Meet Lauren Munar Burdeshaw | AKA Wahine | DJ & Event Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Munar Burdeshaw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, why did you pursue a creative career?
I spent most of my life in artist-adjacent positions, but had never dared to claim that life for myself, despite being a highly creative individual who is able to make real the vast majority of things that I envision. After leaving a particularly soul-crushing job after 10 years in the internet start-up world, I was lost and really had no clue what I was going to do next. I had also just moved to Atlanta from my native Los Angeles, so the slate was clean. I can’t even say that I chose the creative path to DJing. The way everything unfolded, it was as if it chose me. Not resisting that path was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Doors have been wide open to me ever since, and I am grateful. As I like to say, “Choose the thing that chooses you.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a life-long dancer, discovering DJ culture as a creative outlet–as well as a career–became a natural extension of my talents. There is and always has been music in my life. It is my key to memory, spirituality, and human connection. If I Iook back, I’ve been making mixtapes since I was in elementary school. As an introvert, it is my way of contributing to the vibe of a social event, while making it a more comfortable space for others like myself. In my opinion, there is no good party without good music.

I have a BA in World Arts & Cultures from UCLA (formerly the Dance Department), where I studied a dozen dance forms. This is a huge influence on the music that I play. I have always experienced the arts as an important way to connect with cultures in ways that transcend language and perceived differences, and I want people to be able to make these connections on the dancefloor.

“Move and be moved,” is a phrase that I use to describe what I play. The music that I play moves me from either a physical, emotional, or spiritual place–hopefully all three!

Event production is also an important part of what I do. Creating safe, welcoming spaces for people to self-express and “get free” is really important to me. I also want to introduce people to music that they may not be familiar with in a manner that feels fun, adventurous, and mind-expanding. Getting lost in the music and experience, and being transported out of the mundane is like a vacation for the mind and we can all use that.

In 2019, I launched my tropical-flavored disco event, Wahine’s Hideaway to great success. I get a lot of enjoyment out of coming up with themes, visuals and decor for my events–all of which I believe contribute to people being more open to listening and dancing to music that they may not be familiar with. Just the simple act of greeting everyone Hawaiian-style with a lei creates a bit of unexpected magic that unifies everyone in attendance. It’s the unity factor that I am always trying to replicate in my events.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Piedmont Park – Atlanta’s answer to Central Park
The Beltline – The path reconnecting Atlanta’s many diverse neighborhoods
Brewery Crawl: Inner Voice, Halfway Crooks, Bold Monk – good beer, cool environs, good eats
Go-to restaurants: Poor Hendrix, Los Niños, Sapori di Napoli, Chai Pani, Las Brasas, The Little Hippo
Stereo – vinyl listening lounge with great Japanese whiskey highballs and tasty smorgasbord
Westside Motor Lounge – Shuffleboard, cornhole, live music, solid food, in a really cool environment
Center for Puppetry Arts – The Jim Henson exhibit is something really special
Kimball House – for a well-executed special occasion dinner with some of the best cocktails in the city
El Malo – The most beautiful nightlife spot in Atlanta with outstanding cocktails and a unique music program featuring the best DJs in the city and beyond.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Jonathan deserves a lot of props and gratitude for always being my biggest fan and for encouraging me to get back into DJing during a dark period of my life and during a dark time when I was desperately trying to find my joy and purpose in life. He has created time and space for me, elbow grease, as well as the occasional, but much-needed kick in the pants to pursue my creative endeavors.

My Spin City radio show co-host, Mark Christopher (AKA Goz) also deserves a big shout of gratitude for taking an interest in me at a very early stage of my return to DJing. He has been nothing but supportive and his choice to bring me on as a resident DJ on his radio show, which happens to be on the #1 House Music Blog in the world, has allowed me to reach a worldwide audience, connect with so many of the DJs and producers that I admire, as well as stay sane during the pandemic with an outlet for my creativity and an online community to connect with in dark times, like the covid pandemic.

Website: https://linktr.ee/wahine_dj

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wahine_dj/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wahinedj/