Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucky Khamphengmuang.
Hi Lucky, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For most of my life I’ve been in love with the idea of being a music producer and working in professional music studios, teaching myself how to record and mix tracks via youtube tutorials. In 2017, I moved to Minneapolis from my hometown, St. Cloud, MN where I picked up a job as a waiter in the North Loop and soon after started my journey as a student at Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie for their Audio Production program.
The following year I met two of my mentors, Josh McClure of HarmonyDJEntertainment and Jeff Atchison aka DJHampsterDance, at the restaurant that I was still working at during that time. They were the resident DJ’s who would come in every Thursday night to play tunes at my work. Building the friendship with my mentors combined with my Audio Production knowledge, I would often hop behind the booth to drop in some mixes myself after my shift (and sometimes during my shift). Eventually I would substitute as resident DJ from time to time until I finally landed the Thursday spot for myself, allowing me to hone in my skills as an Open-Format DJ on top of chatting with my favorite regulars at the bar. I’d also find myself playing more nightclubs, showcases, and private parties all over Minnesota as I gained more experiences during this time.
Over the years and during a pandemic, I started working at Minnehaha Recording Company in South Minneapolis as a professional Audio Engineer and Music Producer, working with many talented local artists around the Twin Cities. At this time, gigs in nightlife were slim to none so the only work that was most accessible to me was as a Wedding DJ and MC. Once I was let go at the restaurant as an employee and a DJ during 2020, I made the move to double down on DJing weddings and studio work, finally making music my full-time job.
Around late 2020, would be where I started frequenting raves and enjoying the massive EDM productions. I fell in love with the community and the unity of it all, quickly making new connections in the dance music scene. There, I would find my identity as, “LUCKY The Unfortunate”, which would be the moniker I carry when I play shows as a solo artist. Now producing more House music and shifting away from my open-format style of DJing, I’ve quickly built up my own little community who I enjoy dancing and creating memories with. From local breweries to the massive stages like The Armory, I’ve been honored to play shows for my people and share my unique style of performing, remixes, and original music (IDs as they are known in the scene). Along the way, I had the greatest pleasure to open for the world’s biggest EDM artists such as ZEDD, James Hype, Mau P, and Knock2 to name a few. I am also grateful to have played at Breakaway Minnesota 2024 at Allianz Field.
I’m excited to throw more events and collaborate with promoters in the future to keep evolving this community and I’m honored to be a part of such a fast-growing city. More parties to come!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Gig work is often times not the smoothest road however we keep diving in with our head held high. Right at the beginning of my career, I was actually crashing on my buddies couch while working my restaurant job, driving for ride-share apps, and attending classes. Instead of covering for the time I was staying at his place, he suggested I invest in my first DJ Controller. The rest is history.
2020 really took a big hit as I lost all my bar and club residencies which is why I focused more on wedding DJing and MCing. Between 2020-2024 I would average around 30 weddings a year, building an amazing network in that industry, while trying to pick back up with playing public events. Shifting more towards the EDM scene was just as hard since I really didn’t know how to get involved in the beginning. I’ve realized showing support, attending shows, especially all the local showcases is the best way to get my foot in the door.
As a Full-time performer, the balance between playing shows, being creative with music, making genuine connections, and finding time to have quality rest is still a big struggle today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In 2023, I decided to focus on DJing full-time while creating my own sounds and left the professional studio world. As a Full-Time Performer I get the pleasure to curate a vibe for a living. The biggest thing that has set me apart is my experience as an Open-Format DJ first where I have to create the dance floor verses most House music shows or EDM shows, in general, has an audience that gravitates towards the dance floor naturally. This allows me to showcase creative techniques for a crowd who hasn’t really heard or seen at many house shows, such as word-play, tone-play, DJing behind the back, and more. These techniques I use in congruent to the music, of course, as that is the number one reason why we come together.
In addition to performing, I’ve produced a couple of shows with my friends, Fresh Takes and Late Nite Takeout. Fresh Takes is a pop-up dance party where we bring the concert experience to intimate dance-floors and we flex our open-format abilities while playing a ‘fresh take’ on your favorite songs. We’ve currently hosted 8 Fresh Takes and we plan to do many more in the future. Late Nite Takeout is an EDM event made for everyone created by AAPI artists with the intention to showcase fellow AAPI artists who are eager for an opportunity to perform for the community. Our first two events, featured a dual-stage experience where one stage would play House and Techno music while the other would play Bass music such as Dubstep, Trap, DnB, etc.
I pride myself in my flexibility for any show and curating a set dedicated to each event I’m invited to. Before every live set, I try to create at least one original track/remix just for the event. I truly enjoy making a cohesive playlist for each show with the audience in mind., however there are some times where I’m free styling it and I find those sets to be the most fun!
What makes you happy?
Nothing makes me happier than seeing everyone dancing, smiling, and having the time of their lives to my music. Partying with my people is one of my favorite things to do and I would never have dreamed that it would be what I do for work. There is just something so powerful when bonding with your friends on the dance floor over music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.luckymusicofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckytheunfortunate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuckyKmusic
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lucky-the-unfortunate?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ovpNvrOQut2GKCDu15EWu?si=CAEJV6TdSA6MOwW3nW9JXA&nd=1&dlsi=455752056e694d73
