shesaid.so mix series

shesaid.so Mix 050: Bae Blade

September 27, 2023 in Mix Series, Interview

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.

shesaid.so Mix 048: Cristina Lazic

July 26, 2023 in Mix Series, Interview

Music has always been a big part of Lazic’s life. As a child, she learned how to play piano before composing her own music as a teenager. In 2016, she picked up DJing while on maternity leave; in the past few years, she’s learned how to produce, growing her skills exponentially by incorporating her knowledge of music theory into her groovy soundscapes.

Lazic’s kinetic DJ and production style have led to releases on labels such as Crosstown Rebels’ Rebellion, Bondage Music, TBX, and Creature Records, as well as performances at iconic international clubs and festivals such as Exit, Get Lost Miami, Unum, Koko, Magazzini Generali, and at Hi Ibiza in support of renowned selector Damian Lazarus.

She also recently released her first NFT - an audio/visual asset featuring her song “Meteor” and 3D visual art Crazy Panda. You can buy one for a chance to win a production lesson from Lazic.

What first inspired you to start making electronic music?

I have always been a big fan of electronic music, and music in general. I grew up during my childhood years learning to play the piano from my grandmother, who was a piano teacher. I started composing music during my teenage years, and at 18 I moved to London, the city where I started developing a strong love for electronic music.

Since then, I have been a big electronic music fan, traveling all around the the world to listen to my favorite producers. However, it wasn’t until 10 years later, during my maternity, that I approached the world of DJing myself. While I wasn’t working looking after my 6-month-old, I wanted to find a hobby to accompany the milk and nappies. A friend approached me to join her for some DJ courses, and that’s how I started playing.

That was in 2016 - fast forward 4 years, my music career started picking up, even if it was still a side business. But then Covid happened, and I was based in Italy then where they had very strict lockdowns. I took this opportunity to improve my music profile and started producing.

I already had Ableton installed on my computer, but a lack of bandwidth (full time job and daughter) to actually use it… so I took the time afforded to me by Covid to finally start studying the program, attending remote classes and watching tutorials on Youtube.

I always wanted to learn to produce, as I felt this would make me more of a complete artist. I’m glad that I was able to find an opportunity during a moment of frustration. Now, production has changed my music career and I can definitely say it has given me a professional boost I neve would have achieved by DJing alone.

What’s your favorite part about producing and DJing?

I am a very creative person, and I feel that with music production I can bring to life all my ideas in the form of music, my true passion. I personally enjoy applying the things I learned as a child through my grandma and piano lessons, concepts such as harmony, to my music productions.

When it comes to DJing, I love to share my energy with the audience. I just simply enjoy improvising and taking the dance floor on a musical journey, always with the mission to make them dance and have a memorable time.

Why is it important to you to support women in the music industry?

For me this is of paramount importance, as the electronic music scene has been male dominated for a long time. Things are changing now, and there are more women in music, but in my opinion there is still much work to be done. In my genre, for example, deep tech / minimal, only 2% of producers are women. I think it’s important to support each other and create awareness of the fact that, even if you see many women who are DJs now, the road to gender equality is still a long one. I am quite happy about the progress that I have seen in the last years though, and this is thanks to initiatives and communities like shesaid.so. However, I believe that it’s necessary to constantly remind people of the importance of having gender equality in the industry - therefore the support among women, and among women and men, is something that has to be continued throughout time.

What can the music world do to create a better environment for artists and their children?

First of all, there is a big need to build awareness of the fact that there is a problem in the industry: it’s not family friendly. More initiatives have to be done to help artists, and music professionals in general, with kids. For example, I loved seeing Rhianna pregnant on the Super Bowl stage; this was a great way to show that parenthood is something normal, and can cohabit with your professional career. I’d love to see more of that, but also more events, panels and initiatives that talk about parenthood in music. Secondly, I think more support is needed for parents in music. That’s why with shesaid.so, we are looking into bringing to life a helpline that parents can call 24/7 to receive mental health support.

And last but not least, events should become more family friendly. For example, I dream of attending a festival with a kids friendly area, or the normalization being a dj and a mum; that’s why, in my rider, I have included a note where I mention that I often travel with my family and I ask promoters to support that, by providing a triple room so that my husband and daughter can feel welcome. In the future, I hope to be able to also request a child care service during the slot of my performances.

Talk to us about your recent NFT project.

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Polkadot Decoded festival in Copenhagen, and this was the perfect occasion for me to drop my first NFT: an audio + video asset featuring my track “Meteor” and beautiful visuals by 3D art studio Crazy Panda. We dropped the NFT during my DJ set at Polkadot Decoded, via a music web3 platform called Public Pressure. Among those who will support this project by buying a copy, 3 lucky winners will receive mentoring sessions with me. Many people have been reaching out to ask me to mentor them lately, so I thought of extending this opportunity to the wider public. As of today, I mentor several junior artists, and during my previous career in tech while working for Apple and Google, I was mentoring junior colleagues. I really enjoy helping others build self confidence, plan their development and take action to achieve their goals; but so far I have been mainly mentoring men, especially when it comes to music, and I hope that moving forward I’ll be able to help more women.

You can find the link to the NFT here: https://app.publicpressure.io/nft/0x049f362a5d5b4b77fb1a150528d3997b3e8a71cb?blockchain=moonbeam

Where’s your favorite place to play?

