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.
The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with Venessa Michaels, the Los Angeles-based producer who's become known for her self-coined ‘2090’ genre: a retro-futuristic sound blending various forms of club music with Y2K-inspired hip-hop and pop.
The genre-blending producer has collaborated with big names such as J.Worra, Lil Texas, and Kaleena Zanders; toured with NIKI, Raury, 6lack, Party Favor, and Krewella; performed at festivals such as Coachella, Splash House, and Camp Flog Gnaw; and created the theme song for the DreamWorks Netflix show KIPO and the Age of Wonderbeasts.
Venessa Michaels is gearing up to release her debut album, Sent From Saturn, a full-length project that will see the artist evolving in real time. With a lavish mix of various dance and pop genres, the new album promises to showcase Michaels’ versatile skill set and eclectic aesthetic sensibilities.
We caught up with the producer ahead of her newest single, “Needed U” - a breakbeat and tech-house heater dropping this Friday, November 18.
Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.
Venessa Michaels: My Mom and Grandma provided me many opportunities to fall in love with something creative. I entered piano lessons at, like, 2 years old, and was apparently patient enough to learn even at that age. That led to eventually taking classical guitar lessons and I fell deeply in love with the instrument. I’ve always been obsessed with music, and so that was the passion that I chose - or maybe it chose me. My mom was the first person to suggest DJing as something I should try. At first I was like “NoOoOO I don't wanna be a DJ,” and then I gave it a shot. Obviously it stayed with me, and probably will till I'm 100 years old.
How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?
Venessa Michaels: I grew up in San Diego and was very heavily influenced by West Coast music & whatever I heard on the radio. I have very specific memories of listening to No Doubt, Sublime, ODB, Mariah Carey, The Offspring, Timbaland, Missy, Aaliyah etc. I really LOVED that era’s music. I would burn CDs all the time. Then I got to experience some Northern California influence when I went to school at UC Santa Cruz - with Mac Dre, Too Short, E-40, etc. That music contained so much hype - and it was soooo fun.
I mean, I’ve absorbed a large variety of influences. I’m also a DJ, so my influences ALSO include the dance world. Like everyone knows the A Trak remix of Heads Will Roll. That song was so iconic and it definitely got me interested in uptempo dance music. It's safe to say I love all types of music & am grateful to have heard so much of it. I know it has influenced my songwriting, producing, and everything else.
Who or where do you draw inspiration from?
Venessa Michaels: My friends are all really talented people. I am so inspired by their drive and passion, and it only comes back around.
Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?
Venessa Michaels: This mix is for the house heads! Enjoy.
What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?
Venessa Michaels: I’m getting ready to release my debut album, Sent From Saturn, in the new year. I also created a new sample pack with LANDR called "Club Basics" using their Chromatic plug-in; I’m working on producing more of these. I’m really looking forward to all these releases - I took a year off dropping anything original, and this will be the first time I drop a full length project.