Welcome to the We Are Fierce blog and our first post!
Here, you’ll be able to find interviews, mixes, chit chat and all things we love from the creative, events and music industry. Our mission is to support and empower female, non-binary and LGBTQ+ artists who are passionate about music, and want to build a safe platform here to share their passion, talent and of course their music, so come join us over here!
What better way to kick off this page than with an interview and mix from up and coming DJ & producer Shauna!
We first discovered Shauna on instagram last year and have followed her ever since. Her unique style, effortlessly cool vibes and solid ears for raving tracks got us excited - it’s always incredible to find like-minded DJs, and so after hearing some of her mixes and radio shows we knew she would be one to watch and an artist who we fancied having a chat with. Fast forward to (nearly the end of!) 2020, Shauna has now released her debut EP ‘Original Workout’ on Interpolate Records. This exciting release, which has already been played on the likes of BBC Radio 1 and BBC introducing, are the perfect tracks for that rave we’re all dying to go to in 2021, and so we see a massively bright future for Shauna.
We caught up with Shauna about all things music, her inspiration and any advice she would give to creatives looking to get into DJing or production. Listen to her mix and read our interview below:
Tell us a bit about yourself! How long have you been DJing and producing music?
I’ve been DJing around Leeds for about 5 years and started producing this March, which is something that I’ve always wanted to do and finally had the time to with lockdown! I released my first EP, Original Workout, at the end of last month on Interpolate Records (which is an ace label based in Hull).
We love your first EP release 'Original Workout', how long have you been working on it and what was your inspiration behind it?
I made it over a few months in summer when I was missing the club and DJing, I wanted to make some club-orientated techno tracks that I can spin when we finally get back on the dancefloor. I was basically just making tracks that I’d want to dance to (and hopefully other people will too!)
What's coming up next for you?
I’ve started working on some new tracks that I’m very excited about, I’ve also got something planned for Spring but can’t say any more than that!
What kind of music/DJ's are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to queer Polish club music by producers like Avtomat and Semprey that’s been coming out on the Krakow-based Tańce label. Both EPs are influenced by traditional Polish music as well as the ongoing oppression of queer people in Poland. ‘Nieludzie (Ignorance Ha)’ by Avtomat (which opens my mix) samples the Polish minster of education’s recent anti-LGBT speech (which translates to "Let's defend ourselves from the LGBT ideology. We have to stop listening to this nonsense about some human rights or some equality. These people are not equal to normal people. End of story"). I love how Avtomat juxtaposes this quote with footwork-like instrumental and turns it into a banging club track - music like this is so vital right now.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into DJing and music production?
There’s loads of beginners Ableton courses for women, non-binary and trans people that have been happening over Zoom recently, from Equalize Music Production, Saffron and Rhythm Sister, would definitely recommend getting on any of those, they’re so supportive and ace environments to learn in.
In terms of DJing, join a collective! I’ve been with Sisu, who are a DJ collective based in London but have members all over the world, since March. It’s been so helpful to be able to talk to other DJs and pick up tips. Even though I’ve been DJing for years I’m still learning loads from other people.
You can purchase ‘Original Workout’ via Interpolate Records here and go follow Shauna to keep up with her latest shows and mixes here! Huge thanks to Shauna for chatting to us, see you next time!