AIRRICA

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Hi Erica we would love to hear all about your musical background. How did you first become interested in DJing and producing music, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

In a sense, I’d say my desire into the DJ world began when I was around 10 years old destroying my mother’s computer with viruses from all the music I was downloading off of Napster, KaZaA, and Limewire. Sorry mom. I don’t have siblings so I was always entertaining myself, and I was a massive computer nerd. I was super into burning CDs for my friends as birthday gifts, for car rides, for all my moods as a child into my early teenage years. I really enjoyed exploring music I’ve never heard and curating them into a playlist, then sitting there waiting as the computer burnt it into a CD. I’d then Sharpie on the CD title and give them away or store it into my massive book of CDs. Growing up in New Hampshire (U.S.), electronic music was not really listened to so my interest was all self-discovered. I slowly was exposing myself to a lot of electro, eurodance, trance, hardstyle, and techno.

As a child I was around a lot of metal, indie rock, alternative, classic rock, reggae. When I would listen to electronic music on my own as I grew older into my teenage years, I remember always feeling a rush of joy that was pretty unmatched. When I was going through a rough patch in life 6 years ago, I decided to begin working on my career as an artist with that feeling in mind.I was working in tech after graduating university with a Bachelor’s in Radiation Physics feeling dull and lost with life. I needed an escape during this period so I began teaching myself to play on the decks during my free time and after work. I would literally DJ to the walls of my apartment for a few years of my early career… record some mixes and post them on my SoundCloud.

Music became a safe space and I hope to never lose that feeling. I hope listeners feel welcome in that space with a sense of community as well during my sets and on dancefloors everywhere!

Which artists influenced you the most growing up?

My early musical influence came from many directions… Pink Floyd, U2, The Chemical Brothers, ATB, The Prodigy, Above & Beyond, Sublime, Republica, Nirvana, Metallica, Orgy, Garbage, Madonna.

How often do you listen to music in your personal life? And what do you listen to?

Daily! I like to listen and discover new music especially when I’m driving or traveling. In my personal life, I try to starve my ears a bit from club music when I’m not in the studio or touring. From sounds like Reuben Vaun Smith to CAN, Khruangin to Beach House, Smoke City to Placebo, Cocteau Twins, Saint Etienne… Tame Impala still remains one of my favorites. I have an app where I can discover music by decade and country which I discover so many beautiful records - lots of inspo :)

What has been your favorite place to perform so far and why?

I recently played in room 01 at Fabric in London and was blown away by the sound throughout the whole club. I also had a wild time at Nitsa in Barcelona, the crowd was ON FIRE and people were dancing like crazy in every corner of the room. The energy was one of the highest sets I’ve ever played, I truly enjoyed the all around freedom that was felt that night!

How did you develop your style and how would you describe it yourself?

As a DJ, I like to keep my feet in different directions (figuratively) during my sets so it keeps a surprise factor. Keeping high energy, pulling tension to create a hunger on the dancefloor, always keeping a groove. I like sprinkling lots of acid and vocals that bounce around and rattle some brains. I love to be playful. For me, it’s dance music and it doesn’t have to be totally serious. As a producer, I follow this rule above. I like to have fun in the studio and translate that into the records I’m putting out. I love a track that spitballs smiles on faces and the joyous head grab of “what the fuck!” in the crowd, yet keeping a sophistication of the music. My upcoming 3-track EP release ‘International Confusion’ on Higher Ground definitely depicts multiple angles of my style.

What kind of releases can we expect from you later in the year?

Trailing off the above I have an EP coming out 19/8 on Higher Ground. The EP is a collaboration with Ashee, who I have been a huge huge fan of the last few years. The release is a high energy 3-track EP, made for the dancefloor. We really went after capturing different sounds for different audiences which was super fun. I also have some singles and additional collaborations coming up!

As a producer, where do you start, what is your creative process when you are about to develop a new idea?

I wish I could tell you that I have an intricate routine of creating, but sometimes I sit down in the studio and find inspiration sprouting off a single random sample or sound - and other times I just start playing around with a bassline and let that grow into an idea. If a project starts to feel forced or I feel essentially stuck, I move on from it or maybe come back to take elements out of it into another idea. I’ve learned to keep the creativity process flowing and not let myself get hung up or else frustration bubbles up and takes away from the fun.

Who are some new talented names on the scene from your perspective? Who do you fully support on their journey as DJ’s and producers?

I’ve really been enjoying Luke Alessi’s releases, super fresh music. And of course, Ashee – his music just hits the spot for that pumping rave moment. Additionally, TSHA is an artist that inspires me in my career and I love watching her. To answer your second question, I fully support anyone on their journey who is staying true to themselves and exploring the art of it. We all start somewhere and it’s lovely yet exciting to watch people succeed and develop.

What is up next for you? What can we expect from you and anything special we should keep an eye out for?

My tour schedule has been real fun this summer! Excited to keep the funk going at festivals such as Eastern Electrics in London and a few more dates in my rotation at Hï Ibiza with Damian Lazarus. Additional shows at Space Miami, Cityfox in NYC, and a few more on the island. Looking forward to announcing some more records as well!

To wrap it up, if you had to describe with one phrase what electronic music is, you would say it is…

Freedom exists where judgment does not: the dance floor