KAURNA COUNTRY - ADELAIDE
DJ, LIVE ACT/MUSICIAN, PRODUCER
HOUSE, TECHNO, TRANCE
How did you end up as a part of the music industry? Have you observed much change since then?
I grew up playing music and singing from a young age and have always been in the music world. I started moving into the world of electronic music when I was 20. The one thing I have noticed is a change in the industry in that it's getting more inclusive and diverse. It seems that discriminatory behaviour isn't flying anymore and people are making an effort to nip that behaviour in the bud. There are also more and more non-male people working in the electronic scene which is great to see and will only encourage more women to give DJ'ing or music production a go. If you can see it, you can be it.
Tell us about your sound/work...
I try to keep my work diverse and versatile while I am at the beginning of my practice and career. I am an extremely curious person so I like to give many different things a go, but of course, there are the styles that I naturally gravitate towards more. I love the house music that is coming out of Europe at the moment that sits around 126 (think Youandewan) which I have been playing while Adelaide dance-floors are prohibited and of course, my techno roots began with playing at underground raves for friends. Recently I moved into the experimental realm, performing live shows with my creative partner Sonny, that use synths and saxophone to present a curation of live instrumental experimentation with minimalist techno mixing. I also have begun composing for electronic instruments using graphical score notation and just finished my first piece made for Theremin called "404 page not found". Ultimately I am still exploring where I want my work to take me and hope to release my debut EP consisting of vocals and electronic sounds in the summer of 2023.
While studying a Bachelor of Music, I explored a unit on diversity in the music industry and cultural inclusion. If this kind of education continues for those who are about to enter the music industry, it's going to become a much healthier and happier place.
Do you have any new work coming out that you'd like to tell us about?
I have a mix coming out with Brazilian radio show Radio Disque in late November and a couple of exciting projects in the works in regards to moving into the world of radio which is exciting. I am also a resident DJ for Red Sessions Events which is a collective based in Naarm so borders permitting I will be spending some more time in your neck of the woods.
As it stands we don't have too many WIP Project members based on Kaurna Country... yet! Are you able to share some fellow industry professionals that should be on our radar?
Adelaide has such a beautiful bunch of non-male artists in the scene and it's inspiring to be around them. Some of the OG of Adelaide include Ruby who runs Lush Dance Party, Milk Paste, Felicity Aukett, Danvers, Mell Hall and Mell Lake. DJ Claude is also an exciting contemporary artist and we also DJ together under the name "Claude Monet", Claude's mixes of trance and ghetto techno are ones to watch.
How do you practice self-care?
I read and journal a lot, also therapy. I find whenever I am feeling anxious it's usually because I am in my head and haven't made the time to check in with myself or I'm spending way too much time on social media. Disengaging from social media and taking the time to read, play guitar or piano, or do something that requires my full attention helps.
What's the last really fun thing you did?
The last really fun thing I did was have a mix with a bunch of people at a friends house. The crew in Adelaide is so wholesome that everyone feels comfortable letting loose and dancing. It doesn't matter what you look like it's just about having fun, which I love. Although that said, I always wear a pair of sunglasses while dancing cause I hate making eye contact on the dance floor lol.
How do you practice self-care?
I read and journal a lot, also therapy. I find whenever I am feeling anxious it's usually because I am in my head and haven't made the time to check in with myself or I'm spending way too much time on social media. Disengaging from social media and taking the time to read, play guitar or piano, or do something that requires my full attention helps.
What’s your favourite record at the moment and why?
My favourite wax right now is from Adelaide Legend DJ HMC (aka Late Nite Tuff Guy) 'Phreakin' (1995) by Dirty House Records. The track I can't stop spinning is the B side "Cum On". The vocal goes with so much and I love the acid melody on top.
What or who inspires you?
My inspirations in the world of electronic music are all the kick-ass women pioneers. Wendy Carlos, Delia Derbyshire, Elaine Radigue and Daphne Oram were all instrumental in bringing electronic music out of academic studios into the popular zeitgeist, however, received little recognition in comparison to their male contemporaries. They not only created amazing pioneering work but were also working in the 50s, 60s and 70s in spaces dominated by men at a time where workplace equality was non-existent. These women were badass!
What are your predictions for the future of dance music and the industry?
Dance music will only get more popular in the future and I see the industry become more and more inclusive. While studying a Bachelor of Music, I explored a unit on diversity in the music industry and cultural inclusion. If this kind of education continues for those who are about to enter the music industry it's going to become a much healthier and happier place. The change I'd love to see is more house and techno on the radio waves, good music deserves to be shared.
Is there any advice you would give to aspiring DJs?
Love music, that's my main advice. If you love and understand music you are halfway there! Track selection is the most important thing in a mix.
Check out Em's WIP Profile Page for more!
