DAWS: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

This lightness and high-spirited outlook feeds into her own music too. Lockdown was the fuel to shift her focus on to production, and it was during these months where clubs were closed and events cancelled that she found a her voice as a producer and began to gain international recognition doing so. On top of original productions and remixes, which have been released on the likes of Rogue Cuts, Phenomena and Parry Talks, she shared a bunch of personal edits in her charity-focused ADHD series which unearth and rework some of her favourite pop tracks from the early noughties.

Next April will see her share her biggest work to date: a debut EP on Hot Haus Records which is primed for euphoric moments on the dance floor. As she gears up for the release, whilst keeping herself busy in the studio and gracing clubs across the UK and Europe, she pieces together a mix of playful electronics, bright house grooves and vibrant rhythmic excursions to get you through your working day…

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

Hiii I’m DAWS (not like a digital audio workstation but my actual last name) and I’m a mixture of DJ, dork, and producer!

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Where was the mix recorded?

In between one of my many homes, in London.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

I am obsessed with mixes that work for daytime listening, but can also chuck it on at pres or afters. I think ideally you are sitting around a table playing cards and talking nonsense with this on in the background.

What should we be wearing?

Well ideally something that allows a bit of breeze in, but nothing too serious.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

I’d love to teleport back in time and record a mix for MTV’s spring break edition of The Grind. I’m obsessed with the clip of David Morales playing to a club (or room dressed to look like a club) in a room full of people dressed to the nines and girating in hot 90s looks.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I keep finding myself listening to or longing to listen to D. Tiffany Live @ IV ’17. It’s mind blowing.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

It was a cute little Traktor S2, I loved taking it outside and practicing mixing under a big shady tree. My current DJ set up is just my USBs and great appreciation for dear friends and community who are able to let me use their spaces while I look for my permanent place.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

Closing track for sure! I love a warm up set so while the starting track is important, it’s how you build and finish your set to create the right energy for the next section that matters most to me.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First was Massive Attack – Mezzanine
Last was Inaya Day – Feel It

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

A bite of crisp fresh cool watermelon on a hot day.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Oooh definitely a nudibranch

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

I love compilation CDs so a lot of them have the bpm slowly creep and change towards the end of the track which makes mixing them at any time a bit of a pain. Worth it though!

Upcoming in the world of …

My EP coming out in April 2023 😉