Hi Ibiza is one of a kind. I was lucky enough to play there last year in Damian Lazarus’ Club Room during Saturdays with Black Coffee, and I will play there again in a few weeks, opening for Damian Lazarus and Dubfire. The club is just amazing, with an excellent organization, sound system and crowd. It definitely feels special to play at the best club in the world and share the decks with some of the best DJs on the globe!

Tracklist

shesaid.so Mix 046: YonYon

March 29, 2023 in Mix Series

shesaid.so: What’s it like working in the dance music scene in Tokyo?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many nightclubs were shut down, but that resulted in new ones springing up In particular, the number of trendy bar-style spaces increased, so people who used to resist the insular, sometimes intense space of a club could now enjoy dance music in a casual way. I myself have been DJing more and more at these bar-style spaces rather than DJing in huge clubs. At the same time, there has been an increase in hardcore and rave-type events - shows that bring catharsis and remedy the mental sturggles created by COVID-19. The techno scene in particular has spread considerably among the younger generation over the past few years. I also feel that the culture of ensuring clubs are safer and more secure for everyone is finally proliferating. The fact that everyone involved in event spaces had extra time during COVID to come up with these solutions has ultimately helped the development of Tokyo’s club scene.

shesaid.so: How does the music scene in Tokyo differ from other cities in Japan?

Tokyo is the most densely populated city in Japan, and fads go out of style quickly. Another characteristic of Tokyo is that many foreign tourists come to the clubs, giving it an image of openness to various genres of music. I also think that clubs here in Tokyo play an important role in creating music trends. This is because many Japanese DJs who work closely with the international club scene reside in Tokyo.

On the other hand, there has been an increase in opportunities for local governments and events to collaborate and hold outdoor events as part of town revitalization efforts in rural areas. It is great that there are many more opportunities for people to go out to other cities for music, but since many of these DJs and artists are still from Tokyo, I would like to see more opportunities for artists living in those regions to be active.

shesaid.so: Through ‘The Link’ project, you’ve made it your mission to curate collaborations between Japanese and Korean artists. Why is it important for you to bridge this gap between the two countries?

I was born in Korea and grew up in Tokyo. I went through college in Korea and connected with many wonderful artists during that time. I also met many of my friends while working in Japan, so I was familiar with each other’s interests in the scene and each other's countries. I started ‘The Link’ project because I believed I was in a unique position due to my connections to both scenes and places. At the time, there were not many songs that mixed Japanese and Korean languages, but I am proud that we were able to create a trend that people thought was cool. In this day and age when it is commonplace to be active globally, I am very pleased that there are more opportunities for people to become interested in each other's countries through music.

shesaid.so: You have such a genre-blending production style and your DJ sets span a wide variety of sounds. What’s your musical background, and who are some of your biggest influences? Is it a challenge to blend so many styles in your music and mixes?

I did not start my career as a DJ because of any particular influence but because different genres of music have been a natural part of my life’s environment. My DJ style has become a mixture of different languages and genres because I had many opportunities to meet artists from different countries while working with them. I exchanged information with them and learned about a lot of music they thought was cool. Also, when I started hosting a radio show introducing J-POP in Japan, I started to mix non-dance music into my sets. The opportunities and experiences that have naturally come my way have ultimately informed my style.

shesaid.so: What’s up next for YonYon?

I’m trying to become a bridge between the club scene and the pop scene, often performing live in the style of singing while DJing. I plan to release many original songs this year. We also plan to collaborate with artists from various countries. Stay tuned!

shesaid.so Mix 045: Meli Rodriguez

January 25, 2023 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so mix series kicks off the year with Meli Rodriguez, the Costa Rica DJ/producer impressing dance music fans around the world with her eclectic sound and mix board wizardry.

As the proud owner of inclusive dance music label Plz Stand Vibe, Meli Rodriguez is dedicated to spreading her native country’s ‘pura vida’ (pure life) through music releases, local events, and international bookings. The artist played Electric Zoo in New York City in 2022, and is playing this year’s BPM Festival in Costa Rica, which kicks off today.

Before Rodriguez continues her international touring through Asia and South America, you check out her pulsating, vibey mix for shesaid.so and read our interview with her to learn more about the DJ's positive attitude and Costa Rican dance music culture.

shesaid.so: Can you talk about your label, Plz Stand Vibe?

MR: Plz Stand Vibe is about music, safe spaces, and community. From releasing records to throwing events, our main goal is to create connections in safe spaces through music. Our community is full of members from different walks of life who stay connected through our social media and networking groups. We support each others’ businesses, create spaces for upcoming DJs, and have emotional support groups for those who may be having a bad day and need some extra good vibes.

Before Plz Stand Vibe, I felt a little disconnected from the dancefloor, but because of the relationships we have built throughout our time together and the amazing people I have met who also have big dreams and aspirations, I feel like the dancefloor is now a huge family. I love getting to know people on an intimate level and wish all of us to share authentic connections with one another - not just as clubbers or partiers but as human beings who are all going through life in our own way. It’s been amazing to see people connect from vets to tour guides to truck drivers…all connected through the beautiful medium of music.

shesaid.so: Can you describe the dance music scene in Costa Rica?

