In the second installment of our two-part feature on the many musical styles of the Psy-Sisters Collective, we interview members of the original team: Miss Kiff aka DJ Amethyst, founder Psibindi, Renegade DJ, Sati and Sol Shine, ahead of the Psy-Sisters Second Edition at Vauxhall’s Union this Saturday 28th February.
Miss Kiff
You’ve been involved in Psy-Sisters since its inception and were part of the original team that organised the first event in May 2013. What first motivated you to get involved and what continues to motivate you to help take the project to new levels?
I wanted to be a part of a group of like-minded females and hear their experiences because everyone has been in the scene far longer than myself, so I could give my ideas and combine it with everyone else's ideas. The support of all the ladies I have met on this journey.
What have been the highlights for you so far, and what aspirations do you have for the future, both for Psy-Sisters and your own musical career?
Psy-Sisters’ first party in 2013 and working with Jacqui so closely: we got to do a back-to-back DJ session which I have always wanted to do. And forming long term friendships and bonds. Also the features of Psy-Sisters.
My aspirations include giving back to upcoming DJs and I hope to DJ at many festivals all around the world. There’s too many to name; I’m also hoping I start a techno house track soon.
How would you describe the music you DJ/produce at the moment and what dance music genre would you say it best fits under? Has your sound changed or evolved much since you’ve starting producing?
Well I have two projects; everyone knows me as Amethyst, my psy trance DJ act – more forest twilight banging tunes – I just love it! Dirty Saffi, Drip Drop, Psynon Records type of vibe . . . Also dark prog, psygressive – Loving dark, twisted funky, rolling basslines!
Then my second act Miss Kiff is more tech housy/prog housy on a funky rolling kiffness groove. This is something I want to produce in the next year. I’m also loving the bridge between progressive and techno.
I think I have evolved to be more versatile. A lot of people have said I did far too many genres but I think you get to appreciate music more.
What attracts you to the ‘psychedelic’ side of sound and what would you say makes your music ‘psychedelic’, compared with plain ol’ trance, prog or techno?
The uniqueness of the sound. It’s like I feel the music I play whether its psy trance or techno attracts me and I love how universally underground it is.
Finally, aside from our Pys-Sisters party on 28th February, what else are you looking forward to for the rest of 2015?
This year is amazing already, I am a finalist for the Lisa Lashes All Girls on Decks Competition. And we have the results of the winner on the 2nd March 2015. Good luck all ladies.
Then I have started my own DJ label; Cyan Fuchsian Promotions, to help upcoming DJs, we will be DJing at Freedom festival this year. Also Mark (DJ Antixx) and I have launched our party in Liverpool, Forgotten Frequencies. The first party was a huge success and we will have a second edition in May this year. Other than that just watch out for Cyan Fuchsian Promotions , Miss Kiff and Amethyst DJ page for more info.
You’ve been involved in Psy-Sisters since its inception and were part of the original team that organised the first event in May 2013. What first motivated you to get involved and what continues to motivate you to help take the project to new levels?
After the buzz of playing at VuuV festival in 2012, I felt hugely inspired to host a party for our scene in London. I wanted to create a party that encompassed celebrating female energy, and also reunited old friends together in the scene for one special night.
The event sparked of a voluntary collective effort from many fellow female DJ friends, who shared my vision to host this unique event. From there, the collective grew and a platform emerged for supporting and promoting female artists and other creative women in the scene.
During my travels as a DJ and going to many parties over the years, I would often talk to women who had aspired to take up DJing, production, or a career in music, but didn't quite have enough confidence to go for it. The Psy-Sisters platform is aimed at these women who need more encouragement, support and guidance.
The work we (the Psy-Sisters Team) do, is all voluntary-based. We simply believe in helping other artists to achieve their career goals and aspirations.
What have been the highlights for you so far, and what aspirations do you have for the future, both for Psy-Sisters and your own musical career?
One of the recent highlights for me was having the pleasure to meet legendary DJ Lisa Lashes at the Brighton Music Conference last year. Lisa gave Psy-Sisters an insightful interview about the evolution and changing role of women in the EDM scene. The interview was a real pivotal point for our collective work and global recognition.
Lisa Lashes meets Psy-Sisters – Earth Dance Radio Interview
For my own music career, playing at Earthdance London at Electric, Brixton last September was really special. Hosted by DJ Shakti of Transcendance, the global event is renowned for the simultaneous prayer for peace, which takes place at the same time all around the world at other Earthdance events.
As for aspirations, I would like to see Psy-Sisters platform continue to act as a springboard for more aspiring artists across the EDM scene, be it through online promotion, future events and releases. I have big plans for my own music career as well this year and will be focusing heavily on singing, production and a live set.
