Meet Carlos Trevino | DJ Promote aka Planet Promote

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

Hi Carlos, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
When someone says a DJ is good, that can mean a lot of different things. Most people understand there are many types of DJs, but what they may not realize is that, just like music and art, what makes a DJ “good” is subjective.

Environment plays a huge role. A DJ who excels at weddings might struggle with a more artistic crowd or find it challenging to perform when the audience isn’t there to dance. On the other hand, a festival or performance DJ who thrives on high-energy might struggle at a private event where more commercial music and keeping a groove is expected.

From radio DJs to live-streaming DJs, there are so many spaces these days for DJs to showcase their skills. While this has expanded the market it’s also changed what people consider a “good” DJ and what is needed to be successful.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
DJing was not my first love. As a kid I was drawn to Hip-Hop culture. Breakdancing, graffiti art even lowriders. I’ve always been a very creative person. Someone who feels the need to create something everyday.

My journey into into DJing started with a love for the music and the creative joy it brings. I remember hearing DJs on the radio blending songs together and really being captivated by this idea of remixing. Taking two things and putting them together to create something new fascinated me. Growing up in a small city in Texas I didnt have direct access to DJ’s. I could only learn from afar by hearing DJs on the radio or MTV and movies. It wasn’t until I started traveling and seeing DJs perform in person that it really clicked for me.

Most DJs I know start by playing music for friends and family, doing parties or private events. You know making people dance. My path was a little different, studying mixtapes, club DJ’s and turntablists. Combining all the music I grew up listening to and trying to create something new or hadnt heard before and taking lots of musical journeys. I feel like this helped me to stand out in a weird way and get noticed by other creative artists who eventually took me on the road with them.

I went from DJing in my bedroom to DJing local afterschool programs and small concerts to literally touring the globe. I think my first big local gigs were small concerts and then from there boom I was infront of like 30,000 people in Amerstdam. The process took years but I had eventually created my own style and sound. I had no idea this world of touring and concerts even existed but it became my reality. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to play to full crowds in legendary venues like Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks and travel to across the globe to places Japan, South Africa, Europe.

During my travels I started learning how to produce music. I had alot of people telling me I needed my own music to really make the touring life work as a DJ. Although this was true, I put alot of pressure on myself to create something really amazing and I struggled to meet my own expectations. I was trying to rush the process instead of allowing myself to grow naturally.

Fast forward to 2020 and a global pandemic. Locked up in my LA apartment, I went back to the basics. With nothing but time I decided to relearn what I thought I knew about DJing, music and life. I started streaming daily, experimenting, producing art, and taking creative risks. Maybe too many risks lol. But over the last four years I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the foundations I once overlooked. Like how to move a room full of women, how to throw your own parties and book out venues. And what better city to learn in than Los Angeles. It’s city where every DJ is incredible and there’s more than enough opportunity for everyone to thrive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friends were visiting LA I would definitely make them stop in for Club Real Ones, our monthly day party. We started in Long Beach but we’re currently rocking first Sundays in Los Angeles. It’s a party for the people with legendary DJ’s spinning whatever they want. Think backyard boogie meets house party energy. The community is solid.

Now for food I would usually do the neighborhood stops of Ktown. Like Slurpin Ramen, Koreatown Plaza Food Court, Myung In Dumplings or order some Koreatown Pizza if we’re hanging at the house. For deserts stopping by SomiSomi, MuMu Bakery or Coin De Rue. Coffee is a must so my first love is Document but MCO is dope vibes and great for hosting friends. You know you cant visit LA without tacos so I’m driving up the street to Mid City Tacos y Birria La Unica on Venice. I feel like my friends out of state dont know about birria especially as a ramen option so I gotta put them on. Now for some more snazzy energy if I’m working that weekend we can hit up Mrs Fish or The Perch in DTLA for food and a DJ set.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel like we are all products of our environments good or bad. From day one, people have poured into my life and career. My parents, teachers, bosses, family, friends. Every season of my life has been influenced by those around me, and I can always point to someone who has helped me grow both as a person and an artist. You know, a “REAL ONE”. I thank God for them and they know who they are. Every time I’ve had a win it’s because someone was making a call, speaking up for me, or simply wanting to see me succeed. It’s like a cheat code! There’s no way I could name everyone without missing someone. Awhile back I picked up a book that helped me to better understand how to build community in this new season of my life. Shoutout to “This Is Not A T-Shirt” by Bobby Hundreds for helping me understand how to create an environment full of Real Ones.

Other: Right now Im utilizing my IG for updates and communication but I’m on Twitch and Tiktok too.

instagram – @djpromote
twitch & tiktok – @planetpromote
club real ones – @clubrealones on socials and clubrealones.com

For music search DJ Promote on Spotify or Apple Music

Image Credits
Della Arebalo (instagram.com/itsjust_della)