NYC-based DJ + emcee
Open format DJ with 20+ years of experience setting a vibe at bars and restaurants, private events and weddings for audiences with taste
CONTACT
Ruggy Joesten has performed at a variety of events including weddings, corporate parties, international music festivals, and has held DJ residencies at venues throughout the United States. With a former career in broadcasting, Ruggy is also available for hosting opportunities. Ruggy has been hand-selected to participate in cultural music moments like Yacht Week in Croatia, has opened up shows for artists including Britney Spears, Massive Attack, OK GO, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cold War Kids, Chromeo and more, and has performed at over 100+ weddings and corporate events across several countries. Despite his confidence and deep knowledge of music, Ruggy never lets ego get in the way of curating the perfect moment for his clients. He values exploratory conversations that are open, honest and collaborative to achieve success in each event he’s asked to participate in. He simply loves music, loves people, and takes his job of being trusted with a task as important as setting the right vibe for a resident bar/nightclub DJ set, anniversary, themed party, corporate event, wedding and any other moment in between seriously.
Testimonials
Words from former clients.
Liz and Roger’s Hell’s Kitchen wedding
“We hired Ruggy to DJ our wedding in Manhattan and he absolutely killed it. He had people on the dance floor literally from the moment we said ‘I do’ until the venue forced him to stop playing music. He also managed to successfully fend off my old relatives who kept requesting slow songs or that he lower the music. He even agreed to take pictures and video of my wife’s half-sister who basically forced him to watch her dance by herself. 5-stars all the way.”
Caitlin and Mike’s Carmel wedding
“Ruggy is a dream to work with. After hearing his stylings firsthand at multiple events and seeing how he keeps the dance floor full at even the most stale of corporate gigs, I knew I had to have him DJ my wedding. He’ll fulfill all of your greatest musical dreams, even if those dreams include playing “All I Want for Christmas is You” multiple times at a wedding in September.”
Teresa and Mark’s Prospect Park wedding
“Ruggy’s a responsive, personable, handsome* go-getter. He’s lots of fun and most importantly took my niche/esoteric (weird) musical taste and worked with me to create a fantastic wedding playlist with songs to get our guests up and moving. He also managed to troubleshoot some technical issues the venue had to make sure all of the audio went off without a hitch. I don’t plan on getting married again... but if I had to, I would choose Ruggy as my DJ in a heartbeat.”
*ruggy.nyc editorial board chose to keep exact quote intact despite heavy blushing
Doris and Molson’s Tribeca wedding
“Ruggy was excellent. On time, prepared, and knew exactly the right song to play at the right time.”
Sarah and Darnell’s Chicago wedding
“When Ruggy DJs an event, he brings an unmatched level of charisma and relatability to his performance. Sarah and I are so happy we put our trust in Ruggy to take the reins as our wedding DJ to make the night truly magical. I mean, who else can manage to set the stage for a magical, candlelit dinner with the soothing sounds of Kygo, get an 80-year-old Polish grandmother singing the words to Beyoncé’s Apesh*t, and have the crowd chanting “one more song!” an hour after the wedding reception has officially ended? Ruggy, of course. Put your trust in Ruggy and he’ll make your event one to truly remember.”