What started as a simple idea among friends has turned into one of the most energetic student-led music groups on campus.
DJ Johnny & the BPM, a student band formed at Iowa State University, blends funk, pop, and brass band influences into high-energy performances that have quickly gained attention across Ames and beyond.
The group was founded by John “Johnny” Freund (‘26 music education), along with fellow students who he met through the university’s marching band and music programs.
“We were all in a wind ensemble together, and it’s something I had wanted to do for a long time,” Freund said. “We talked about it on a trip to Chicago, and once we got back, we just started putting things together.”
The band includes students from different majors and class years, including Daniel Brumm (‘27 music education), and Alec Kissane (‘28 marketing). Other members include trombonist Elias Vargas (‘26 music education), tenor saxophonist Ben Drzycimski (‘27 music education) and trumpet player Jacob Aldrich (‘26 music performance). Despite their different academic paths, music brought them together.
“Everyone in the band has some connection to the marching band,” Brumm said. “That’s really where we got to know each other.”
The name DJ Johnny & the BPM has roots in that shared experience. Freund earned the nickname “DJ Johnny” by managing music and sound warmups for the marching band, while “BPM,” short for beats per minute, reflects both a musical term and the group’s upbeat style.
“It just fits,” Kissane said. “We play high-energy music, and it rolls off the tongue.”
Building a sound
Part of what makes the band stand out is its unique combination of instruments. Freund plays baritone saxophone, Brumm performs on the sousaphone, and Kissane anchors the group on drums. Together with tenor saxophone, trumpet, and trombone, the group creates a full, brassheavy sound inspired by street bands and funk ensembles.
The band draws heavy inspiration from groups like Lucky Chops, known for their energetic performances in New York City.
“A lot of our early music was based on covers,” Freund said. “We were trying to figure out what we wanted to sound like.”
Over time, that sound evolved. Now, the group arranges its own music, often collaborating as a team to adapt songs for their specific style.
“It’s an organic process,” Freund said. “Someone will bring in a song, and we’ll build it together.”
Sometimes those ideas come from unexpected places. Friends, family members, and even other students will suggest songs they think would fit the band’s styles.
“We will have people come up to us and say, ‘You guys should play this,’” Kissane said. “And a couple weeks later, we’ve already arranged it.”
Their set list includes mashups and crowd favorites like “Mr. Brightside,” “High Hopes,” and “Thriller,” along with newer arrangements they plan to debut at upcoming performances.
Rather than sticking to a strict set list, the band often adjusts in real time depending on the audience.
“You read the room,” Kissane said. “If people are energized, you keep that going. If it’s laid back, you adjust.”
“When I first experienced their performance, I was so jazzed by how they lit up the room with their music. The audience was immediately clapping, on their feet, dancing, and singing along. This group inspires joy and fellowship.”
From campus to community
Since forming in 2025, DJ Johnny & the BPM have performed at a variety of venues, from informal campus pop-ups to larger events.
Their first performance was a casual outdoor set near the Campanile. Since then, they have played at local spots like Time Out, an arcade bar in Ames, and even larger events such as the university’s Cardinal and Gold Gala in Des Moines.
“The Cardinal and Gold Gala was a moment where we walked in and thought, ‘How are we here right now?’” Freund said.
The band has also performed holiday pop-ups in Simon Estes Music Hall, surprising students with live music from the balcony above the atrium, and even informal sets where rehearsals turn into performance.
“Sometimes our rehearsal is the performance,” Freund said. “We’ll try something new on the spot and just trust each other.”
That trust often leads to fun, unpredictable moments. During rehearsals, the group experiments with mashups, unexpected tempo changes, and even improvised sound effects.
“There are times when we just have to stop because we’re laughing,” Brumm said. “But then we can lock right back in.”
Support and growth
Faculty support has played a key role in the band’s development. Brad Dell, chair of the music and theatre department, helped connect the group with performance opportunities, while other professors and directors provided mentorship along the way.
“There have been so many people who helped us get to where we are,” Freund said.
Dell said the band stood out immediately when he first saw them perform.
“When I first experienced their performance, I was so jazzed by how they lit up the room with their music,” Dell said. “The audience was immediately clapping, on their feet, dancing, and singing along. This group inspires joy and fellowship.”
Dell said that the band has grown from a small project into a group performing at local venues and major university events.
“This kind of experience helps students build entrepreneurial skills like leadership, collaboration, and communication,” Dell said.
The band members also credit Iowa State’s music programs, especially marching band and pep band, for shaping their skills and creating the environment that brought them together.
“If it wasn’t for those programs, we wouldn’t have met,” Kissane said.
More than just music
For the members, the band represents more than performances. It has become a space for creativity, connection, and personal growth.
“I’ve always wanted to have a group like this,” Freund said. “It gave me something to put my energy into and helped me grow as a leader.”
Brumm said the experience has also changed how he views his future as a music educator.
“It showed me that I can keep playing after graduation,” he said. “That’s something I really wanted.”
For Kissane, who is not a music major, the band offers a creative outlet alongside his business studies.
“I might not do music full time, but I always want it in my life,” he said.
Beyond the music, the group says the relationships they have built matter most.
“The best part is just being able to play with your friends,” Freund said. “That’s what makes it special.”
Looking ahead
As some members prepare to graduate, the future of the band may look different, but the group hopes to continue performing, even if distance becomes a challenge.
“It’s something we want to keep doing,” Freund said. “It might change, but we’re all committed to it.”
For now, the band is focused on what is ahead, including upcoming performances and a show at the Memorial Union’s Maintenance Shop, where they plan to debut new arrangements.
Advise for others
For students interested in starting their own band, the members emphasize taking risks and focusing on enjoyment.
“Take a chance and talk to people,” Freund said.
“Just try something,” Brumm added. “You don’t have to be perfect.”
Kissane agreed, emphasizing one simple idea:
“Don’t take yourself too seriously,” he said. “Have fun.”
For DJ Johnny & the BPM, that’s what it has always been about – a group of friends, a shared love of music, and the kind of energy that can turn any space – from the campanile to a crowded bar – into something unforgettable.