Blüejay Takes Flight: How a Rising DJ is Shaping Grand Rapids’ EDM Scene – An Exclusive Interview
- Kayl Bitson
- Mar 6
- 10 min read
The Grand Rapids electronic music scene is thriving, and one of its rising stars is 26-year-old AJ Jeffries, a DJ and producer known professionally as Blüejay. Known for her high-energy sets and unpredictable sound, she’s carving out her own space in a genre still dominated by men. During COVID, she was inspired to create the sound and energy she had been a long-time fan of. She played her first show just last year and is quickly gaining traction in the local EDM scene across Michigan. Now, in addition to being the resident DJ at General Wood Shop, a beloved queer bar in the local area, Blüejay also balances her artistry with wedding DJing through Moments In Time. But beyond the music, Blüejay is all about community—both in the EDM world and as a queer artist making waves in the scene. We caught up with her before her set opening for VAMPA & JEANIE at The Stache inside The Intersection. We sat down to talk about the journey from festival fan to mainstage performer, the inspirations behind her craft, and the challenges she faced along the way. Keep reading to learn more about Blüejay’s story, her passion for music, and the big things she has coming next.
VIBRANT: Thank you so much for sitting down with us today. How did you get started in the EDM scene?
Blüejay: My first show ever was in 2019, and about two weeks later, I went to my first music festival, which was Lost Lands in Ohio. It just sparked something inside me that was so community-driven and just the love, acceptance, and encouragement to be yourself in this scene and in this community. It really just kept me coming back. And then the music was just almost like an added touch to it. But. there was just something about it that kept me coming, and I loved doing it. And honestly, what started it for me was I had this idea in my head that I couldn't get out, and no one else was doing it. So, I finally got the decks and did it myself, and I was like, “I think I'm actually pretty good at this. I should keep going.”
VIBRANT: That’s so awesome! So what inspired your artist name, Blüejay?
Blüejay: Well, growing up, I was always told that if you see a blue jay, it's a sign of an angel visiting you. That always was something that stuck with me. Then as I got older and I had more encounters with these blue jays, it just became such a spiritual significance to me, and I wanted to be able to give that to people. And Blüejay, to me, is just the embodiment of chasing your spirituality, chasing the inner self, and what gets that light in you going. I just want my sets to be something that gives people that feeling. Blüejay is chasing your dreams. It is stepping into your power, stepping into that light, and being able to spread that light to other people. That’s what I want people to experience at a Blüejay set.
VIBRANT: What artists, festivals, or moments inspired you to start DJing and help shape your sound?
Blüejay: 100% is going to be Subtronics. I have seen him since my first festival ever, and I have seen him every chance I've gotten since then. The energy that he has on stage, the love and passion that he has for what he does, and the creativity that he has are so inspiring. Constantly, that man is putting in work every single fucking day, and it would be an honor to be even a fraction of what he is as an artist. I look forward to doing that. Obviously, I'm early in my career, but I look forward to having that kind of passion and drive in my future talents that are still on their way to me.
VIBRANT: I'm definitely manifesting that for you! How would you describe your sound and style?
Blüejay: Gosh. Diverse, I guess, is a good way to put it. I love doing a little bit of everything. I love the wonky, weird shit so much. I love keeping the crowd on their toes and like you don't really know what's coming next. So, definitely a heavy hitter with a bit of wonk in there, and just being able to be diverse with my sets and give people a little bit of everything in them.
VIBRANT: I feel like, especially in this day and age, more and more people's music taste is becoming diverse rather than sticking to one genre, and I like that that can speak to so many different people in the crowd. What is your process for curating a set list and reading the crowd during a show?
Blüejay: I definitely start bit by bit. I pick a song that I want to be my intro, and I just kind of build it from there. It also depends on who I'm opening for, who else I'm playing with, and the kind of event that I'm playing for. So if I'm putting together a set for General Wood Shop, it's going to be more of those club classics, gay bangers, that kind of stuff. Whereas if I'm doing a set like tonight, I kind of go into myself a little bit. What do I want to express? What do I want the crowd to feel? How do I want to surprise them? How do I want to throw them for a loop? What kind of goofiness do I want to put into the set? And then I'll put together little snippets of maybe a five-minute snippet here, five minutes there, and then I mesh it all together and try to knock your socks off.
VIBRANT: As a queer artist, how has your identity influenced what you do and your presence in the scene?
Blüejay: Oh, man. First of all, being a woman in the scene is already hard enough, just because there's not a lot of us here yet. But coming into it as a gay woman is, not to add an extra layer to anything, but it is just a whole different perspective. I like to be representing people. There's only a handful of artists that I can look up to as other gay female DJs. And there's a path that's been paved, but there's still so much room to grow with that. And I look forward to following the footpaths. I mean, I'll throw REZZ out there. Lucy is another female gay DJ in the scene. They've definitely paved the way for smaller artists like us, and it's really exciting to get to follow that path but branch off into my own directions using different influences and different inspirations from other DJs. There's just a lot of room to grow and a lot of room to inspire others to do the same.
VIBRANT: Well, I definitely commend you for getting into the scene, as hard as it is. And pushing your foot through the door to make a way, because that's definitely going to create a path for artists behind you. So, we talked about how your queer identity has influenced your sound, but how has music helped you embrace your most authentic self?
