As we head into the third quarter of 2024, I find myself reflecting on Mixpression's inaugural year. As we gear up for future events, it's all too easy to get swept up in the daily grind. Writing this blog has been a valuable exercise for myself and my team; a stroll down memory lane to reconnect with our core values and to thoughtfully shape our vision for 2025. Here is the Mixpression story, and why we are so passionate about what we do.
The Birth of Mixpression
A little over a year ago, I sat down with one of my best friends, Joeson, to explore how we could take our passion for DJing to the next level. We had hosted a few free shows at small venues in San Francisco, playing for friends, but it wasn’t enough. We wanted more. So, we started visiting venues, door-to-door, searching for any opportunity to perform. Weeks passed with no progress from this frustrating process. We often asked ourselves, "Why is this so excruciatingly difficult?" The industry, heavily reliant on personal connections, seemed impenetrable without them.
One evening after work, Joeson and I met at a restaurant in San Francisco's Financial District to strategize on breaking through our DJ plateau. This meeting would mark the conception of what is now Mixpression Music & Events.
Crafting Our Identity
Like any company in its infancy, we had to meticulously craft our identity. During the early stages, we realized the need for assistance in establishing our brand, operating procedures, and marketing strategies. That’s when we decided to involve Jeanie, a close friend known for her ambition and diligence. After presenting her with our vision for Mixpression, she enthusiastically joined us, solidifying the foundation of our team.
Choosing a name and logo that resonated with our brand's ethos was crucial—these elements are vital identifiers for consumers. It was important to get this right on the first try to avoid future changes. After extensive brainstorming, we settled on ‘Mixpression,’ or ‘MXP’ for short. Although we were new to this process, tackling it was exhilarating.
Building the Bridge
We initially aimed to create a collaborative community for amateur artists, embodying one of our core values. However, simply having people buy into our brand was insufficient. Mastering DJ skills at home is enjoyable, but the ultimate goal is to showcase those skills before an audience. We pinpointed the industry's major pain point—securing gigs—and set out to address it.
Holiday HAM and Beyond
Mixpression’s debut show, ‘Holiday HAM,’ took place at the New Parish in Oakland. That event, filled with a rollercoaster of emotions, is etched deeply in my heart. Without a clue on how to host and promote a production-level event, we teamed up with our friend, Johan Yang (aka BEAUZ), from Golden Records. Johan’s mentorship and resources were invaluable during this pivotal growth stage.
Since then, we’ve hosted increasingly larger shows and have started booking renowned artists—acts that electronic music fans around the world idolize. Reflecting on this surreal journey, it’s amazing to see how what once felt extraordinary is now becoming normalized.
As we scaled, our team expanded from three to thirteen members in under a year. Despite being lean, we dream big.
Our roots are in the Bay Area, but we have begun expanding to the Denver Metro area, aiming to eventually host events nationwide. This country's amateur artists deserve more opportunities to showcase their talent.
Final Thoughts
In the midst of curating talent and creating musical experiences, taking a moment to reflect is rejuvenating. I am incredibly proud of our team and what we’ve achieved over the past year. We are fortunate to work with dedicated, selfless individuals who prioritize the MXP brand. I’m especially grateful to grow this venture alongside my best friends, Jeanie and Joeson.
The Bay Area’s culture of innovation and industry disruption inspires us. We’ve always aspired to be entrepreneurs, driven by a genuine passion. This endeavor perfectly melds our business acumen with our love for music.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us on this remarkable journey—from our friends and partners to our attendees. Your encouragement has been crucial to our bold pursuits.
2025 promises to be an exciting year for the Mixpression family. We can't wait to show you what we have in store!
Andy C. Quach,
President
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