Meet Ben McDonald | DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben McDonald and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve had a love for music for as long as I can remember, and I’d been wanting to learn to DJ since my college days around 2009-10, but I never acted on it. I always thought it would be something cool to do, but never thought I’d be able to actually learn it and pick it up. Well, enter 2020, and everyone is trapped in their houses for an indefinite period of time. I took the plunge and bought all the equipment to get me started. I watched tons of YouTube tutorials from different DJs and kind of taught myself through trial and error. Eventually it led to getting gigs on a regular basis and the rest is history.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
It’s been a crazy journey so far, and I’m thankful for everything along the way. I honestly just wanted to learn to DJ just to say I did it. I never thought I’d play gigs, be requested for weddings, travel to different states to perform; I would have laughed in someone said that was in the cards for me. My love for music fueled me through the tough times and moments that I wanted to throw the towel in. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others in this space, especially ones that have been doing it for a while. But that’s the interesting thing about DJing, EVERYONE has bad moments or rough nights, from the vets to the rookies. You just learn from your mistakes, keep it pushing and find your vibe.
This is definitely one of my biggest leaps towards pursuing a dream and now I’m living it. I still have so much to learn and a ton I still want to accomplish, but I’m ultra proud of what I’ve done so far. It’s been rewarding for sure. It’s cliche, but I’m definitely proof that you can set your mind to something and go get it. Just gotta put the work in.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh I’m for sure taking my boy to Deep Ellum; everything you need is there and you can literally hang out there day or night. Sneaker shops, good food, dope clubs with hopefully me DJing at one of them haha, etc. Endless options and a good time guaranteed. The sports scene is a must, too. Gotta see the Mavericks and the Stars play. Especially the Stars; those hockey games are DIFFERENT.
I’m still relatively new to Dallas, so there’s still a ton for me to explore. But these would be on the must-do list. If anyone has anymore suggestions, drop them on me!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d definitely have to shout out my good friend and brother, Dustin. He’s like family to me, and without him, I may still just be DJing in the closet of my man cave. Dustin was a rapper in our home city before we both moved and he’d built a considerate fanbase and buzz over the years. He had a performance at the end of 2020 and needed a DJ to fill in for his usual DJ who was unavailable. At that point, I’d never performed in public, but he trusted and believed in me to DJ for him. We rocked that show, and it led to me eventually getting a residency at the club we did the show at. Honestly, I owe a huge part of my career to Dustin and the owner of the club, Eric.
I love those guys and would do anything for them. I’m eternally grateful.

Instagram: @dj.ben.official

Image Credits
Love Onwa Photography FedePhoto