MR: The scene in Costa Rica is a reflection of our country - Pura Vida, meaning “pure life.” There is so much energy on the dancefloor— whistling, screaming, cheering, etc. I had the honor of residency at the legendary Club Vertigo for four years where I truly got to experience the joy of playing for massive crowds. I remember all the international artists who would come play at our parties saying that the vibes here are immaculate. People here are so devoted to the scene and really just love to have fun. The vibe is infectious and it feels like everyone is in sync.

Also, thanks to platforms like TikTok, there is a new generation of music lovers that we can have the privilege of educating through our lens and perspective from what we’ve learned. I see older generations taking care of the younger ones, teaching them to be responsible and respectful, which is truly beautiful.

The scene has grown exponentially in the last five years with festivals like Envision, Labryinto, Ocaso, and BPM, which I’m really excited to play for the first time after telling myself three years ago that I would.

shesaid.so: You perform around the world - what’s your favorite place to play?

MR: Outside of Costa Rica, South America is definitely my favorite. Places like Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina have SO much energy. The crowd is genuinely curious about you as a person. I remember many people walking up to me and asking me questions, truly wanting to know who I was. I always felt super welcomed with their great vibes.

Spain is another favorite. I got to live there for a few years and experience how the artists support each other, which really inspired me to come back to my country and do the same.

shesaid.so: Who/what are some of your biggest influences/inspirations?

When I was a kid around 10 years old, I saw the Brighton Beach Fat Boy Slim concert on video and immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do. I would stand in front of my computer and pretend I was playing to a huge crowd. I was visualizing and manifesting without even knowing it.

I remember Googling female DJs and there were no pictures at the time, so I printed out a male one and asked an artist to turn it into a female and paint it on my wall. Looking at it 20 years later, I am so grateful to be a woman in this field, surrounded by so many other great women who are making it happen. Some artists I would like to mention are Nicole Moudaber, J. Worra, and of course, Honey Dijon.

shesaid.so: What can we expect next from Meli Rodriguez?

MR: I spent the last year healing and finding myself without putting pressure on my career and brand. I am now ready to start building a team, expanding my brand globally, and creating more communities of safe spaces. It's been almost 10 years since I started working in the music industry; I learned a lot and saw a lot, so now it is my time to put all of this experience together to create something I truly believe in with other great artists and creative minds.

For 2023, I am planning on touring South America and Asia, and then hopefully settling down in California with my girlfriend. I also have plans to organize a festival in 2024…stay tuned and Plz Stand Vibe :)

I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I see a lot of great things coming. I trust the universe to continue making this little 10-year-old girl’s dreams come true.

shesaid.so Mix Series 044: Tara Brooks

December 14, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so mix series continues this month with Los Angeles DJ/producer Tara Brooks, whose spiritual connection to dance music, and vibrant, genre-blending style have helped her carve out a distinct space within a male-dominated industry.

Tara Brooks has brought her eclectic sets ranging from hypnotic techno to dark disco to venues and festivals across the world. In addition to a residency at Desert Hearts, the DJ has played BPM Festival (Mexico), Katerblau (Berlin), Sisyphos (Berlin), Blue Marlin (Ibiza), Acid Sundays (Ibiza), The Brooklyn Mirage (New York), Flash (Washington D.C.), DNSOF (Miami), Lightning in a Bottle (Central Valley), Sound (Los Angeles), and PublicWorks (San Francisco).

Following her recently released remixes for John Digweed’s Quatro III project, she’s revving up towards a jam-packed 2023, which will include a collaborative EP with Hannes Bieger, a handful of other original songs, and shows around the globe in Costa Rica, Tulum, Australia, and more.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

My whole family shares a strong love and passion for music— it's what brought my parents together. I grew up on my mom’s Beatles records, classic rock, indie folk, and ambient new age sounds! I then found my way into 90s alternative rock, west coast hip hop, reggae rock, R&B/soul and, of course, after my first rave it was all uphill from there!

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

Being from Los Angeles and having divorced parents from a young age, I was always moving and having to adapt to new environments. It wasn’t until I found the Southern California rave scene that I felt truly connected to anything. I was exposed to a fusion of genres, from San Francisco, Chicago, and New York house and funk to electro, progressive, techno, and old school tribal. From Doc Martin & Dj Dan, to Sasha & John Digweed, I was always inspired by interesting sounds that emotionally connected me.

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

Today I draw inspiration from all over the map, including the way the ocean makes me feel. I always leave Detroit blown away and ready to push my boundaries. During the pandemic it gave me a chance to open some old and new doors to different genres —breakbeats, electro, drum and bass, electronica, acid— and continue to define my sounds. Having a passion for so many genres has taken my supporters and I on one hell of a journey!

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

I would love to hear how everyone describes my mix! To me it's a fun, mini adventure. It's uplifting, ethereal, soulful, funky, groovy, a lil' trippy, and made to make you feel good wherever you are or whatever you’re doing. Also featuring my latest remix for Rob Garza and another unreleased remix for Lee Coombs (:

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

I just released 3 remixes on Bedrock’s latest Quattro album for John Digweed. Coming up, I have an EP collaboration with Hannes Bieger featuring Cari Golden, a remix for Lee Coombs, future collaborations with Rob Garza (Thievery Corporation), and seven new original tunes that are almost ready to blast off. 2023 starts off with a bang in Tulum, San Francisco, New York, Arizona, Seattle, Costa Rica, and rescheduling my tour in Australia. For those that don’t know, I started surfing during the pandemic lockdown and it changed my life. DJing in surf destinations is a huge priority, while sharing and motivating the music industry to get in the water. While my mental health has suffered tremendously over the years, I’ve found such healing through the ocean. I have to help others through this beautiful and healing passion.

