Explore Yana's journey in the Music Publishing Industry

Absolutely. It’s what you’re doing, what you’re passionate about. You have to go for it no matter what. You have to listen to your gut and not be attached to other people’s perception of you. I can totally relate to being rootless. – Yana

So, I was born in a city in northern Russia, but my family is originally from Saint Petersburg. My dad was in the military and had to move a lot so, I kind of grew up near the North Pole for a couple of years. I was born in a place where at night it’s very bright. It’s a very special, magical place. I think maybe it’s connected to music in some way. I came here in the US when I was almost 17 years old to Saint Petersburg, Florida. – Yana

I studied Biology in college because I had always dreamed of being a doctor. I was a volunteer at the John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and was studying at same time. I was getting straight As, participating in research and aiming to go to medical school. After volunteering at the hospital, I was introduced to clinical research, got my first job at the hospital and became a clinical researcher there. I slowly moved northeast to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry. I currently work on clinical trials in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy. That is a detrimental disease manifested at the age of four and by the age of twelve these people are in a wheelchair and can die by cardiac arrest by the age of 26. It primarily affects males; it’s not manifested in females. My dream is to see all these boys to have fun on the dance floor. There is no cure about this disease as of today and there are only two companies which are trying to create a cure for it. That’s my day job. – Yana

The DJing started when I moved to Boston and I was helping my friend with a fundraiser. Her name is Carolyn Kim, she was the founder of “The good ones”. She would organize events and part of these were also fundraisers. She always loved the music I put on the background when we went out together and she knew I was passionate about it. She suggested they gave me an opening spot at their next fundraiser. She gave me a week and even though it seemed as a very short time, I told her I was going to do it. I went to the “Guitar Center” and bought my first mini controller and spent all the evening preparing. The night of the event, I was very nervous about everything. Surprisingly, people really liked my music; everybody was dancing and it was a success. Slowly after that I got residency at the Chalet-Bastille Kitchen. I would DJ there every Friday. I’m very thankful to them because that’s how people started to know my name. It was a unique underground place people could come after dinner, it was sophisticated and I played the music I was mixing and people were really interested. I eventually started getting more and more gigs and I have been DJing everywhere in Boston ever since. – Yana

Interestingly enough, in Boston, people were coming to me. I’ve never had to ask for gigs. At some point I even had to cancel because I was finishing my master’s, working fulltime and DJing. At some point I was doing it on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and it was too much. I started to become well-known through from word of mouth and I would get hired for corporate events, private parties without even seeking them out. I didn’t have to beg for opportunities, they were coming to me. The most important thing is to play whatever you feel and find your unique niche and go with it. – Yana

Even if you’re in a specific genre I always ask how big the crowd is, how big the venue is, whether it’s an opener spot, a middle spot or the headliner, what kind of vibe you want to create. It’s all those variables put together, but there are a lot of factors that come into play. You have to be very strategic on how you put your set together. – Yana

I always go prepared with whichever song speaks to me. You have to feel every single song and play it because the energy radiates. One thing I disagree with a lot of people is that they say to listen to the crowd and play for them. I think that you have to play what you’re feeling on that day because if you relate to that type of song and energy, people will love it, they’re like a sponge. The vibe on the dance floor is important. In order to create it you have to feel the track and if you’re disconnected, it won’t work. That’s how the magic starts. You have to put it out and people will in turn reflect it. Basically, it’s a back-and-forth process. I always prepare a lot for a particular event; I spend a lot of hours rehearsing before the show. – Yana

It’s actually a recent addition, I used to go just by Yana. “The butterfly effect” is about the feeling and I wanted people to go in a journey with me. I consider my set as storytelling. I want my listeners to transform, to feel the music. One time when I was DJing at the Bijou and one lady DMed me saying my sound was so different she felt like she had gone to a church. So, that’s what I want. In metaphysics, the butterfly flipping its wings can cause a typhoon in the other continent. So, I wanted people to transform, not to just have fun. It’s all about the motions. I am very passionate about it. That’s the reasoning behind the butterfly effect. – Yana

It all starts with the music selection. It takes hours to have it perfect because I layer one song on top of the other and you have to listen to it multiple times to find the right acceleration point. It takes a lot of time. Some people DJ on the fly and there are occasions when I can do back-to-back but in order to do a performer’s set, I usually prepare for it with all the cues, it’s sort of like a map. – Yana

There are a lot of those. First of all, at one point I had bought four sets of equipment which were not necessary. My biggest advice for beginners is to ask around which equipment you should buy. I was doing all the research on my own and the equipment I bought was not ideal. I wish somebody had told me that earlier on. – Yana

