DJ Mandy
Amanda Shultz, widely recognized as DJ Mandy, has carved out a unique niche as perhaps the internet's most delightfully offbeat DJ. Balancing her studies as a full-time student at UC Berkeley with her growing career as a DJ and producer, Mandy resides in California.
Her claim to fame stems from her knack for crafting viral-worthy mixes on TikTok, where she seamlessly blends an eclectic array of genres and sounds in ways that are both innovative and comedic.
Drawing inspiration from a diverse spectrum of music, encompassing everything from house and techno to jazz and classical, Mandy's goal is to foster a sense of unity through the universal language of music, infused with her signature comedic flair.
Amanda Shultz, widely known as DJ Mandy, balances her full-time studies at UC Berkeley in California with her thriving career as a DJ and producer. Renowned for her unique style, she has gained fame on TikTok for her innovative and humorous mixes, weaving together a wide spectrum of genres and sounds. Drawing inspiration from diverse musical influences such as house, techno, jazz, and classical, Mandy aims to foster unity and joy through her music (and comedic flair).
GRRRL Music: Hi Mandy! I have been a big fan of yours for a while, and I am so happy I got to watch your silent disco set in the rain! How are you today?
DJ MANDY: I'm doing really good! It's a nice day!
Photo Credit: Provided By Artist
GM: You just finished your silent disco set. How did it go?
DJM: It was really fun. I never played a silent disco or, really attended one, but it was good vibes for-sure. It was cold and muddy and I felt bad for the people not covered, but I hope everyone's body heat and energy kept them all warm haha!
GM: Let's do a recap - if we go all the way back, your Tik Tok blew up by accident. You combine comedy with music, memes, pop culture humor etc.. Where did you kind of get that idea? Did you always know you wanted to DJ? Did you just want to have fun?
DJM: Yeah, I never saw myself going into music or DJing. So, it was very impulsive. I started watching Boiler Room sets and getting into house music and watching those sets all the time because I was bored.
And then I thought, “oh, I should try this”. I had also seen I'm not the first one that came up with funny remixes and jingles. So I saw other people doing it. I wanted to try it too. And then my videos just started blowing up for some reason… who knows? The algorithm is crazy!I just got lucky, I guess. Then once that started happening, I was like, “whoa, I kind of want to take it seriously.” I know I've always loved music and I kind of want to see what happens!
GM: So this is your first Shabang?
DJM: It is!
GM: Is this the first festival you've played for?
DJM: This is the first festival I've ever been to! Yeah. I have never been to Coachella or anything. So I guess the first festival I've gone to, I've also played for, which is crazy. This has been really fun. It's such good vibes. I think Shabang is a good first festival to go to!
GM: Who has inspired your DJ career so far? What prompted you to even start?
DJM: I mean, honestly, seeing so many different sets on YouTube. The first “DJ channel" I saw who had posted hour-long sets, was “Book Club Radio”. I love them. I just met them recently & they're so cool. I'm obsessed & was fangirling. They're one of the main reasons I started getting into the DJ world. Then I started listening to house music artists, such as Peggy Gou & I also love Mall Grab. So, those types of artists are how I started getting into it.
GM: What's been your biggest challenge so far?
DJM: My biggest challenge, I guess, is kind of the fact that most people know me for being like a “joke” on the internet kind of thing, which I totally get. Because obviously that's what my first stuff was when I was blowing up. But, it's just weird that some people do not know I “actually DJ”... So I am definitely trying to make it a more serious thing.
GM: Who is your dream collaboration or dream venue for the future?
DJM: Oh that's hard. I mean, my dream venue would definitely be Coachella.
GM: I can so see you playing the best set at the Do-Lab
DJM: That's totally a vibe. My dream artists I would collaborate with would have to be Peggy Gou. Just because I feel like she's just an icon. I look up to her so much & she's killing it right now. I feel like having more POC & women in such a male dominated & white male dominated space is obviously so important.
GM: Do you have any advice for younger girls who want to get into the DJ space?
DJM: I would say, this may sound stupid, but literally just start trying. I think starting is the hardest part. And then once you take that initial first little step, it could open new doors for you. Just don't be afraid to put yourself out there even if it's a different route. Just try new things.
GM: Since you are a student attending UC Berkeley - I am assuming you play college parties or college shows? Do you get nervous?
DJM: I've played a couple of frat parties there and just like a local venues type thing. I like it because I know a lot of the people attending, and I have a lot of friends there, so it's so awesome. That is my community, you know? I totally get nervous about everything. I feel like most people do. But I really like the college crowd because I'm in college so I feel like it's just my people!
GM: What artist are you loving right now?
DJM: I listen to literally everything. So I've recently been obsessed with SZA. I've been listening to her album “SOS” on repeat.
GM: May we ask if you will be releasing new music anytime soon?
DJM: Yes, I have been working on new stuff! Hopefully going to release original music very, very soon. That is my main priority right now.
GM: What is your favorite kind of music genre(s) to remix?
DJM: House is my favorite! But specifically, I really like mixing in the piano. I think instruments and the piano brings a different kind of richness to tracks. Saxophone or brass instruments…I just love the classical sounds. Then taking that into electronic music is probably my favorite.
GM: What is your thought process when you're crafting your sets? How did you plan what to play for Shabang?
DJM: I usually like keeping tracks where people will know some of the songs and be able to sing along. But then I also like bringing in unique, random tracks I find that are fun to dance to and stuff like that. So I try to make a balance. I'll make a playlist of a balance of all that, and then just see the vibes as I'm playing. I see what people like.
GM: Do you have any intrusive thoughts when you're playing a set?
DJM: When I'm playing, obviously I'm thinking, “airhorn! airhorn!” or “I want to hit this random button” haha! I will do that sometimes, but I can't overdo it. I'm dancing between a fine line of, “the airhorn is on brand for me, but I am also working on being taken seriously!”
GM: Of course, that makes total sense. We all love a good airhorn moment ! Mandy, thank you so much for being here today. We at GRRRL are huge fans & I was so stoked to see your set!