowds and giving a space for people to have fun. I believe I have a great ear for what people like to hear and what people need to hear which in turn sets me apart and makes me a great DJ.
As a DJ, I am most proud of an event I created with my close childhood brother and producer Bruiser3100 that highlighted the music artists and food that makes Kansas City special which will soon make its return, being able to Dj the opening of the Football Field where I am an alumn the historic Lincoln College Prep High School, and creating the best summer vibes in Crossroads Kc drawing massive crowds for First Fridays with The Cinco a Kc native now in California.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the youngest of 3 children. I’ve always been a pretty chill individual, consistent, cool, calm, and creative. My adult mentors would often call me “Mr. Smoothe” or Butter.
My interests have always been mainly in music and electronics. Djing happens to be a perfect mix of those things.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @djaerob
- Facebook: @dj.a.e.rob
- Twitter: @Djaerob
- SoundCloud: @djaerob
Image Credits
@cams.eye94, @kennydidthat, and @photogenic.photosss
