We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexis Toney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexis, how do you think about risk?
If you want to be on top, then you gotta take a risk – point blank. I think there are levels that come with risks as well. Everything doesn’t need to be some drastic thing – a risk can be something small like reaching out to someone for help when you usually tend to do things on your own. That’s something that’s been key for me – realizing that it’s essential to take risks for growth but also understanding that as long as I’m attempting something to make me uncomfortable or doing something I wouldn’t normally do – that’s a risk in and of itself. I feel like my life up to this point has been marked by taking risks because I was always doing something and dreaming bigger than my immediate surroundings. Sometimes I feel delusional for it – but hey – everything’s worked out up until this point.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Lately I’ve been experimenting with adding texture to my sets. I don’t want to be just a party DJ. I want to create experiences – sonically fulfilling experiences. I want to give people something to remember and standout, otherwise I tend to feel like what am I doing this for? Outside of DJing, I have a 9-5 so for me I’m always thinking of how I can push DJing beyond the limits of what I know so that I can make it worthwhile because otherwise I could just invest my time in my job and breaking those glass ceilings. That’s a part of what makes DJing so special for me, I’ve been blessed to just do it for the love and not as a means of support. Managing both can get hectic but I’m not switching to full-time DJing unless I can support my expensive lifestyle lol. I’m at a very exciting point in my life because at the top of the year I told myself I would put my foot on the gas in regards to music and DJing and see where it gets me. I said I’d evaluate where I am at the 6 month mark and decide if I continue investing my all into the music or if I switch back and focus on my “professional” career.
We’re currently 5 months into that 6 month mark and I don’t know if I can slow down. I’m honestly making every single dream I had come true – and it’s not necessarily happening as quick as I want but the ways in which everything is unfolding is so beautiful to me and only more proof that I have to keep building. The spiritual feeling and energy I’m trying to bring to the dancefloor and to these spaces is special and I really think I have the ability to be transformative with music.
Brown Sugar Bounce is my pride and joy for that very reason. We were able to bring the feeling and energy of a family reunion to Queens Brewery back to back to back last summer and it was so fulfilling.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let’s see – we’d def swing over to Brown Butter in Bedstuy for some breakfast, love the biscuits. Swing over to Savant Studios on Fulton and see if we could find something to throw a fit together. As far as entertainment, hopefully we’re throwing a Brown Sugar Bounce or a Lavender & Velvet session, but if not I got a couple DJs we could go check out. Hopefully they’re visiting me in the summertime because we could frequent a Lay-Out in the park or visit the block party on Tompkins on Sundays. I like to take my hammock out to the park too so we’d probably do a hammock day in the park – play music, smoke, read and just chill. Last but not least, we’re definitely stopping by El Jeffe in Bedstuy to get a fried shrimp taco and some lemonade – highly recommend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I want to shoutout Craig and Ahmad from the Melodies collective. Our groupchat and everything we have going constantly keeps me inspired and I’m so happy to be building with yall. Definitely want to shoutout therapy and my therapist – I definitely would have spiraled and quit everything by now if it wasn’t for my weekly convos and learning ways to stay grounded and present.
Absolutely can’t forget my friends and family – I got a couple of days 1s that I can count on to show up at almost every single function I’m apart of and it means the world to me.
Two more people – Mr. Leon and Pete!! Mr. Leon brought the Bounce to Brown Sugar Bounce every single time last summer and still continues to support and Pete – man – my dawg forreal. Thank you.

Website: www.classicnewwave.com

Instagram: @classicnewwave

Other: @melodiesnyc – on Instagram

Image Credits
@dp.jolly @_artofmemory @kaitsehay @romeshoots

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.