Vendor Spotlight: Sound Escape DJ

We’re excited to introduce Matt Careless, the talent behind Sound Escape DJ! Specializing in weddings and socials, Matt combines his background in music and teaching with a passion for creating unforgettable celebrations. Read on to learn more about his journey, approach, and tips for couples looking for the perfect DJ to elevate their big day.

Photo: Kass Donaldson

Who are you, what you do and who you serve?

My name is Matt Careless (yep, it’s my actual family name…) and I own Sound Escape DJ Services! My primary area is weddings and socials.

What services do you offer? 

All musical needs for a special day, including professional sound gear, dance floor lights, various microphones, and lots of communication to make sure that everything goes smoothly!

Photos: Aimee de la Lande Photography

How did you get started in the wedding industry, and what inspired you to become a DJ?

I started back at the very beginning of the pandemic, weirdly enough. I was teaching middle school band at the time, and since we weren’t allowed to play instruments, I was looking for other ways to make music education engaging and educational for my students. We were checking out DJs, electronic music etc, and I got my hands on a DJ controller just to show them. I took it home to learn a bit on how to use it, and realized that mixing music was right up my alley (my university music degree is on drums). I started doing some small events and weddings for friends and family, and grew it from there!

What do you enjoy most about working in the wedding industry and serving couples on their special day?

I love seeing those magical moments happen for every couple throughout the day, whether it’s walking down the aisle, their first dance, or jumping around on the dance floor with their friends at 1 am. I’ve also really enjoyed connecting with awesome couples over the years, and having fun sitting down with them to plan their event! To be honest, the DJ at my own wedding back in 2016 was awful, and messed up almost every important moment, so I’ve vowed to never allow that to happen to another couple, and I enjoy working hard to make sure that everyone has a fantastic night!

Photos: Kass Donaldson

What do you believe is the most important consideration when couples are choosing a DJ?

I think reliability and compatibility are extremely important. I encourage couples to do even a quick Zoom call with me before any kind of commitment, so that we can chat about their vision for the day and make sure that I’m the right fit to make that happen. Potential clients should not be afraid to tell a DJ what they are imagining, and see how they respond – are they excited with you? Do they take your idea and talk about cool ways to make it work? Do they smile, nod, and take notes as you’re talking? Or does it seem like you’re being railroaded into a cookie cutter formula, which unfortunately does happen in the industry.

What is the ideal timeline for couples to book your services in advance of their wedding day?

I usually start booking about a year in advance, but I intentionally leave lots of openings in my schedule. This allows me to slowly fill it up as desired, especially since I work as a teacher full time and have a young family at home. Honestly, couples can get in touch anytime and if I can’t make it work, I’ll steer them towards some other awesome DJs/companies that I recommend!

Photos: Jamie McKim Photography

What is the best piece of advice you would offer to couples planning their wedding?

Make it your own, and try to have fun with the process! It’s a ton of work, so start planning earlier so it’s not stressful later. There will be lots of voices, from family members to friends to vendors, that are trying to tell you what to do, and while there are often good suggestions and best of intentions, I always encourage couples to be strong in their vision for the big day. It’s also great to have a wedding planner and vendors that you can trust and really lean on, since it will take a lot of the stress away as you plan, and you know you’re all on the same page!

Can you share your favorite wedding trend or design idea that you're currently excited about?

I’m going to be honest here, from a musical standpoint I’m happy that the garter toss is on it’s way out as a trend. Always a weird one. A cool new trend I’m seeing more of is couples doing their first dance right after their grand entrance at the reception – so they come in to everyone cheering and head straight to the dance floor. Very romantic way to start the whole thing, and it takes some of the pressure off after dinner with sunset pics, other special dances etc.

Photo: Brittany Mahood Photography

How do you stand out?

Well, the first thing I’ll say is that the DJ community in Manitoba is awesome, and I’m not going to pretend like I’m better than anyone else out there! But I do care a lot for my clients, and I work hard ahead of time to make sure that everything is set up to run smoothly. I value my client/customer service as the most important aspect of my company. I’m good with people, and I’m always prompt and prepared (it’s the teacher in me), so there is never a concern if I’ll be somewhere on time or not have something ready. As I mentioned already, I also do have a music degree on drums from the U of M, so I think my background there is unique and certainly helps from a musical standpoint. I’m also a member of the Canadian Professional DJ Association, and fully licensed and insured so everything is very clean and above board.

Curious to learn more about Sound Escape DJ Services? Check out their Instagram for a deeper look into the energy and experience they bring to every event!