Are you ready to discover the next rising star in the music world? Look no further than our exclusive SHEDJ of the Week Weekly Feature! Each week, we handpick an incredible talent from the world of underground and independent music and showcase their exceptional skills, unique style, and captivating sounds.

What can you expect from SHEDJ of the Week? Prepare to be blown away by the electrifying beats, soul-stirring melodies, and boundary-pushing creativity that these emerging SHEDJs bring to the table.

Whether you're a dedicated music enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or simply someone who loves uncovering fresh, innovative sounds, our weekly feature promises to deliver a captivating audio experience like no other. Join us in celebrating diversity, originality, and the raw passion that fuels the underground music scene. Ready to embark on a sonic adventure unlike any other?

SHEDJ OF THE WEEK - DISTINCT - DNB GIRLS

SHEDJS: What initially sparked your passion for DJing, and how did you get started in the music scene?

I love telling this story because it’s a weird way to get into DJing. One of my first jobs, I worked at a roller rink making food. I did a lot of roller skating then. I thought being the DJ, who picked the songs we skated to, was the coolest job ever - and I wanted to learn.

When I went to see how I could become a DJ, the manager told me that they hadn’t had a female DJ in years and I certainly wasn’t going to be the first. He patiently explained that women didn’t have the right voice for the microphone, as DJs also needed to make announcements. To me, this wasn’t a good enough reason, so I told him I understood and begged the other DJs to teach me.

One day, I sat with one of the DJs during his shift, and he said I had done enough watching. He popped on two tunes Barbie Girl by Aqua and Blue by Eiffel 65, told me he was going to grab a bite and that I could mix the next track, and I nailed it. One Thursday afterwards, a DJ called in and I said I could cover. They ended up putting me in and I just didn’t let them stop.

For the music scene, when I turned 18 I started going to an open decks night at a bar called Quincy’s. It was funny - I didn’t really know much about the electronic scene then, so I was playing mainstream electro one of my first nights. After my slot, my now-friend Stirling pulled me aside, said he thought I was pretty good, but I should check out some fidget and see how I liked it. He gave me a folder of tunes and the rest is history.

SHEDJS: Can you share a memorable experience from one of your performances or events that stands out in your mind?

I still remember being 18, at my first Shambhala in 2011, standing behind DJ Fresh at the Village. I looked around at all the people in front of the DJ, all the people next to me, and felt this yearning to be part of this magic. I told myself that I would know I made an impact if I had the opportunity to be on this stage playing my own music.

Eleven years later, I had the opportunity to stand on the stage and spin for the first time as part of the DnB Girls Showcase.

I’ve done this showcase both years, and I like having a busy and complex set - but I always plan one song that I can look up and take in the experience. That track in this years’ set, I looked up and couldn’t breathe because I was overwhelmed with emotion, anxious about if what I was spinning resonated with the crowd like it did for me, so happy I was doing what I loved that tears welled up in my eyes. I gave myself 45 seconds to feel everything, then, right back into the mix.

SHEDJS: How do you approach creating a setlist or choosing tracks for a particular event or venue?

I have songs I know go well together, so sometimes it’s like putting a puzzle together and finding the small pieces that link everything into a bigger picture. Other times, I have a song or two I’ll anchor my mix around and see what fits - for the mix featured, those songs are Ruhepuls and You and Me (The Used Bootleg). I’ll usually have a large pool of music I know I want to try to include, and then we see what shakes out in the end.

SHEDJS: Are there specific genres or artists that have had a significant influence on your style?

There’s been so many different influences along the way. If you had asked 17 year old me, I would have said Deadmau5, arguably the first ‘electronic’ artist I dug into. If you asked again a couple years later, I would have said Deadmau5 was dead and Sigma was my new holy grail. I find influence comes in waves - I’ll have months where I’ve got people like Featurecast, A.Skillz and Father Funk shining through my music, then in another breath I’m leaning into Jauz, Tchami, and Dr. Fresch. I’ve always been a multigenre DJ, but my heart always comes back to drum and bass - I feel most comfortable at 174 (beats per minute).

I started spinning 4 decks because of the technical prowess of A.M.C. blew my mind. Him, Andy C, Calyx and Teebee, and Camo and Krooked influence a large part of how I mix and what I look for when listening to other DJs.

SHEDJS: In a constantly evolving industry, how do you stay updated on new music trends and technologies?

I love how DJ culture encourages the constant discussion of the shift in trend and tech. Who hasn’t been talking about the new 4x4 trend in DnB, or Chase and Status 2 Ruff hitting #4 on mainstream charts, or Pioneer releasing new products under AlphaTheta? Sometimes, the best way to keep up to date is to talk to your peers about what’s happening or listen to new mixes from artists you respect.

I feel it’s important to keep up. Technology will not stop evolving, and you can’t get stuck thinking about how things used to be if you want to keep growing and developing as a DJ. - Distinct

SHEDJS: Do you have any advice for aspiring DJs looking to break into the scene or enhance their skills?

I’m a fan of listening to people you admire and watching how they play. Sometimes, if I love how a mix sounded, I’ll grab the tracks myself and try to replicate.

Don’t ever be scared to ask someone for advice or some time together on the decks - almost everyone will say yes if they have the bandwidth, and the best learning is done with people.

If you’re looking to break in, the best way to do it is to be where the people are - going to shows, meeting other artists who spin similar music, supporting the scene. I spent a lot of my early 20s making memories with people I call my best friends today, while getting the opportunity to play some really incredible shows.

SHEDJS: What's next for you in terms of projects, collaborations, or upcoming gigs?

You can catch me in Grande Prairie on Saturday, March 9th!

I’ve worked pretty closely with a production partner, HDrizzle (Hadyn Dresser) in the past. We’re hoping to sit down soon and start with a few new tracks; I’m lucky that he just moved back to Alberta and it’ll be easier to dedicate time together.

I have a few exciting announcements for the summer, so you can keep in touch with me via my Facebook (@distinctdnb) or Instagram (@iamdistinctdnb), or shoot me a follow on Soundcloud for new productions and mixes.