Blüejay: Oh, my goodness. Every time I step on that stage, I feel like everything else goes away. There's nothing in the world that could pull me away from what I'm doing when I’m up on stage. Music has given me not only the platform to be whoever I want to be, but the confidence to be whoever I want to be. Again, it ties into the community that comes with this scene. Everyone wants you to be yourself and encourages you to do so. Being able to have that inspiration while also being up on stage and having a platform to just be goofy, people eat it up. People want you to be goofy, and they match your energy. The more fun you're having on stage, the more fun the crowd is having with you. Music has just really given me a place to express my goofiness and express that weird, wonky, funny music that I like, and then match that energy with mine up on stage to get the crowd into it as well.
VIBRANT: That's definitely what we like to focus on at VIBRANT. Music creates such a community that helps other people. Even if they can't be themselves in their home life, give them a space to do so. Having artists that we see being their most authentic selves, loving it, having passion, and pure joy, too, really helps others embrace themselves. Now, what has been the most exciting moment in your career so far?
Blüejay: Outside of today, I'll definitely say last week. On Friday, I had the honor of opening for SIPPY down in ELEKTRICITY. That was the biggest stage I've ever played on, the biggest crowd I've ever played to, and one of my biggest inspirations that I got to play for. So that was the most exciting moment. Also, getting to play to a crowd that's not full of my friends and people that already know me. Those people showed up early to come have fun and to see the other artists, and I was one of them.
VIBRANT: Are there any local artists and collectives that you like collaborating with?
Blüejay: Oh, absolutely. I'm actually a member of the Riddim Rapids collective as well as the Remedy Collective, both based out of Grand Rapids. Working with both of them has been so much fun for different reasons. At Riddim Rapids, we are such a tight-knit group of guys, plus myself, that are more focused on a certain genre. Not necessarily riddam, but more of the heavier EDM dubstep, bigger shows, events like that, and that's been an honor to get to work with them. And then for the Remedy Collective, that's a more community-based, more widespread variety of artists, like house artists, drum and bass artists, things like that. So just getting to be able to dip my toes in both ponds and add to that diversity that I already relate to very much has been so much fun.
VIBRANT: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist, and how have you overcome it?
Blüejay: Right now is the hardest. Last week, before I was getting ready for my show, I found out that my dad has cancer. So it's been really hard to build towards these really big sets and big moments for myself while also dealing with these really hard family problems that are going on. So, just having to balance the real life of my dream unfolding in front of me while also dabbling with the reality of life, the preciousness of it, and the shortness of it has been really, really difficult. But, in its own sad way, it's been beautiful to mesh the emotions and try to process them together. It's difficult and it's weird, but it's just a reminder that life is always happening around you and nothing's going to stop that. It's just a matter of if you can push through it and keep your family close, I guess.
VIBRANT: I really appreciate your candor. Being open and transparent with people about what you're going through, again, gives people a safe space. And that's what these shows should be, too. A way for them and a way for you to come and just release. And then to wrap things up, what keeps you motivated going in this industry, even when challenges come up?
Blüejay: Gosh. It goes back to the energy that happens at these shows when you're up on stage and you see the crowd reacting to the art that you're putting out. The emotions that you can see and feel, and it's just so loud, all of it. The energy and the music, it's so in your face. And walking off that stage is a high that is incomparable to any drug on the face of this earth. It is a rush, and it's such a present feeling. It's such a powerful feeling to have such an influence over those people, even if it's just for an hour at a time. When you walk up that stage and you see these people that are like, “That was the best set I've ever seen,” or, “You're doing so much better.” Getting that feedback and that reaction from people and knowing that you're giving them a really great night. And something to remember and to enjoy—that's what keeps me going. The love and that appreciation that you see and feel from the crowd that's in front of you is what makes it worth it.
VIBRANT: Do you have any upcoming projects or shows that people should be excited about?
Blüejay: Oh yeah. I've got seven more shows booked until June. All of the shows are super exciting. I think the one I'm most excited for is April 26. I get to go down to Detroit and open for PIERCE and Boss Mode. It's going to be at a new venue I've never played at and with artists I've never played with before, and that one's going to be super-duper fun. And between now and then, I plan on getting at least one or two songs released and out there. So Blüejay won't just be a DJ anymore. She'll also be a producer. So, I'm really excited to showcase that work and show people what goes on in my head.
VIBRANT: Well, I'm definitely excited to see any production that you've got in the works. I think that'll definitely help people kind of gravitate towards you as well, if they can listen to you on Spotify and other music platforms. Thank you so much for sitting with us and for your time. At VIBRANT, we are very excited to see what you've got in the works, and I'm very excited to watch the show.
Blüejay: Thank you!
Blüejay’s journey from festivalgoer to rising star in the Michigan electronic music scene is just beginning, and with her undeniable passion, talent, and drive, there’s no doubt she’s one to watch. Whether she’s bringing high-energy sets to packed venues, building community through her artistry, or preparing to drop her own productions, Blüejay is making her mark in the EDM world.
If you want to experience her electrifying performances firsthand, check out her upcoming shows and latest projects at her Linktree. Don’t miss your chance to catch this rising talent as she continues to take the stage and inspire audiences with her unique sound and infectious energy.
