Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Imair.
Hi Samuel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Around two years ago I worked at a restaurant in the west bottoms. I was a line cook. I usually handled playing all the music in the kitchen, a new general manager had just started and quickly noticed that we had alot of the same music tastes and quickly bonded over this. Over the next couple of weeks he keeps telling me that I should be a DJ. I immediately dismissed the idea because I thought “well everyone is a DJ” and that it required work I wasn’t willing to put in. A couple months later I lost that job and thought I didnt have anything to lose by at least giving it a try. Once I hopped on those boards it was like putting a puzzle piece together on a puzzle that I already thought was finished. Big shoutout to my mentor, Vertigon . I wouldn’t have any of this without him. Taught me so many of the techniques that I still use today. Gave me all the tools I needed to be a success!
Eventually we start throwing small DJ sets at minibar and form a DJ crew called “Inner Sanctum” Inner Sanctum starts picking up some steam and we start making connections with rappers in the local area that really like our stuff. Me and Vertigon decide that we should make an upgrade to upstairs of minibar and have an awesome party to celebrate all the rich talent in KC! That would eventually become Sammy Sheets and Friends.
The show was fantastic! All of the performers knocked it out of the park and I could tell how grateful and how hungry they were to be on stage in front of people (myself included) .
Initially I just thought it would be cool to have a party and call it, have the next one whenever I feel inspired y’know? But then people started asking me “when’s the next one?” And I was like “oh? Yall want another one?” I was glad to oblige
As the shows kept rolling the request and our name started being spread around as the place to go if you want to get your foot into showcasing your music in front of people. That brings us to today. SSAF used to be bi monthly or whenever minibar would have dates open. But as we started growing it became a little too much for JUST me and Vertigon. So we decided to add our good friend Reach to the fold ( you make know him as D’jawnz or Sounds Like Suade) That was quite possibly the best decision I could have made for SSAF. He brings a certain sense of order and organization to the fold that I didnt know was needed.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. Theres so much that goes into booking these things.
First off you cant just go ahead and start booking something for the same month. I’m not sure if its the same way for other venues but booking at minibar almost seems competitive. Obviously weekends are gone easily but sometimes it would be either the 5th or the 25th. Boom. There are your two options. Figure it out.
A big skill thats needed for this job is adaptability and covering every single base there is possible. The way I go into these things now is im going to assume everything is going to go wrong and I need to have a solution to any and everything.
For example; alot of times my DJ setup does not have a usb slot. So what happens if a performer brings a usb? Or if someone sends you a google drive 20 minutes before they are supposed to preform? Adapt and Hustle like your life depends on it.
Another skill thats crucial is communication. Sometimes people think they have longer than they do. You need to communicate properly to be successful and organize everything you need to have a good show.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This isnt my full time job ( for now) but I love spinning music live for people. Like i’ve said before i gravitate towards hip hop music but I love to challenge myself and do themed sets to expand my knowledge.
Sammy Sheets and Friends is one of the things I look forward to every single month. Sometimes I have a vision that people help me execute, other times i’m just there for the ride and help things roll smoothly.
What makes me different than everyone else is that we have a true community. Every time we add someone new to the a show its like being added to a roster. Or a team. The way I DJ is something that me and Vertigon have worked on and perfected and it’s something that I’ve never seen done by anybody else. Everyone uses the same boards the same music same everything. Maybe I wanna play a Bjork song then go into Styles P, maybe I wanna hear Roy Ayers. Or sometimes maybe I just wanna hear 90’s rap for 3 hours. Being unpredictable truly gives us all an edge at SSAF.
How do you define success?
Having a show where everything goes right effortlessly. Having everyones beats on deck, the sound being perfect, everyone being announced and hyped up properly. AND everyone is on time? Thats a successful SSAF show.
Oh and a packed crowd never hurts too .
Pricing:
- 10 dollars to get in the door
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sammy-sheets-closet.printify.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammysheetsandfriends
