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UML student breaking into EDM world

Mariah Alix
Connector Contributor

At UMass Lowell, we often hear stories of students going off into the world as successful engineers. Little do we focus on those succeeding within the arts.

Andrew Garcia, a sophomore at UML, is currently thriving within the music business. Garcia is a DJ dominantly in the Boston area. He works with a variety of music genres including trap, house, electronic dance music (EDM), dubstep, etc. He has performed at multiple Boston venues including Rise Night Club, The Middle East Upstairs and Downstairs, The Royale and the House of Blues.

Garcia started off as a drummer, and continued for 10 years, but never found passion in it. His turning point to DJing was a few years ago after he saw a popular DJ, Deadmau5, live.

“[I] was totally hooked after that, mainly because of how great the music was and how much energy he provided for the crowd,” Garcia said.

He soon after bought some of his own equipment and began teaching himself.

“I found it came pretty easy to me,” said Garcia. “I think it was because I was so ready to try something new and me being a drummer helped tremendously because basically DJing, at its core, is matching up different rhythms.”

Currently a music business major at UML, he’s been learning the ropes to help himself become a professional in the music world.

“It has helped me better understand the industry I’m trying to establish myself in and which move is the right or wrong one for me,” says Garcia. “Plus, I have met so many people here who share the same interests and goals as me.”

The Bachelor of Music Business degree program allows students to receive advanced training within multiple areas of the music industry and still receive education through the music performance curriculum. Lessons can be learned everywhere from concert promotion and recording to publishing and licensing. After advancing within the major, internships can be taken up with professional firms in the industry. An entrance audition is required for those majoring in any music degree programs.

Garcia, already as a sophomore, has advanced quite a bit in the industry. He has two upcoming shows at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge. On April 2, he will be opening for DJ duo Digitalism; he says to expect “a deep house set” from him. This is not usually a high energy choice, he explained, but suits the crowd. Saturday, April 4, he will be opening for TrollPhace, a popular heavy trap/dubstep artist. Garcia plans on doing more of a “chilled out melodic trap” set from him for this show. For more information on these shows, visit The Middle East’s website.

With many more shows in his future, Garcia is just beginning to make himself known. He has great plans as to where he wants to go with his DJing.

“I want to really develop a live performance that is unique and a different kind of experience than just going to see a DJ,” says Garcia.

We hope to hear his name more often throughout the industry, and to see him thrive as he continues to grow within his art. UMass Lowell isn’t only for the engineers.