Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Fleenor.
Austin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started the day mom allowed me to play on her Ipad, I was five years old. I came across a DJ/music mixing app and I was hooked. I realized the art of beat matching and never looked back. Hi, my name is Austin B. Fleenor, some people know me as DJ Austin B7. I am ten years old and I love to create music. It was when I turned seven years old that mom and dad invested in my first professional controller. This was after a couple of years of mom and dad noticing I had this passion for music and an ear for all types of genres. Mom can tell you a story when I was going through the different genres of music in the car and found the Sinatra channel and found a way to mix a few classics with some more current tracks.
Shortly after my 7th birthday, I was blessed enough to have a family member that was visiting from Germany for a weekend and shared all he could about DJing and film production. That summer I was then invited to a DJ camp called “Oontz Kids DJ Academy” and was able to learn even more! Since then, I have attended a few DJ and production summer camps with Oontz and even landed my first internship this past summer sharing my love and knowledge of Ableton producing software.
I am very passionate about music and the effects it has on others!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I guess you can say it has been a pretty smooth ride when it comes to honing my skills and developing my niche. I just do what I love and create beats anywhere I go, I listen for sounds whether it’s on a nature walk when I am with my scout troop, the music that is playing at the grocery store, or the music coming from the Disney movies my little sister Camila is watching.
If I had to share an obstacle that I sometimes face, it would be my age. People can judge a book by its cover sometimes. Some kids my age and a little older oftentimes do not understand EDM (Electronic Dance Music) or understand that there are a variety of different types of DJs. I spend time crafting my performances with the thought of every transition and energy I can provide by reading my audiences.
My audience is primarily 25 years and up and the style that I like to mix is more of a club vibe. I am proud that I can now inspire other kids my age to enjoy this type of music.
I will say though, I know the beginning of life was not so easy. I am a proud survivor and NICU graduate. I was born extremely early at 28 weeks, weighing just over two lbs. So needless to say, mom and dad spent about three months in the hospital with me in the NICU and finally were able to bring me home. They say I was brought home with a monitor that would alarm if I decided to stop breathing. The first two years of life, I did not have many visitors at home. My parents were under strict rules in order to keep me away from any germs and to keep me alive!
Please tell us more about your work.
My business is my music and performing. I really love getting up in the morning before school to work on originals and remixes. That is pretty much what I do when I get done with homework in the afternoons. That is of course, only due to keeping up my grades in school, which I happen to love. Math and science are my favorite subjects.
I have been gigging for a little over two years at many different types of venues. I love to help out at different community events throughout the city and offer my services when I am available and it is a meaningful cause I believe in.
My most recent and larger venues have been fashion shows and expos. I think one of the most memorable events to date would have to be the Sanctuary Fashion show at LA Fashion Week. I was flown to LA during Spring Break to perform. I was also invited by a few designers to perform at New York Fashion Week this Fall and London Fashion Week in the Spring.
I would say being ten years old, reaching an older audience with the type of music I DJ and produce, and just bringing an energy to the crowd is what sets me apart from the rest.
Contact Info:
- Website: djaustinb7.com
- Phone: 9728211565
- Email: djaustinb7@gmail.com
- Instagram: @djaustinb7
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJAustinB7
- Twitter: @djaustinb7
Image Credit:
Heldfilms, DFW Child Magazine, ChristopherJoeRomero- CJRMedia, Danny Mota
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