My favorite thing was when I had free time and parents were out, I would crank the music and imagine that I was singing music to a crowd. I would use the remote controller as my mic and it was my favorite thing to do. I loved the idea of having an audience listening to me and I’m so happy I’ve made that dream come true. – Yana

You have to go with the flow with when you’re meeting people. One of the most critical connections was the friend who invited me on the fundraisers she organized. She saw the talent in me and she’s actually really good at seeing that special something in people. I think it’s her sixth sense. I am grateful to her for giving me the opportunity because it jumpstarted my career. As a new artist, you have to spend time on your product. You should figure out how you’ll market yourself, which platforms you’ll use, how you’ll create your image and find out what differentiates you from other DJs. That’s important. You’ll build connections along the way. People will eventually see you and come to you. You can nicely create your press kit and send it to a booking agent but you’ll eventually be seen. – Yana

I’ve always just been myself. I call my music authentic, very sensual, emotional, but it also has a lot of propelling, progressing beats in it. That’s part of the reasons I am a rootless entrepreneur. I am bold, I’ll knock on those doors and I’ll work hard to get through them. I think I combine the sensual part with my stubborn and ‘go for it’ personality. – Yana

Getting help from third parties would definitely contribute to your brand but I try to blend it together. Of course, I have people in social media, editing, I have a video producer. I also have a photographer in Tampa. The number one platform for DJs or every musician should be SoundCloud. I wish I had started my SoundCloud account earlier one but I considered it as a hobby in the beginning. People in Boston knew me and I didn’t have to work for it. Once I started going outside of Boston people kept asking for my SoundCloud but it takes some time to build it up. SoundCloud is a must for any aspiring new artist. – Yana

Yes. It was more sounding like an Eastern Deep House, with a lot of bass. I kind of transitioned a little bit in the tech house thinking I would get more gigs at the clubs but that didn’t happen. I tried it for almost a year but it didn’t connect with me and my crowd didn’t react well to it. So, I quickly went back to deep house but made it more melodic. Now I have my own sound. When I play something that I’m not connecting, the crowd feels that. That’s the magic. I’ve had people leave and even though it’s not pleasant, it’s a lesson learned. However, I didn’t let that discourage me. I learned to DJ whatever you feel that will people will react. – Yana

I always say to myself: “Work hard, be kind, repeat”. I am always in tune with my intuition. Going with the flow is very important. Recently I’ve been thinking more and more about how you should let go of resisting sometimes because I’m very pushy but eventually learned how to go with the flow. Opportunities will come to you; the right people will magically come. You just have to find that flow and not disrupt it. That’s what I’ve learned over the years, to go with the flow. You have to work hard because nothing comes easy. My advice would be: “If opportunity doesn’t come it means that isn’t the right place for you”. That’s okay, it will happen eventually. Someone will come, contact you, say they love your music, looks and vibe and ask you to DJ for them. So, don’t get discouraged. A lot of people have told me ‘no’. One of the biggest entertaining scenes here in Boston said no to me multiple times. I was DJ events at that time but I was rejected. After a while, they actually hired me and the magic happened. I always kept trying. – Yana

First of all, new artists should have a portfolio, bar, club, restaurant, wherever they can find residency, find at least one and work there and create your vibe and people will show up. Just keep going to get the residency. That’s key. – Yana

I grew up in a very strict family, they wanted me to become a doctor so I got a bachelor’s degree in Biology, got my master’s while working at the same time, being a clinical operation lead now, managing clinical trials. When people asked me if I was a DJ, I was kind of embarrassed to say I was. I always told them I was also a scientist working in a very responsible job but now I proudly tell them I am a DJ. I don’t feel the need to add those extra titles. I know who I am but I don’t need to add that anymore. You have to be confident with who you are and be connected with your calling. In my case, I felt connected with my music. That passion helped me to be more confident with who I am, not to listen to what family or society wants me to be. I am a DJ in New England where everybody is very serious and I thought I would be looked down here but I was wrong. It takes a lot of preparation, dedication, it’s not easy and it is very challenging. If people are interested, I tell them additional information about my other job but it should all be about being comfortable with who you are. – Yana

I use different platforms to listen to music. I listen to new artists/songs/mixes a lot. There are a lot of algorithms nowadays and new music just presents itself to you. I don’t really use this as an inspiration though, I just enjoy the process. I always put what I’m feeling, how I react to something. – Yana

I am working on producing my own song so that’s my next step. I don’t want to talk too much about this. I want to keep it a surprise. – Yana

