The expression of someone’s art often takes many different forms. There are those who desire to place their thoughts and dreams on canvas, and others who may choose to spin and shape on a pottery wheel. For Jessie Maness, it all takes place electronically as he funnels his passion for life into mixing and playing music at local clubs.

Maness, who is resident DJ at 508 Late Night Lounge (508 Lea Avenue, Nashville), said that for him, music was definitely an art form and has become his life’s pursuit.

“I love all music. Music is my life,” he said. “I enjoy art as well and occasionally will do some painting and drawing, but music is my form of true self expression.”

The 21-year-old has taken that passion and decided to build his career around it. He’s finishing up his associates degree in music engineering at Nashville State Community College and hopes to see his career take him worldwide as a “superstar DJ”.

“My classes are all music/audio production classes, and they've helped me get inside music, and see how its made,” he said.

He began DJing about three years ago at Kiss Afterhours and occasionally Play Dance Bar. It was then that he fell in love with house music.

“I knew from then on that I wanted to DJ,” he said.

Donning the official name of “DJ Roller Coaster”, Maness started to work on his dream of DJing.

When asked about his name, he said he picked it “because when you’re with me it’s a wild ride.”

At such a young age, he said he was grateful for those clubs that have helped him get started. When he landed a residency position at 508 Late Night Lounge, he said he “was speechless, excited, and very thankful for the residency.” 

Currently, his favorite types of music include house, progressive house, electro house, and a new genre of house called fidget.

But, like any true artist, he says he keeps his mind open for new and varied types of music.

“New and sexy,” he said with a laugh. “I want to always try and bring something fresh to Nashville. I have new songs to play every week. I look for songs that are very sexy and persuasive."