Find Tara Brooks on Instagram

shesaid.so Mix 042: Ms. Mada

October 19, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with Ms. Mada, the Filipino-born, Miami-raised DJ virtuoso whose residency at Miami’s vaunted Club Space has made her an internationally sought-after selector.

Ms. Mada’s taste blends the Latin American influence of her childhood neighborhood, R&B/hip-hop classics heard on the radio, and local electronic music genres such as Miami Bass and Miami Freestyle - a combination that invokes a diverse map of the DJ’s vibrant Miami upbringing, This dynamic, home-sprung sound has led to performances at American festivals such as Ultra Music Festival, EDC, III Points (where she played a Boiler Room set), Splash House, Hard Summer, and Time Warp, as well as international festivals such as EXIT (Serbia), BPM (Mexico), and BAUM (Columbia).

Ms. Mada has solidified her place in the soundscape of Miami, opening and closing for many of today’s biggest names in electronic music. We caught up with the DJ ahead of her debut at the club night series The Warehouse Project in Manchester, UK.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

I can say that my earliest memory of actually falling in love with music was listening to Aaliyah - “Are You That Somebody”. I became obsessed with this song. Wanting to learn the lyrics so I could sing along whenever it spontaneously came on the radio. I wasn’t able to buy the single either because I didn’t know how or where to look, so I had to sit by my stereo with my empty cassette tape and hit record when I heard the intro coming on. This was right around the time I started to become more interested in listening to Hip-Hop and R&B right before I was exposed to dance music.

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

I grew up as a Filipina in a predominantly Latin community, so I was exposed to all sorts of Latin American music— salsa, merengue, bachata, vallenato, cumbia, etc. Then there was everything else on the radio with Miami bass, freestyle, and the usual Hip-hop/R&B radio hits of the time being played in between. I always tell this story of how the turning point for me diving headfirst into electronic music was when my neighbor handed me a George Acosta CD when I was about 10 years old. However, I also think growing up in Miami was so enriching that without me even realizing at the time, the music of my adolescence would lay my foundation and eventually pave my way towards electronic music.

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

I don’t have a particular source, but I will say that my DJ contemporaries turned friends inspire me a lot. Most of my friends are artists in their own right and we all share different tastes, but the way I can just nerd out with them about music is one of my favorite things.

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

There’s no real theme to my mix except for the very last two tracks. I had to include some Miami staples. You’ll hear tracks by Austin Ato, Sweely, Moglis, MADVILLA, Planet Soul, and a classic that I consider as one of the soundtracks of my youth. (:

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

Currently, I’m trying to get around to mastering my own tracks for release. I’ve been traveling on and off almost every week since July, but I’m not complaining. I’m really fortunate. As of right now, I’m really excited to check this one off my bucket list. My debut at Warehouse Project in Manchester for Music ON on November 18.

shesaid.so Mix 041: Marie Nyx

September 21, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with Marie Nyx, the Los Angeles-based producer/DJ who infuses her hypnotic, synth-heavy techno soundscapes with influences ranging from post punk, new wave, and indie.

Lauded by DJ Mag as one of their “Six Acts Popping Off,” Marie Nyx has an unmatched ability to adapt to the wants and needs of any dance floor without sacrificing her infectious, apparitional style. Her revered abilities have led her to playing shows with names such as Camea, Pleasurekraft, Dubfire, and Nastia, and at events such as Mixlab Lab LA, where she’s showcased her distinct and grooving sound.

Marie Nyx also co-founded the Delusional Records imprint with Maude Vôs. Together they foster a label environment that seeks to revive dance music culture by releasing timeless, hard-ware driven pieces of work created by an inclusive roster of artists, who are primarily LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and female. The label has been featured in SPIN Magazine, Insomniac Radio, EDM Maniac, and more.

Marie Nyx releases her own music as well through the label, and will be dropping a remix for LA DJ/producer Etari this October. We caught up with the producer ahead of that release and the Delusional Records label takeover at Arrival on October 7.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

I have been in love with music since I can remember. I grew up in a musical family and it has always been a huge part of my life. When I was young I played piano, sang in school choir for a few years, and took guitar lessons as a teenager. I then took a hiatus from playing instruments and singing because I got really into going to live shows after I was taken to my first big festival. Live shows lead me into the rave scene and eventually introduced me to festival communities where I found my niche in DJing and production.

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

My sound is a raw, eclectic blend of electronic music ranging from techno, Detroit electro, experimental electronica, and a sprinkle of EBM/darkwave. Growing up, my musical palette was influenced by my older sister who introduced me to indie/alternative rock, shoegaze, synthwave, and post-punk. I then found artists such as The Faint, Crystal Castles, and Digitalism, which piqued my interested in a more electronic sound. I did not have much of a community until I found electronic music. The rave and festival communities accepted me with open arms, and it was the first time I felt free to express myself without feeling judged. It felt like home, and I knew that one day I wanted to cultivate my own community in electronic music in hopes that future generations would feel seen like I did.