In order to get rebooked, you have to create a press kit, which is basically your work experience in one- or two-pages max. It has to be unique, include your highlights and that’s what you need to provide to your booking agent, send it and politely call afterwards. But if it’s not happening, that’s okay too. They’ll keep it in mind. – Yana

Yes and no. There is a stigma around female DJs, people think we get hired because we’re pretty but that’s not true. You have to be even better than the male DJ. You have to be very prepared, be on point. You can’t just play whatever. You have to be on you’re A-game. There are a lot of DJs nowadays and you can tell right away if she is really into this or is just clicking next on the song playing. I would encourage them to spend time to tailor their techniques, their craft. You have to be twice as good as a man because they’ll think you’re just a pretty face and you have to show them you’re a talented one as well. I am pleased to see that there are more and more talented female DJs out there. It’s a unique time. – Yana

They’re so special. Whenever I have a DJ night and I see a good reaction, the next day I wake up feeling like it’s Christmas morning. I feel so complete, my soul is so happy, I get naturally high from the energy, it makes me really happy. Seeing people “disappear” in the music is an incredible feeling. I love it. – Yana

Sure, if you feel this is your calling. You can absolutely make a career out of it. I currently can’t put my other career as a scientist on hold to DJ but it’s a possibility in the future. My scientific side makes me more grounded; I am more serious so I think it adds a flavor to my music as well. It helps me put a meaning and put value to it. it is a very rewarding career but you may also experience unexpected turns. DJs all over the world didn’t work for a year when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Thankfully, I had my other job to balance my life. You can do both. I know a doctor who is also a DJ. You have to keep in mind that a DJ works in the nighttime. I am very thankful to my other job. I was able to build my brand off it because it is costly. Sometimes clients haven’t paid for my flights or hotel accommodations. In the beginning you have to invest a lot so it’s an expensive hobby. You won’t get paid a lot when you get started. You just purchased expensive equipment and have to pay It off, you’ll get booked somewhere and only get paid a couple hundred dollars. So, you need to have some cushioning. – Yana

Well, I played live on Ibiza radio recently. I’ve also played on European radio. On Thursday I will be playing at Abracadabra TV which is a big milestone. I am opening for an artist like Sabo & Goldpack and in an important event in Miami. I am also going to Greece to play from the end of July to August in Zuma which is very exciting. – Yana

Be right on the time because people need to realize you are serious about what you’re doing, you’ll present yourself better, in a more professional way to your clients. Be organized, know your schedule well. However, the key to success is finding your sound and being true to yourself. It’s all about how you’re feeling and what do you want to “communicate”. – Yana

I would advise them to get out there, be fearless. I always wanted to do a fearless tattoo on my back because it defines me. I’ve always believed I wanted to play music and people would love it. It’s my passion, I am going to do it and that’s what I would say to new artists out there. Opportunities, gigs and people will eventually come if you believe in what you do. Also, don’t spend too much money on equipment. There are a lot of equipment nowadays that are compatible to club standards like Recordbox, etc. so, plan big. Plan that you’re going to be playing in the clubs. I bought my equipment cheaply when I was just starting out and had to reinvest in them, the software etc. from day one, think you’re going to play in clubs so invest wisely. Buy equipment that support the Recordbox because it is important to play in clubs. You just have to buy a controller and a software in a computer with a lot of RAM memory because it takes a lot of power or you can go with a USB, record and play from there. – Yana

At first, they were shocked to say the least. At this point, they have accepted it and let me do whatever I want. They are actually excited about what I do next and constantly ask me about my future plans. My nephew is my biggest supporter. I spent a lot of time in Florida during the pandemic and he was so supportive, he is always rooting for me. – Yana

I love being by the water, meditating, reading books. Having that calmness and stillness is very important for me. I want to say it’s for fun but it’s also about getting the energy stable spiritually. I’m not saying you cannot do it for fun. The lockdown may not allow you to do that but I have a membership at a club and I always go there, my soul needs me to do all these. That’s what I love to do to relax. – Yana

It’s what I’ve been saying all the time. Be true to yourself and be fearless. Don’t be afraid to close one chapter and open another. Think about the next step, plan for the future but at the same time be courageous. Most importantly, don’t live for other people, live for yourself. Think about how you see yourself and, in that way, you’ll be connected with your true self and be proud of it and get confident with it. Other people may have another path for you in their mind but that’s their path, not yours. Just listen to your inner child and do what makes you happy, what sparks your soul. Happiness radiates and it gets out in the world when you do something that resonates within your soul. – Yana