We're so excited to continue our Brighton Mixtapes Series. Since the success of our beloved Berlin Mixtapes Series, which has featured awesome guests so far, we are on a mission to showcase more of the exciting talent that is right on our doorstep.
Next up we welcome the lovely and super talented MysD. Originally a performance artist, theatre director and dramatherapist, who turned her skills and energies into performing and hosting at festivals. Before she knew it she subsequently fell into DJing through sheer coincidence. During the pandemic she honed in on the craft and began playing on a local radio station which led to bookings at events across the UK.
MysD, formerly Mysdeeque, discovered her passion for music at a warehouse in Oxford, wide eyed and bushy tailed dancing to Acid House in 1989. She became immersed in the free party scene and attended the likes of Spiral Tribe, Circus Warp, Bedlam and DIY parties all over the UK that paved an immersive way for a new cultural revolution that promoted freedom, diversity and unity. MysD has witnessed the underground scene with its genres develop over the past 30 years.
MysD with her infectious passion has only one agenda when she’s DJing... to fill the dance floor with joy; curating a journey of connection and meaning with a sucker for atmospheric hardline drops. She is a multi-genre artist playing sounds that transcend across house and embraces melodic techno with always an ear for fusing music that spans the last thirty years and ahead.
Expect big things this year as she completes her MA Music Entrepreneurship and continues to build events as a solo artist as well as with her collective ‘4totheFloor’. Let's find out more!
Hi MysD, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Yes, I'm good thank you, I've just got back from a short getaway trip to Wigan that was fun involving hot tubs, go karting and a roller disco. I have to say my driving isn't much up to scratch and I couldn't believe the noises that were coming out of my mouth on the corners!
I haven't been to a roller disco since I was a teenager and it was hilarious and I couldn't stop grinning and remembered how much I love roller skating. Then back to the grind this week after Christmas. I currently work in a trauma centre as a creative psychotherapist with children, young people and adults. I will be transitioning out of this job in February as I concentrate on my private practice.
I do really enjoy this job but it can get really tough so being creative is equally as important so I have enjoyed preparing music for this mixtape and collating the journey. I have started to prepare for my monthly radio show on Codesouth this Friday 6pm-8pm. I've also been in touch with Waterbear University this week preparing for my return to the MA music entrepreneurship course and have just received some results from my last assignment. So, it's only Wednesday and it's been a busy week already!
How long have you been DJing?
Not actually that long! About 6 years ago I auditioned to perform at Boomtown in Grandma's living room as an off-the-wall Grandma to entertain everybody that would visit the venue. This was one of the most hilarious experiences of my life. With rolled down brown tights, a terrible nightie, a wig with a headscarf, a cigar, a tea trolley, Battenberg cake and sherry. I ran this with two other performers managing the entertainment programme over the five days.
We played games such as innuendo bingo, the walking stick dance off, the shit tombola, gabba jigsaw and the tights limbo. It was so popular we had a queue every lunchtime with people shouting for the Grandmas. On the Saturday at about 3pm no one had any music to play due to bags and records travelling around the site to the wrong venue, the head of the stage Grandem encouraged me to get on the decks. I had no idea what I was doing or what I was going to play. About 500 faces were all expectantly staring.
The first track literally popped off! I guess the bug started from this point forward. A couple of years later I bought my first controller and began to teach myself how to DJ. It didn't really begin to take off until lockdown. During this time I began to research, practise and collect tracks inspired by over 30 years of frequenting dance floors.
What inspired you to start DJing?
I would say there were few factors that inspired me to start DJing. The first being that during the Covid lockdown years I could no longer produce theatre and my arts production organisation began to fall apart. This was devastating as I found much joy in being creative, and realised this was an important component for my own mental health and provided a balance working with trauma in my day job.
There is something special about bringing joy through music, performance and theatre in specific spaces. I remember the devastating moment when I realised this was over. I was listening to the radio in the car (driving around as a key worker) and I thought I could do that!
With no studio experience at all with radio, only with using a microphone, I contacted a local radio station and asked them to give me a shot. This was three years ago, and I have maintained a show on there ever since. There was something really special and important about that time playing music and talking on the radio to everybody that was listening with the intention of bringing some joy and light to what was a very difficult time.
I did not realise how this platform was incredibly powerful to keep people connected. There are three people that have also inspired me immensely. One is Laura (Grandem) who I was performing with at Boomtown who was the first person that encouraged me to get behind the decks and was so incredibly calm, respectful, playful and supportive. The other person is Lola (Lauren) who I spoke to just before I began to play music on the scene in Brighton. A beautiful powerhouse DJ with vast knowledge and experience told me I could do this and to keep in touch if there was anything I ever needed.
Last but not least my partner in crime Dom, who also started DJing on the radio station not long after me, who has been incredibly patient with me throughout this learning process. Interactions like that stay with you forever and give you the confidence that you need. I never even thought I would be able to do anything like this!
You currently play for a few nights in Brighton, where can people catch you?
