Experiments with equipment and sound gave rise to genres like techno, trance, house, and jungle. Apart from that, for many young adults, the 90s evoke memories of carefree childhood, and recalling these nostalgic moments can feel very comforting nowadays, especially given the current global instability with ongoing wars”.
“In my sets, I play a lot of old tunes from the 90s and 2000s, blending them with contemporary productions. This allows me to create a nostalgic yet fresh experience”.
Her enthusiasm for the future of electronic music is palpable. She sees the current shifts and changes as part of a larger, exciting evolution in the scene. As trends rise and fall, she remains committed to exploring new sounds and keeping her sets dynamic and engaging. Her journey from producing piano and ambient music as a teenager to becoming a renowned DJ and producer reflects her passion and dedication to her craft. With each performance, she continues to push the envelo- pe, creating unforgettable experiences for her audiences and contributing to the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music.
EXPERIENCE WITH HEARING DAMAGE AND MANAGING IT AS A DJ
“After three years of DJing weekly, I suddenly lost the ability to hear high frequencies in one ear, It took me three weeks to recover from that. I made custom earplugs but initially found them uncom- fortable for mixing, so I only wore them outside of performances. Three years later, I experienced the same issue again after ADE 2023, leading to a month-long recovery period. I had to learn to perform with earplugs, making mistakes at first but ultimately finding it better than risking deafness. Now, I never enter a club without earplugs. DJS must use earplugs from the start and get used to mixing with them to protect their hearing. Immediate medical attention and therapy are essential for sudden hearing loss to prevent permanent damage or tinnitus”.
“Start using earplugs as soon as you begin DJing. Although it might initially be uncomfortable and lead to mistakes, it’s crucial for long-term hearing health. Consistency and practice with earplugs are key, and over time, it will become second nature”.
This message not only shares a significant personal story but also offers practical and educational advice to the DJ community on the importance of auditory protection from the beginning of their careers.
ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND WOMEN
“When I started my career as a music producer in 2015, I remember hearing advice like, don’t try to break into this genre; men dominate it. It’s impos- sible to succeed there as a woman, even if your music is good. Of course, things have improved significantly since then, and attitudes towards women and all FLINTA artists in the art and elec- tronic music fields have gotten better. However, I believe further progress is still needed. We are still far from achieving true equality and inclusivity”.
“While many promoters book female and FLINTA artists just to “check the box,” some genres of electronic dance music remain male-dominated, and FLINTA and queer artists are still underre- presented in headlining festival slots. Additionally, it is important to see more FLINTA individuals in leadership and technical positions at clubs and festivals. This would help to drive systematic change from within. Despite these challenges, it´s great to see many small festivals, clubs, and organizations actively promoting diversity and inclusion”.
“I hope to see more of these initiatives in the future, becoming standard practice even for mainstream festivals. FLINTA and queer artists deserve to feel respected and supported in their work environments, free from harassment and discrimination, and to have the same creative freedom as their peers”.
Regarding social media, Maria sees it as a power- ful tool for visibility and community building, allowing artists to reach large audiences without massive marketing campaigns. However, she also recognizes the downsides, such as the pressure to maintain a certain image, which can detract from the artistic process.
“The pressure to maintain a certain image can detract from the artistic process. Not every DJ and artist is comfortable showing their lifestyle, behind-the-scenes activities, and personal inte- rests, but nowadays it seems an essential part of the game that cannot be skipped. For exam- ple, it’s difficult for me to imagine that artists like Burial or Deadmau5 (or any artist who prefers not to reveal their face) would grow as quickly today as artists who regularly post selfies and videos from performances”.
“While I see a lot of talented artists struggling with social media at the moment, I hope that in the future, we can find a good balance and adapt to rapid technological progression”.
Text by: Sergio Niño
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mixmagde.com
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