Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Wiley.
Hi Matthew, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Back in 1990, I was at my ex-girlfriends birthday party and I witnessed some amazing Turntable DJ’s that came from San Francisco to Sacramento to Dj her birthday party. I was about age 14 at the time when I witnessed the most amazing and incredible scratch DJ’s on the turntables, scratching, mixing, cutting and more. The different manipulation of sounds had me mesmerized. My family moved from a gang ridden neighborhood of South Sacramento aka, South Sac Iraq where gunshots and violence were the norm, and moved with my family of 9 to Seminole, FL where I finished High School. That’s where I found my first set of turntables, the Technic 1700’s with a rotary dial pitch control and about 8 vinyl records, of which I bought from another kid that had way too much money and practically gave them to me for dirt cheap. That’s when I asked my mother for the ironing board to put these 2 Technic turntables, and a Numark mixer on to start my journey of being a DJ. I used to practice for hours after school and had about 5 buddies come over to freestyle on the mic and drive my parents insane. Every Friday, the group with muster up as much loose change and allowances to ride over to Tampa’s underground record stores to look thru what we could purchase of underground and hard to find Hip-Hop, House and Reggae music. Fast forward 10 years later, where my father and I started a recording studio and I had many projects that I had to add sound fx, music beds, voice over recordings and On-Hold telephone jingles. I launched my business as a professional DJ and started with friends and families events. I would take gigs for free just to have the opportunity to DJ and show off my skills. Since then, I’ve opened for famous international acts, such as DMX, Wu-Tang Clan, Third World and more. I continue to Dj for private events, weddings, Corporate events, Holiday parties and more. I’ve also opened a DJ school and have taught over 50 DJ students in the last 4 years. I love what I do and especially when I am able to make people enjoy music and see them dancing on the dancefloor is what brings ultimate fulfillment and joy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the struggles was not having a mentor to teach me proper techniques of a DJ and also launching a recording studio that failed after 2.5 yrs in business. This ultimately put stress and strain on my marriage of which failed and ended up in a divorce with 3 children involved. I have overcome that loss and have happily re-married.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m known to be a Master Mixologist in the Dj world, with perfecting the art of mixing and blending songs, along with on-the-fly remixes. I’m also known for being able to get people up and on the dancefloor when other DJ’s have struggled with that.
What makes you happy?
Music has always moved my soul. A day without music is not worth life at all. Music is my happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wileysounds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wileysoundsdj
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wileysoundsdj/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djeyez/
- Twitter: https://x.com/wileysounds
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wileysoundsdj
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wileysounds-dj-and-entertainment-services-clearwater?osq=wileysounds+dj&override_cta=Get+pricing
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djwileyeyez
Image Credits
Valentina Lomborg
