Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Mondragon
Hi Mariana , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! My name is Mariana and I’m from Mexico City. My journey as a DJ started about a year ago when I came to Memphis with my husband. We began going out, discovering the local events, and building a community with several Latinos and locals here.
I have a deep love for music; my dad was a musician, and my siblings and I, like him, sing and have always been drawn to everything related to music. I also have a cousins who are DJs in Mexico, which sparked my curiosity about DJing, although I always preferred being on the dance floor.
When I arrived in Memphis and met some DJs, we started talking, and they asked me why I wasn’t a DJ yet. They encouraged me to give it a try, so I took the chance, asked my cousin for advice on how to start, which controller to buy, and which program to use. He helped me a lot.
Little by little, thanks to the DJs and friends I’ve met here in Memphis, I started playing at small events and gaining experience. That’s when I discovered I love this just as much as singing (even though I only do that at karaoke, in my house, or in the shower, haha). I hope to have a musical project where I can sing very soon.
I love going to music events, concerts, and festivals—it’s my passion, and I’m always listening to music, dancing, and singing wherever I go.
Now, I feel much more confident and happy to be able to play and share the music I love. That’s why I don’t like to limit myself to one genre. I listen to a bit of everything, but if I had to pick my favorite genres to play, it would definitely be dark, synth, and new wave from the 80s, 90s, and today, as I have a passion for nostalgia—not just songs from those decades but also sounds and melodies inspired by them. I also enjoy playing house, electro house, some dark techno, and even super pop, both in English and Spanish, as well as sounds from the 70s like disco, funk, and high energy.
What I can say is that I like to play music that makes people dance, something that makes you vibe, jump, or sing along. I believe that if you ever see and hear me at an event, I’ll make you dance, and you might discover new songs you’ll love or recognize some you already enjoy.
Please dance with me!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
To be honest, it’s been flowing pretty well. Of course, there have been days or moments when I feel insecure, wondering if I’m actually good at this or if I’m doing it right, and other times when I get impatient and just want to skip ahead and be even better. I think that sudden insecurity or the frustration of wanting to improve is what I’ve felt the most.
I could even say that comparing myself is also inevitable, but I try not to do it, or if I do, I try to look at other DJs as inspiration rather than as competition.
There’s a lot to learn, but I try to live in the moment and enjoy it—that’s the key. I know I have things to work on and keep learning, but I try not to get caught up in negative thoughts or insecurities. I just keep going and enjoying it so that others can feel that vibe and enjoy it too.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the social media coordinator for a nonprofit organization focused on veganism, and I absolutely love working there because I’m vegan, and everything related to this topic is incredibly important to me. I’ve been vegan for six years, and my main motivation is for the animals.
I love learning more about veganism and social justice, hearing inspiring rescue and animal protection stories, and understanding intersectionality and how various movements, like feminism and anti-racism, can connect and relate to veganism.
I deeply admire my coworkers, who have also been activists and have done incredible work for animals and communities. I’ve also been involved in activism, and although it’s not easy and can be exhausting, it’s amazing to be able to do it and spread the message further. Now, I focus on digital activism, sharing everything I learn and know about veganism and my personal experiences.
On another note, one of my other passions is makeup, and I love expressing myself creatively with unique and graphic designs. I’ll soon be giving an eyeliner workshop, and I’ll also be doing makeup at an event, so I consider that both work and passion as well.
And as a DJ, I have a project called Sonidero Gótico with two other DJs: Mala Leche and Kid Mestizo.
We’ve already done two events here in Memphis, and our plan is to host one event per month in different locations. Sonidero Gótico is an event created for people to come dance to music like dark and synth wave, rock in Spanish, post-punk, and Amazonian cumbias.
Our goal is for people to discover different types of music and go dance, sing, or jump. We want to bring communities together and create more unity through music, especially with this event, which we believe is unique because it mixes genres that everyone might think have nothing in common or can’t be played in one night due to their differences. But the reality is that, as Latinos, we know it’s possible, because we grew up in families or places where we listened to all kinds of music, and that’s how we learned more about people and cultures.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I definitely love that they’re also passionate about music and art, as well as history. That there are such strong, united communities with very strong support among them—I’ve really noticed it since I arrived.
I love that they accepted and supported us from the moment we arrived and that they provide us with opportunities to continue showing what we do, allowing us to share more and learn more about Memphis.
What I like least: I think the issues of insecurity and economic inequality, and in general, the harsh laws in Tennessee that affect the LGBTQ+ community, migrants, and the issue of gun regulation.
I think there needs to be more openness toward the great diversity here and greater respect for all people, regardless of their identity or beliefs.
I like that communities support each other, but I think these same communities need to mix more and get to know each other, creating a larger and more diverse community, which could help the city grow and become stronger. This might even get the government to notice and provide more support, or allow the communities themselves to demand it because it’s their right
Pricing:
- $100 per hour (as DJ)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hopp.bio/lafemmeradicaldj?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabNn9xnTfBXwskPNLw3kWvBDeoIKlJn5NEtCR5AllEo8tUQRdftyS7OQ1s_aem_7zXVWYop7OtgCIeGxCHiTQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafemmeradical_dj/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lafemmeradical
- Other: https://www.hopp.bio/marianamvegan?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa3mnjt78c_cwtLtmHunGFSfDEEyWFG6ljfx6GsCtXJoZbTBk-p66OpEfs_aem_484ucjEkTxBPrpEd_psf9Q
