SHE Spells Doom: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Music

From his home of Lusaka in Zambia, Wamya Tembo has been cooking up spellbinding sounds under the moniker SHE Spells Doom.

Drawing from disparate influences and styles, Wamya throws everything from Congolese Rhumba, Gqom, noughties rap and house and techno into the pot, fusing these with his love of 80s Horror and Sci-fi movies, in particular the ’86 film ‘Big Trouble in Little China’, which he’s taken inspiration from for a huge collection of his tracks.

These productions have made their way to labels like Tresor, Car Crash Set, Creaked Records and London’s All Centre, the home of his most recent record: the mindmelting club-ready ‘Rudnick‘. He applies this rhythmic and cerebral style to his DJ sets too; the drumwork is heavy and propulsive, the sound design clean and intricate — it’s sure to send your body and mind into overdrive.

Lucky for you lot, that’s exactly what’s in store today in his Shine A Light On Mix…

Ransom Note · SHE Spells Doom: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

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

Hi, I’m Wamya Tembo (He/Him) – I’m a producer/DJ from Lusaka, Zambia and I make Electronic/Club tracks under the name SHE Spells Doom.

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)?

My music is usually a mix between hazy melodies or/and pads paired with heavy drums/percussion. A visual representation of my sound would probably be Lopan’s den from the film, “Big Trouble in Little China” (1986). At least 70% of tracks have been inspired by it. lol

Where was the mix recorded?

The mix was recorded in my flat, here in Lusaka.

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

In a Geodome Greenhouse, surrounded by rare plants and your closest friends.

What should we be wearing?

Anything that makes you feel really comfortable/is easy to move around in. Probably accessorize with designer shades for a touch of fancy.

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

I’d love to play an all night set outdoors in a really foggy place. Green lightning is a bonus – for that 80’s horror movie feel. Nothing too crazy.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

‘Diving Birds’ by Facta (feat. Parris). Been playing that one a lot on drives out of the city.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Probably a guest mix Kamran (FKA Moleskin) and Neana did for Madam X’s 1xtra show years ago.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Larry Heard (Mr Fingers). He’s a living legend and really a big inspiration to me when it comes pairing banging drums with lush melodies. It would be amazing to get to play an all night set of these kinds of tracks with him in a smoky club somewhere.

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

My first setup was a Numark Mixtrack Pro 2 which I used with Serato. Pretty much kept it this way till my controller stopped working last year. Now I make my mixes in FL Studio 20 and Arturia Beatstep Pro (sometimes).

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

The track I end on is more important. I think about the last selection a lot because that’s the mood/vibe people will take home with them when they leave the club.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First record: Aqua – Aquarium

Last record: Ase Manual – Fuji 3: Rockstar Superstar Bad B*tch and Anthony Naples – Chameleon.

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

Like eating sour candy flavoured ice cream right after drinking a cherry Coke. I don’t know lol.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A super friendly panda completely made out of moss, maybe.

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

‘Phuthuma’ by Sunsunus (an amazing producer from South Africa) comes to mind. It always stumps me with its tempo changes and unpredictable drum sequencing. That doesn’t stop me from trying to mix it cause it’s an incredible record.

Upcoming in the world of …

Currently wrapping up demos for some exciting labels and working on some remixes. I’ve got a track coming up on Tresor’s forthcoming Tresor 30 compilation as well.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Rudnick (EP) is out now on All Centre. Stream/download that if you haven’t already.

LOVE!

Tracklist
1. Michell Cuartas – Resistencia
2. Facta – Diving Birds (feat. Parris)
3. Roche – Seers
4. Color Plus – Heat Sink
5. SHE Spells Doom – Earthly Pleasures
6. Strict Face – Tasteflash
7. Martyn Bootyspoon – Resonant Freq
8. Bakongo – Grainy
9. Circuit 900 – 88
10. Chaos in the CBD – Trunk Music
11. SHE Spells Doom – Glance
12. Dave Quam – Faith Drums
13. Miss Jay – Equinox (feat. Stasya)
14. Air Max ’97 – Reflex Glamorized (feat. Divoli S’vere)
15. Griffit Vigo – Ancestral Vibe
16. SHE Spells Doom – Drums of Affliction
17. Bobmo – Apples & Pears