Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside?
Hii I’m Mabel. I’m a 23 yr old DJ/producer & visual artist. I use she/her and currently I reside in Naarm, known as Melbourne in Australia.
Describe your walk around where you live
Residential suburbia mixed with really random nature moments. I live in the same suburb I grew up in so it’s very familiar and nostalgic. Extremely FLAT landscape until you come across the creek nearby that creates a surprising amount of cliffy bush walks which also is one of Melbourne’s most popular doof locations.
Last track you would want to hear before orgasming?
Ooooo I have to go with this sexy classic:
Favorite DJ mixing trick?
The simple but effective track out track in using the levels. It’s common with techno mixing to take the main track out and quickly pull it back in. When timed well it can really get people’s attention and also make a mix sound super punchy.
What smell would you pick to represent the way you DJ?
Maybe like dirt lol. Because it smells earthy and I like to play dirty. Or seaspray because I love all sounds deep, dark, and mysterious like the sea. I also thrive when I get the opportunities to play outdoors.
How do you avoid burnout?
I don’t:(
Best gig of your life so far?
Playing at Moniker which was a small festival run by a good friend late last year. This was my first time getting an opportunity to play in my ideal place, the bush doof. Not everyday do you get to hear the music you love out of multiple stacks of Funktions in the middle of nowhere. I do have to say my close second gig of all time which is what I’ve said a few times in the past is Moonfield, an inner city doof me and some friends threw mid 2021. I was 21 and in my peak turbo techno era, I guess also my first time playing outside of a club so a very freeing track selection. During my set, multiple friends (emphasis on MULTIPLE) reportedly had to take breaks to go shit in the bushes. It is now a core memory for me<3
What is the theme song of your mind on ashwagandha?
Probably: Revolt – Relax (Lemon 8 Remix) or: oooophi – DJ Python
Favorite Ableton shortcut?
I’m not too nifty on the shortcuts but probably command E only because I love cutting stuff up and moving it around like a collage or a puzzle.
Earliest musical childhood memory?
I’ve been surrounded by musicians my whole life and constantly experiencing festivals and live music from a young age but my first sort of sentient experience was on my 12th bday when I went to this classic underage festival Goodlife (haha) circa 2012. I was pretty oblivious to the world of dance music and kinda just the world in general but I vividly remember seeing Deadmau5 and something just igniting inside of me. When I heard I Remember genuinely it was a bit of an awakening.
Let’s play a pi pi pi game… I give you a situation & you give me a track…
Cactus maze in the desert
Sticky lazy river made of honey
NDE for the second time
Weirdest dream about DJing?
After seeing Donato Dozzy at Inner Varnika a month ago, I had recurring dreams of him playing this Pilldriver hardstyle track and nothing else and it was amazing. He also did in fact close with that track in real life so I must have just been eternally mind blown from it or something.
What is your favorite party/collective where you reside and why?
I have to say Butter Sessions. I was honoured enough to play at one of their parties late last year, truly monumental for me as I’ve been attending their parties and listening to their records since I first got into dance music. I have also always looked up to the Sleep D boys who are behind the collective, their music is essential to the Naarm scene and resonates with all the deep dark sounds that interest me.
If you could transfer all your knowledge from what you do now into something completely different, what would it be and why?
Visual art or surfing. Two things that I’ve done my whole life that sort of came naturally. I was classically trained in painting and then got a degree in visual art. I thought it was my calling but I was never super prolific with it, it was more something I just enjoyed. Surfing has also always been something I’ve enjoyed but never had much access to as I live about an hour and a half drive from the closest surf beach. I used to take myself on day trips to the coast every week and moved down there for about 4 months to work. I would probably be living on the coast if it wasn’t for music, music’s definitely taken over my life although I wouldn’t change a thing… except if maybe we collectively move the scene to the coast? Idk
Where do you see yourself musically in 2033?
Well looking into the future tends to be a tricky thought exercise these days. We know how random each year can be. I think how quickly things have happened for me in the last 2 years has been shocking, so to know that in 2033 I will have over a decade of experience in this industry is exciting. My aim always is to get better at producing so I hope by then I have a fat studio with heaps of cool stuff.
What is your most recent favorite DJ mix and why?
D.tiffffffffff!!!!! on pi pi pi hahaha. I love that mix. It’s so nasty and fun. Also really obsessed with one of dj fart in the club’s recent NTS mix on the 3rd of feb. Super bassy, deep, and minimal vibes it’s HOT.
Track that makes you think about water..
Any advice to upcoming DJs/producers?
You do you. Figure out what interests you and completely submerge yourself in it. Go down all the paths. Just be absolutely clinically obsessed with it and then make it yours. Listen to everything. Break down sounds or find patterns within the music you like.
Favorite plant and why?
Peace Lily because they’re so dramatic. Always acting like they’ve died when they’re just a little thirsty. Love a drama queen who lives for the theatre.
What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?
I want to see the scene down here reignite. We lost a lot of clubs over recent years and laws were introduced regarding illegal doofs. The general vibe has lowered a lot post covid. There’s a lot of reminiscing about the parties filled with sweaty dancers, naked bodies, insane outfits, etc. Parties that were just fun and freeing. I hope these things come back. They were definitely the reason I became obsessed with Djing.