Berlin-based Russian DJ and producer Valya Kan delivers a variety of genres from underground techno and house to acid and experimental dance music.
In 2019 she dropped an album on Spencer Parker’s label Work Them Records. She played at such clubs as Griessmuehle, Suicide Circus, About Blank etc.
See our exclusive interview with her below:
Tell us about your earliest musical memory?
My dad showed me Yellow submarine cartoon by Beetles, life never been the same since then.
At what point in your life did you have that moment where you said to yourself “This is it. This is the type of music I want to create?”
Still struggling with it. Can’t decide what type of music I want to create.
Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:
Hard to tell, I try not to think about influences at all. I like a lot of albums though.
What key pieces of gear/software are you using to define your sound?
I usually use Ableton with some midi interfaces and I also do sampling. I would love to get some analogue synths though.
What inspires you outside of music? What do you turn to when the creative well runs a little low?
I read a lot, I think people inspire me most of all. I like to listen to some lectures from other musicians/DJs.
What is your opinion on the ever spreading sub-genre vine? Are there too many? Do you think there’ s perhaps a sub-genre that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
I don’t think there are too many. But in general, I think there are only 2 genres of music: good and bad. I don’t think in terms of genres or sub-genres.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?
I like working on music, but I also like to travel and to meet people.
As a music artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
I like the music business, I like working with professionals. I guess what I would change may be making people more concerned about the environmental impact of the industry, more aware of what is going on. That’s been my concern for a while, not regarding the music industry though, just in general.
Any new or upcoming artists on your radar? Who shouldn’t the world sleep on?
I am quite impressed with the new album of Soela on Dial records. She did a really good job.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
I am releasing a new EP on 1 of May and had to launch my own label “Twist” for this. Hopefully, I will be able to release it on vinyl too. I will also probably do a DJ live stream for the EP release. Besides I am working on new music a lot.
Famous last words?
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