How would you describe the music you DJ/produce at the moment and what dance music genre would you say it best fits under? Has your sound changed or evolved much since you’ve starting producing?
I would describe my DJ sets as deep, full on psychedelic, which transition between an amalgamation of melodic grooves infused with psy FX vocals, to rumbling bass lines and a slightly darker twist. The music I am co-producing at the moment varies in music style and diversity. I am now branching out into other genres, as well as continuing psy trance, as I feel this is a natural evolution for me. My sound is developing more as the years progress, I am finding my own niche and enjoy experimenting and discovering new techniques to enhance my vocals.
What attracts you to the ‘psychedelic’ side of sound and what would you say makes your music ‘psychedelic’, compared with plain ol’ trance, prog or techno?
I am still very drawn to that ‘old skool’ psychedelic sound which has been produced over the past 15 years from artists such as GMS, Astral Projection, Infected Mushroon, Eskimo, Psysex, Michele Adamson, Aphid Moon, Dick Trevor, EVP, Tristan, Psymmetrix, Tron and Ajja. Their music for me bests represents the original essence of psychedelic trance. I have a penchant for traditional acid leads, burping squelches, alien sounding riffs and now with psy FX vocals thrown into the mix!
When I started going to psy trance raves back then, the word 'psychedelic' had a very different meaning and input into the music. Our culture and parties really thrived on that psychedelic energy and spirit. Today, parties now offer a different experience to party goers. The psy trance scene is still flourishing with new promoters and events, and past culture and energy has now evolved into something new for today’s generation.
Finally, aside from our Psy-Sisters party on 28th February, what else are you looking forward to for the rest of 2015?
I am really looking forward to working in my new studio and releasing more music across the EDM scene. I recently had a debut drum & bass track released on Figment Records. The track, Hamare Sunrise, is a collaboration with Astral Valley (aka Nick Mechanimal). The ethno-fusion track comprises liquid drum & bass with sitar melodies actually played by Nick, and my Hindi vocals, which were co-written with infamous Pakistani singer Ustad Latafat Ali Khan. Hamare Sunrise is out now on general release.
I have a few more releases in the pipeline too. My new EP is due for release on Aphid Records in the Spring. The two track EP is a third collaboration with top producers Aphid Moon and Mechanimal. I am very excited about this release, as we have spent a lot of hours in the studio crafting the tracks into dance floor bangers! We have also been experimenting with new plugins and production techniques to create a distinctive new style with my vocals.
Another release I am excited about is Psy-Sisters debut Ensoulment VA, compiled by Canadian artist Kloud Nin9. The album features tracks written by a multitude of talented female producers, including Tyndra, Wajapi, Pollyfonika, Twisted Kala, and Kloud Nin9. Mentalogic and I have co-written and produced the track Spectrum on the album. The tracks have been mastered by Tron and the VA features artwork from Clint Grierson. It’s going to be a fantastic release!
Asides from the above, I am also collaborating with Pete Ardron of Orchid Star. We have written a new ambient track for his forthcoming album. I will also be back in the studio with Dhuna this year working on our third album, as well as recording a classical Indian EP with Ustad Latafat Ali Khan.
I’ve got a few good gigs in the pipeline too, Psy-Sisters 2nd Edition on 28th Feb, Tribe of Frog on March 28th and Khaos in Finland on April 25th! It’s already a busy year!
Renegade DJ at Boom Festival 2014, by Pierre Ekman Photography
You’ve been involved in Psy-Sisters since its inceptionand were part of the original team that organised the first event in May 2013. What first motivated you to get involved and what continues to motivate you to help take the project to new levels?
When the collective was first established, there was a definitive gap in the UK psy scene for the ladies in the industry to be seen, heard or taken seriously. I was very pleased to be asked to join the collective, and it was incredibly rewarding to see how all our months of hard work had come together so nicely at the end of our highly successful first event. Last year I had to take a step back from the management team due to personal commitments, but I am thrilled to still be a part of the wider team and of course to be playing at the next event.
I'd say for all who were part of the collective in 2013, this moment at the very end of the party was definitely a highlight. I had just played the closing set, the party ended, the lights came on, and we'd been given the go-ahead for “one more tune”.
All the Sisters came into the DJ box and we danced and bounced together to the last song of the night, along with the still full, fully charged dance floor, hands in the air and clapping and cheering – it really was a definitive “goosebump moment” and a true show of everyone coming together, which is the whole purpose of the collective.
