Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Sterling Golden.
DJ Sterling, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It truly is the story of living the life I had always imagined for myself. Facts on facts, without exaggeration. It’s a weird thing to think about, really: I knew early on I’d end up in some form of the arts industry, yet I had no idea how or what it was I’d be doing. All I knew was I had a great love for all things larger-than-life as a boy. I rejected anything that appeared humdrum or “normal”: if it wasn’t Spider-Man web-slinging over the city or Hulk Hogan slaying giants or KISS redefining the live concert experience, I flat-out didn’t care. So it was obvious early on I was not going to allow myself to fall into something atypical when I made it to adulthood.
One thing I became fascinated with as a boy was nightlife. Nah, I wasn’t pulling up to the club when I was five or anything but my mom and dad kind of brought the experience to me: they owned the THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY soundtrack on vinyl and everything about it mesmerized me, from the nightclub imagery to the uplifting disco vibes throughout the album. I had no idea then that nightlife would factor into my career journey but hell, I definitely wanted to experience life after dark even then. Fast forward about 25 years and there I am, trying to figure out who I was and my place in this life. By this time I was in the midst of a horrendous relationship with a young lady I was living with. I was suffering mental abuse from her nearly every day, being told how “useless” I was and so on. I fell deep into depression and started trying to fix it with massive food consumption. I was soon a weight of 320 pounds, feeling mentally trapped in this relationship, yet I knew two things: “I’m depressed. And one day, I won’t be.” I realized I was not alone and it was okay to reach out and talk about it with loved ones. Through their encouragement, and drawing inspiration from the empowering musical works of artists like M.I.A, I eventually found the courage to walk away and find my path.
Without a doubt, it was the great promoter Anderson Lynne Mar who helped give life to Sterling Golden in the industry. She was the lady who opened the door for me to enter this business of music, arts and nightlife. The one who encouraged me to take up the art of DJing as my vocation. Sterling Golden started out behind the 1s and 2s, live DJing at various night venues in New England. I was mainly holding down a party experience titled LEGACY, a “music genre equality” celebration that encouraged people from all walks of life to come together. Early on, I also found my way into the world of radio, 16 years after I had discussed interning at JAMN 94.5. I started out on the old UNregular Radio station and continued DJing at clubs like Rise, Good Life, Great Scott and the Model Cafe. “Master of Mixed Music Arts” indeed. Within a few years I earned two “Best DJ” award nominations and I found myself satisfied with what I had achieved for myself and the good times I had helped soundtrack for others after dark. I retired from DJing in 2015 and focused on other endeavors like radio, hosting and writing for Dirty Water Media, and promoting events under my new imprint 320 Entertainment, which I had founded right after I wrapped my DJing career. By 2017 and after leaving the United States twice for other pursuits, I was now a part of Boston Free Radio, my fabulous current residency, where I host and produce the STERLINGTOLOGY LIVE show (weekdays 11AM US Eastern time on BostonFreeRadio.com), a music, arts and world news show for the connected, culture-forward listener. I also have my first book, THE STERLING PERSPECTIVE: TALES FROM AFTER DARK AND HOW TO REACH GOLDEN CAREER SUCCESS, in the works with my co-writer Meshi Davis.
I guess one might say it isn’t a “life imagined” anymore. All too real and I am all too blessed for continuing to live it. Plus I’m also blessed to have discovered the greatness of Chicken and Waffles but that’s another conversation. Preferably over tequila shots.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road sounds pretty dope, doesn’t it? Sure, but in truth, my story would so damn boring and the most monotonous read in the history of the Voyager if it was all smooth. I’m grateful for all the lessons I have endured in this ongoing career journey: I’ve had business defeats, I’ve seen partners come and go, I’ve been betrayed, paid short, double booked, all of it, y’all. The toughest obstacle of all, though? Once again facing depression. A few years back I lost a loved one I met in the nightlife community. A lady who I truly did love with all my heart. Sadly we had not been speaking at the time she passed away: she had overdosed on heroin. I was extremely upset with myself for not having been in contact with her at that time. I convinced myself I could have somehow prevented her from going down that path. In truth I was blaming myself and started to really let this affect my life and career badly. I was making poor career decisions, I left the States twice to run away from the problem and pursue other interests, and I started avoiding social situations. In short I was being a coward and lying to myself: I was not well. I was again sick with depression and I had to relearn all over again: I am not alone in this fight. I am a grateful man to everyone who helped me deal with my depression and helped me realize who Sterling Golden is and why I am out here in the first place.
320 Entertainment – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
320 Entertainment was founded in January 2015, so named after the peak weight I was carrying at my lowest life moment. The signification of this was, I had to lower my shoulder, believe in myself and work harder than I ever had to climb up from this and scale my professional heights. I am a firm believer that whatever you do, you do it with passion. It’s what separates the greats from the ain’ts. I wanted 320 to be a brand that represented the humble, hungry creators of the arts who held down music events, fashion events and so on. Over the years 320 has had the good fortune of promoting everything from live concert events to nightlife experiences like the KNTRL space-age party at ZuZu in Cambridge to last year’s POSE Social Mixer & Fashion Show with Makuwa Swimwear, during Boston Fashion Week 2017. I am proud of all that has been achieved under the 320 banner: it is a reminder for me daily that there are some truly hard-grinding artists out here who each have a story to tell and life goals of their own to achieve. We all have had our “lowest moment” experience. It’s the faith and hard work you commit to that helps make the difference in how you overcome. That’s what 320 Entertainment represents.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Oh my God. Family, I could be here the rest of our days listing off the proud moments I have had in this life and career of mine. By far, though: the proudest moment was seeing my entire industry family pull up for my 40th birthday celebration at the old Liquid Art House in December 2016: A STERLING BIRTHDAY, if you will. At the time I believed this would be my final night in the Boston industry: I was moving to Campinas, Sao Paulo and had planned not to return. As a result, we set up the event as a celebration of every corner of my career to date. We had live performances from the out-of-this-world electro violinist Mei Ohara, New England metal warriors Sorrowseed in an unplugged setting, and artists from CHRIS aka chief’s Capitol Front Booking hip-hop squad. There was also Makuwa Swimwear presenting their latest line in a stunning fashion show, music by Deejay Daz-One, emceeing by my former radio cohosts K’Loni Sky and Diamond Liz, and hundreds of friends who braved December snow and cold to come be with me on that night. Most importantly; all proceeds from the party went to the School of Rock Boston Scholarship Fund, in memory of Anderson Mar. I truly believe her presence was there that night at the Liquid Art House. It certainly had the Dark Sky Productions vibe in the air. The funny thing is: as I tried to leave the party and get ready for my flight the next day, my beautiful confidant Gosia kept pulling me back in for photos. I kind of had a feeling right then I’d somehow be back. I am so thankful to be here now. Boston is my true forever home. Facts only.
Contact Info:
- Website: tinyurl.com/SterlingtologyLive
Image Credit:
Nick Minieri
Robert Parris (MonsterJazz Photography)
Michael Rose
Omar El Hawa Photography
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