music | Movable Party, Vanglorious
"The Bay Area is home to DJs who helped shape the industry in its early days and influenced some of the biggest names in the world," say the two co-owners of Vanglorious, the Bay Area's premier DJ Truck. Here's what happens when entrepreneurship meets a love of music.
If you're a party lover or an electronic music fan, you've likely heard of Club Darc. The seasonal club experience series, presented by the team behind Coachella and Portola Festival, is coming to San Francisco this spring — bringing a global heavyweight lineup like Peggy Gou.
If you're not as familiar with the scene, you might wonder: what makes the San Francisco Bay Area the kind of place that attracts an event of this scale? Is the culture really thriving?
The answer is: it is.
We had the opportunity to hear a real voice behind the SF Bay Area party and DJ culture scene. Meet Vanglorious, the Bay Area's premier DJ Truck — built on 30-plus years of love for music, culture, and community by two people who call San Francisco home.
Please introduce your team. How did you come up with this idea?
We are Rhenan Miravalles and Vaughn Wooster, domestic partners and co-owners of Vanglorious, the Bay Area's premier DJ Truck. Together, we create unforgettable mobile party experiences throughout Northern California.
(Vaughn) The idea had been in my head since around 2015, but I wasn't convinced it made sense for the Bay Area because of the weather. DJ trucks were already popping up in Southern California, where outdoor events are easier year-round. When the pandemic hit, it became clear that outdoor, mobile events were going to be a major part of the future. That was the moment I knew it was time to bring the idea to life.
(Rhenan) I came into this journey wanting to support my lifelong partner's dream — one that has since become just as much my own. I've always felt deeply connected to the Bay Area DJ scene. Growing up, my older siblings were DJs in nightclubs and were mentored by legends like Cameron Paul and DJ Randy Wong, so music and DJ culture were woven into my upbringing.
Later, I became heavily involved in the female DJ community and went on to assemble and manage an all-female DJ crew, overseeing bookings for everything from private parties to corporate events. Today, that experience naturally translates into my role at Vanglorious — managing DJs, schedules, and bookings, allowing Vaughn to focus on building and maintaining the truck itself. Supporting artists and handling logistics have always been second nature to me, and I'm excited to bring that to our family business.
We're curious how you would define DJ party culture. Is it more about a love of music, the party itself, or the overall vibe?
We think it's about all of those things together. DJ culture and party culture are two separate things, and while there's certainly overlap, DJ culture is a strong force in the Bay. Some people may not know this, but the Bay Area is home to DJs who helped shape the industry in its early days and influenced some of the biggest names in the world. It continues to be home to some of the most talented DJs and turntablists in the scene, and that gives us a real geographical advantage when it comes to finding talent to play on Vanglorious. We already have a solid group of resident DJs — DJ Audio 1, Wild 94.9's Magic Matt, and Red Bull champion DJ Lazyboy, just to name a few.
As for party culture, it's evolved a lot over the last five years. The pandemic reshaped nightlife. San Francisco's once vibrant club scene hasn't fully returned, but in its place, festivals, block parties, and outdoor gatherings have become the new heartbeat of celebration. That shift plays perfectly into what we do. Vanglorious was made for the streets, not the clubs.
What makes your company different from others?
Our motto is simple: "We bring the party to you."
As far as we know, we're the only DJ Truck in Northern California — and possibly the only one in the world — built on airbags, giving us adjustable suspension similar to hydraulics. We can literally pull up to an event and lower the entire van to the ground. That moment alone creates a wow factor people never forget. While it adds another layer of maintenance, we wouldn't change it for anything. The reaction from the crowd makes it all worth it.
Could you share some of the events you've worked with?
We've been honored to work with organizations like The Presidio Trust, Treasurefest, and Downtown First Thursdays, and we had a multi-year run at Sonoma Raceway, including NASCAR events. One of our proudest moments was being invited to participate in the SF Lowrider Parade in the Mission in 2025 — the first lowrider parade broadcast live on local TV from start to finish. That experience showed us how deeply the car and cultural communities embrace what we do.
Looking ahead, we're excited to grow our presence in the events world and collaborate with festivals like Outside Lands, BottleRock, and the Potrero Music Festival.
How is the Bay Area DJ scene different from other regions? Are there any advantages to running this business here?
The Bay has some of the world's best turntablists — literally. Turntablists are DJs who use their turntables as instruments rather than simply playing songs on them. The Beastie Boys' DJ Mixmaster Mike is from the Bay, as are his fellow crew members Q-Bert and Apollo, who collectively changed the DJ game in the '90s and individually continue to do so today.
Having Vanglorious here gives us that geographical advantage. If you spot it out in the wild and one of our residents is playing, chances are you're not just going to see a DJ playing songs — you're going to see showmanship on a level you won't find at just any event. And full transparency: we're both from SF, and we love SF. We hit the geographical lottery being from here. We didn't strategically start the business here, but we really can't think of a better place for it.
You seem to work across many different areas. What's the coolest part of what you do?
We own what may be California's — and possibly the world's — only lowrider DJ van, and we get to witness some of the most incredible DJ sets performed from it. That alone feels surreal.
(Vaughn) I've been a DJ since 1993 and worked as a Toyota mechanic for several years before committing to music full-time. Vanglorious brings together my two biggest passions — DJing and mechanics — in one space. I'm genuinely living my dream.
(Rhenan) For me, the coolest part of Vanglorious is always the people. Watching their reactions the very first time they see the van in action never gets old. You can tell someone, "We own a DJ van," and it sounds cool — but until you actually experience it, you don't fully understand just how special it is.
I love being behind the wheel, pulling into an event, and seeing faces light up as we arrive. That moment reminds me exactly why we keep chasing this dream together. Every event brings new connections, new conversations, and new energy. I get to meet truly incredible people, and that's where the real magic begins. Vanglorious isn't just about music — it's about the moments, the reactions, and the community we build everywhere we go.
Created by JODE TEAM · Images Courtesy of Vanglorious