Meet Gil Hinojosa | Gil-T Pleasure (DJ & Producer)

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

Hi Gil, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Born in Chicago, but North Dallas has been my home for over 25 years. My upbringing was deeply rooted in music—I played in orchestra, band, jazz band, and even rocked a stage in a rock band for the senior talent show. I played the upright bass in orchestra and jazz, and I’ve also been known to wield a tuba and a sousaphone—yeah, the big goofy brass beast that coils around you like a snake from Anaconda.

Those years were gold—my musical foundation was solid, teaching me about music theory, communication, and how to lead and collaborate with others. Fast forward, DJing might look solo on the surface, but creating killer events at bars, clubs, or anywhere in between takes all those skills— careful coordination, curating a vibe, and knowing how to bring people together. That’s the real magic behind it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
People often tell me I’ve got this infectious energy when I’m DJing—there’s just something about how much I love the music I play. That vibe is contagious, and you can always catch me grooving, singing along, and just vibing out. Honestly, if the music doesn’t make you wiggle, then what’s the point, right?

As for how I got to where I am today professionally—was it easy? Not exactly. The road’s been filled with challenges. For every, there are 10-15 rejections I faced along the way. It can be draining to hear “no,” or sometimes not even get a response at all. But here’s the truth: to hit the ball, you’ve gotta swing. Rejection is just part of the game—something you have to accept, learn from, and push through. The key is to keep going, keep applying, keep hustling. If you can do it once, you can do it again—and again.

And my favorite gold nugget of advice is this – every gig is an audition for the next. Be professional and take pride in your brand by showing up early, playing good music, help push the flyers and media as best you can, and be kind. You never know who is going to show up and who is watching that will offer you the next gig.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Bishop Arts is one of my favorite areas because there’s just so much going on – most everything is very close or even walkable, For example, on a Friday night, I’d say start up at 7PM at Round Two arcade for some fun arcade games. Then, make the 2 minute drive to Zen Sushi for dinner, then you are right around the corner to Lady Love music lounge. Just don’t wait too long because there’s always a line to get in.

Saturday afternoon, you definitely want a patio or something outside, so I’d start with Wild Detectives and then make my way to La Reunion for late lunch. Bishop arts has plenty of live music during the day, so just wander around and listen to find your next favorite bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a lot of DJs, collectives, and venues really making waves right now, and I think they all deserve a shoutout. First up, the team at Meow Wolf curated an event called Adulti-verse, where folks 21+ get to explore the exhibit, sip cocktails, and enjoy local DJs spinning at the Neon Kingdom stage. It’s a completely different experience from what you might expect! I just played on July 3rd, but make sure to follow me on instagram (@gil_tpleasure) to find out when I’m playing next!

Next, I want to give a special nod to The Kava Bar—this place is close to my heart. Kava offers an alcohol-free alternative, and their holistic, mindful events are right up my alley. The bar industry—and especially alcohol-centered gatherings—can get pretty repetitive, but venues like The Kava Bar shift the focus to good vibes and community-building. I often stop by just to get some work done, but before I know it, I’ve made a whole new crew of friends. I’ll be playing there on Saturday, July 12th, alongside my good friend Lima.

And finally, shoutout to Coba and the Sundown Sounds crew for bringing me on board for their recent project, Coba Pilates. Yeah, you heard that right—a pilates class in a five-star jungle club, which is as epic as it sounds. The energy from instructor Nisha will push you to work up a sweat, and the bass from the club’s sound system will keep you going for that extra rep. DreamBeams always bring the lights, making it a full-on club experience. Our last event on June 19th was packed because, well, there’s only so many yoga mats on the dance floor—and trust me, you’ll want to snag your tickets early when this event drops again.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gil_tpleasure/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gil-t-pleasure

Image Credits
Audi Anciso
Lucci