Let Her Cook: Interview with DJ Mandy

Amanda Shultz is not your typical second-year Society and Environment major. She's an absolute menace to society, cooking up an environment of ironic beats in her Pioneer CDJ kitchen — and I'm not talking about borscht.

Amanda, aka DJ Mandy, is a TikTok legend with over 700K followers, videos consistently surpassing a million views, and a feature in PAPER magazine — and she's just getting started. Initially inspired by fellow DJ Jigitz, she's since developed her own signature sound: folding pop culture sound bites into an unexpected batter of familiar and left-field tracks, perfecting the ideal concoction of irony and genuine talent.

I had the opportunity to sit down with DJ Mandy at the Shabang Music Festival as part of my Shabang '24 Interview Series to see what was cookin' in the Mandy kitchen.

Photo by Izze Gunn

Welcome to Shabang! What's it like playing your first music festival?

It's really fun. This is my first festival, so I didn't really know what to expect — but overall, I just love the vibes. San Luis Obispo is really chill and the people here are open to hearing new things. I visited SLO a lot because my brother went to college there, so I already knew I liked it. When I heard I got an offer to play here, I was like, yeah, of course!

As a Theta, I'm sure you've experienced your fair share of bad frat DJs. What made you decide to learn how to mix and develop your own sound?

I started getting really into house music and began listening to Boiler Room sets in the background. I thought DJs were so cool, and I realized I kind of wanted to try it — and now I'm here. It's crazy!

What's your favorite part about performing?

I just love the high energy and making people dance. Music brings people together, and being in control of that is wild — it's always so fun.

What gives you inspiration?

Definitely making stuff. Putting music or content out there that makes people happy. Even if it's a small thing, even if it's just a little highlight of someone's day. I know people enjoy having an escape during sets, so I like being able to provide that.

Photo by Izze Gunn

From Cupcakke's "Deepthroat" to MLK's "I Have a Dream" — what goes into choosing your samples?

It just comes to me randomly because my brain is always running. I'll think of a sound out of nowhere — like right now, there's this TikTok clip of Kamala Harris saying "you think you just fell out of a coconut tree," and I'll think about what would mesh with it. Boom — mix it with Jojo Siwa. Boom, "Karma's a Bitch." It just happens because my brain is always moving, and then I make it happen.

Back in 2022, you were deep into Stranger Things and used to repost Millie Bobby Brown edits. What's your favorite quarantine-era TikTok trend?

Oh, that is crazy — how did you know that? I would always watch the TikTok dances, not gonna lie. Big Charli D'Amelio fan, obviously. And you know how random brands and companies started making TikTok accounts and posting funny videos? Like Bloomingdale's and stuff? I thought those were so funny.

Has any brand ever commented on your TikTok?

The Empire State Building. It was pretty funny.

Speaking of which — if you could collab with any brand or artist, alive or dead, who would it be?

On the brand side, I'd love to work with someone like Prada or Valentino — that type of vibe. I love fashion. And for an artist, I'd love to collab with Billie Eilish. I love her. I don't know exactly how that would work, but — yeah. Love her.

Photo by Izze Gunn

You're allegedly a certified Swiftie, but you're also certified Battle Royale in Fortnite. One's got to go: Taylor Swift's "Fortnight" or the game Fortnite?

That's crazy, I love that you know that. I will say — Taylor's song is pretty good. I would drop the game and pick her, not gonna lie.

Okay, follow-up: favorite Fortnite season and favorite Taylor era?

HAHA — okay. For Fortnite: the OG map, for sure. And for eras… Reputation… or Fearless…

Last question: how do we get more young people into electronic music?

Stay open-minded, because you never know what's going to happen. You never know what might come your way — it could be a whole new path you never expected. Expect the unexpected.

Stay up to date on what's cookin' in Mandy's kitchen on her Instagram and TikTok. Keep your ears peeled.