Photographer: Carlos Santos
November 22 , 2022
Nights Like This is a popular event that has started gaining traction in the Houston area for it's friendly atmosphere, good energy, and overall great experience. We reached out to the founders of this event to get some insight into their story as well as the process it takes to create an event of this caliber.
You can find them on instagram @orangemace & @lonnysounds.
Tell me a little about yourselves
Lonny: I’m from Houston. I’m 29, DJ/event curator, started this career around 2018 just learning everything as I go. I have a huge passion for music that grew through childhood into my teens, always going to shows and music festivals, too many to count.
Mace: I’m from Houston but I've bounced around. I just do whatever inspires me to stay on this earth, right now that’s primarily artist management and general entrepreneurship. I've always loved music. My parents were big music heads and fast-life kind of people so I had that strong influence. I help Lonny execute his vision with NLT so I’ll let him answer these questions and maybe add some things.
Tell us a little bit of the story behind Nights Like This
Lonny: Well I practiced a lot to up my DJ skills and was starting to get booked for some events. I wasn’t a fan of the club scene and the music they’d play or even the bar scene. I wanted to throw my own events curated with music that I like and with people I like. Day for Night was a crazy festival when it was here in Houston and that blend between music and art always stuck out to me. I wanted to kind of recreate that in my own way and offer something to my city that's special. Soulection, Nu Wave, Open Source, Night Ride, Hydration, etc. all influenced me to create Nights Like This.
How long does the planning take for every event?
Lonny: Usually takes over a month. This last one we put together in under 24 hours due to needing to switch to an indoor venue last minute. Very stressful but proud of my team for pushing through and thankful to those that bought tickets and pulled up.
What's one thing you want people to take away when they not only come to your events but when they think of your brand?
Lonny: I want people to think of community, dancing, art, good music, good energy, self-expression when they think of Nights Like This. Like each event they come to there’s going to be something new and exciting. We’re getting better with each installment so I hope as we grow through the underground people really fuck with us and stay on this journey as we take it to the next level.
Mace: We’d like to be that event you can go to with people or by yourself to have a night to remember for years to come. As cliche as it may sound, we want to be that moment in your photobook or IG feed that you look back on and say "those were the days".
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten in your life?
Lonny: A teacher told me once you make a decision in life stick with it and deal with the consequences. I think it’s about not being indecisive and not giving up but I don’t know its helped me.
Mace: When you get an opportunity don’t let money get in the way of your decision, money will always figure itself out. Thought this was ridiculous when I heard it but it’s helped me a few times in life.
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