She explains, “Well, the disc basically came about when my manager and booking agent asked if I wanted in on this mix. So we basically worked through some ideas for the compilation and got it out. It’s something I’d wanted to do for a while but I hadn’t been able to because I had been touring overseas and doing other things. Now I’m really focused on my music and that is pretty exciting for me!”
Indeed, a proud and vibrant resident of the Gold Coast, she describes the compilation as upfront and current. “Look, it’s basically a commercial dance compilation CD, but there’s nothing wrong with that. My primary sound is more of a banging house sound and every track in there I like – and I chose specifically because of the way they came together.”
“Disc one, which is the one I mixed has more of a dance-party vibe rather than any sort of electro style – and that’s partly because there are a lot of new and upcoming tracks in there. I guess no one really wants to hear the same things they’ve heard before so there are a few classics but also some newer stuff with names like L.M.F.A.O, Nick Skitz and Laidback Luke/Steve Aoki.”
Her partners-in-crime Platinum Deejayz and DJ Femme (Natalie Neville) also did their bit in getting the mood up. Each CD also has a different feel to it, explains Sarah. “They have a different energy and mood and the vibe picks up with each disc. It’s dance, and then harder and more energetic again, to finish.”
“As a kid, I played violin and did music theory from the ages of 5 to 15 so I have a fair bit of classical experience, it has made my childhood! I actually have the qualification to be a music teacher! Music has always been a part of my life but I had other commitments so it wasn’t always something I had the time for. I wanted to be a DJ but going to parents asking for thousands of dollars for all this gear was never going to be easy! So it was always going to be a matter of time before I got into the whole DJ thing.”
Admittedly, she says it hasn’t been easy being a woman in a male dominated industry, but Sarah has always put herself above that. “I’ve been really impressed with the number of great female DJs coming onto the scene over the years. It’s definitely a man’s world but you have to put your energy elsewhere – I’m here for the long term and I came before the influx of a lot of the newer female DJs and I’ve really tried hard to build my credibility.” Having done a handful of Hed Kandi gigs and various amazing projects – including touring with one of her idols Amber Savage – it has all been pretty exciting for her.
As a next phase in her career too, she is also looking forward to getting into the studio to work on some new music. “I’ve just started producing recently and it has been something I’ve really wanted to do for a while. I’ve got a background in music theory so I’ve been itching to get started on it! Right now, I’m working in the studio with a friend of mine Paul Deluxe and we’re thinking out a couple of ideas. The track we’re doing right now is a bit of an underground house track. So that’s on the agenda and then we’ll see what happens with it all from there.”
Finally, Sarah is expecting to play a few gigs in relation to her most recent coup and she’s ramping up for the occasion. “I’ve just come back from the Winter Music Conference in Miami so I’ve got a lot of new tracks to play. It was funny because I pay the rent on my Gold Coast apartment and in the last few months I’ve been therefore a matter of weeks! But otherwise, I’m really looking forward to getting out there and having some fun! The tour will really be a mix up of different sounds and places so it’s a good chance for me to be versatile and mix things up a little bit. I really enjoy reading a crowd and can’t wait to see how far I can push it. I would love to introduce a bit of a big room sound to the dance floor, you know? I’m really looking forward it!”
No doubt, so are we.
By RK
