Back for the fourth installment of his monthly resident show on Aaja, Tanner invites along Julia, an artist who, despite being early in her DJ journey, has spent the last two years honing her craft via a growing selection of carefully curated mixes and radio appearances. With an impressive knowledge of dance music and its many facets, Julia’s less-is-more approach to her creative output shows a level of skill and attention to detail that is usually found in artists with much more skin in the game. 

Co running Monde Radio, an online radio station with 10 hosts across London and Bristol, Julia explores her passion for emotionally charged sounds via her own show, championing new and upcoming artists that span a deep, reflective and often euphoric tone. Drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of club genres including prog house, breaks, techno, electro and trance, Julia’s mixes deliver a tantalizing blend of forward thinking rhythms and melodies.

Listen to the show here and read the interview below.

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Q: Name/Pronouns/Where are you based? ‍

A: Julia (she/her) SE London.

‍Q: Tell us about your mix for the show, what was the concept you had in mind for it? 

A: Deep melodic breaks into euphoric progressive house, with a sprinkle of balearic here and there. I’ve tried to go on a journey between moody and reflective tracks, and bright and upbeat ones. I’ve had a lot of inspiring and emotional dancefloor moments to these sounds recently and the mix captures my club sound. Plenty of new releases from the past few weeks and months showcasing artists that deserve people’s attention.

Q: What did your journey into music and djing look like? 

A: Electronic music found me at Leeds Uni as it does for so many :’) I truly fell in love with it at Flux at Beaver Works almost 10 years ago where I had many transformative dancefloor experiences in the basement there and made meaningful connections. I was so hooked I started writing about music and then became Editor for the Flux blog as well as the Clubs + electronic music section of the uni paper, interviewing loads of great artists from Radioactive Man to Skream. I picked up DJing a couple of years ago in London after quite a long time doubting myself (and lacking the funds to buy the tech) but lots of encouragement from supportive friends already doing it. 

Q: Alcohol and in particular drugs, are ubiquitous with dance music. What is your relationship with these from a personal and artistic perspective? ‍

A: Drugs for me are only there to enhance musical experiences at events I really care about. The after effects aren’t worth it otherwise. Obviously they give you energy, so they allow us all to stay til the end of a night and discover music and DJs we might not have! They’ve also always had a pretty profound role to play in creating important connections in my life, because they obviously break down social barriers.  

I try to do everything in moderation and always take breaks when I can feel their impact on my mental health. It’s getting harder to balance weekend hedonism with a professional career as I approach 30. Trying to make the most of the right now! 

Alcohol I have less and less of these days. Just wanna feel good during the week!

‍Q: In your opinion, what social and industry specific issues exist in dance music? (I.e nepotism, favouritism, brand posturing, fickleness, drugs, sexism) ‍

A: Drugs are definitely an issue – I do worry about the toll they take on DJs and anyone with existing mental health struggles. It’s been hard to watch people I care about over the years using drugs week in week out to escape their feelings and then get into a cycle they can’t get out of. I think people can often get too dependent and friends turn a blind eye because it’s all in the name of partying, but we should all speak up and look out for each other. Especially men. 

I also wish London could be more like Berlin and make daytime raving the norm everywhere all year round. Everyone’s wellbeing would be so much better during the week. 

I’m only just getting on my way into the industry, so I haven’t yet faced other industry specific issues. Sure there will be obstacles to come!

‍Q: What would a fairer industry for all look like to you? What needs to change?

‍A: Helping more people from lower income backgrounds get into music and influence the scene – I love seeing free DJ workshops and free festival tickets to help people out. I wish all festivals had open decks competitions or, at the bigger ones, at least one stage exclusively for unknown DJs (Houghton I am talking to you). And I would like to see more women producers in the sub-genres I enjoy most. I think women sometimes suppress their femininity because they’re afraid of sexism in the industry, which I hope changes too.

‍Q: Any advice you’d give to an artist or DJ starting out? ‍

A: I can’t claim to have loads of experience, but I will say to absolute beginners to try not to overthink mixing too much and just feel it and trust your ears. I used to obsess over mixing in key and letting go of that and being more experimental with more abrupt transitions has opened so many doors creatively! Did a really good course at the London Sound Academy earlier this year which was a big confidence boost - would recommend. 

‍Q: Share an event/festival you feel is going against the grain and moving the scene forward in a positive way‍

A: Well, I met Connor at Twisted a few weeks ago (big up the Midlands Massiv) and it was epic. Tiny festival, run by a lovely bunch of people. They ran an open decks comp, listened to every entry twice to make sure it was fair, and I was struck by how many women they’d booked – so many playing the prog and trance I love so much! It was quite emotional to witness, such an inclusive eutopia. 

‍Q: Any brands or platforms taking steps towards positive change that you’d recommend people support? ‍

A: Saffron do some great work for equalising the gender imbalance in music. And a shout-out to MAP Charity’s alternative education programme in Leeds. And not forgetting Tanner’s Neighbourhood Watch platform! 

‍Q: Who are your favourite upcoming artists and/or djs right now? Show them love ‍

A: DJ-wise, I’ve seen some incredible sets recently by KLO, Ohmydais and Bethan – all nearly moved me to tears!

Producers I’m loving: Felon5, Aiden Francis, Jamie Leather, Etari, Lucho, Smev and Anderson.

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