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw inspiration most from my friends and collaborators. The energy of collaboration lights my creative fire whether it be a b2b DJ set or working in the studio. I also feel very inspired after going to a warehouse party, event, or festival and catching sets by artists on the lineup that I look up to.

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

Since shesaid.so aims to spotlight underrepresented artists in the community with a focus on female, non-binary, trans, and queer individuals, I decided to create a mix of tracks written or produced by some of my favorite female and non-binary artists. The mix opens with an experimental electronica track then builds into breaks, electro, EBM, and techno. There is also a strong presence of femme vocals throughout the mix.

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

I have just finished a remix for LA DJ/producer Etari that I’ve included in the mix. It will be out on all platforms at the end of October via Delusional Records. I am also working on my next forthcoming EP. I look forward to my next performance at a desert festival called Arrival alongside Midnight Vices, Cassie Raptor, TDJ, and more on October 7th. My partner, Maude Vôs, and I will host a Delusional Records showcase at the festival featuring Lindsey Herbert, Etari, and Materielle.

Tracklist:

Smoke and Honey- M-0ther

Nyctinasty- Abby Echiverri

Teeth- LCY

iele- Maude Vôs

Ascending- Etari (Marie Nyx Remix)

Take the Wheel Miss Sweetie- Maara

Vertigo- MYKI (Roza Terenzi Remix)

Transmutation- Rein, Djedrotronic (Unklevon Remix)

Asteria- Marie Nyx

Extinction- Zanias

shesaid.so Mix 040: Juliet Mendoza

August 17, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with Juliet Mendoza, the Los Angeles-based underground house purveyor who has been making waves in the LA dance music scene since the 90s with her melodic, soulful sounds.

Juliet Mendoza has firm roots in house music culture, both locally and internationally. She’s the founder and resident DJ of Jill’s House, a recurring LA party that acts as a platform for womxn identified DJs to share their sound with the house community in LA; has shared the decks with the likes of Peggy Gou, Doc Martin, Marques Wyatt, and Riva Star; won the Unsung Hero award at Defector Records; and has toured the world, from LA, to Paris, to Amsterdam, to Mexico City.

This August, Mendoza made her debut at Defected Croatia, the annual house music festival on the shores of the Adriatic. Stay tuned for more music from the producer later this year.

shesaid.so: Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

I have been around music my whole life. Different styles of music and dance. Watching people dance made me love music. It must have been that conversation at the age of five.

shesaid.so: How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

I think all three, my background, upbringing and community have all given me the ear that picks up drum beats that call the heart, vocals for the soul and basslines that take you away. You name it. An Afro Latin girl that grew up in the melting pot that LA is.

shesaid.so: Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

My mentors, friends and life experiences give me the inspiration to write, dig and play music.

shesaid.so: Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

Dance like no one is watching. A mix to move your mind, body and soul.

shesaid.so: What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

This year has opened so many doors, and I am excited to announce my debut for Defected Croatia August 2022. I also have some tracks coming out this year and next year that I am super excited about.

Juliet Mendoza Tracklist

Patrice Scott - Come Inside

John Beltran - Resol

Specter, Byron the Aquarius Remix - Cold Sweat

Stefan Ringer - Body Language

Andrum- Underwater

Mike Agent X Clark - Deep in da Heat

The Wamdue Project - In the back of your Mind

Follow Juliet on Instagram: @juliet__mendoza

shesaid.so Mix 039: Maddy O'Neal

July 20, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with Maddy O’Neal, the Denver-based bass maestro who's making waves with her genre-hopping blend of glistening, melodic electro-soul, funky grooves and shrewd synth design.

The self-taught DJ and producer is one of the hardest working artists in dance music, having performed 90+ shows a year for the past five years. Flexing her diverse musical background during live shows where she incorporates original compositions, intricate drum pad performances, and immersive narratives, O’Neal has taken center stage at festivals like Electric Forest, Summer Camp, North Coast, and Camp Bisco.

A true leader in the male-dominated bass community, O’Neal is gearing up to release a forthcoming album that will contain a balance of sounds, tones, themes, and images - a consistently shifting experience that reflects Maddy’s out-of-the-box, genre-blending creative process. We caught up with the creative polymath ahead of a stacked summer tour schedule that’ll see her debut at Lollapalooza and Lost Lands and return to Same Same But Different and Secret Dreams.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

O'Neal: From as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by music and curious about how to dive deeper into the creation and communities I saw it connecting. I would tag along to shows with my older brother and pick his brain on what he was listening to constantly. My love for music has been an ever-evolving relationship, but I thank my upbringing for having it be constant in my childhood.

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

O'Neal: My dad was a big dead head, and my brother was in indie rock bands in St. Louis, where I grew up. I wasn't really fully introduced to what was going on in the electronic music world until moving to Boulder, CO, for college in 2008. Outside of DJ Shadow, Jamie xx, Animal Collective and whatever feed I was getting from my brother, I didn’t know about this entire underground world of electronic music. I was introduced to the whole world I am in now in such a golden era when Skrillex was just getting his start, and people like Big G, Griz, Pretty Lights etc., were all rising out of Boulder itself. It was a major inspiration to be so close to it all.

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

O'Neal: I draw inspiration from sooo many things— people, places, experiences— but mostly from other art. When I experience someone else’s art and passion for it, whether it be another song, a painting, writing etc. it really lights a fire in me. Pretty rad to experience humans just creating things and expressing themselves in all forms. It’s all I want to do and be a part of.

