Music is an essential part of weddings. It evokes strong emotions and helps set the tone for your special day. It will bring you to tears during your ceremony, and have your guests dancing all night long during your reception.
That is one of the many reasons why selecting the right DJ is so important, and it was our pleasure to interview MunaLuchi Coterie member Finer Touch Entertainment a full-service New York-based DJ entertainment and event production company. They provide customized, curated DJ experiences for couples, including special effects, live music, complete bands, photo booths, lighting design, TV screens and video walls, interactive entertainment, lounge furniture, and more. If you can dream it, they can make it happen.
Read all about the Finer Touch and their unique approach to wedding entertainment below.
Describe your business.
Finer Touch Entertainment is a full-service New York based DJ entertainment and event production company that provides an “Unforgettable Entertainment Experience” for our clients and their guests. We come from humble beginnings, as we started doing private events over 2 decades ago. Now, years later, and after thousands of successful events, we become very well known in the wedding and special event space. We are a team of seasoned vets of varying age ranges and music specialties that have made DJ entertainment our life. It is “What we do!”
How did you get into the DJ/Entertainment Industry?
I “Fell in Love with Hip Hop” as a young child. I had dreams of becoming a radio DJ one day. Two turntables and a microphone were all I aspired to get for Christmas! I never thought much about weddings and events until college when I was introduced to a very successful private event DJ who showed the “Professional Way” to do this as well as how to make it a business. Years later, here we are.
Can you tell us about your background? What did you do before you started Finer Touch?
I began my company in the 90’s, but also pursued a career in Sales and Marketing Operations for several major corporations over the course of my career. From all that, I think marketing is still my favorite part of all the things I was blessed to be able to do.
What do you think makes Finer Touch stand out from other DJs?
I think our diversity and our professionalism are 2 of our most unique attributes. I have a staff of 10 regular DJs and MCs that come from different backgrounds and bring expertise in everything from Caribbean music, to Latin music, to Hip Hop, Pop, EDM, and more. I match each couple with the team I feel can best meet their needs based on things such as personality and musical style. Our services are all about a customized, curated experience.
How do you keep up with the latest songs especially for the various ethnicities you serve?
We are lucky to have several DJs who are still active in the club scene and play on mix shows on various local and internet-based radio stations. I encourage the team to stay “In the Know” or as one of my associates likes to say, to know what’s “Hot in these streets right now!” LOL.
Who’s on the team?
Our team is fairly large, but the core team is made up of the following members:
- Harold “Mr. Finer Touch” Johnson
- James “DJ Brown Boi” Harris
- Anthony “DJ Direck” Santiago
- Greg “DJ Sparkx” Opont
- Mike “DJ Royal” Barthelemy
- Eddie “DJ Ves” Nieves
- Edwin “Caña” Berroa
- DJ Kenedi Q
- Victor “DJ Slick Vic” Garcia
- DJ Tommy Carlucci
Photo: @sobitartphotography
Do you have a specific area or region you focus on as it pertains to providing entertainment services?
We provide entertainment in the New York Tri-State area but we travel and also do virtual events worldwide.
How do you feel about getting music requests before or during the wedding?
I ask my clients for as much information as possible. I try to get to the core of what they enjoy as well as what their guests will enjoy. I focus on the timeframes of music that mean the most to them, then I try to get a feel for what the overall vibe of the party should “Feel Like”.
What’s the most popular song or songs you’re playing at weddings these days?
That’s hard since we are in the midst of COVID right now. We still like to Swag Surf and turn up, but again, our events are very different from weekend to weekend, so one day, the hits are with hip hop, then the next, they are Afro beats, pop, or even something with a Latin feel. So, it really depends on the crowd.
With the current situation surrounding the novel Coronavirus COVID-19, has your business been affected?
These times are like no other. We typically manage about 150 events a year and now with COVID, between cancellations and rescheduling for next year, we may do 10 or 15 or 20 total. It has been a struggle for us, as well as our colleagues in the event industry as a whole. Especially those like myself who do this full time. But it also pushes you to be creative and to create opportunities for yourself and for your team. We are thankfully getting calls from our corporate and school clients to do virtual events so that has been to get the wheels turning again. A new platform also comes with its own set of challenges, but we adapt and we focus forward. Brides are beginning to plan for 2021 again as well so things are beginning to look up. Let’s stay positive and hope to get back to business as soon as possible. We are ready!!
What are some of your favorite testimonials from previous couples?
We have had some wonderful things said about us and to be honest, that’s what keeps me going all these years. When a client tells me how special we helped make their day, that is all I need. I still get a high from that. And the best compliment is, “This party was even better than I envisioned it would be, and you made that happen for us!” Every bride dreams of her day, and if we can do something to even exceed her vision of that day, that is to me the very best possible compliment. I love my clients, and I love making them happy!
Other than DJ services, what else do you offer to your couples?
We also offer special effects for 1st dance, live music, complete bands, photo booths, lighting design, TV screens and video walls, interactive entertainment, lounge furniture, and more. If you can dream it, we can make it happen.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about Finer Touch?
I would just like to share that when you work with us here at FTE, we want to make your experience something special from start to finish. We love what we do and I think it shows when we perform. We put our heart and soul into each and every performance and creating memories is our number 1 priority.
Fun Stuff
- Are you team iPhone or team Samsung?
- Team Android all the way – Samsung in the house!
- What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not DJing?
- Spend time with family…usually doing as little as possible. The simple things in life mean a lot. Life is less about the destination and more about the journey.
- Favorite movie and/or book?
- Soul Food, Malcolm X, The Best Man (I like them all for different reasons!)
- If you can travel anywhere, where would that be?
- Africa at the top of my list of places to visit. I have friends from different parts and I look forward to the day when I can take an extended trip to visit the land or my origin.
- Current song or playlist you love?
- I am 90’s R&B and hip hop all day!
- What’s something most people probably do not know about you?
- While I entertain crowds every weekend, I am really quite shy. This business has always been my outlet to express myself and to come out of my shell. Safe to say, it worked!
- Something that recently left you inspired?
- I feel inspired by those around me that encourage and support me every day. When things get rough, they remind me how far I have come as well as how much further I can go not just in business, but in life. It is their belief in me that gives me that boost to keep striving for greatness in all aspects of my life.
Keep up with Finer Touch Entertainment on Instagram.
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