Today we’d like to introduce you to Alaa Elwer.
Hi Alaa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Hello, my name is Alaa Elwer. I was born and raised over seas in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan. I moved to Arizona when I was 16 years old with my brother to finish high school and get an American Education, where I now work as a Space Satellites Engineer.
I started going to electronic music shows in 2011 when I attended EDC Las Vegas, which was the inaugural event of Insomniac’s now flagship festival. Shortly after attending EDC, I was so inspired to be a part of the loving and welcoming dance music community that I immediately purchased my first DJ equipment.
It gave me a feeling that I had found something I wanted to be a part of the rest of my life and could instantly feel the magic of the music.
I’ve been in the dance music scene ever since, involved with everything from promoting and curating events, to now performing at some of my favorite venues around the country.
I’m the biggest house music fan out there! My favorite thing to do is make people fall in love with house music and dance to it.
Over the last couple of years, I have been working tirelessly on creating my own sound and have been sitting on some unreleased tracks that I can’t wait to share with the world!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My first challenge is probably obvious to most. Moving to a new country, 7,485 miles away from most of my family and speaking little English was incredibly difficult to overcome. I had no friends when I moved here and was just accompanied by my older brother who was facing similar difficulties as I was.
It was a complete culture shock. As someone who was outgoing and friendly, I found myself being an introvert at first until I became more connected with the American Culture. Slowly people would open up to me, and I to them, and today I’m blessed to be surrounded by some of the best people I’ve ever met who make me feel like this is my home.
I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything, and it was the best decision I have ever made. It’s made me into the person that I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I never had a music background, so starting production was hard for me. Some people are gifted with the ability to create music and I’ve had to work even harder than ever to learn both production and understanding/applying music theory.
I spent time going to learn more about music by taking several classes at Scottsdale Community College as well as practicing piano on a daily basis. Everything is starting to come together and I’m contently starting to finish new projects!
I am blessed to now be able to play at venues around the valley such as Shady Park, Sunbar, The Walter Where? house, The Van Buren, and Rawhide.
On a weekly basis, I am part of a collective that runs a house music event at Sunbar called “Brunch House”. This event started 3 years ago in Old Town Scottsdale, at Wasted Grain, and has grown into what it is today.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up on a farm in Jordan until I was 11 years old, living about an hour away from the capital city, Amman. I was raised in a very family-oriented home and am to this day still incredibly close with my family, who have since taken the journey to America to live near my brother and I.
I have played football for as long as I can remember – most Americans refer to it as “Soccer,” sorry I call it by its real name! LOL. Playing on a team has helped me to build camaraderie with the people that I am working with.
Now, I am growing up in the house music scene where my heart belongs <3.
Contact Info:
- Email: alaa@djelwer.com
- Website: www.djelwer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djelwer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djelwer
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/djelwer
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/djelwer
Image Credits
Tyler Rittenhouse Photography
Jacob Tyler Dunn Photography
LikeHoney Creations