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

O'Neal: I started releasing house mixes over quarantine in 2020 when I was doing a lot of live streams and diving deep into all types of music. When I was asked to do this mix for “She Said So” I just immediately felt like boss bitch vibes…. So I kinda put together of a playlist of songs that made me feel like a boss and let ‘er rip.

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

O'Neal: I am finishing up my next full-length LP as we speak. It’s in the final mixing stages, and I’m SO incredibly proud of this body of work. I have put so much work into this album, learning new things, challenging myself, expanding my toolbox and really feeling the creative flow freely like never before. I’ll be releasing two more singles in July and August, leading up to the full release in September. We’ll be announcing a bunch of exciting fall dates as well. :-) I can’t wait to debut all this new music this fall!

shesaid.so Mix 038: RYL0

July 05, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so mix series continues this month with the LA-based artist RYL0, one of the most exciting voices coming out of the hyperpop scene.

The artist’s combination of infectious vocal melodies, bombastic electronic production, and strikingly candid online presence has led to inclusions on Spotify’s New Music Friday, Fresh Finds, and Hyperpop playlists; on lineups alongside the likes of Arca, Kero Kero Bonito, Alice Longyu Gao, and Umru; and on the stages of infamous hyperpop events such as Heav3n, Subculture, and New York’s sksksks party.

Through these ventures, RYL0 is paving new ground: she is a walking supernova of forward-thinking pop ideas and, as one of the few Black women in hyperpop, a pioneer for what kind of artists can be the face of this space. Following the May release of her, I’m the Worst!! mixtape, we caught up with the singer-songwriter and producer ahead of her opening performance for PC Music’s Namasenda on June 23.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

I don’t know if there’s one specific story as to when or how I fell in love with music in general. I just remember always loving it and listening to a lot of things growing up. I had a lot of alone time on my hands as an only child, so I was constantly consuming music and really digging for new finds from a very early age. When it comes to making music, I definitely remember always wanting to be a rock star, à la Hayley Williams. I didn’t even know I could really sing until about fifth grade, though. I auditioned for the school musical just to try something new, and I didn’t even tell my parents until afterward. From then on, I was hooked on musical theater and fell in love with performing. But even then, I didn’t feel the need to make music of my own until I really got into electronic music years later.

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

I didn’t grow up with a strong sense of community, really. I always felt like I didn’t fit in anywhere because my tastes never aligned with those of my peers. I was also quieter as an over imaginative weird kid, so it was hard to fully express myself at times. The first time I felt like I really found a community of my own was when I got into EDM in middle school. I loved how free the music felt, honestly. Especially hearing stuff like Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites… obviously a game changer. I became a full PLUR kandi kid shortly after I got into the scene– going to raves and getting my friends into it too. At the time, I found a real sense of myself through the rave community, and it’s definitely the reason I am where I am today. Getting into EDM over a decade ago brought me to making electronic music today in the form of hyperpop.

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

I think I’m constantly inspired by anything innovative that leaves an impression on me. I’ve realized recently that I’m a super impressionable person in general, so it really depends on what catches my attention at any particular moment in my life. Recently, I’ve been diving into the catalog of Ed Banger Records and that definitely inspired my approach to my mix! I’m also completely inspired by the work of trailblazer, Charli XCX and artists of PC Music. That can also totally be heard in my mix (and my music at large). I’m inspired by the concept of being innovative in general. I love it when people break rules and push the boundaries of a more traditional approach to artistry.

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

I have a lot of fun when making mixes because I don’t do it super often, and that makes me more inclined to go absolutely crazy with it. I think the general theme of all of my mixes is a lightly chaotic multi-genre collection of eclectic mashups, combining all my tastes and flipping all my favorites on their heads. I’ve been describing my style as “RYL0-core” because I think I can pretty much guarantee I’m always going to try to make the most insane mix you never knew you needed to hear. It's just the right amount of absolute nonsense, and sometimes shouldn’t work at all. I always find a way to get my ideas to translate, though, so that’s what you can expect to hear.

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

My second mixtape I’m the Worst !! came out in May, so for the past few months I was focused on finishing that up. Now that it’s wrapped, I’ve been working with new producers and honing in on my craft as a songwriter. I’ve been doing a lot of sessions with different people, trying to find what the next project might sound like. In the meantime, I’m just enjoying being able to perform a bunch. I went on a mini-tour in March and have been playing some pretty big parties like Heav3n and Subculture (both LA based). Looking forward to playing a few more shows this summer and have a few more releases that I’ll be featured on dropping in upcoming months!

Check out RYL0 on IG

shesaid.so Mix Series 037: Mary Droppinz

May 23, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with LA-based DJ and producer Mary Droppinz, whose eclectic signature sound combines her house and techno roots with electro-injected breaks, acid basslines, uplifting chords, and heavy kicks.

The buzzing selector has become a staple of the LA dance music community, performing at venues like Exchange, Academy, and Catch One, as well as festivals such as Desert Hearts and Minimal Effort’s All Hallows’ Eve.

Having started as a dancer before transitioning into DJing, Mary Droppinz channels her technical expertise and impeccable musical instincts to evoke feelings of transcendence during her performances. We caught up with the creative polymath ahead of her debut performance at Brooklyn’s vaunted Elsewhere venue this July.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

I fell in love with music when I was just a baby, my family always said I was dancing to Janet Jackson when I was growing up. I also went through a hard core emo phase in high school. I took piano classes and would join in drum circles. My dad plays drums, so watching him while growing up had a huge influence on my love for music.

