We’re always on the hunt for more DJ talent to add to our roster. So when we heard the skills from Washington, DC DJ Alex Gunera, aka DJ ALX, we knew we had to have him on the team.
Growing up in both Los Angeles and Washington, DC, Alex’s musical taste was directly influenced by both West Coast and East Coast culture. He recalls listening to varied genres as a kid, including 70s rock, disco, and Motown. And he developed a love for Latin rhythms by playing the conga drums in high school.
As a teen, he was introduced to DJing by his sister’s then-husband, a Latin DJ in the 1980s, who gifted Alex his first turntable and mixer. “At the age of 19, I started tagging along with local DJs who I learned technique from,” he recalls.
Alex started to DJ the local scene, but took a short hiatus when he joined the military, working as an airplane mechanic. He spent 12 of his 15 years of service overseas, stationed in Germany, Japan, and Southern Spain. And during that time, he was able to bring his DJ skills to foreign shores, spinning at major venues in Tokyo and Spain (his favorite place). Opening a party for popular dance artist Lumidee catapulted him into a good rotation of DJ gigs.
Now separated from the military and back stateside full time, Alex DJs weekly gigs around the DMV club circuit and organizes a biweekly day party in the Adams Morgan neighborhood in DC. He also has experience in corporate and military events.
“I consider myself a true open-format DJ with heavy influences in tropical Latin, 90's deep house, and hip hop,” he says.
Outside of living that DJ life, Alex spends his time with his family, including his two kids and a stepchild that he’s raised as his own, and a golden doodle. He also coaches youth soccer and basketball.
With so many years of experience under his belt, DJ ALX makes a powerful addition to the Maryland’s DJ team! Here are some of his thoughts about weddings and being a Washington, DC DJ.
Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
What makes a great DJ?
You have to love music and creating an environment that is memorable and fun.
What’s your favorite local wedding venue and why?
Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, VA, for the location and scenery.
Photos by Casey Crow Taylor
PS. Check out this recap of a winter wedding we DJ’ed at Stone Tower Winery!
What’s your favorite thing about weddings?
Making an entire wedding party dance at the same time, and being part of people’s memories.
If you were getting married this weekend, what would your first dance song be?
Back at One by Brian McKnight (an R&B classic).
What’s the best “little kid moment” you’ve seen at a wedding?
I love the breakdancing kids.
What's the most unique processional song you've ever played?
A song by a violinist who was also the bride’s cousin.
What do you think is the most overplayed wedding song?
Celebrate by Kool & the Gang, or We Are Family by Sister Sledge.
What’s one thing you wish people knew about working as a DJ?
We are the first there and the last to leave. And it takes a long time to organize your music!
When you're not working, what kind of music do you listen to?
It depends on my mood. Everything from hip hop to grunge to Latin.
In his own words: “DJ ALX is a music lover that prides himself in playing sounds you love, used to love, and will fall in love with.” It can’t be said much better than that. For tropical Latin vibes on your dance floor, DJ ALX Is the guy to get!
Contact us to check our schedule and get your wedding day or corporate event on the calendar. You’ll get unlimited planning sessions with your DJ to make sure every moment of your schedule and every crucial music cue is just right.
Published on:
Thursday, December 1, 2022
