First of all, I’d like to mention how much I love your music- it has not only featured in but set the tone for many of our afternoon drinks sessions throughout lockdown.

Would you tell us a little about yourself and your practice?

Hello! aw thanks for the lovely words, I’m glad I’ve been able to soundtrack some of your lil lockdown parties <3

About meee, I’m a non-binary DJ and video/performance artist from Naarm. Before the unexpected last 2 years my focus as a creative was in a very different place to be what it is now, although the same sentiments and interests remain. Coming out of university studying Fine Arts in 2017, I was just beginning to articulate my queer identity through my works. This quickly took on the form of using religious parable and symbolism to talk about my experience of queer enlightenment. By reclaiming ritualised gestures within spiritualism and more specifically through my catholic upbringing, I found an articulation of my (trans)cendence. In recent works this contempulisation has melded into a softer nuance, exploring the inherent fluidity of nature and the body intertwined. 

Over the last 2 years, my focus shifted with the impact of the pandemic and time spent away. I found myself moving towards music and djing. It’s been quite the roller coaster over these past months as I’ve found my place and voice within the scene, lately this has lead me to exploring the more playful and colourful sides of dance and electronic music and running my own events and creating spaces for womxn, queer, and non-binary folk within the dance music scene.

How did you get into djing? Does it connect in any way to your other artistic practices?

My dad worked in record stores most of his life, so I grew up in a house full of music and the ever-present crackling of vinyl. I always loved to dance and soundtrack a social gathering or two. But it wasn’t until moving to Europe in early 2019 that I obsessed over dance music and club environments. Towards the end of my time away I spent the last several weeks visiting every record store across Berlin and London, acquiring two full 40kg suitcases of records I lugged back across the world to Naarm. 

What I hope gels my two creative practices is the authenticity I aim to bring to each pursuit, and while sound does play an important part in my art practice, the two engage in very different conceptual frameworks and energies. They sit as complementary opposites - energetic and meditative.

You’re quickly becoming the Naarm master of high-energy performances and soulful, light groove that can get any crowd blissfully bopping. Do you feel that your music has changed in recent times, with the continuous stream of lockdowns in Naarm?

That’s very kind of you to say! With my various radio shows, I’ve broadened the spectrum of music I'm passionate about over the last 12 months. LUNA which is broadcast out of Paris, France was a show I conceptualised to help me discover new music and celebrate womxn, queer and non-binary folk. It’s been an important tool to keep me on my toes and deepen my understanding of contemporary electronic music. As a dj I hope to continue to play an eclectic range of music and keep an air of the unexpected within all my performances !

You have been vocal about a cause that is close to our hearts, the platforming of womxn, queer and non-binary individuals, and your performances equate to a safe space for those outside the cis-het male sphere. Do you feel an emotional connection to your music, and the audience it brings? 

I think it took me a long time to get into dance music because the club spaces that existed around me growing up never exuded safety and community for me. There of course are numerous important queer dance music events around Naarm, but none that fitted into the lighter joyful side of dance music or disco that I obsessed over. It feels wonderful and joyous to be learning more about curating these spaces through organising LUNA and seeing the impact it has on those who seek the same environments and connections. 

I’ve seen you play multiple times, most recently at Hope St Radio, before our latest lockdown, and am a listener of your sessions as a host for Skylab and LYL. Has the increased frequency of your performances and DJ work been exciting for you, or a tad overwhelming? 

Before the 5th and 6th lockdowns the frequency of gigs was a blessing in my view although the burnout was real. I’m in an exciting new chapter now having recently joined the roster at WAT Artists. There are some very wonderful prospects in the future, such as playing at Strawberry over summer, but a lot of work to be put in as well. Navigating both the online world of radio and mixes and IRL dance floors is a joy to be able to pursue and learn from these varying experiences.

Do you have a highlight of your DJ career you’d like to share?

It’s been a very interesting time to find myself involved in a scene that has been so heavily impacted by Covid. While I have a lot of fond memories of dance floors this last year, the most integral parts of my career to this point have been connecting with everyone through radio and contributing selections to local labels and events. What's been the highlight though is the friends I’ve made along the way in this lil hub of dance music here in Naarm. 

We at Demure know and love your platform LUNA Blessings, and we love that it celebrates womxn, queer and non-binary performers and creatives- how have you found running the show, and are we in for any treats over the summer?

It’s been very special to involve as many friends as possible around me to create a community-minded event we’re very proud of. Yes!!! We can’t wait to see you all soon. We’ll be back at Sub Club on the 18th of December with a hot lineup of C.FRIM, Merve, Call Connect and Caucasian Opportunities. 

Tickets for Luna #5 available here

Poster by Coco Star Sims