LADYLIKE
May 2, 2023
The Orange Place - Apiento & Co.
Follow Me Down (Golden Filter Mix) - UNKLE
I’m Not Scared (Disco Mix) - Eighth Wonder
Your Heart Keeps Burning - Blind Date
Think’in Bout U - Molima
Together (Original Mix) - VIGI
Polaris (Club Mix) - Cyber People
Suka (feat. Madala Kunene & 104 BPM) - DJ Kabila
Hafi Deo Tabu Ley - Rochereau
Sinners - Andres
I’m Gonna Get You (Original Mix) - Bizarre Inc.
Work It - Marie Davidson
My mixes tend to be an homage to the dancefloors I’ve experienced in the days/months leading up to recording. I think most DJs can relate to this. Whether I’m dancing or playing (or both!), I’m endlessly inspired by the energetic, cosmic flow of the room. I attempted to capture the rollercoaster of emotions attributed to the floors and dancers I’ve recently encountered. It’s a callback to these incredibly present moments. Also, always eat your fruits and vegetables. :)
gin: Who had the greatest foundational impact on your musical taste?
Holly: Ooh, definitely my older sibling Izzy; I would eavesdrop on Izzy to find out about all the cool indie bands. I vividly remember hearing M.I.A.’s first album in Izzy’s car and it changed my ear. Izzy has always played in bands and just released a new solo album that’s gaining lots of steam. Since we’re both musical, everyone always asks if our parents are musical; they don’t play music but they definitely always had music around all the time. My dad comes from a new wave and disco zone and my mom from motown, 60’s rock and musicals. This makes sense in relation to where my musical interests are, especially the new wave part.
gin: Which initial artists or albums did you discover sans familial influence?
Holly: The Canadian Indie band Stars, Santigold’s first album, and Kate Bush, Hounds of Love.
gin: Can you share a brief history of your creative identity as it developed and led you to participate in the creative community in Detroit?
Holly: Overall I’ve always found myself in performative roles that are split in many different creative directions. My experience in my role as the youngest of my family and friends warranted me a lot of attention. I’m also a Leo, so I think that those two things combined led me into performative roles. I did a lot of acting when I was young and I loved it; I participated in theater performances in highschool and afterwards. I love performing and I also love going to shows and dancing and seeing shows and bands. I had always wanted to be on the music side of things but was unsure if I had the tools or the know-how to figure out how to. When I saw Santigold in 2008 at St. Andrew’s Hall, I saw A-trak open for her and realized, “I can do that, I want to do that.” I slowly pursued DJing in highschool, collected music and made CD playlists with interludes. I got a controller as a highschool graduation gift and in college started playing house parties, co-op parties and clubs around Lansing; it was so much fun! When I started playing in my first bands, the learning that came with that experience took prominence over DJing for a while. Playing in bands definitely informed my DJing in the years that followed. Then I moved to Detroit.
gin: Where was your first gig in Detroit?
Holly: It was on the Detroit Princess for a Protomartyr show, probably around 2016. It feels like I haven’t stopped playing in Detroit since then.
gin: Who are a few people in Detroit’s underground dance scene who have had the greatest influence on your creative craft or creative trajectory?
Holly: The community is so big…who do I even mention!? Well…of course, Father Dukes; Hailey. Tammy Lakkis. Scott Zacharias & Ryan Spencer. The whole Portage Garage Sounds crew. You (when you decide to grace us). All the dancers. The whole Spotlite fam. Lady Monix is a huge inspiration and a great example of a very respectable DJ that is just doing it; it’s inspiring to see her succeed in such a way.
gin: What is your current approach to set prep and how has that changed over time?
Holly: That’s a good question. This sounds insane, but I like to go into a set with at least fifteen new tracks. If I have a lot of sets in one period of time I may gather more and use them for a few gigs in a row. Generally, I’ll get to know ten to fifteen new tracks before the gig. I like to know what I want to play, at the very least, for the first two tracks of my set…which can spontaneously change based on the energy in the room.
gin: This year you’ve been booked to play Movement Electronic Music Festival. When are you playing; which stage day and time?
Holly: Saturday May 27 at 3pm on the Detroit stage.
gin: Is your approach to your Movement set different than you’ve described of your set prep?
Holly: It is. I don’t want to feel overwhelmed by having too many tracks in a playlist to choose from. Since my set is an hour I want it to be a true representation of what a Ladylike set is; the tracks I love listening to and dancing to, the tracks that I love to play that I know well. When I play Movement, of course I will incorporate techno elements because that’s the foundation of the festival. I also want to incorporate music by local artists. My approach to this set comes down to being true to myself and uplifting my community. In most recent years, months even, I’m feeling in love with the energy DJing gives me; the feedback from the room and the dancefloor and the music that’s playing. It can’t be recreated unless it’s in that situation. When I think about my upcoming Movement set, my recent Interdimensional Transmissions set, and my future sets - my priority has become to be as present as possible, especially in these moments that feel like milestone moments in my DJ world. There’s a sweet spot of not overthinking, playing what I want that feels true, not trying to cater to any sort of sound, and feeling proud – high school me who went to the festival would be like, “What?! You get to play this!?”.
gin: You’re also playing an Official Movement Electronic Music Festival afterparty. When and where is that afterparty?
Holly: It’s on the night of the day I play the fest; Saturday May 27 at Spotlite. It’s Louie Vega’s party, Expansions in the DET.
gin: Canadian dance music royalty, Dan Snaith who is playing the festival as Caribou on Sunday May 28 is also DJing that party at Spotlite as Daphni, along with Meftah, Recloose, and Derrick Carter.
Holly: Ya! At this party I want to play more house leaning; given the venue and who I’m playing with. I play at 11pm, I open up the show. I gotta high tail it over there…and make sure I keep my head screwed on! It’s a bit of a surreal thing. I am thrilled, excited, and grateful to be playing it.
gin: How would you describe Memorial Day Weekend in Detroit to someone who has never experienced it?
Holly: It’s difficult to describe the feeling because it’s so unique to the weekend. There is this constant BASS that is happening in the city; it sounds ridiculous, but you know exactly what I’m talking about – it’s everywhere; the city is lit up. It’s a truly magical time of year that I’ve never experienced anywhere else that is so special and unique to Detroit. Many different elements of struggle and joy all wrap up and we get to release it together. It’s really special.
gin: Do you have any memorial day traditions?
Holly: The SMPLFD party has been a tradition for several years of going to and playing on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Starting the weekend with that party has always been a good, light transition into a very busy weekend full of a lot of energy. They’re doing that party over two days this year, Saturday May 27 and Sunday May 28; this year I’m playing that party on Sunday.
gin: Are there any ways you prepare yourself for Memorial Day weekend?
Holly: I make sure I stock my fridge with lots of fruits and vegetables; I prepare myself by making sure I’m taking care of myself.
gin: How do you describe the Spirit of Detroit?
Holly: As someone who did not grow up here - who did move here and is a white girl, I’ve found this place to be very accepting. Detroit is resilient. I’ve met so many people from all walks of life and who come together through dance music that was built here. Music is the root of my community here, which makes it feel like it’s constantly around us; it’s on the basis of these roots that we are able to relate to one another. It’s a very inspiring place to live if you see it as that.
gin: You mentioned Santigold’s impact on you a couple of times; what is a stand out track from her first album we can leave for the runner mag listeners / readers?
Holly: Creator and You’ll Find A Way - the latter is a Switch & Sinden remix that can really get the party going.