We had the good fortune of connecting with April Lynn Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
If something brings you joy, you should always try to keep it in your life. The goal is obviously for my passions to be my main source of income. However, even when my passions haven’t paid my rent, I’ve found fulfillment from them. I think that’s how you know whether you should keep going – when you love doing it regardless of whether you’re paid to do it or not! I could DJ to an empty room and it still makes me happy – that’s how I know.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to think I am very unique for a DJ. I never planned on working in music or foresaw it in any way. I wasn’t someone who researched songs or who regularly attended clubs/festivals. Quite frankly, I never felt comfortable at parties; then I tripped and fell into DJing. After that, I understood where I belonged – the nerd in the corner on the tech gear, setting the vibe. I think that brings a really unique perspective to the way I DJ and the way I create beats. I got to where I am today because I genuinely love what I do. I love setting a vibe and helping people relax & let loose. I curate some songs for every booking, but I choose moment by moment because I enjoy reading the room and I know exactly what needs to happen. If you had asked me not even 2 years ago if I had thought I would ever work in music, I would’ve laughed. It’s an unexpected path for me that feels like it’s exactly where I’m meant to be. My career as a DJ is just starting to take off so I’m excited to see where it goes and genuinely stoked to get paid to do what I love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles has an endless amount of fun things to do. Personally, I love to do a mix of high energy and chill environments. I enjoy getting away to Catalina Island. Malibu farm on the Malibu pier is one of my favorite spots and you cannot beat the view! The Butcher’s Daughter is one of my go to spots as well – it’s in Venice and has the best organic, plant-based food and drinks. I also enjoy long-boarding or bike-riding on the Santa Monica to Venice ocean adjacent path.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My friends are one of the main reasons I found my passion for DJing. Once I discovered it, they were so supportive in me going after something I have really no experience in. Even now, they show up to all my gigs and are always such a vibe.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/AprilLynnRose

Image Credits
Photogs: Natalie Wentworth, Garrett Gaston, Tony Ellis

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