Since the beginning it has been wonderful to see how far and wide the message has spread, and to see ladies from all over the world being featured on the Psy Sisters page. At the first event, I'll never forget after playing the closing set, when the lights came on, a chap came over and said that this had been his first psy trance experience, and it had been the best night of his life! He had a very serious look on his face so he obviously meant what he said! This illustrates how the collective has been successful in bringing people – not just female artists – together through psy trance. I would say that is a goal reached!
What have been the highlights for you so far, and what aspirations do you have for the future, both for Psy-Sisters and your own musical career?
I was fortunate enough to tick something off my DJ bucket list last year: I got to play a 2.5 hour set in the Dance Temple at Boom Festival. It goes without saying that it was every bit as amazing as you would expect it to be! I had about a year to prepare and I poured my heart and soul into that set, and played the best set of my life that day. What has been most rewarding is the feedback I am still getting from people that were on the dance floor that day, some even say they cried tears of happiness during my set, and to me, that shows that I am doing something right! I am still reeling from the experience and it is one I am not likely to ever forget.
A promoter from Israel was on the dance floor that day, and subsequently flew me out to Tel Aviv to play a club gig there – yet another thing I could tick off my bucket list, DJing in Israel! There are a few more countries I would like to tick off that list, so I am hopeful that I will have more opportunities to play around the world in years to come.
It is rewarding to see the collective continue to grow and connect all the corners of the world through psy trance.
Renegade DJ at Noisily Festival 2014, by Pierre Ekman Photography
How would you describe the music you DJ/produce at the moment and what dance music genre would you say it best fits under? Has your sound changed or evolved much since you’ve starting producing?
I play either bouncy daytime full on or driving, energetic progressive, but it always depends on the gig and who plays before and after me as I like to keep some kind of flow going from one DJ to the next. My sound is constantly evolving, it all depends on what music is out there at the time. I dedicate a lot of my set prep to trawling through the music sites or tapping my contacts to get my hands on the best new music for my sets. My CD case is always being updated, and anything I have not played for 3 months is taken out. It's very rare that I will play tracks that are older than 6 months in my sets, I am very picky like that but it keeps my sets fresh!
What attracts you to the ‘psychedelic’ side of sound and what would you say makes your music ‘psychedelic’, compared with plain ol’ trance, prog or techno?
Since last year there has been a rebirth of sorts in daytime full on, with artists such as Outsiders from Israel smashing out these massive energetic, bouncy dance floor tunes. Music that is friendly enough for morning sessions but still has some psychedelic sounds so can easily fit into a night time set too. These guys blasted on to the scene out of nowhere and pioneered a new type of sound, it has been so refreshing and now other newer artists are following in their footsteps and continuing with the same type of psychedelic daytime sound. Much to my delight of course as this is currently my favourite style to play, and simply put, it is banging daytime full on.
Finally, aside from our Pys-Sisters party on 28th February, what else are you looking forward to for the rest of 2015?
I am thrilled to be playing at Noisily Festival again this year! Last year's festival was amazing, the Liquid (psy trance) Stage is set in the woodlands and the festival takes place on private land, the whole experience brings back fond memories of Glade Festivals of the past. I cannot recommend it highly enough, if I you are in the UK in July, you must go!
You’ve been involved in Psy-Sisters since its inception and were part of the original team that organised the first event in May 2013. What first motivated you to get involved and what continues to motivate you to help take the project to new levels?
When my close friend Rena Psibindi approached me with the idea of creating a collective which will support female psychedelic artists around the globe, I knew I wanted to be part of this great project.
What have been the highlights for you so far, and what aspirations do you have for the future, both for Psy-Sisters and your own musical career?
The highlights so far has been the release of my first EP, Yesta on Panmusic Records. Plus the collaboration track ‘This is why I’m hot’ on Champa’s second studio album, Tiger. The first Psy Sisters event was truly a memory for the start of something good to come. The future brings great opportunities for the involvement of all our sisters & supporting brothers.
How would you describe the music you DJ/produce at the moment and what dance music genre would you say it best fits under? Has your sound changed or evolved much since you’ve starting producing?
I would describe my music as groovy, driving and psychedelic with dark technical elements. Sound to me like “night full on”. My style has not changed much in the last few years as I’ve expressed my style in my productions and this is what I play.
What attracts you to the ‘psychedelic’ side of sound and what would you say makes your music ‘psychedelic’, compared with plain ol’ trance, prog or techno?
Well first of all techno is my background, so most of my influence comes from there. Psychedelic music allows me to expand my mind freely and helps to reach music on a different level of consciousness.
Finally, aside from our Pys-Sisters party on 28th February, what else are you looking forward to for the rest of 2015?
