Growing up, Arden Riley fell in love with music. Surrounded by the constant punk music her parents played instead of nursery rhymes, it was nearly impossible for her not to. Her dream was to become a DJ, like the ones she heard growing up on WUSC-FM, USC’s student-run radio station.
Years later, that dream came true. After graduating in May of this year, Riley is now a DJ under the stage name Olive Arden and has performed frequently at New Brookland Tavern for the past two years for music lovers like herself.
"To sing these songs, and being able to just come to New Brookland, go on stage, and so many other people have the same kind of taste or interest as you, and then just be able to experience it together is just a magical feeling," Riley said.
Riley began her journey as a student DJ at WUSC, dedicating three years of her college life to the station. While she cherished her time at WUSC, her freshman year was impacted by COVID, forcing her to take a different approach to deejaying.
“All of our radio meetings were over Zoom, and the only time I could really hang out with people in person was when we were in the music library together, picking out our CDs,” Riley said. “The only people I really got to connect with were other DJs during the COVID era of my freshman year.”
The rest of her college experience with WUSC, however, was different. Riley said she gained much of her experience from the radio station, setting the path for her to DJ professionally.
WUSC gave her a lot of credibility, because it was an immensely professional organization, Riley said.
“Building those connections ... going to the events hosted (at the Brookland Tavern) by WUSC, and also just seeing all the local bands, getting to know them — it was like everything built on each other.”
By her junior year, Riley was given an opportunity by her boss at New Brookland Tavern to perform on stage for the first time. She said there was a slight difference between performing behind a microphone and being on stage.
“The energy you need to take in and give that probably the biggest difference,” Riley said. “But you’re still being vulnerable and playing songs that you don’t know how they’ll be received. At the end of the day, it’s music, and it bonds everyone together.”
Those who attend her shows often describe them as high-energy and fun, like Adam Babington, a former student and close friend of Riley. An earlier performance this year called "Emo Night" particularly stood out to him, he said.
“That had to be a couple hundred people in there, and everybody was just going a bit crazy — maybe a bit too crazy — but it was still fun,” Babington said.
Themed nights are Riley's speciality, and along with "Emo Night" she has performed other unique sets like "Brat Night" and "Glee Night."
Viewers are drawn to Riley because of her inclusive playing style, Babington said.
“If people are requesting something else … she’s fine with going in a different direction,” Babington said.
Arsyn Jakes, a frequent attendee and friend of Riley's, said that she incorporates another method into her deejaying that makes it even more inclusive.
“She encourages people to get up on stage and sing and dance on stage with her and just have a good time,” Jakes said. “I'm just not the type of person to do that normally, but I do go up on stage at her shows and everything because it’s such a welcoming environment that she creates.”
Riley said she wants to create a comfortable environment because of her past experiences as a student.
"I remember there would be shows that I really wanted to go to, but my friends couldn't go to them, so I would stay home, or one of my friends who was really shy would go, and then I felt like I couldn't really dance," Riley said. "So I just kind of want to make everyone feel comfortable enough to be able to come up and request a song, or come up and sing a song."
While Riley generates energetic crowds at New Brookland Tavern, she has plans freelancing in the future, and has already obtained a business license.
“I love deejaying, and I'm going to continue to do it, and it's just building those connections,” Riley said.
Riley's next show is on Dec. 7 and is titled "Disney VS Nickelodeon Night," tickets can be found on New Brookland Tavern's website.