NAM is in the dry cleaner — a DJ, producer, and creative from Maryland, now based in Los Angeles, mixing house, global dance, and hip hop.

please introduce yourself.

what up i'm NAM, born and raised in Maryland, now based in Los Angeles. i started playing house parties in college then clubs in Washington, DC learning how to read rooms. Mad luv DMV. i've been playing house music since the jump, but i love mixing global dance music and hip hop, whatever is needed for the dance floor.

if you had to describe your music using only elements from nature, which ones would you choose?

be like water, move like air, energize like fire.

what childhood memory has influenced your sound today?

the first music i remember my parents playing were from the Bee Gees, Sade, Kenny G and Michael Jackson. as kids, my older cousins controlled the aux and would always listen to original Tiesto & Paul Oakenfold while we played video games.

what aspect do you love the most about your hometown, community or culture?

i'm Vietnamese American, my parents escaped Vietnam before and after the war, that's a story for another day. i love the food from my culture, if you haven't tried it yet, meet me down in Garden Grove. Food brings people together, just like music, it nourishes the soul and body.

what's the most unexpected or unusual place you've ever djed, and how did the setting influence your music selection?

Venice Skate Park opening for Chase & Status, legit played in the bowl while people were skating. Knowing C & S would play Drum n Bass, i wanted to complement their sound starting with downtempo electronic music then hip hop, uk garage, breakbeat, house and bass house to build a proper vibe. the opening set is one of the most important pieces to a great show. it was one of the craziest sets of my life tbh, i'm so grateful for that experience.

if you encounter an alien and it asks you to play earth music, which song would you like to play?

at the moment, i would play bad bunny DtMF or anything SADE for the alien.

any closing words?

this year, i'm releasing more original music & edits. i want to continue spreading positivity + good energy to dance floors, play more sets alongside amazing artists, build a space to dance + be present. i've got dreams of playing at festivals and ibiza. i have a monthly residency at Ace Hotel Palm Springs! mad luv to everyone who has supported me along this journey. see you soon on the dance floor.

Photography by @goyonvbi. Full electric cleaners mix on the goyo club YouTube channel.