Getting to know DJ BANDER

Composer, producer, recording artist, capital manager, Marketing guru… DJ BANDER does it all. The artist and creative entrepreneur knows no limits. At his most personal sound, he brings together a wide array of influences such as Moby, Vangelis, Eliot Golden, Kaskade, and Markus Schulz.

Throughout his career, DJ BANDER has done a little bit of everything. Back in 2005 he worked as P.A. to the music editor on the blockbuster disaster flick 'Day After Tomorrow'. He also worked as a producer for New Age Music Group and since, he's gone on to headline music festivals in California such as Emerald Dream and Hot Summer Nights. His single ‘The Vision Is Clear’ achieved a Top 10 iTunes chart position for Electronica. He’s recently been featured in an L.A. Weekly article as a ‘Top 10’ entrepreneur to look out for this coming 2023

Originally from Brooklyn New York, BANDER trained heavily in music composition at BAM, USC, and the Musician's Institute in Los Angeles before producing and composing his own electronic beats and founding his own music production company, 'Bander Productions'.

The DJ also took home a Hollywood Music Media Award for Best New Producer, and bagged a Top 100 spot on Beat Port for his singles ‘Last Sunset’ and ‘NASA’. And noting radio play on Las Vegas FM airwaves, and collaborations and remixes for Katy Perry, Vanessa Daou, Jon B., Taryn Manning and Automagic, BANDER recently partnered with industry troubadours Yamaha, and remains an original ambassador alongside Skrillex, for Sole Republic.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently about to release a new EDM single and a series of downtempo electronica records that will be singles off of my upcoming album, Until There Was Darkness, slated for 2023! I am also working on growing Bander Productions Media World, which is the digital media wing of my company.

Nothing starts in an absolute vacuum. How was DJ Bander born? Who inspired his work and his musical identity?

As a pianist, drummer, and composer first, my roots were based in jazz composition. I trained on piano and drums starting the age of 5. I played in many bands before pursuing music production and midi technology. My earliest influences were Moby, Orbital in the electronic world, and also John Williams, Patrick Doyle and Elliot Goldenthal in the film composition world.

What has been the biggest challenge in creating and running Bander Productions over the years?

The biggest but exciting challenge in running my company has been scaling. We are growing at a rapid pace, so the workload has increased exceptionally. We have adapted by becoming highly selective with the clients we take on while expanding our team of experts. Another challenge that I’ve faced in the music industry is that, unfortunately, many people attempt to steal and use your intellectual property. This requires you to be very cautious with how you manage and share information. I’ve recently invested into a security branch of my company.

Tell us a bit about your work with Paramount Studios.

Bander Productions has a great relationship with Paramount. We often utilize their spaces to produce our biggest hit records and it’s a safe and comfortable studio to conduct business meetings at as well. I love their state-of-the-art music equipment and guest accommodations. This creates an environment that is both conducive to creativity and to professionalism — a studio experience like no other.

Your most recent release "Said and Done" hit the iTunes electronica charts at a whopping #4 spot. What is it about that song that made people connect with it so much? What are the key ingredients in making a killer electronica track?

I always try to write and sing about what’s true in my heart and share my personal experiences of love, loss, heartache, and rebirth. “Said and Done” is about moving on from love and heartache. I believe authenticity is what keeps my fans engaged and keeps me at the top of charts and major playlists.

More than a DJ and a producer, you're also a whole brand. What has been the toughest lesson to learn in the process to become this?

Building a brand takes time. I try to be a hybrid of music and business excellence; to provide value and entertainment with every post. I’m constantly aiming to inspire and give useful insights to my followers.

What about the greatest satisfaction you've experienced so far?

Charting on the Top 10 on iTunes was hugely satisfying for me musically. In the business world, my recent article in LA Weekly, selecting me as a Top Entrepreneur to watch in 2023, was a very significant honor.

What's in the near future for DJ Bander?

A new EDM single and an exciting major business podcast interview are both on the way! Equally excited about sharing both with my followers.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Samuel Aponte is Venezuelan-born raised and based. 

I joined Rival Magazine after a few years of doing PR work for independent musicians of all stripes; understanding their struggles to be heard in a sea of constant  ADHD noise and paywalled access to platforms, I now bring a willingness to always appreciate and encourage the effort and creativity that artists put into their work . Can also find some of my writings on LADYGUNN and We Found New Music