S10E9: Craft the Vibes with Your Wedding Music
Your music moves guests from one event to another and tells them what to expect.
Every wedding day is unique - and your music can guide your guests through the experience in a smooth, super fun way!
You can use your soundtrack to change the vibes and showcase your personality as a couple!
“Music and lighting are such important tools to shift people's moods. One of my biggest goals is to get to know my clients well enough to be able to take their requests and put them together iin a way that makes sense and can carry them and their guests on a fluent journey throughout the day.” - DJ Molly Parti
Guest: DJ Molly Parti
This week, we’re dishing about…
Using music to craft a vibe, and shift the mood and energy during a wedding. When a couple gives you their song requests, how do you take those songs and craft them into a cohesive, fun day?
How can couples use music to signal to guests that there is going to be a transition in the day?
What are some things that couples should keep in mind as they craft their playlists?
Is there anything really cool or unique that you saw couples doing that you love and want to see more of?
What questions do you wish your couples would ask you on your initial consultation call with them?
... and more!
Meet Molly!
Molly Kummerle (DJ Molly Parti) was born with a natural passion for music, which has woven its way throughout her life. She has had a successful 20+ year career in the music industry as a singer, DJ, independent radio promoter, and publicist. As a DJ, her passion lies in curating the soundtrack for any occasion through music. She regularly performs at such events as silent discos, decade-themed dance parties, house parties, weddings, private and corporate occasions, and public venues. Most recently, DJ MollyParti has been expanding her community through her Twitch channel as a live streamer.
Voted BEST NEWCOMER of 2022 in the TWITCH TV AWARDS.
DJ Molly Parti is no stranger to the stage, having performed as front woman to the trip hop project Paper Tiger, and motown/jazz/cabaret band RubySlippers for almost 20 years, and collaborating on songs with artists like Emancipator. As a DJ for over 12 years, she has shared the stage with artists such as Marc Rebillet and Rob Garza (Thievery Corporation), and played events including MoogFest, Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Festival, LEAF Festival, and Downtown After 5. Voted Best of WNC in the Mountain XPress Best of WNC 2023.
Business Info
What areas do you serve?
North Carolina and Southeast US.
How long have you been in business?
13 years
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I was trying to learn a production program to pre-produce songs for the band I was singing in, and we also usually needed another act for show bills, so I thought DJing would be a good way to do two things that I wanted to accomplish. I was already a mix tape kid and loved a huge variety of music, as well as turning people on to new music, so it turned out being an excellent fit.
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
Being able to grow in the directions that I'm interested in exploring, and doing business in a way that's in line with my integrity.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
The learning curve going into entrepreneurship full time has been steep in places, especially in putting in systems to be more efficient, time management, prioritizing and deligating.
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
I think I would encourage them to do it as a side hustle for as long as they can, while building community of other DJs and small business owners and learning business and industry. It's such a better journey when you have strong relationships and support.
What's the most memorable thing you've seen happen at a wedding or celebration?
I had a couple last year who requested a specific song because it held a lot of meaning to the groom and his friends. When I put it on, they all ran to the dance floor, picked him up and threw him in the air - totally airborne - for the entire song. It was amazing, and the photos are epic!
Let’s get personal…
What is daily life like in your household?
It's pretty chill, I'm a pretty quiet and introverted person most of the time. I keep a regular schedule of waking up early, writing, taking a long walk with my dog and then digging in to whichever projects I'm working on. I'll have calls or meetings, I might stream on my regular schedule, and otherwise I'm working on my business.
Are there any challenges or obstacles that you've had to overcome?
Last year I needed to buy 2 new macbooks M series, and a few main speakers. I also had some work done on my car since I was on the road so much. I made a lot of investments in coaching, technology, and tools that help me do my work better and help me grow. I stretched myself in a lot of ways and it was often really uncomfortable. I don't think growth happens in your comfort zone though, so I had to really practice being ok with discomfort. There are a lot of worse ways to be uncomfortable than in a situation where you are doing what you love, so gratitude is important for me to remember.
What advice would you offer to other business owners in a similar situation?
I keep coming back to how much support I have had in making this transition into full time entrepreneurship. I've asked for help a lot - whether that be in hiring a business coach, bringing on a Virtual Assistant part time, connecting with other small business owners, talking to other DJs, and researching a lot of gear reviews. It's such a big undertaking to be a solo operation, I've really leaned on my community at times, even if just for emotional support.
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