The shesaid.so mix series aims to spotlight the diverse artists within our community. We’re committed to championing underrepresented voices from around the world, focusing on female, non-binary, trans and queer individuals. Our monthly mix series allows our contributing selectors to showcase their unique backgrounds and inspirations by creating exclusive, 30-minute live recorded soundscapes.
This month, we have the German DJ/producer Bae Blade, whose unique, genre-blending sound - a modern style that oscillates between electro, breaks, house, and techno with hip-hop influences - has garnered her a fervent following in the underground.
With a background in photography and only recently starting music during the lockdown in 2020, Bae Blade is a multifaceted artist whose intuitive skills have led her to become a regular at Berlin’s renowned HÖR radio station, a resident at RINSE FM, and an internationally touring DJ.
On the heels of these accomplishments, released her EP Mutual Pleasure earlier this month - a full-on onslaught of hard-edged, hyperfast techno/breakbeat/trance spiked with catchy hooks from other genres.
What inspired you to start the Bae Blade project during lockdown?
During the lockdown, I finally had the time to dedicate myself to projects I had envisioned for a while. The scene in North Rhine-Westphalia, where I'm from, felt too monotonous, and I wanted to play music that diverged from techno, allowing for more hip movement and incorporating more vocals.
How would you compare German electronic music culture to scenes from other countries?
It's a tough question and depends on where you are. I can only speak from the region I come from. In the western part of Germany, it's slowly starting to open up to other genres besides techno. In Berlin, where it's a major hub, it's a different story. I think it depends on the area, I believe there isn't just that one scene in Germany.
You have a background as a music photographer- do you feel like there were skills you picked up in photography that you've transferred over to making music?
It doesn't always have to be the most expensive equipment to achieve fantastic results.
Your new debut EP, Mixed Feelings, is an exploration of multiple underground dance music genres. What is the main connecting thread / overarching theme of the project?
The essence of the EP is simply to introduce myself via the facets that interest me within the genres. The EP is essentially a condensed set of me. With the EP title, I wanted to convey that one cannot narrow oneself down to just one thing, both as a person and in their art / as an artist.
Where is your dream place/venue to play?
Kyle Richards' White Party.