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

Coming from Nebraska and having been into emo music I always used music as an escape tool to connect myself to something deeper, so once I discovered the house & techno scene in Southern California, it was almost instantaneous that this was my path. I really fell in love with deep house to begin with, but as I have grown in the past eight years, I have fallen truly in love with breaks. I think it’s a natural progression of a seasoned musical ear to get to other subgenres in house music, and that’s really what influenced where I am at now. Another pivotal moment into finding my sound was actually the pandemic. When everything shut down, I was forced to face that I wasn’t really feeling the music I had been listening to and there was something different perking up to my ears, and that was breaks. Breaks reignited the gangster inside me.

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

I solely move off of intuition, so that’s where I have drawn most of my inspiration from. Artists I look up to are Mall Grab, Ben UFO, Nikki Nair, Danny Daze, Peggy Gou, LSDXOXO Green Velvet and the Martinez Brothers.

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

I wanted to make a mix with only my original music, so that’s what I did!

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

I am working on a few exciting remixes and looking forward to playing in your city!

shesaid.so Mix Series 036: QRTR

April 21, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with Brooklyn-based producer QRTR. QRTR is one of electronic music’s most promising up-and-coming artists, making waves with her cinematic brand of house music where she fuses air-tight dance hooks with dreamy downtempo textures. This style has garnered praise from publications like Pitchfork, DJ Mag, BBC Radio 6’s Tom Ravenscroft, The Wire Magazine, Paste Magazine, XLR&R, and more.
The buzzing selector has showcased her hypnotic live sets on the same stages as Tokimonsta, Daedelus, Booka Shade, and Tiga. Fans can expect to hear more of QRTR’s unique sound at her upcoming Coachella debut on the DoLab Stage.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

I’ve loved music my whole life, but it wasn’t until I experienced my first music festival (Bonnaroo in 2014) that I realized I wanted to create my own music project. Attending that festival is one of my fondest memories, and I hope to be part of someone else’s musical journey the same way the artists I saw that weekend are very much part of mine.

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

I’ve been lucky enough to be part of Brooklyn nightlife for a decade now, and its eclectic nature definitely gave me the freedom and confidence to make the kind of music I make now.

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

I’m inspired by so many things — books about space and dystopian tech futures, films about interdimensional ruptures unraveling reality, gardening. I like to pull inspiration from other mediums, but I’m also inspired by many music artists such as Bicep, Caribou, Octo Octa, Jamie xx, Kelly Lee Owens, Four Tet, Jacques Greene, TOKiMONSTA, and so many more!!!

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

I just played a handful of tunes I’ve had on repeat lately, plus a couple new tracks of mine.

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

I’m working on new music and building out a new live set. At the moment, I’m gearing up for my very first Coachella. :)

QRTR on Instagram, or her website.

shesaid.so Mix Series 035: PENNYWILD

March 17, 2022 in Mix Series

The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with the multi-faceted PENNYWILD. The LA-based artist is a modern day renaissance woman. In addition to becoming a staple of the LA underground nightlife scene as a DJ and producer, she’s performed at festivals such as Coachella, SXSW, and HARD Summer, choreographed music videos for Zedd and RL Grime, and toured internationally with the Broadway musical West Side Story. The creative polymath imbues her productions and DJ sets with a sense of movement.

Now, in her mix, which showcases many of the artist’s original tracks, PENNYWILD presents a set of euphoric motion and fluidity — bridging the gap between her multiple defining art forms.

In 2022, PENNYWILD is releasing three new singles and a new EP, further entrenching her profile into the contemporary dance music canon.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

Growing up a “theatre” kid and competitive dancer, music was always in the fabric of my identity. Dance was my first love, but music was an integral part of that expression. Without music, I’d have no context to create. It wasn’t until I was in my early twenties, though, that I fell in love with electronic music. Seeing Grimes at my first ever music festival — I clearly was a late bloomer with concerts — was transformative. I saw her on stage and knew I needed to be there, doing the same thing. That performance changed my life forever.

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

I’ve always been fascinated by the connection between music and movement, and have been working tirelessly to bridge the gap between the art forms. House was always a style of dance that has heavily influenced my style. Growing up dancing in the brilliant Ephrat Asherie’s street styles dance company back in New York City.

Naturally, being a house dancer, I was exposed to a lot of house music. It’s no wonder I’ve gravitated towards that 4 on the floor sonic texture — it’s already in my body. Additionally, my theatre background plays a huge part in the types of vocals I gravitate towards — narrative, spoken expressions that propel a plot line forward.

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw a lot of inspiration from the big dogs — Childish Gambino, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Robyn, and more. In dance music, I’m really into Matvei, Dan Kye, Azealia Banks, Chris Lorenzo, amongst so so many others. I am a sponge for inspiration.

