Ep 264 DJ Wills on Music Production, Branding, and Hustle

Send us Fan MailIf you enjoyed this deep dive into the music industry, make sure to subscribe to the channel and leave a comment below with your favorite part of the conversation!From his roots in Evansville to building a career in Colorado and back again, DJ Wills joins The Day's Grimm to discuss the reality of the music industry. In this episode, Wills breaks down the grind of being an entertainer, the evolution of his sound, and the essential role of branding for independent artists.We dive into the highs and lows of his journey, exploring how he transitioned from a local music enthusiast to a professional DJ, and why he eventually chose to return to his hometown. Wills shares raw insights into the challenges of social anxiety, the necessity of discipline in a creative career, and his upcoming plans for animated projects and live sets. Whether you are an aspiring producer, a local music fan, or just looking for an honest conversation about the hustle, this episode covers the practical side of turning a passion into a sustainable career.KEY TOPICS COVERED:The importance of branding and marketing over raw popularity in the modern music scene.How DJ Wills transitioned from a local enthusiast to a professional DJ.Challenges of managing social anxiety while performing in the public eye.The role of discipline in maintaining a long-term music career.Why networking with the right people—not just other stars—is critical for growth.Managing multiple creative projects and the importance of saying no to preserve your brand.Insights into moving cities to pursue a career and eventually returning home.The evolution of music distribution and how artists adapt to industry changes.NOTABLE QUOTES:"It’s all about branding guys, not popularity. I swear. And just be good at what you do." — Wills"It’s pointless to be talented and be great at something if you don’t have the discipline." — Wills"I am the brand. I know how I impact these people. I’m not Michael Jackson, but I do have people cry. I have people give me money." — WillsTIMELINE: 00:00 — Intro 00:03 — DJ Wills Joins The Day's Grimm 04:12 — Growing up in Evansville and Early Musical Memories 09:38 — High School Culture and Finding Music 19:26 — The Shift to Home Production and Engineering 24:00 — How "Wills" Got His Name 28:49 — Thoughts on Rap Beefs and Music Business 36:12 — Sampling, DJing, and Copyright Realities 42:30 — Moving to Colorado and the Music Scene 56:12 — Returning to Evansville and Future Projects 1:19:37 — Overcoming the Desire to Quit 1:26:33 — Final Thoughts and Where to Follow[The Days Grimm Podcast Links]- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDaysGrimm- Our link tree: linktr.ee/Thedaysgrimm- GoFundMe account for The Days Grimm: https://gofund.me/02527e7c [The Days Grimm is brought to you by]Sadness & ADHD (non-medicated)