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DJ Kanoya Productions | San Diego Wedding DJ | Yoga DJ | Fitness DJ | Corporate Event DJ

DJ Services

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DJ Kanoya Mix Samples

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DJ Justin Kanoya

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DJ Kanoya Productions, San Diego, United States760-809-6951justin@djkanoya.com

Copyright DJ Kanoya Productions

November was shaping up to be one epic month, especially with completing a 50k, my greatest physical achievement. But mother nature had other plans.
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Still a fun trip to San Francisco with friends and several other great things to look back on.
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#dj #sandiegodj #weddingdj #fitnessdj #yogadj #djkanoya #smallbusiness #savvybusinessowner #entrepreneur #creativebusiness #blogging #biztips #creative #dreamjobmakers #motivational #dearevanhansen #NFECSCA #cbx #waitress

Up close and personal with the Reloop 8000 power switch ... something that I rarely touch. Because, well, all my stuff is permanently in the "ON" position because it is all plugged into a power strip and I turn that on.
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#shotonmoment #momentlens #moment #momentwide #momentmacro #shotongalaxy #iphoneography #reloop #reloopdj #vinyl #music #records #dj #djkanoya #sandiegodj #weddingdj #fitnessdj #yogadj #mobiledj #turntable #turntablist

I picked up on a little insight from an interview with professional rock climber, Alex Honnold. He says, "There’s a quote that I like: ‘Being a professional means doing the things you love to do on the days you don’t feel like doing them.’ Sometimes you train even though you’re not motivated, because you’re like, well, I’ll be better if I actually put in the hours.”
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I cringe when I hear people use that common quote about job love, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I like what Alex shares because it’s so much more honest. .
Despite doing something you love, it’s still work. There are still pressures involved, deadlines to meet and people to serve. Somedays work does feel like work, and that’s okay. .
It’s all that extra hard work that brings us to the next level and helps us serve others better.
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#djkanoya #sandiegodj #weddingdj #fitnessdj #yogadj #mobiledj #motivation #entrepreneur #quotes #success #alexhonnold #thenorthface #freesolo

This piece of turntable hardware has been a staple in the DJ turntabilist community for decades. In 2018, Shure announced it would be ceasing production of these needles and cartridges.
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That immediately set many into a frenzy to gather up all remaining quantities.
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While plenty of options still remain ... and good ones at that, there's always something special about the OG!
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#shotonmoment #momentlens #moment #momentwide #momentmacro #shotongalaxy #iphoneography #djkanoya #sandiegodj #weddingdj #fitnessdj #yogadj #mobiledj #dj #music #djlife #turntablism #turntablist #vinyl #turntable #hiphop #realdjing #technics1210 #technics #shurem447 #shure

Sometimes I have clients/brides that become friends during the wedding planning process and we stay connected after the wedding.
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But in this case, these three were friends before their wedding, then I rocked their respective weddings and I of course remain connected to them post wedding.
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Even better, they support other events I'm spinning at, in this case, a Fitbit Local San Diego yoga event at Birds Surf Shed.
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Whether a wedding dress or yoga pants ... looking good either way!
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#djkanoya #sandiegodj #weddingdj #fitnessdj #yogadj #mobiledj #yoga #birdssurfshed #yogaeverydamnday #yogi #namaste #wellness #workout #yogalife #fitbit #fitbitlocal

This is a close-up image of the Numark DJ2GO2, the perfect little DJ controller WITH a built in soundcard. I use it at home when I am building sets or setting cue points on my tracks. But I've also used it at a few gigs and always have it with me as a back-up.
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In any trade, familiarizing ones self with as many tools is possible is critical to success. Imagine if a carpenter only had one type of screwdriver, yet a certain task required one smaller so it could fit into a cramped area.
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The same goes for DJs. As a mobile DJ I find myself on huge stages, but also a corner with 75 guests in a room meant for 50.
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I love my turntables, but they don't fit for every situation I'm DJing. Sometimes, size does matter.
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#djkanoya #sandiegodj #weddingdj #fitnessdj #yogadj #mobiledj #dj2go2 #numark #shotonmoment #momentlens #moment #momentwide #momentmacro #shotongalaxy #iphoneography

Another San Diego Asian Film Festival in the books. And another fun Gala After Party is also in the books.
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I'm so grateful for the friendships and memories that have been brought to me since I became involved back in 2001.
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While the SDAFF comes around just once a year, the group that puts it on, @Pacartsmovement, has activities all throughout the year. Be sure to check them out.
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#djkanoya #sandiegodj #weddingdj #fitnessdj #yogadj #mobiledj #sdaff #pacarts #portpavilion #dj #uplighting #turntablism

I'm not anti-skating. This is actually a record player term. But I am "anti my needle jumping everywhere."
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It's crazy that only in the past year, technology has advanced where we DJs may not need to worry about needles skipping and we'll be able to use our turntables worry free.
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I'll be very interested to experience Phase DJ when it finally releases. As a DJ, what has been the biggest piece of technology you have embraced?
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#djkanoya #sandiegodj #weddingdj #fitnessdj #yogadj #mobiledj #dj #djlife #turntablism #turntablist #vinyl #turntable #hiphop #realdjing #technics #reloopdj

This was taken a few weeks ago when I DJ'd the fifth anniversary workout party for November Project San Diego. Four years ago, I DJ'd the first anniversary workout. It also happened to be the first time I DJ'd a fitness event of any kind. .
In a related @novemberproject note, this past weekend I traveled to San Francisco with some NPSD friends. .
While the plan for me and many others was to run various distances of the North Face Endurance Challenge, mother nature, smoke and poor air quality had other plans.
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In the grand scheme of things, it was a minor setback compared to the challenges many are facing.
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While I certainly missed out on the running, I'll take gallivanting around a city with a "bunch of yahoos" any day.
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#trailrunning #community #justshowup #neverstopexploring #fitness #running #ultrarunning #dj #djlife #weddingdj #music #djing #djkanoya #fitnessdj #yogadj #novemberproject

Falling into another month. It's the homestretch of 2018! But first, here's a look back at October.