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

I took this opportunity to showcase a fair amount of my own work in this mix. You’ll hear tracks like “GET READY” and “SIDE STREETS” (off sophomore EP “NIGHT PEOPLE”), “Do It To Music” (off debut EP “MIDI In Motion”), an unreleased bootleg, etc. It’s taken me a long time to have enough of a catalog to feature multiple original tracks in a mix, and that’s something I’m really excited about. Pivoting careers at 22 years old and starting from ground zero with music production was an extremely humbling, challenging, and at times slow-moving experience, but I am happy to be working on my 3rd EP — I feel like I finally KIND OF know what I’m doing now (kind of, being the key word) ;)

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

I have three unreleased singles that I’m really excited about, as well as an unreleased EP. You’ll be hearing a lot more from me in 2022, and I cannot wait to drop some stuff I’ve been sitting on for so long, as well as some accompanying movement-based visuals.

PENNYWILD Socials

https://www.pennywildmusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/pennywildmusic/

https://twitter.com/PennyWildMusic

https://www.facebook.com/PennyWildMusic/

https://soundcloud.com/pennywild

shesaid.so Mix Series 034: LP Giobbi

February 16, 2022 in Mix Series

At the end of this month, Leah Chisolm, better known as LP Giobbi, kicks off a tour of North America. A musical experience which will deliver electrifying house nights, supported by FEMME HOUSE workshops at every stop. She’ll be joined by UK talent Bklava as they visit Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia amongst others. Ahead of this, LP Giobbi (Austin, TX) delivers this month’s SSSO mix. We caught up with the artist to find out the inspiration behind her mix and what’s influenced her sound.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

I was raised by music lovers and music appreciators, so it was just always around me in abundance. I begged my parents for piano lessons when I was in 2nd grade and they found me the most amazing teacher/human/creator ever! I studied with her all the way until I graduated high school and left home. She cultivated creativity and joy of music beyond anything else!

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

I was raised by Deadheads so jam bands were what I grew up on. Psychedelic house music is my favorite and very much influenced my upbringing. I sampled a Grateful Dead guitar loop 2 minutes into the mix ;-)

Who or where do you draw inspiration from?

Anything that is fun or joyful I draw inspiration from!

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

I built the mix around The Weeknd’s “Take My Breath” breakdown where it drops into that synthy Daft Punk style arp. The second I heard it I knew I wanted to loop it and throw it into a mix so I picked tracks in the same key that would vibe with that particular part and then flowed from there. This mix is a bit headier. Stuff I would play at the after after after.

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

About to head out on our first ever Femme House (my non profit that teaches women and gender expansive folks how to produce music) Tour! Doing free in person workshops in each city during the day, teaching Intro to Ableton, and then all female / gender expansive lineups at night! And I’ll be releasing a longer body of work this year and playing more shows than I ever have. Super excited to play in Ibiza, Croatia and Brazil all for the first time this year!

Femme House Tour Info

LP Giobbi Website

LP Giobbi Instagram

LP Giobbi Facebook

shesaid.so Mix Series 033: Tina Edwards

January 27, 2022 in Mix Series

The mixing style of British DJ Tina Edwards is a bricolage of musical influences. Growing up in London with a strong musical education, Edwards has always appreciated a diverse range of genres and sounds. In her DJ sets she brings together contemporary and uncovered gems, large-scale jazz, funk, disco, a spectrum of house music, and even left-field pop. As a result of this expert crate-digging and impeccable mixing intuition, Edwards has been featured on Boiler Room, shared line-ups with the likes of Giles Peterson and Charlie Dirk, and procured a 5-year-running residency at Worldwide FM. Across these platforms Edwards continues to champion UK Jazz, the fulcrum of her musical identity and a style defined by a bridging of jazz and club culture.

Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.

My parents were always supportive of my curiosity for music. I owe a lot to them. They took me to guitar and piano lessons and didn’t hold me back when I wanted to leave one instrument in order to try another. My mum once said to me that of all the things she could have passed on to me, a love of music is the one that’s most important to her. One of the most precious memories from my childhood is jumping on the sofa with my mum as we sang at the top of our lungs to Tiffany’s “I think we’re alone now”.

How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?

I was lucky to grow up in a multicultural school in London. I took up tabla lessons when I was 7, and my school offered every child steel pan lessons after school. I think those opportunities left me with a curiosity and comfort with rhythm. When my family and I moved to the Isle Of Wight, I took up singing and began to find my musical identity, and it’s been constantly evolving since. DJing and a love of records came much, much later — in my adult life. After my A levels I went to music college doing vocals and drums (often at the same time). But it was sharing other people’s music that’s always gotten me most excited.

From where or whom do you draw inspiration?

My inspirations change from day to day. Right now, I’m inspired by the DJs that I most love listening to; Folamour and Hunee. There’s an element of boogie and groove and they’re never restricted by genre. I’m really feeling Dave Lee at the moment, too. Jazz is huge for me, especially for the impulsive energy of a Jazz dancefloor. My mixes come together through that lens. Away from DJing, I take inspiration from Bjork, drag culture and the people around me.

Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?

The kind of music I find it impossible to stay still to when playing out.

What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?

My Four Corners takeover at Brixton in Jamm, with Rebecca Vasmant, Tim Garcia, Mama Jo and Rosy Ross. A collection of DJs that I can’t wait to make a party with on 5th Feb! I’m hoping to play in Germany — I had a tour scheduled for January 2022 but unfortunately, venues are closed whilst they battle with COVID. For now, I’m getting my kicks from playing out as much as I can. I’m still a baby DJ (I’ve been playing for four years) so I’m excited to make my debut in more club spaces and festivals this year.

Follow Tina Edwards on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook