GET TO KNOW
Maria Believskaia aka Maruwa channels forceful energy, effortlessly blending trance, progressive house, and techno in her productions and on dance floors worldwide. Her signature sound combines the nostalgic elements of the ‘90s and early 2000s, enriched with a modern twist. Now based in (and inspired by) Frankfurt, she has carved her niche with several multifaceted EPs on labels like Steel City Dance Discs and X-Kalay.
Her remixes, on both scene veterans like Dusky, Skream, Catz ‘n’ Dogz, and underground artists like Azo, Subsism, Denham Audio, and others have found their way into the hearts of ravers around the world. One can catch her delivering a long opening at Robert Johnson or a daytime set at Intercell, igniting vigorous mornings at Panora- ma Bar, or navigating the deeper nights in Nantes Macadam.
In this interview, Maria shares her experiences with hearing damage and the crucial role of earplugs in her career discusses the impact of sober touring on her performances, and reflects on her genre-fluid style and the challenges it brings. She also delves into her journey as a DJ and producer, the influence of the 90s on her work, and the evolving attitudes towards women in electro- nic music. Additionally, Maruwa offers insights into the effects of social media on the DJ indus- try and the commercialization of the DJ image.
Join us as we explore the multifaceted world of Maruwa, her resilience, and her unwavering commitment to her craft.
HER BEGINNINGS
Maruwa began her music career as a producer before becoming a DJ a few years later. During her teenage years, she produced piano and ambient music, played keys in a rock band, and studied classical piano in musical college. Her brother, who had a home studio and performed at under- ground clubs, introduced her to electronic dance music and synthesizers, regularly giving her CDs with new electronic music.
Her first track was an EDM big room house tune, followed by a hip-hop phase where she produced chill, instrumental tracks with jazz and soul in- fluences. Despite gaining followers in the USA, she achieved a different success in her own coun- try. Around this time, she started DJing in clubs and aimed to create music for the dancefloor.
“A turning point came when a friend introduced me to lo-fi house producers like DJ Seinfeld and Mall Grab. Their rough, nostalgic sound amazed me, and they were the first producers I shared my tracks with. In 2018, DJ Seinfeld played one of my tunes in a club, a pivotal moment.
Shortly after, Mall Grab, who had a new label called Steel City Dance Discs, responded to my mail and expressed interest in releasing my tracks. This was a crucial point in my career, marking the beginning of the Maruwa producer and DJ project”.
THE NEW WAVE OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC
Maruwa believes the surge in fast BPMs in elec- tronic dance music post-pandemic was driven by people’s desire for high-energy raves to make up for the long isolation period. The revival of rave culture and the sounds of 90s music played significant roles in this trend. However, after a period dominated by fast-paced beats, she pre- dicts a natural shift towards slower, groovier, and more soulful tracks.
“Music trends often follow cyclical patterns, and after a period of fast-paced music, there might be a shift toward slower, more groovy, and soulful tracks. I believe the BPM will slow down—it’s an inevitable process—but it’s difficult to predict what genre will be the next big thing. I already feel the energy on the dance floors starting to shift, and I’m really curious to see where it will take us”.
Emerging music trends, according to Maruwa, are typically sparked by passionate producers and individuals running independent labels, niche communities, and small clubs. When a local trend gains enough momentum, it can evolve into a mainstream movement and feature on larger festival stages. However, as the market becomes saturated with a particular sound, the trend starts to decline, making room for new and inno- vative sounds to emerge.
“With the sound I play now, I took a lot of inspi- ration from the Berlin progressive house scene. However, I also draw a lot of inspiration from the techno scene, including artists like Anetha, Daria Kolosova, DJ Gigola, Hyperaktivist, and Ki/Ki”.
Maruwa attributes the widespread obsession with 90s music in the electronic scene to that era’s golden age of innovation. The 90s saw the advent of affordable synthesizers, drum machi- nes, and samplers, which democratized music production and led to the birth of groundbreaking genres like techno, trance, house, and jungle. This period of experimentation and creativity resona- tes deeply with her, as it does with many young adults who find comfort in the nostalgia of a carefree childhood.
“The ‘90s were a golden era of innovation in music production, when affordable synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers appeared on the market, which enabled more people to produce music.
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