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Soraya

Honored to have Truants founder Soraya for our latest mix. Truants is one of the most respected independent music platforms in the industry. In this mix Soraya’s work is reflected in her selection by including artists Truants has featured, creating a warm, familiar yet captivating set that you fully trust will deliver (so no surprises that it fully does deliver).

Tell us about this mix:

I wanted to use the mix as an opportunity to highlight new music by some friends, including Elias Mazian, Nite Fleit and Parris. It also features tracks from people who have made mixes for my baby Truants - I’m very happy with the balance of established and the new new. It's probably a good reflection of what I would play on a night out, too.

When did you start DJing?

In high school with my friend, in my dad's attic. Many of the artists we were into at the time used a midi controller and Ableton so that’s what we did, with an Evolution UC-33e. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I moved to decks. I would suggest to people wanting to get into DJing to just dive right in; I used to be so overwhelmed looking at decks but it's not that deep. The only way you learn is by doing it. To me, the most important part of DJing is music selection and feeling confident in your choices. The rest you'll pick up quickly.

Favorite party ever played:

Atlas Electronic

Fave DJ:

Batu and Carista

Fave producer:

SG Lewis

Pet peeve when DJing:

When someone asks me for a track ID one second after I've played something, I will have forgotten already. I don’t properly use playlists or tags either and won’t be able to remember the name of something I want to play, but I’m slowly getting better at organising myself. When I teach people how to DJ I always stress the importance of organising your music but I definitely do not practice what I preach, in the slightest.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever gotten?

That I’m good at bringing likeminded and kind people together. When it comes to music more specifically, probably Henry Wu inviting me to Atlas Electronic to play alongside his own band, K15, Mr Wix, Louise Chen and many more and then playing a two hour set on the last night. It was very special to be on the road with all these talented musicians, and all the love I got from the crowd was something else - from DJs that I rate very highly and my friends that travelled to Morocco with me, but most importantly the local dancers. Still in awe!

Place you’d like to play:

Mexico

Something you want everyone to know about you:

I am currently on garden leave so I have all the time in the world for travel and fucking up your party. Book me! 🤟🏽