Transcription
I think it's stupid to say that you have to produce to be a real artist. [Music] But do you think the virality has anything to do with the fact that you're like, outrageously hot?
I went to this with this little controller to every gig. People said, "Oh, you're not a real DJ because you're not playing on CDJs." As the new generation just means that you can really mix what you want. I think for women, you'll never be a real DJ for some people. What do they bring to the table? And then I have to always dress up and perform and do all these things. Now, when you come to an after-hour and you go to the Shady before, what are you bringing to the after-hour? But I think you're bringing club persona.
Yeah, this is already the question, Luisa. Why not? Sometimes it's us, um, like this chocolate drinks. I mean, for after-hours, you can bring everything. I guess it's really popular in America, too. Really? And we didn't know it's German. Like, I didn't learn that it was German until I moved here. We just call it Capri Sun. It's spelled—yeah, I mean, I only know that it's called Capri Zona, and then I realized, "Oh, it's Capri Sun." Maybe it's not German because I also thought it's German. It is based in Germany and Switzerland, and it was invented by a guy called Rudolph Wilt. Oh my God, this is also who does [ __ ]. So just imagine the guy who invented this has now a street named after him where his company is sitting. Screen. He said goals.
Okay, I think that people might think—maybe people who have been introduced to your music more recently might think that you're one of these like new generation DJs who have been sort of like discovered during the pandemic—but you've actually been DJing for a really long time, right? I mean, do I—do you identify as a new generation DJ?
Good question. Um, I mean, I played for a while; that's true. Officially started in 2017, but in—um—more like Latin stuff, hip-hop, like this kind of like stuff with flavor. Yes, I can really like check yes, and in my free time, I went to techno parties. And then during the pandemic, I was just like feeling it more and more that I want to explore this side, and then I got somehow discovered through her. I think maybe it's the her generation, which is kind of the new generation, but I think the new generation just means that you can really mix what you want. And before, there was like a huge separation: either you like hip-hop or you like electronic music. It's nice that this has been changed. I mean, it's cool that you can just do your thing. It was always my dream to kind of bring these two together. I mean, and then during Covid, I just found more music, and also with ghettotech, and I think also a lot of people discovered ghettotech during that time, so there was just a lot of new music out which I can finally love to play because before I was like, okay, I can mix it a little bit myself, but then a lot of producers who really know what to do—what they do—produce some nice tricks. And yeah, that was my time. Okay, cool. I can play this, this, and I could play cool sets that people liked. People really like them. One of your sets now has—I was, of course, checking it before you came—1.5 million releases.
Yeah, I mean, for everybody—of all of the 5,000 DJs who have played those sets—do you have any um, tips for like how to play a viral live stream? I just can't say that—um—when I did her, I was super nervous. I was like, "I don't know." They went through all the stages, and then when I arrived, I was like, "Okay, let's pack," and I just packed it and just gave you all, and then I think this is how it worked, you know? And you're just like, "Ah, just do it." I mean, have fun; just give you all. You are clearly having a lot of fun. I mean, that's like what's so nice to watch that because it seems like—I would never have guessed that you were nervous because you look like you're having a blast; like you're dancing in such an authentic, enjoy—oh my God, I—I had to deal with so much nervousness during this whole career. You kind of believe it. But do you think the virality has anything to do with the fact that you're like outrageously hot?
I don't know, maybe. But there are also other hot DJs. I mean, yeah, but I mean, it's a factor. I mean, many of them also have good, you know, stats. I guess it helps. I mean, yes, I think—especially during Covid, we had more video material. I think it was also a chance for a lot of girls to be seen. Yeah, so I think also with this new generation, we had like a lot of—yeah—more women than before, which is fab.
When people ask you like, "Are you a DJ who produces? Are you a producer who DJs?" Like there's so many politics around whether or not you produce. Yes, do you want to do that? Do you feel like you have to do that? Yes. I think there's a lot of pressure to be a producer, but I think you can also give a [ __ ] because there are a lot of DJs who only DJ, and I think it's stupid to say that you have to produce to be a real artist. I don't know. I think people always have to kind of make it more a profession so it's not so easily reachable for other people. Gatekeeping. Oh yeah, there's a word for that. This is how I also started, and I went to this with this little controller to every gig. Had my little bag with me, had my laptop there, and I was also—people said, "Uh, you're not a real DJ because you're not playing on CDJs," but I'm like, "Yeah, but where and how can I practice?" So I had to do my year of being a controller DJ until I was able to buy these two DJs, and then I could practice on them. And now I'm thinking about vinyls, but it's just also like a process. It's not that you are a DJ and then you have all the skills and you're—I mean, some people maybe are, but it's also okay if you just get the skills along the way, you know? And you don't have to get all the skills; you don't have to play on vinyls.
