Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Sustain.
Hi Jay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Jay Sustain, I’ve been DJ’ing for over 20 years and producing electronic music since 2005. I moved to Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood in 2017 to refocus my attention on music. I became the Digital Content Director and Resident DJ at Deep Ellum Art Company. In that time, I DJ’d tons of events, sharing the stage with some amazing touring artists.
In 2020, I formed an electronic music act called “Smoking With Strangers”, we just put out our 2nd full length album in October of 2025. In 2023, I started a job with Dallas Radio Station, KNON and took on the position of Program Director at KNON Now, the Streaming Station of KNON. I host a weekly show on KNON Now every Monday at 4PM called, Legends & Liner Notes. In 2023, I started playing as a guest DJ at the Legendary goth club, The Church, and continue to play several times a year.
My partner is Amanda Dalton; she runs Amanda Dalton School of Dance and has been teaching ballet and dance for over 30 years. She and I run a small promotion company called “Therapy Presents” that put on regular 80’s Music Events and other small concerts.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Covid really did a number on all of our plans. My band immediately had cancellations and my job at Deep Ellum Art Company came to an end as the venue struggled to stay open. I was injured in an attack in Deep Ellum in 2022, suffering three small stab wounds and the trauma of being shot at. Fortunately, I survived with little more than bad memories.
The uncertainty of the job market, the protests following the George Floyd killing and the damage to our Deep Ellum neighborhood, left me with a really tough decisions to make about my future. In the end, the neighborhood bonded together and new friends made themselves known creating a new and emerging neighborhood relationship.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My first music act, Blue Massive, teamed up with world renowned cellist Dave Eggar and composer Chuck Palmer. Dave plays with so many incredible acts including Evanescence and Foreigner. Blue Massive put out 2 full-length albums and several singles before moving on to bigger projects.
The first time one of my productions landed in a film was for the movie “Blind”, Directed by Mr. Robert Redford and starring Demi Moore and Alec Baldwin. The song was written by Sasha Lazard, Remixed by myself and brought to the project by Sasha Lazard & Dave Eggar.
In 2022, my second musical act, Smoking With Strangers received a nomination for the Dallas Observer Music Awards in the Best Electronic Music category, that nomination and our growing popularity landed us a gig opening for Chromeo in Arlington. Smoking With Strangers continues to work with famous musicians and has just put out a second full length album.
Jay Sustain continues to produce original works, remixes and collaborative work for all kinds of media projects.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Yes, I would say that gear is very important. Have the best gear and be the best at using it. You’ve got to start with professionalism to be a Professional. Be humble, generous and sober when working in the industry.
Don’t ever let the haters make decisions for you. Be the best you can be and let your music speak for itself, don’t force it on others and don’t let differing opinions sway you from your goals. State your goals aloud and put them in front of you so that you can see the direction you are trying to go.
Pricing:
- Remixes $500
- DJ’ing $250 (4 hours)
Contact Info:
- Website: jaysustain.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaysustainmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaysustainmusic
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jaysustain
