Everyone has to start somewhere. There seems to be many doorways into the music industry. The key is to find an entrance that works for you. To walk through it and get involved where you can learn and grow and become what you want to be, and enjoy the journey. Whether you have a goal in mind or not, you can often stumble upon opportunities. You can often find or put yourself in situations where you can create doorways to get involved and start something new.

Retracing My Steps

I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, and had been strongly discouraged from pursuing music, despite my creative personality and talents. So when I left home I did a year in Masters Commission in Rockford, IL, which soon became a second year in Phoenix, AZ. What I did with my second year set the course for what I've done since. I learned how to start up every ministry they ran there, and spent the rest of my time playing in bands. Day in and day out, when anyone needed a musician, I was there, playing keyboards, violin, vocals or fretless bass guitar.

My first week back in Toronto, where I decided to attend school for keyboard performance, instead of going to orientation activities, I went to a Christian band festival at a local theme park. After a concert there, I helped the headlining independent band carry gear off the stage (the most difficult job for musicians, who can almost always use some quality roadie help). I told them I was new in the city and wanted to start a band, and asked how could I get involved with what was happening locally. They invited me out to a networking meeting. The door price was expensive, but I soon found myself talking to producers from Nashville, people from the media, and tons of other bands and artists.

So I started a live electronic band, and soon began touring in southern Ontario, as I continued to show up at other networking meetings and was offered gigs. But after a month of touring I realized I had missed a month of school... so I decided to put the band on hold, and see what else I could do closer to home, to fill my need for adventure and excitement. I showed up to volunteer for a community radio station located on my school campus, and offered to write for and help out at a newspaper, to try my hand working in media. And one night, hanging out with some local media types, we showed up to a Christian club night and coffeehouse.

It was a monthly event called Life Zone, located at Queensway Cathedral in Toronto. In the main room, they had DJs mixing in Christian and worship vocals over house, techno and breakbeats, with a light show and video projections, a dancefloor, pool tables and video games. They also had a fantastic coffeehouse with gourmet desserts where people could sit and talk. I was so inspired by the electronic music and atmosphere and instantly became friends with the DJs. I liked the club night so much I was the last to leave, and I met all the people putting on the event.

The following month I began volunteering with them, helping to move chairs around and designing flyers. Whatever I could do to help out and get involved. They had a moderate but faithful monthly attendance, and I felt with more promotion, more people would come. I had never designed club flyers before, but since I understood the basics behind promotion from playing in bands, I put my creativity to work. I figured people can't come to events they don't know about, and believed I could come up with some creative ways to get the word out, so more people could find out about this cool event in our city.

Prayer was a cornerstone in my lifestyle, and soon I found myself talking to many different people about Christian dance music and club nights. People seemed to come out of the woodwork who were interested in being involved, and willing to bring in their talents, abilities and resources. So many people expressed interest, that I decided to have a meeting at my house to bring everyone together. It was a networking and vision casting meeting, to become acquainted with each other, talk about what we were actively doing, and what we wanted to see happen. I never intended to become a leader in any way, until one of the Life Zone guys turned to me and said, "I think you need to lead this". At the time I had no idea what any of this could become or what might happen. But I did feel something would happen, and I wanted to be a part of whatever it might be.

I was new at email, but soon had an email list for anyone who wanted to hear about what we were all doing. Soon some of us were starting up more events, and brought in more DJs and artists we had come into contact with. Things began to grow faster. We made a point that whenever anyone started up a new event we would all stay in touch, so the DJs could play at the different venues, and more events could happen with better lineups and more variety, as we pooled our resources.

I started StreetBeatz Zine to promote the artists, DJs and events. It was originally going to be in print, but that didn’t work out, so I put it on the internet instead. Word had spread so quickly I needed two email lists. I set up one events list for supporters and fans, and another networking list for DJs and promoters to stay in touch and make things happen. The network list evolved under different names until we stuck with DM4C.

A visit to Cornerstone festival with a single print copy of StreetBeatz Zine in hand literally doubled the number of people involved on the networking list at that time. Because I was also networking in the music industry, some people on our events list were from radio stations and newspapers, and we received more promotion from their support. Word continued to spread, and our fanbase grew.

There was always room for new talent, events, people, ideas. Love for God and people, electronic music, club and rave culture, and hanging out with each other, were our continual sources of inspiration. We shared a true passion for all types of electronic music, reaching out to people in the scene, and the experiences of each unique event. There were always new faces and often familiar faces at the events. City to city, we supported each other and felt a real sense of community. PLUR not only in the sense of Peace Love Unity Respect but also Prayer Love Unity Revival. Collectively doing whatever we could to make this outreach scene happen.

