Taste This Delicious Cup 'O (Sara) Tea!Sara T is also an artist. Yep, add this to her über cool girl résumé. Her art reminds me of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat meets that little sketchbook you see geeky artists doodling in at some obscure kitschy coffee shop in Echo Park.
So I emailed S.T. a few questions in order to learn about all the new things she throws herself into. To learn more about this hot cup of yummy Sara Tea (with milk and honey please), visit her websites at the bottom of the post.
So you jumped on a plane and moved from Denver to LA, throwing yourself into the mix of LA's art/DJ/hipster/indie scene. It amazes me that you took such a chance! What made you do that?
Well it was more of a grassroots process of picking my my
roots and replanting. I kept visiting and feeling that LA was the next place for me...the environment, the way people embraced me and treated me but also how I personally feel here. It came down to a simple feeling of that I was happier in LA. It was definitely a leap, a complete upheaval, but I felt like I kept getting signs to head West and I needed to follow that. I wouldn't necessarily say I threw myself into the midst of the scene here, I actually feel like I came to LA to get away from a scene and settle into a longterm community built upon music & developing creativity. It spoke to me personally...ie I'm not sayin' it's for everyone. You usually know it when you visit a city if it embraces you or not. When I came here I wanted more of a personal, quiet life of heading to the movies, eating at great vegan places and connecting with new friends. I've been lucky to connect with friends were born and raised here and/or those who are looking for something deeper/more than the usual LA fare. It's my 10th state and I'm happy to be exploring it.
I've seen you network before...you are fantastic at it. How do you meet and stay in contact with so many people? And how do you make those connections work for you?
Thank you! Well, I meet people by following my heart. I maintain connections by flexing my heart muscle. I don't think about making something work for me because I care about who I'm friends with and I only work with people nowadays who I believe in and care about. It didn't used to be that way, but I learned as I went and use a stronger filter now with who I can trust...and spend my time with. It's almost so simplistic one might think it doesn't work. But I guarantee it to be way more effective than hundreds of marketing dollars in the wrong direction: build relationships.
So what are you up to right now? I know you throw a lot of parties and DJ clubs, but you have anything else up your sleeve?
Right now I'm in the midst of launching my online store...it's an evolution from Chielle (the store I had in Denver) to a more personal voice of mine. I'm starting to create my own line of accessories/tshirts on the fly and this store will be host to personal random projects from painting/printmaking while showcasing my friends and talent I find from all over the world. I'm in the midst of putting together a new band which is my inspiration for all of these things right now...kind of the fuel that is keeping me excited.
There is a huge glass ceiling when it comes to female DJs. How did you break through, or do you still feel like you're not as successful as your male counterparts?
This is an interesting question. I was thinking about this last week about how I never viewed djing as the ladder that I continued to climb. There wasn't this peak goal of where I wanted to be...I followed it & became excited as it unfolded seeing where it took me. There wasn't this top tier that I had my sites set on. I found that the lifestyle of most traveling djs to be rather lonely, especially in clubland, and while I love connecting with people I didn't want to be where I saw these ladies (or men) at. There is no comfy couch at the top of the DJ ladder...you are always hustling. That just does not interest me. Nowadays in LA I work with promoters who appreciate what I do while djing to an audience that cares...I couldn't ask for anything more than that.
Any fabulous bands you want to tell everyone about? Who is on your top 5?
Right now I CANNOT stop listening to the song "Planet Health" from Chairlift from Brooklyn. Dam Funk 12"s are constantly spinning on my turntable, an LA funkmeister. I absolutely LOVE Earthless from San Diego. I just discovered Bugati Force's remixes from Berlin + Hercules & the Love Affair have been on repeat for awhile now.
Lastly, what advice would you give aspiring DJs or promoters?
Build community. Don't walk around the club looking for someone who can "help" you...it was probably the doorguy you treated like shit and they TALK. Don't drop people after you get an ounce of attention (but if you're phony and shallow like that do whatever you want and I guarantee in 5 years no one will work with you, much less care).
Be sincere. Communicate with those who support you...don't go for NUMBERS, go for those who care. If a "niche" doesn't exist for what you do...create it. Try different mediums...don't just identify as being a "promoter" or "dj"...have an identity (AND LIFE) outside of club life. Make time for long meals with good friends. Don't get too wrapped up in the gossip. Remove shady people from your crew or and walk hard.
Find out more about Miss Tea:
Sara's Myspace Profile
Danceotron
Sara Tea's Blog
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