I’m looking forward to playing twice in Germany in April (Psychedelic Theatre and Schmox Family) and also with Atma and Champa at Butterfly Effect in May 2015 somewhere in London. Plus all the new parties, festivals and people I will meet along the way.
You’ve been involved in Psy-Sisters since its inception and were part of the original team that organised the first event in May 2013. What first motivated you to get involved and what continues to motivate you to help take the project to new levels?
My main motivation in getting involved was to illuminate the way for other female DJs and support and inspire them to get out there. I remember when I first started DJing years ago and was feeling quite alone in a predominately male industry, I wish I’d had support back then. By working together sharing ideas, facilitating connections and resources female DJs can mutually benefit and illuminate the psy community.
What have been the highlights for you so far, and what aspirations do you have for the future, both for Psy-Sisters and your own musical career?
The highlight of my DJing career was playing in South Africa at the Total Solar Eclipse 2003. I had the opportunity to play a few hours set, when all of a sudden, the eclipse of the sun began as I played the last track, it was just magic and in perfect synchronicity to the music, it was the most amazing moment of my life.
My aspirations for the future are to stay involved with Psy-Sisters motivating more female artists to emerge, travel as much as possible playing in parties all over the world and to produce the tracks I have in my mind’s eye.
How would you describe the music you DJ/produce at the moment and what dance music genre would you say it best fits under? Has your sound changed or evolved much since you’ve starting producing?
I would say the music I DJ/ Produce is energetic, uplifting and powerful but always with a spiritual touch. I love the diverse styles of psy and often mix different music genres building layers of sound through the set. Since I began DJing my sound has evolved. I played ambient psy for many years and still play the same kind of trance, only now it’s more energetic.
What attracts you to the ‘psychedelic’ side of sound and what would you say makes your music ‘psychedelic’, compared with plain ol’ trance, prog or techno?
Psychedelic trance has a distinctive sound; I love the bass beat and varying rhythms. It’s more exciting than other genres, it makes you feel good, you can’t help but dance and people need that especially in times of recession. Since I found psy music I feel spiritually connected, it’s very mind expanding, cosmic and mystical. Music is a
global language everyone in the world can understand and it’s an instant mood lifter!! No medicine required!!
Finally, aside from our Pys-Sisters party on 28th February, what else are you looking forward to for the rest of 2015?
This year I have few TV and radio projects on the way and I’m looking forward to playing as many gigs as I can in the future. The next gig after Psy-Sisters will be at InSpiral in Camden London on the 20th March. Come along!!
Come and celebrate the many styles of Psy-Sisters at Union on Saturday 28th February. Advance tickets are just £10 + bf from Access All Areas.
Photos courtesy of AElisePhotographyUK, Jane Victoria Photography, Pierre Ekman Photography, S.F.I.N.K.S 700 (Poland) and Wild Ganja Photography (Spain). Not to be reproduced without permission.
PSY-SISTERS return to Vauxhall’s Union club for the second time to celebrate another eventful year of all things wild and psychedelic! Since its inception in 2012, our collective has generated a global following that gets stronger with each and every female talent that’s joined our growing roster of artists.
The last twelve months have been both surreal and exciting as we’ve witnessed the growing number of female talents that have stepped up to the plate and soared into the limelight no holds barred! Festival organisers, promoters, writers, designers, light engineers, decor crews, technical teams, producers and DJs have shown the true beauty of their colours in their own unique and original way. They’re the talents that have always been there - but it seems they’re coming out in their numbers right here, right now!
So far, so good… We're currently preparing to launch our very first VA, Ensoulment, compiled by Canadian producer, Kloud Nin9. The relaunch of the Psy-Sisters Soundcloud page was also a major development, not to mention the growing number of female acts seen and heard performing at festivals and events around the world.
This second edition of the Psy-Sisters celebration is our way of saying a massive thank you to everyone that’s supported the collective until now. We are very excited to bring together some of your favourite female acts from the psychedelic trance scene - and to put on yet another sparkling event inspired by the talent of every amazing sister from across the four corners of the world!
::: Also look out for our exciting COMPETITION for the chance to win the OPENING SET in the psy room! More details coming soon :::
Jai Mata!
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Psy Trance. Chillout / Leftfield.
DJ's:
2 rooms of psy trance & alternative
Chandrananda
Cheryl Catawampus
FlibbertiGibbet
Kallima
Lauren Lyon
Lorraine
Miss Kiff
Nikki S Piskey Roots
Psibindi Psyana
Renegade DJ
Sati Spinney Lainey
Sol Shine
Svess
Toxic Tegan
VJ Baby K
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