Celebrating 15 Years of SIX AM- Get to Know Jonny
Brand Manager and Shop Director, Jonny has been with SIX AM for more than a decade.
Jonny Maven is a DJ and entrepreneur who has been involved in the electronic music industry for over a decade. He is currently the Shop Department Director and Brand Manager for SIX AM, a leading rave fashion brand. Jonny's passion for electronic music and rave culture is evident in everything he does. He is committed to creating products and experiences that celebrate the unique spirit of the underground scene. As a DJ, he aims to bring people together through the power of music and art.
Jonny's story is an inspiration to anyone who is passionate about electronic music and rave culture. He is a living example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and a love for music.
Howdy Jonny, it’s a pleasure to be able to pick your brain! How’s everything going right now?
It feels like life's in fast-forward right now, both personally and professionally. It's a challenge to keep up with the rapid pace of change, but it's a thrilling ride. Ultimately, I'm thankful for this productive momentum, as it reassures me that I'm on the right track.
How did you originally get introduced to the rave scene? How long have you been a part of SIX AM, and how did you get involved in the first place?
My journey with the rave scene started at EDC 2010, which was the last big event at the Colosseum and my very first rave. Fast forward to 2013, and I found myself joining the SIX AM family - and now, a decade later, I'm still here!
This may be a bit hard to believe but my first introduction to SIX AM was getting booked to play a hip hop set at Busby’s East in 2012 hosted by SIX AM. I was just 20 years old, and it was through this gig that I first met Jia, thanks to a mutual friend named Tommy Kim who was also part of the SIX AM at the time.
That same year, I participated in a DJ Mix contest hosted by SIX AM and as one of the finalists was chosen to play a set at Frenzy Afterhours. That gig was my official club DJ debut, and it's a night I will never forget!
You’ve come a long way with the company, currently tasked as being not only the shop department’s director, but also the SIX AM brand manager as well. Before holding this position of leadership within the company, what other job titles and responsibilities were you tasked with before making it to where you are now?
Flyering
Door / Event Ops
Bartending
Artist Hospitality
Marketing Asscociate subpromoting for local clubs such as Exchange and Sound
Marketing Associate for our Marketing Agency that we ran for a brief period of time.
Social media manager
Event Ads Manager
Your work with SIX AM is not your only involvement in the electronic music industry. You also have an established career as a DJ under the moniker Jonny Maven, having regularly played at various underground raves in LA, and you’ve even been booked for festivals having played right before Dax J at RE/FORM, and when you headlined Electric Island Festival last year in Guam. What are some of your aspirations and goals as a DJ? Where do you see your DJ career in 5 years from now? And how does your path as a DJ synergize with your path with SIX AM?
As a DJ, I've always aimed to bring people together through the power of music and art. I've found a similar calling with SIX AM, connecting the House+Techno community through our shared love of music, expressed in the unique language of fashion. Over time, I've realized these two paths aren't separate, but rather, different verses of the same song. I see them blending together harmoniously, each enhancing and amplifying the other.
As a DJ, my ambitions are tied to these connections. I aim to reach wider audiences, play on larger stages, collaborate with artists I respect, and continue to grow and evolve my sound. I also want to push the boundaries of my creativity, potentially venturing into producing my own music.
As for SIX AM, we're just getting started. I envision us pushing the envelope of what a fashion brand in the rave scene can be. I see us hosting fashion shows that seamlessly transition into warehouse parties, an immersive experience that combines the two worlds in a unique setting.
In five years, I see myself not just as a DJ playing sets, but a curator creating entire experiences that bring together music and fashion. I imagine SIX AM at the forefront of the rave fashion scene, leading the charge in innovative and meaningful ways. Together, these paths will continue to echo my original goal – connecting people through art and music.
Not only have you proven your proficiency on the decks, but you’ve also proven to be proficient in the dojo too as a formal martial arts instructor back in the days before you got into the techno scene. While music and martial arts may seem to be completely different on paper, how did that experience prepare you for life in the music industry?
Music and martial arts, at their core, share key elements of rhythm, timing, and discipline. My time as a martial artist taught me the art of patience, the value of repetitive practice, and the importance of being present in the moment. These lessons have translated directly into my DJ career, from mastering the technical aspects to engaging with the energy of the dance floor. It's a continuous, harmonious dance, whether I'm practicing martial arts or behind the decks.
What is your long term vision shopby6am and the direction of the brand? Fill us in on what you see developing in the next year, the next 5 years, and in the next decade.
Long-term, our vision for Shopby6AM is to be a central hub for the global rave community, delivering not only quality merchandise, but also contributing to the culture and ethos that make the electronic music scene so vibrant.
In the next year, our goal is to continue expanding our range of collections, capturing the various aspects of the underground electronic music culture. We're dedicated to cultivating local talent and fostering creativity. You'll see more collaborations, with designers, artists, and even musicians, to create unique, high-quality pieces that resonate with our audience.
Over the next five years, we envision establishing physical stores in key cities around the world. We want to create experiential retail spaces that extend beyond traditional retail norms, blurring the lines between fashion, music, and art. These spaces could also host community events, workshops, and pop-up parties, amplifying our connection with the music scene.
A decade from now, we see Shop by 6AM as a comprehensive lifestyle brand. We'll have diversified beyond apparel to encompass a wider range of products and services that cater to our audience's lifestyle - everything from music gear to home decor. We envision a brand that grows with our community, anticipating and meeting their evolving needs.
All in all, our aim is to nurture and evolve with the rave community, to be a platform that highlights the vibrancy and diversity of the electronic music scene, and to continue to provide value to our community beyond our products. We’re all about the music, the people, and the experiences. This is the DNA of Shop by 6AM, and it’s what we'll be staying true to as we evolve.
Thanks for your insights Johnny. To close out, what makes SIX AM so special for you and why do you consider it a privilege to be a part of it? What about SIX AM makes it worth dedicating your life for?
For me, SIX AM is more than just a brand, it's a community of like-minded individuals who are all passionate about the same thing: the underground electronic music scene. Being a part of this, and being able to contribute to it in my own way, is incredibly fulfilling.
SIX AM is special because it's not just about the products we create, but also the connections we help cultivate. From our events to our apparel, everything we do is about celebrating the vibrant, diverse culture of electronic music and raving. It's this spirit of unity and shared passion that makes SIX AM a truly unique entity.
As for dedicating my life to SIX AM, it's not just a job, but a way of life for me. It represents everything I am passionate about: music, creativity, community. It allows me to combine these elements in a way that not only adds value to the community, but also allows me to express myself and grow both professionally and personally.
Every day I get to work with an amazing team, create products that our audience loves, and contribute to a culture I deeply care about. The satisfaction and joy I derive from this is unmatched, and it's what makes dedicating my life to SIX AM worth it.