Did that ever discourage you though, when people in that year—when people were saying, "You're not a real DJ"? I think for women, you're never a real DJ for some people because they always find—"Oh, it's just because of your look, it's just because of that," or I don't know; they always find the reason why you're not a real DJ. So I think it's good to have a thick skin and just—like—to be honest, I don't want a DJ like you guys. You can do your I don't know, nerdy stuff there if you like; you can jerk off in the mirror and be a nerd. Exactly. I want to have fun, and this is my message: ready to die, ready to have fun. Sign me up. Sounds like a person I want to be friends with for sure. I was also—I'm also kind of against this um, perfectionism because mistakes happen, and it's just always more a question of who's doing the mistake because I think sometimes I saw so many guys who were like so bad mistakes or even drunk or too high, and then if a woman makes a mistake or she's maybe a little bit drunk or whatever, it's just like, "Oh, she's such a—" I mean, it's—it's kind of differently, you know, yeah, categorized, which is called a double standard, and like I—I think that you're—yeah—not everybody has this like—I call it like a [ __ ] you bone—do you know what I'm saying? Not everybody can be criticized and just be like, "Okay," and go on, you know? There are some people who are really deeply sensitive to people's criticism, and I think this is probably the wrong industry for them if they feel that way.
Okay, we are going to pause and play a quick game, okay, called "Would You Rather." It's basically just more questions, just totally in a different way—like in a different format. Okay, would you rather play a major festival for no money or play a gig for no one for triple your normal booking fee? It really depends on the situation. If I really need money, I would definitely go for the money, but if I'm like chill—but right now, I would say I would go for the bigger one, but it depends if it's also important to me. So it depends on the festival. I'm super—I'm super complicated, okay, when it comes to jobs. I heard it even from other people. I think that people who always say kind of yes, yes—is it like aligning with me? And I—that's just what everybody can do to be honest. I mean, I just think that a DJ should think of themselves as like brands kind of and—or like honestly, maybe it sounds dehumanizing—but as a product, and like, "Does this—does this gig, does this party, does this place, does this festival align with the spirit of what you're doing?" Yeah, you're trying to market the message you're trying to put in the world, your image. Yes or no. And yeah, I mean, whatever—there—it's also privileged to be able to say that. Yes, exactly, exactly situation, but I think that's smart, and I would even—I think it's smart in the beginning to be like, "Okay, maybe I don't need that 2K; it's more important for me to say no now to get that 4K later for something that really—yeah—speaks to—" So it really depends on the situation, which is always the best answer. Okay, would you rather have to move back to Moabit or have to move back to Hellersdorf? It's very easy because the area where I was born—like the whole East Berlin and also like a little bit out—that's very racist. So as soon as it kind of—sometimes—leave the ring, it's not so safe for you. I will not be visiting Hellersdorf anytime soon. Thank you. Would you rather have to erase all of your social media accounts or give up your entire wardrobe and all of your furniture? Oh, I would give my wardrobe and furniture. I'm ready for something new. Look how cute your outfit is. Yeah. Okay, well, maybe you need to move, and maybe your furniture—I'm so ready to move; I just need some plug but not to help. Oh, this one was inspired by your recent horse set. Would you rather have to listen to air horns—like—uh—for an hour or sirens for an hour? Wow, so it's like [Music] um, how do I like to suffer more, exactly? Yeah, I think sirens. Okay, yeah. I grew up next to a hospital and also like on the Main Street, so I just heard it all the time—like even on the night. I think I just can't sleep on it. Oh, it's your lullaby. Okay, well, that was not as hard as it should have been. Would you rather be stuck on an island with a bunch of random DJs or a bunch of random fans? DJs that needs no explanation. Would you rather go on a date with me or would you rather go on a date with our producer over there with you? Okay, thank you. Um, would you rather go on a date with me tonight after this interview or go on a date with me tomorrow? You can also say both. I think tomorrow. Okay, perfect. Cool. It's in the calendar. Okay, back to our normal—normal Q session; end of that segment. Is there a difference between who you