Meet Linda Vargas AKA Von Kiss | DJ, Music & Event Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Vargas AKA Von Kiss and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda AKA Von Kiss, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Management. While attending SDSU I took some crucial business classes that taught me about how to create and manage a business. I learned about marketing, budgets, business plans, efficiency and even the psychology of business and employees. I collected and absorbed this knowledge with the hopes of one day owning my own business. From a very young age (maybe 12 years old) I envisioned myself owning a nightclub. Obviously I was too young to even set foot in a club, but from what my Mom had told me and what I had seen on TV and movies, along with my LOVE of music and dancing… I wanted to own a nightclub! That dream was somewhat short lived once I made friends with a few club owners and saw the immense work and tribulations that came along with owning a nightclub. Once I started working in nightlife as a gogo dancer I became friends with several DJs and thought… I would actually LOVE to be a DJ. My passion for music, nightlife and the desire to make people dance and be happy… it seemed like all the right reasons to start my own business. Buying the DJ equipment was a big expense that held me back for a while, but once I bought my turntables, needles, mixer, headphones and a couple of records, I was ready to get started! Overhead wasn’t too high, demand was there since I had several promoter connections, I was ready to market myself and get to building my brand!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love my job! I love being a DJ! I love music and I loveeee to dance, so I’d say that I am the unique DJ that I am because I’ve been collecting and building my knowledge of music and music library for nearly all my life. Every night out at a club or party that had a DJ or music playing… I was ALWAYS paying attention to the music. I would notice not only my reaction to the music, but other peoples reactions. When I DJ, I take people on a musical journey. My goal is to make people dance and put smiles on their faces… have people shazam songs during my set, make people throw their hands up and scream “this is my song!!!”, to sweat, to forget about their worries, to be present, to have FUN. I have been DJing for almost 20 years and I got here by loving what I do and continuously working on my craft, setting goals and searching for inspiration. I have played in 15 different countries and 47 cities. I’m proud that I have been able to turn DJing into a full blown career for myself and that I’m still adding new cities and clients to my resume. One bucketlist dream I’m super proud of was DJing in Ibiza. It was also super cool to DJ for M.I.A.’s Coachella afterparty, Doja Cat’s Birthday Party and an afterhours warehouse party with Skrillex.
I have no manager, no agent… I’ve built my brand and my reputation in the industry from the ground up. I can’t say I’ve done this alone, because my shoutouts run deep and I would not be where I am if it weren’t for the people who have booked me and of course the Kiss Krew.
Becoming a DJ was actually pretty easy for me, I had been practicing my song selection and DJ skills for years subconsciously! Having the connections to nightlife was definitely a plus and my music selection/technical skills are what continued to get me booked.
In the past 20 years I have definitely learned A LOT, I’ve learned how to troubleshoot and how to DJ on just about ANY DJ equipment. But I also learned how to network, how to be a professional DJ and work with all different types of clients.
I want people to know that I, Von Kiss, go to sleep feeling so thankful for this life. I hope to keep spreading love and joy around the world through my music and DJ sets. Although I have had some stagnant moments, I keep pushing and enjoy the ride. To be honest, one thing I am really focused on at the moment is playing a Boiler Room set. It almost happened in August, but fell through… so I know it will happen and I can’t wait! Manifesting and speaking things into existence are very much part of my story. I would also love to let people know that I throw a Queer Latinx Party called “BESO” in San Francisco, Houston and San Diego every month!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ohhh LA is so full of gems! Restaurants, Shopping, Beaches, Sightseeing, Bars, Nightlife… we really have it all. Food is a must so here are some places I would take her to… 1. California Grill-for the best Chilaquiles it’s a small Women operated El Salvadorian/Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood the pupusas are really good as well and my wife loves their super spicy Camarones a la Diabla.
2. India’s Restaurant- DELICIOUS Indian Food
3. Pergoletta’s- Great Pasta!
4. Spartina’s – Italian/American Fusion excellent food
5. Water Grill (Santa Monica)- Seafood a little pricey, but it is on Ocean Drive and the food is delicious! It’s a great spot to hit after a day at the Pier.

Shopping is always fun!
You can always find something over in Santee Alley without breaking the bank. Also DTLA, we would have to stop by my favorite upcycled fashion store: Planeta (a Queer Latino owned business). They have the coolest most UNIQUE pieces to step your fashion up.

Bars and Nightclubs are my life lol, I have worked in so many different ones around LA, but I would most definitely take my Bestie to the Scam & Jam party that I play at every last Saturday of the month at The Regent Theater. It’s literally one of my favorite parties ever! Funk, Freestyle, Oldies, West Coast Hip Hop… all our favorite throwback music. My wife loves a good tiki bar, so we would take a little trip down to The Bamboo Club in Long Beach (I don’t drink but the non-alcoholic Lava Flow is my fave!)
Another fun spot to venture out to (if my magician friend can put us on the list) is The Magic Castle!

Beaches and Daytime activites… I would give her options ranging from thrilling rides at Magic Mountain to a chill beautiful stroll through the Huntington Gardens. A beach day is a must so we could do the Will Rodgers beach in Santa Monica or El Matador Beach in Malibu. Again the Santa Monica Pier is a fun spot to hang, play some games and watch the sunset. There’s also the Griffith Observatory which has some awesome views of LA and the Hollywood Sign. Ohhh I almost forgot… one of my favorite spots to take friends is Olvera Street! So many adorable treasures from Mexico!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I dedicate my shoutout to my wife Valerie. She is my number one fan, my biggest supporter, cheerleader and makeup artist! My wife has motivated me to reach farther and achieve more with my DJ career and as a human being. I am constantly inspired by her passion and fearless attitude, she has helped push me out of my comfort zone countless times. She is the love and light of my life! I also definitely need to show some love to all the DJ friends who helped me get started, offering advice, lessons on how to DJ and also hooked me up with some vinyl to add to my collection. Much love to Yusef, Freshcobar, Lavelle Dupree and Chris Cutz! I feel like I need to also mention the DJ’s that I love and inspired me to be the DJ I am today… Richard Vission, Bad Boy Bill, DJ Irene… to name a few. There’s also my promoter friends turned club owners that I am so grateful for because they let me throw “Beso” a Monthly Queer Latinx Party at their venues… so thank you Julie (Pearl Bar Houston) and Jolene (Jolene’s SF)! I also want to thank my DJ sis Angie Vee for being such an awesome person and connecting me with the Scam and Jam fam (one of my ALL time fave parties to play). Shoutout to the Kiss Krew (my Von Kiss supporters)! Ohhh and big big shoutout to Lori from Wife of The Party, the most incredible event planner that has brought me in to DJ some of the most epic parties like Doja Cat’s Birthday, Rosalia’s MAC makeup launch and John Legend’s Holiday Party. I honestly could go on and on with the shoutouts, so many people have played a part in my life and making me the person I am today. My last shoutout will be for my Angels… Dad, Grandma and Grandpa… thank you for protecting me and guiding me.

Website: www.vonkiss.com

Instagram: @vonkiss

Twitter: @von_kiss

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@VonKiss?si=H8MyvJIkuKmZmfz1

Image Credits
Rafael Ortiz, Sniper, Dutches Richards, Florencia Carcagno, Jasmin Porter and Daniel Perez