Juliana Huxtable: Partying as a Way to Feel Connected
- Filip
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
For Juliana Huxtable, the club is more than just a dance floor—it’s a space for transformation, rebellion, and survival. DJ, producer, singer, writer, artist, and performer, Huxtable moves effortlessly between worlds, blending sound, theory, and raw energy into an experience that’s as intellectual as it is physical.
In our conversation, she breaks down the importance of learning, pushing boundaries, and why the best parties are more than just escapism—they’re a lifeline.
From Small-Town Texas to Global Underground Icon
Huxtable’s journey is one of constant evolution. Born in Bryan, Texas, she was drawn to art, music, and literature from an early age. But the path wasn’t always clear.
“I never saw my career as one thing. It’s always been a mix of whatever I felt I needed to express at the time.”
Her hunger for knowledge and self-exploration led her to New York, where she became a key figure in the underground scene—whether through her literary works, visual art, or genre-defying DJ sets.
“I don’t think of myself as just a DJ, or just an artist. I move through different mediums the same way I move through music—fluidly, instinctively.”
DJs: Entertainers or Sonic Architects?
With the rise of social media and the hyper-commercialization of club culture, DJs today often walk a fine line between being seen as entertainers and being recognized as musicians. Huxtable isn’t afraid to call out the industry’s contradictions.
“People want the ‘cool’ underground DJ aesthetic but in a polished, digestible package. That’s not how it works.”
For her, DJing is about curation, world-building, and storytelling—not just pressing play.
“A good set isn’t just about the tracks, it’s about energy. It’s about making people feel something in their bodies before they even understand it in their minds.”
Bravery, Judgment, and Taking Up Space
Being in the public eye—especially as a Black, trans, nonbinary artist—means dealing with constant scrutiny. But for Huxtable, the solution isn’t to shrink—it’s to amplify.
“The more people try to box me in, the louder I get.”
She refuses to conform to expectations of identity, genre, or success. Instead, she embraces discomfort, complexity, and contradiction.
“Bravery isn’t about being fearless. It’s about doing what you need to do, even when you’re scared as hell.”
The Importance of a Good Party
For Huxtable, parties aren’t just about hedonism—they’re about connection.
“A good party makes you feel alive. It reminds you that you exist in a body, that you’re part of something bigger.”
In a world that’s increasingly digital and disconnected, club culture offers a rare moment of real, physical togetherness.
“People forget that dancing is ancient. It’s ritualistic. It’s always been a way for people to connect, to express, to heal.”
Final Thoughts: Finding Freedom on the Dancefloor
Juliana Huxtable’s work isn’t just about music, or art, or writing—it’s about creating space for radical self-expression in a world that constantly tries to limit it. And whether she’s behind the decks or on a panel, her message remains the same:
“Find your people. Find your sound. And don’t be afraid to take up space.”
Because in the end, the best parties—and the best lives—are the ones where you can be fully, unapologetically yourself.