are in your normal day-to-day life and like your club persona? Of course. Okay. I think we all have different personalities, right? Yeah, for example, when we are with our parents—oh, it would work—and we meet someone we have business with. So I think we all always bring out different personalities, and I think when I'm at the club, it just—yeah—try to—and this also a little kind of work that you prepare yourself—that you are in this mood to have this fun vibe because I—I don't know—I'm not a machine; I—not can I—cannot produce these fun vibes all the time, you know? So this is also work for me; that's why I have to be on myself out by my own, you know, just to kind of recharge, so when the weekend happens, I can be this funny or like this person that really enjoys playing and, you know, be in this moment. I mean, it's also kind of your duty as a DJ, right? You know, you're kind of a professional fun maker—like fun—and I don't know, but I feel like back in the days it was not like this. Nightlife runs on like enjoyment and exchange and community and like ultimately fun. I think so, even if it's not that like you have to talk to a bunch of people, but even if you're just playing music, it's like you kind of want to bring a fun energy, but maybe you can also just show up and be like [ __ ] everybody. Yeah, this is also what I do, sorry, because I'm not—like I said—I'm not a machine. I'm very um, impressed by people who are DJs because when you are a DJ, you really play every weekend. When you're maybe an artist, a singer, you have a tour or you have like—yeah—you have your concert tour, and then you perform, but then you have also your rest. For a DJ, I mean, how many weekends do you take off? You—you're on the stage every weekend, and I mean, of course, sometimes I have a lot of fun and I can play around with the people, but sometimes I'm also just like, "Hey, I'm playing here today; I want to maybe just focus on my mixing or whatever," so it's not maybe that I dance around, you know? And then I also get it from promoters—"Oh, are you fine? You are not dancing," and I'm like, "Yeah, I'm not supposed to dance every time. I'm not here, you know, if I want to dance, especially like it—I do it; if not, it's not like this," right? You also have to do your job—like it's a job at some point. Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's a job, but it's—it's—it's also me. I cannot like, "Okay, dance if I don't feel the dance. I don't dance," and I think this should be also okay because a lot of men who play, they don't dance at all; they don't even dress up. Where is—what they—what do they bring to the table? You know? And then I have to always dress up and perform and do all these things. No. What is the best advice you've received in the past year? "Don't give up."
Were you thinking about giving up? So many times. I mean, not everything, but it's just like sometimes you just really ask yourself if you've made the right decisions, and not only in this like DJ thing but also like in other things—like for example, Texas stuff and how you do your taxes here, you know? And then you're like, "Oh, was it really worth to go through all of this?" Which, in case doesn't know, is a [ __ ] nightmare in Germany. As an artist, you can have a Lucia Lou Knight at any club that you want, and all of the DJs that you ask will be confirmed. What club would you choose, and what would the lineup look like? Maybe I would go to Atlanta, even though I was not there. Book one of these strip clubs, Magic City. Yes, the legendary. You got out to Magic City because I just saw it on Pinterest—how it looks—this like—like a fairy tale, right? Okay, so Magic City—yeah—just turn it into a rave for one night. It would be fun, I guess. Okay, well, now that you've planted this seed, I'm like the frogs are working. Okay, but who would you book at the Magic City Rave? I think people that are—of course, the special McRT DVBD of course is part of the team. I think that Boombox—I think in this kind of direction—has to be like kind of sexy tech though. Yeah, of course, I play there. Yeah, well, of course, you're headlining, duh. Who else would headline? If you were gonna die and come back and be reincarnated as something, what do you think you would come back as? I hope as a man—a man who produces. I always wanted to be a man. I think even until like recently, I just discovered parts of me that still wanted and don't accept that I'm a woman. If you had to play a track at this after-hour right now, what would you play? What I would play now—maybe the name was Hamburger—of the producer; it was a special edit, but you found out—was the track name. Perfect. We'll add it in here, but I'm just feeling the vibes, and I know it's good because it's always good. It's good; it's good. Trust me.