Interview With Fast-Rising DJ and Producer Amanda Haze

Somewhere between the realm of reality and ethereal fantasies, you’ll find Amanda Haze. Think house music—but on Mars. With trance-inducing lyrics and melodies juxtaposed against electrifying production, the 23-year-old DJ and producer has performed amongst prominent musicians like Serge Devant, Cut Snake, Claptone, Dion Timmer, and many more.

Interview

What exactly do you do for a career?

I am a well-rounded creative. I produce electronic music and DJ, and I also do a lot of work in graphic design, digital marketing, and creative direction for outside clients.

What was the process for you to find what you wanted to do?

The process was definitely a struggle. As the story goes, I used to do corporate stuff, interning at Saks Fifth Avenue and J.P. Morgan, but I never felt satisfied. I always felt like there was more for me to give to the world, and I wanted to focus on creating and using my mind.

What is the most rewarding part of your music?

I can’t really express how fulfilling it is when I see people dancing to my DJ set or my music while the sun starts to rise and everyone’s been up since the night before. I really work hard to give people this sense of, like, ethereal escapism. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around ever doing anything else.

Can you tell us about your company/job?

I work for myself. I have been focusing on my personal brand, Amanda Haze, and building my own team around it from the ground up. I currently have a few people working with me from all around the world, some in Berlin, some in New York, some in L.A. There is still just so much work to be done—lightyears to go before I sleep.

What do you want your audience to know?

I want people to know that I am there for them. Without my fans and my audience, none of my work would really mean anything. I want to empower them to pursue their wildest, most outlandish dreams, to just go for it and really invest their energy in what makes them happiest.

What is your greatest success so far?

My greatest success so far would probably be the music I’m releasing soon- I’ve been working so hard on it and so excited for people to vibe to it.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Westchester, New York.

Where are you from?

I’m from New York, born and raised.

What are some of the challenges you faced along the way?

I’m gonna say something that might be hard to hear for people who are just starting to pursue their passion. It is so excruciatingly difficult to launch a successful creative career—but it is definitely possible.

The hardest challenge? Probably teaching myself everything from scratch. From learning Ableton and analog equipment that I use to produce to working on Adobe software like Premiere Pro and Photoshop, you have to master the ability to self-teach, which really takes a higher level of willpower and motivation than learning in an organized setting. You don’t need a degree in something to do it- practice makes perfect.

What does it take to be a successful artist or entrepreneur?

You need to learn to network effectively, and beyond that, you have to build on the relationships that you make. It’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people, having a supportive team behind you, and learning from people who have more experience than you do. On that note, if people go out of their way to help you, always express your gratitude. That can mean thanking them, but also passing that help forward!

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

In the next five years, I want to work with other creatives and artists that I look up to. I also see myself working with brands and continuing my work in creative direction.

What is some advice you would give to a young artist or entrepreneur?

Keep your head up! You are going to fail. Many times. That’s ok. It’s all about the recovery. And if I could go back in time and tell myself something when I was starting out, it’s that I can’t do everything on my own. Try to find people that have mastered a skill that you haven’t and find ways to work with them and learn.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is probably Die Antwoord, they just kill the game.  Anton Tammi has the dopest work, and I need to work with him one day. And, of course, The Weeknd.

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You can find Amanda Haze on Instagram here and listen to her music here.