The best wedding DJ’s are personable, reliable and know how to get (and keep!) the party going! Enter Future Sounds DJ Services. This week we sat down with owner Chris Koval to talk about his company, planning advice and client stories.

What services do you provide?

Future Sounds provides DJ Services, MC, Voice-Over, Audio-Visuals Options, Lighting, Karaoke and Mapping Services. Owner, Chris Koval has a background in TV, Radio, Live Music, Club and promotional environments along with 15 years in higher education. This background provides years of knowledge and active experience working with others plus managing as well as performing in front of small and large crowds.

What inspired you to start this company?

I had worked for several entertainment companies before I began Future Sounds. Many industry peers suggested that I should start my own business because of how I interacted with others and delivered results. Looking back after 25 years and over 4000 events I actively participated in to entertain and deliver fun, I’m glad and blessed it all worked out to provide many unforgettable memories, an amazing career and story. Personally, I have always had a love for music and entertainment. I had a knack for what I do both on the microphone, on stage as well as behind stage as technical support. The name Future Sounds comes from a simple personal goal and two phrases. First, my first radio name was Chris-go-far and my hope was to “Go-Far” in radio. Second, the music group Timbuk 3 has a song called “The Future is so bright” and in my head I heard the “Future Sounds bright.” Lastly, after an event or promotional stunt, I say, “If I can provide anything for you in the future, please let me know.” My company name is derived from a combination of meanings and messages from my past and plan for a successful future for me personally and business with others professionally.

What is your best planning advice or tip for couples?

I often hear from clients and from coordinators that they want to have fun and dance at their event! It is important to understand a few things when planning and setting an expectation for participation and interaction between guests. First, not everyone dances or like to dance. It is not easy for some to interact with people they do not know. There are those who go out to bars to drink and may eventually dance as a result of the environment and interact with others. There are those who go out to clubs to dance, interact with others and drink as a part of the environment. There are some who do both and some who do neither. Some like to people-watch and view how others experience or engage in the act of fun. The levels of fun or what one expresses as fun differs from person to person and can differ greatly between families, communities and cultures. Knowing yourself, your family, friends and others that come to your event and how they typically participate and interact will often depict what will unravel at your event. It is good to share your ideas for music, but also share details about family and friends. Most DJ’s like to prep days before your event…not at your event. Popular music that is hot on local or nation charts is carried by most DJ’s. Familiar favorites are carried by most DJ’s as well. Getting deep into a specific genera like current Arabic Artist or something popular in South America or African Nations is not always easy. Although we may be able to grab something from some online music resource like Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube, available access to WiFi or phone service could be limited or non-existent at some venues and areas. Help of plan ahead vs be unprepared.

What is one favorite client story and why?

Just about every event I attend as an entertainer, I am an outsider to the family and friends. Unlike any other vendor, I get to actively partake in the fun and be ingrained as part of the memories good, bad or indifferent. Unlike other vendors who step out of the room until the end or until needed, I’m present from playing the first song to the last song. given the couple, family and friends, its not always as easy as it looks. The neatest thing I get to experience at every event is hearing the story of the couple, their family and friends. I have been witness to stories and toast told that have expressed birth, life, love and loss. Stories that bring tears from the memories of the past, present and the hope for the future. Stories that brought silence to the room and others that filled the room with laughter. Think of an emotion or experience encountered personally and I could reflect about a story heard from an event that still holds a place, mark or tab in my memory and still has an impact on me days, months, years, and even decades afterwards. Hearing these personal stories and being present in the moment to experience the delivery and reception by guests; allows me to see how very similar and human we all are!

Why do you love this company and your job?

As mentioned above, I get to be part of creating memories for others which in-turn has created memories for me. I began my mobile DJ journey in 1993 and have encountered couples and families who have experience my services and the result of my efforts. In 2013, I began to document the clients, couples and families who have continued to use my services for nearly 3 decades. It’s an amazing feeling to be part of not just a single memory, but endless memories shared by couples, their families and their friends for years if not decades. you can view pictures of this history at the bottom of this link: https://future-sounds.com/emphasis-longevity-organization/ You never know what type of impact if any your efforts will have at a given event and those who attend and partake. It is humbling to hear and see the results from repeat clients years later and for some decades later. I have experience couples who are now families and many who now have kids who will soon be starting their journey with a significant other. This was not part of the original vision in 1993 nor part of my vision for Future Sounds in 1998. Today, this is part of the core of who I am and who Future Sounds represents. To the question of why… When I began my business, I first developed my mission statement. Then it was suggested to find three words to describe my business. I have these items posted on my website. But the true insight and value of my WHY was not mentioned. I read a book from author Simon Sinek suggest to develop a WHY Statement that helps retain the passion. Although this idea matures organically over time, it was not until the summer of 2021 when I identified my WHY. I do have a passion for what I do and the services I provide to my clients. I have always had this and it has never waned. I love being able to create memories and as a side note, my other half always says to me as I leave for an event, “make great memories”. The collection of photos mentioned above show a network of families and friends who have used my services over the years. This offers a sense of purpose. My older marketing pieces made mention of a tag line that was part of my passion to help fulfill lifelong dreams, reveal the unfolding excitement about those dreams and provide everlasting memories for the future for all to share. All this offers reason and purpose, but not a simple why. I took some time to reflect and now know that it is joy. My WHY statement is: “To create joyful memories for others elicits fulfillment for the present, the past and the future” Chris Koval – Summer 2021

Learn more about Future Sounds DJ Services here!