Two questions I am routinely asked at my wedding gigs: ❓❓
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🔹What's on the playlist for tonight?
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🔹Are you allowed to deviate from the playlist?
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Guess what folks, there is no playlist. Never. Ever.
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I get it, most people are pre-disposed to the idea of preparing ahead of time. And when it comes to music, that's what they often do.
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Go on a roadtrip; make a playlist. Hosting dinner guests at your home; make a playlist. Throwing down a Friday night house party; make a playlist.
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But when you hire a DJ you should be hiring someone with the a skill that every great DJ has: reading the crowd.
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As a DJ, that's what keeps me going back on those stages. I never know what songs I'm going to play or when I'm going to play them. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. But the fun in engaging a crowd with music is never ending.
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💃🎶

Cue. Loop. Sample. Slice.
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Whatever it takes to get the job done. Just get that crowd dancing.

"I'm DJ Justin Kanoya, good night everyone."
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At the end of every gig I do, and definitely every wedding, I close out with those six words. It's in a similar manner a performer ends their own stage show (and probably where I picked it up watching so many concerts).
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There's a misconception out there about what a "wedding DJ" does. Most people assume all DJs are the same (wedding, club, radio, festival, etc.); and they all do the same thing ... play one song after another.
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While that is true, at the heart of it all, we are performers.
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I am a performer. .
I engage crowds with excitement. I do this, with music, but also with many other tools; my voice, control of volume level, lighting and much more.
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Your DJ should not just "play music." Anyone can do that. Find yourself a performer.
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"I'm DJ Justin Kanoya." 📷 @dylanmayer

"Put the needle on the record when the drum beats go like this."
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Growing up I played the violin for, maybe, three school years. I also played taiko for about 10 years (Japanese drumming).
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While I never truly mastered those instruments, I think I've got this tonearm and needle on vinyl thing figured out. Not completley figured out, it's always a work in progress.
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The basics of DJing is essentially playing one song to another. But there's so many other ways to use music and the equipment to hype a crowd. And that is the never ending learning process. I continue to be inspired by own colleagues and the great scratch routine DJs all around the world.
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A turntable was long just thought of a way to playback music. But these days, it is an instrument and I'm hoping to fully master it one of these days.

Some DJs have random dance routines breakout in front of them. Me? I get random acro yoga routines.
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Never a dull moment.

This is where the magic happens.
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When it comes down to it, mixing music for an audience comes down to these three fader. Channel 1, channel 2 and the crossfader.
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On a DJ's mixer, nothing else gets manipulated and touched as much as these three faders. Dance floors have exploded and died based off their slightest movements.
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Turn it up. Mix it up.

I recently saw a video with @djjazzyjeff. He was checking out the latest piece of DJ tech, @phase_dj, which allows DJs to scratch records without the use of that pesky tonearm.
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DJing with vinyl is a fragile process, especially on bouncy stages. One small bump, one tiny vibration or a gust of wind ... and the music skips.
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Jeff was speaking the truth when he said, "any DJ that uses turntables has a list of problems that they have to look at. Especially if you're playing indoor or outdoor. You have to worry about sun, wind, vibration is the worst ... I gingerly walk when I DJ, because I have to."
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This was never more true than on this stage in San Francisco. For those familiar with the gear, there are two CDJs (CD players) and one turntable. That's because the wind was blowing my needles all over the place. Luckily the venue has the CDJs to swap out otherwise that would have been a real tough gig.
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This was a great reminder to not only be ready to adapt, but have a general understanding of as much gear as possible. You'll never know when you need to use something you've never used before (and up until this point, I had never gigged with a pair of Pioneer CDJs.).

DJ gear is expensive. When I say gear, I mean both the actual gear; the mixers, speakers, controllers AND the road cases.
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I'll never understand why people spend $1000s on quality gear, but then never invest in the cases to keep that stuff in good shape. Road cases keep your stuff scratch free, but also help with travel and set-up productivity because it makes it much easier stack cases in your van and cart.
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If you're a DJ, you'll never regret spending money on a case, you will definitely regret not spending that money.
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Also, as in this case, you can take a pretty cool selfie in a ball corner.
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My inventory includes well over a dozen roadcases (as a solo operating DJ). How many cases are you rolling with? Let me know in the comments!

Smiling here for the sole reason there was a camera in my face.
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Smiling at the moment because it's Friday, which for most means a couple of days off. But for me, it's time to go to work. I'm looking forward to celebrating a 25th anniversary with a couple who have ties to my hometown of St. Louis.
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And then on Sunday experiencing my first "best day in tri" as I provide the party music (and some yoga music) for the Challenged Athletes Foundation San Diego Triathlon Challenge.
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I'm also smiling because someone finally got a picture of me smiling while DJing. I usually looks so serious.

September welcomed a few new things for me, like DJing at F45 for the first time and DJing a 60th high school reunion.
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But it also included a few things familiar to me, like walking/running/eating through the streets of Vancouver.
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Looking forward to Fall and closing out 2018.