07/28/2026
Next up in our "Meet the DJ" series is resident Ticketbooth DJ, D2.
We asked D2 Denise Martin how she would you describe her BM community and here's what she had to say:
Doers. Professionals. Builders. Activists.
There’s a preconceived notion that Burners are hippie, raver druggies wandering around the desert. I can say that with confidence because I used to think the exact same thing. My opinion was based entirely on conversations with other people who, like me, had never actually been.
When I met my partner, she told me Burning Man was a huge part of her life and hoped I’d eventually go. I laughed and said, “Not a chance.” I knew almost immediately she was my person, so I figured I’d probably end up attending this oddball festival someday. What I didn’t know was how profoundly this community would change my life.
The first time I went, Laurie Klein encouraged me to volunteer so I could find my people. I signed up at Center Camp Stage and found myself setting up microphones, checking sound, tuning speakers, and connecting with incredibly interesting musicians and crew rats between sets.
Over the years, I’ve met musicians, doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, contractors, and every variety of tech nerd imaginable. What I discovered is that Burning Man is full of professionals, but not the kind who follow the Lego kit instructions. We’re the people who dump the pieces on the floor, ignore the picture on the box, and build something entirely different.
On a small scale, we’re all Lego kids.
At Burning Man, we’re all builders.
We build art, camps, art cars, experiences, friendships, and community. We’re also a giant support network. Imagine your bike breaking down and, within 5 minutes, a crew appears ready to rebuild your bottom bracket simply because they want to help. That's normal out there. At home I'd probably say, "Dude, that sucks," and point you toward a bike shop.
This community cares deeply. We love to tinker. We stay curious and unapologetically childlike. We ride our bikes too fast (well, I do). We carry zip ties, duct tape, and protein shakes for emergencies that may or may not exist. We solve problems, celebrate hard, and show up for one another when things go sideways, whether that's a dust storm taking your stuff or an art project wearing you down.
Most importantly, this community has encouraged me to become my whole-ass self.
It helped me discover parts of myself I didn't know existed. Like becoming a goddamn DJ.
I used to hate DJs. Then I took the time to understand the craft and discovered how creative, technical, and rewarding it can be. Had I never found this community, I probably would have kept rolling my eyes at DJs instead of becoming one. Now I get to stand behind the decks, curate a moment, and watch people on the dance floor grinning ear to ear. What an incredible gift and the entire reason I do this.
The community continues to thrive because the people who were welcomed, supported, and inspired feel compelled to do the same for the next generation of Burners. I know I do.
I will forever be grateful for this collection of weird, brilliant humans who have become family.
And for anyone who thinks they know what Burning Man is but has never been, I'd encourage you to spend some time talking with people who have. Better yet, be brave enough to make your own journey to the playa and find out for yourself. (Please see Edgar Blazona. He really loves bringing new Burners.)
And then there's the feeling every builder knows.
When you've spent months creating something with a crew and finally roll it onto the playa; lights working, wheels turning, subs bumping, smiles for miles, there is nothing else like it.
All the late nights, problem-solving sessions, fails, wins, and ridiculous ideas suddenly become real. For a moment, you get to stand back and admire what a group of humans can accomplish together when they're creating solely for the joy of it. There are no words that adequately describe that feeling.
My Burning Man community knows exactly what I mean. They're probably smiling right now because they know that moment when you look around at what you've built together and think: Holy s**t... we actually did it.
That’s my community!
https://soundcloud.com/d2thedj
Come to our fundy and get a small dose of what we do on the playa! https://www.facebook.com/events/1396032449092808/
