Female DJs are Stronger than Ever
What more can we say about International Women’s Month? #BreakTheBias should not only be a theme filtering throughout our minds today but 365 days of the year. I want to home in and celebrate a few female DJs we have gracing our decks worldwide.
Now is the time to release the stigma around them on the music scene and know you can have it all… You can be hot on the turntables, whilst activating your femininity. Who’s ready to come into this new world with me? Who has had enough of shying away from our creative female life force? It’s time to get that sacral (second chakra energy point, located below the navel) at the forefront of our innovations.
I believe DJing and producing is still a male-dominated industry – although some would argue this point. Most global events and line-ups are bursting with male artists, but where are our women? Today, I want to share four powerful females I’ve watched across planet earth.
Lauren Lane
First up on the line-up is Lauren Lane, an LA-based artist. Everything about this girl oozes what I want to talk about. She literally does have it all!
The Tech House Queen has played at Coachella, Glastonbury, Tomorrowland, and BPM. Without forgetting Nevada’s homegrown, Burning Man. A personal favorite of mine – I’ve twirled around to her 90s inspired sunrise set at Disco Knights camp, in 2019. The vibe was fierce girl bands and lots of fun.
Releasing remixes such as Nic Fanciulli’s, Wild and TLC’s, Creep – this little lady is ever-growing on the scene and riding surf waves in her free time. With a style that compliments her power on the decks – you’ll find her in colorful braids, rocking glitter, and wearing platforms. She’s one you cannot miss and I’m always excited for what’s next on Lane’s agenda.
Maya Jane Coles
Moving on to London’s own Maya Jane Coles. She is a producer, audio engineer, artist, and DJ who has streamed this creative world in her 34 years. At the forefront of the LGBT community – her style and charisma come from her Japanese roots. She has a kawaii (cute in Japanese) flair, whilst pushing the boundaries both musically and with her individual style.
Back in the day, I’ve watched Maya in Space Ibiza and she has sets that you’ll never forget. Techno music is her forte while having hip-hop and dub influences. She is my utmost favorite of artists. I cannot put into words the feelings and emotions that arise when listening to her productions.
Coles on the remix of Rudimental’s, Free ft. Emeli Sandé and Nas, The XX’s, Fiction, and her earlier releases of Easier to Hide. It’s simple to recognize one of her releases. Think dark, mysterious, trippy hysteria. It’s difficult not to fall in her love with her on stage as well as off. She is cool, quirky, and flows with skills - with global gigs and a Radio 1 residency in the UK.
Nina Kraviz
The Russian life force, Nina Kraviz owns her creativity, sexuality, and duality of feminine and masculine energy. She is an inspiration for us females out there – whether that be in our work or personal lives. She owns her art and who she is, and she isn’t afraid of speaking her truth.
Some years back she did an interview in the bathtub, which ended up showcasing how much despair we are still in between the sexes. It brought her under scrutiny in the media and people started to question her DJing, producing, and singing talent.
I believe if this was a male DJ in the bath, being interviewed, and then sprawled across media and social platforms – not many would bat an eye! The fact she is a stereotypically beautiful female, doing what she loves, speaking her truth, and in a male-dominated world. The public and people in the music industry could not bear this thought – with an old-fashioned view of how the world and women should look and behave.
Kraviz’s remix of Jessie Ware’s, Keep on Lying is one track of hers that really stands out for me. The ghostly voice of Ware has a heavy Techno beat in the background – bringing together a truly powerful collaboration of two authority figures in the industry.
Having watched her in Hideout festival, Croatia and BPM, Mexico - I love her and know many others are behind her 100%! Keep going Nina – regardless of the past haters. A lot of time it’s something that hasn’t healed in themselves and owning your confidence only brings out people’s insecurities.
Kraviz’s energy is something to match, and you can tell how much strength goes into your performances and productions alike.
Ida Enberg
I want to talk about this Swedish techno DJ and producer because after starting her journey as early as 18-years-old. She stepped out into this world and now is a name at the end of many fans’ tongues.
She is married to DJ Adam Beyer, and they have three children together. For me, she is the epitome of having it all! Their children often travel with them, and she leads the way for many issues we have in the world. I follow her on getting the word out for veganism, the misuse of plastic, her art prints, and music.
I have raved to her set at Exit festival, Serbia in 2017. And she has been on line-ups singularly and alongside her husband – mostly playing at U60311 (Frankfurt), Space (Miami), Gashouder (Amsterdam), and Pacha and DC10 (Ibiza).
Standing up for what’s right, being a beautiful mummy, having a partnership with another successful artist, and traveling the world may seem like a tough job. But let’s be honest, Ida seems to be doing this swimmingly. I assume she doesn’t come across an issue or two but the persona she has gets her across the globe doing what she loves. Then brings her back home to the ground - with her stable family setting.
Pushing Boundaries
I have only touched upon some of the females who have stood out for me. This is a subject I could go more into detail with and speak of the copious amounts of performances I’ve watched over my 33 years. Whether that be in the depths of a rave in Ibiza or one of my adorned festivals. I’ll continue to love, watch, and show my support to women in the industry.
#BreakTheBias today, right now, in this precious moment we call life. Let’s support each other as you would your mother, lover, sister, BFF. I’m fed up with having this conversation about women in the industry and I would say – on the electronic music scene. Get more females on the line-ups, have women-only events, and think outside the box!
We are allowed to be talented, beautiful, successful, family-orientated, in a stable relationship, and anything else we want to have in our life. We too can have it all – it’s not only for the males of this world. Push boundaries, activate your femineity and step outside of this out-of-date culture that’s enforced on us daily.
Bio:
Larissa Wignall is a writer, professional nomad, yogi, and music addict. She is from the UK and has lived in the Middle East for eight and half years. Traveling for as long as she can remember - she has been to 52 countries and counting. Next on her agenda is Nepal, Bali, Central, and South America. She loves the combination of art, music, travel, and wellness. And women’s rights will always be at the forefront of her discussions and storytelling.
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