Together we built the scene. Artists, DJs, dancers, labels, media, supporters, volunteers. Anyone who could put on an event, spread the word, bring in resources, or help out in any way. For about five years we had between one and five events every month in cities, towns and out in the country. Anyone who had a Christian electronic music event could be listed in StreetBeatz OnLine InfoLine and had access to the DM4C networking list. Our collective hard work resulted in lots of music, events and ministry happening in many different cities...
Memories... I remember dragging my cousin out to take event photographs for the website. Driving a car load of people two hours to a rave in the middle of nowhere. Staying up all night talking outside, after one club night, because no one wanted to go home when it closed. God meeting us right where we were, time and time again. One hundred fifty kids listening intently as one girl shared her testimony through a beautiful, heartbreaking live theatre presentation. A crew of breakdancers called the Bondage Breakaz. A concert where an artist painted live as musicians played. An art room where you could create your own. A drum circle. MCs sharing from their personal lives on the mic. A heart to heart talk from one performer to a crowded chillout room. Different creative atmospheres, rooms and visuals, and many different types of music. Conversations with people who came to the events. Sometimes people accepted Christ, other times we were planting seeds. People loved us because we were real and we loved them first. Sometimes we had free music from the artists or labels, or candy, gifts or tracts to give out. Everyone has stories to tell... The artists, DJs, breakdancers, promoters, people working so hard and putting their hearts fully into it. So many people supporting and encouraging us and praying for us.

When I finished my two years in keyboard performance classes, I studied producing engineering and began working full time in the music industry. I had also responded to ads when I was in school, working for labels, studios, clubs and companies, soon picking up contracts from people I met through other jobs and people I knew. Before I finished school I was working for many of Canada's top companies. And soon my work began to take over my life, and I had less time for promoting events, and needed to spend more time on my own projects.

All things come to a close... most of us running the events were professionals and artists in other disciplines who had done this in our spare time. By the time we finally gained mainstream acceptance, when TV stations were interested in covering our events, and Toronto area churches were showing a real interest in supporting our ministry... most of us no longer had time to promote events. Most of the Toronto promoters and DJs were working full time in technology jobs or were freelance performers in other fields. One was working on his first short film. I continued to book DJs for a few more events, but couldn't commit to the time required to keep running events, since the demand and workload was too great, and I needed more time in the studio. Because like anything else, promoting events can become a full time job.

Some of the DJs are still around, and plenty of new performers. New events have come up. Like anywhere else, Christians are working in jobs throughout the entertainment industry. Most of the young adults churches have expressed an interest in supporting this form of music, outreach and events. There is no shortage of opportunity. Currently the artists and events do not seem to be well networked and supporting each other to build a unified scene. There are some artists who are getting out there with their own message.

For anyone with an interest to start out, I would encourage you to look for what you feel is needed, and try to fill that need with what you may have to offer, because often that will be a growth area. I started promoting events, simply because I thought an event I liked needed some fancier flyers and more people, and soon found myself with an events list that "those in the know" considered "the source" for underground Christian dance music events in our area, and respected by professionals and media in Toronto's industry. I started a networking email list for DJs and promoters because no one, excepting one label at that time, was supporting all the talent out there. So I created a way for people to connect and make their own opportunities.

It has never been easier to make your own music at home and reach a worldwide audience. To network on an international level, and get involved in any scene you want to. To get the knowledge you need, to pursue what you want. You have to choose what you want to do and then find a way to do it. If you feel something is needed that you think you can do, why not step out and do it? If you can find the doorways I used to get into jobs and start new things, you can create your own out there and figure out ways to do things that will work in your own city, with your own ideas and projects.

And theres a world out there crying out for answers that you have found just by knowing God and living a real Christian walk each day. There has never been a more important time for new leaders to emerge, and for people to communicate real love and truth that can only be found in a real relationship with God. Sometimes it only takes one person to step out and start making a difference. If we don't reach out to people, who will? Whether it's through the safe environment and friendships you can provide through events, the real life Christian or Christlike example you portray as an artist through your music, the influence you may exert as a DJ with your positive track selections, attitude and example. The excitement you build as a promoter, when the kids know your name, who you are and what you are about. How much more can we all accomplish if we encourage each other and spur one another on...

I once thought my ultimate dream was to play in a band. But almost as soon as I left home I played in my first real alt rock band and several other bands as well. So what was I to do now, since all my dreams had come true so quickly? "Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (Hab. 1:5) God is not limited by our imaginations. Once you take the first step, there is no limit how far your journey may take you, if you will trust Him. So take that first step and the rest will follow. Get started! In Part Three, I will talk more about how to start up your own unique project.

Related Links:

• Street Beatz
• DM4C
• Shana Gray