When DBusiness Magazine hosted its first-ever Detroit 500 Soiree at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms this summer, everything had to be top-notch.
The event celebrated the magazine’s annual list of the 500 most powerful business leaders across the state. With such discerning guests, event planner Jodie Svagr knew the venue, food, and keynote needed to meet their high expectations. When it came to creating the atmosphere, she called Jon Roach at Sound Cocktail.
The Detroit-based DJ is known not only for playing great music, but also for his commitment to curating a great overall experience.
Svagr knew she could trust Roach to hit just the right note.
“He’s always dressed incredibly well every time he comes to perform,” says Svagr, Hour Media marketing director. “He presented himself well in front of this audience of top executives.”
Svagr placed Roach in the event’s casino, where he mixed jazz and funk-inspired playlists that elevated the energy in the room but still allowed for conversation. He controlled speakers and lighting in multiple areas right from his laptop.
“There’s a lot of stuff that he can do that saves us thousands of dollars so we don’t have to hire a tech company,” Svagr says. “He is an all-inclusive package.”
SETTING THE SCENE
When it comes to staging a successful corporate event or holiday party, music plays a key role. It sets the tone, builds brand identity, and fosters networking. With so much at stake, Roach has become a go-to DJ that local corporate event planners hire to set the soundtrack for success.
An educator by trade, Roach began his DJ career in 2011 while teaching middle school History in El Salvador. On the side, he scored a weekly gig at a neighborhood bar and developed a signature sound that blends lounge, indie, funk and soulful tunes mixed with a splash of nu disco.
Upon his return to Michigan, Roach worked for a company that sent him out to DJ high-profile events throughout the area. Last year, he broke off on his own.
While launching his business, Roach asked a friend to help brainstorm a name for his new venture.
“He said, ‘How about Sound Cocktail? You always mix it up,’” Roach recalls.
The name stuck.
MIXING IT UP
Julie Gilbert, events manager for The Rust Belt Market, uses Sound Cocktail to provide the vibe in the downtown Ferndale marketplace every Sunday. The event was dubbed “Time Warp” because once Roach starts playing music three hours zip by in a flash for staff and patrons alike.
“Jon has a knack for reading the energy of his audience and creating a playlist to completely match the style, vibe, and overall vision of the event,” she says.
Roach also provides professional DJ services in Rust Belt’s event space for corporate dinners, retirement send-offs, and holiday parties.
“When I refer a client to Jon, I can rest easy knowing they will be in good hands, with great communication and customer service,” Gilbert says.
Ashley Myers, director of special events at the Yankee Air Museum, agrees that Roach is adept at tailoring his playlist to resonate with each occasion. After asking Roach to provide tunes for Yankee Air events for the past eight years, she would know.
“He gears the music toward whatever event or style we are going for. He’s really good at that so that’s why we continue to use him,” she says.
Roach has built sets based on everything from classic rock at the outdoor Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, to 1940s big band swing for a hangar party near the B-17 Flying Fortress. He finds unique edits of familiar songs that resonate with the crowd.
“I do surveys and people have raved about the music at every single event,” Myers says.
Roach values building these long-term client relationships. For your next event, reach out to Jon at the link below.
Visit Sound Cocktail at soundcocktail.co. Check out sample sets at soundcloud.com/soundcocktaildetroit. Jon is a member of the Ferndale Community by volunteering on Ferndale Radio. Find his show here.