I have been so grateful for the many experiences last year, which has been the year we have got back after Covid and the first year of bookings. I have had the honour of playing for Tech Noir a few times at the Volks and I'm always amazed and humbled to be playing alongside DJs and producers that have been playing for over 30 years. Our collective 4tothefloor have played at Oculist, The Font, Block Bar and Zahara. I have also played for:
BadDog – i360
Elemental – Oxted Festival
Hootananny Brixton
Nozstock Festival
Eivissa – At Coast
Min:animal – Oculist
The Social Shift - Block
G3T LOO5E - Block
And met some fantastic people.
What sort of music can people expect?
When I first started DJing I was playing a lot of jackin house and disco. This year I have been experimenting with progressive, minimal, deep house, melodic house and techno. I research for hours each week and I am beginning to work on my own unique sound that incorporates music that sparks memories and new sounds that move through to techno.
This does in essence tell my story of three decades of enjoying house and techno. I will spend a lot of time thinking about the event, the crowd and the people that are playing to compliment the experience.
You are also currently studying music, tell us more about that.
I am on the MA Music Entrepreneurship course this year. This course supports you to find and research your goals, niche and resources as an artist. I have just completed research about the possible meaning and origins of electronic dance music and how music and the community can support our mental health.
This will be developed into creating my own unique sound to promote diversity with the intention of producing my own music this year. This is an opportunity to gather all my resources as an artist and a performer by building skills and finding direction.
Where was your first gig in Brighton? I am proud to say my first booking was for Lola and it was at the Sunday Service at Brighton Pride festival. This was as we were coming out of lockdown and we still had to sit down at tables. I was incredibly nervous, as it was not only my first gig in Brighton but there was also a great selection of DJs that I had heard on the radio and been to events to where they had performed.
I got to meet some great people and learnt a lot that day about being flexible with your set and changing it up to meet the needs of the room and work with the DJs before and after you. I think I went in a bit too hard for a Sunday afternoon and I think we had noise complaints! It also felt important to spend time supporting everyone playing either side of you.
I have to say it was at this gig I met another inspiration and now a close friend, Benzi who I now collaborate with as part of our collective called ‘4tothefloor’, which I set up with Dom (Mov) and Craig Nock. We also all have shows on local radio station Codesouth FM.
At this time I approached Ben at Block in Brighton to put on some Sunday sessions (still seated events) after having a great Sunday there. After inviting Benzi and Craig, we all hit it off and haven’t looked back since. I love these guys very much and enjoy every moment with them playing music together.
You have partied at Berlin-Brighton many times and hang out with the crew a lot. What is it about the night that is special to you?
Ahhh so much. Where to begin really. I started going to illegal outside free parties, clubs and warehouse parties in the 90s where there was an exciting culture developing as a rebellion against the current political agenda of the Thatcher years. This culture created exciting inclusive experiences where it was all about the music and community. When I first went to a Berlin party many years ago, I felt this again. Egos are left at the door. It is an inclusive environment with a diverse crowd and every time I go, I always meet new people on the dancefloor!
When I first met my partner this would always be a date night and always guaranteed to be a good night. It is about the music, which I would describe as intelligent sounds that always take me on a journey – a sense of freedom. I have over the years got to know some dear friends that are part of the crew and they are now family.
Where's your favourite place to just kick back and chill in Brighton?
I swim 3 miles a week and then jump in a Sauna at David Lloyd – this is definitely where I kick back, recalibrate and chill. There is not enough time to kick back, too much to do. In the warmer months I try to get to the beach as much as possible.
And equally, where's your favourite place to let loose? I think it has to be the Block Bar in Brighton and the Waterbear Club! Run by the Gorgeous Ben and his family! I have had such good days and evenings at Block either DJing or dancing for hours in the Waterbear to that wicked sound system. I also love a good night at The Arch and The Green Door Store!
Which DJs or producers are you liking right now?
I am really enjoying Franky Wah’s new tracks that have just been released and continue to enjoy Sasha’s music and sets. I can swing within all the genres and love DJs and producers that merge many sounds that bring nostalgia and meaning to their music.
Honey Djion is a current favourite, having seen her live a few times this year. She always blows my mind with her fierce and magnetic sets with stunning visuals and videos that captivate the crowds. I feel as though I have had a research year too, getting to Defected in Croatia and Malta, listening to as many live DJs as possible.
What are your go-to labels?
There are so many, I guess:
Anjunadeep
Stil Vor Talent
Ministry of Sound Recordings
Defected
RCA Records
Spinnin Deep
Toolroom
Classic Music Company
Stereo Cool
Like that Underground
You have compiled our latest Brighton Mixtapes Series Episode 016 - Tell us more about your mix.
I am a sucker for a female vocalist that touches the heart and a drop that wakes you up and makes you feel alive. I wanted to showcase this as well as step into musical territory that I have not been before. I created a journey that begins with a progressive melodic feel that weaves and teases up to a techno climax – I thoroughly enjoyed going in.
What else can we expect from you soon? What's next on the horizon for DJ gigs, where can people see you next?
I am ready for 2023 – my vision is to continue the good relationships already established with the people I have worked with this year and cast my net further afield and work with more promoters and events.
Exciting stuff! It's been an absolute pleasure as always talking with you Lisa. Next up here's the Quickfire Round:
Genre: Anything that gives you goosebumps!
Favourite Colour: Forest green
What do you put on your chips? Mayonnaise and Mustard
Apple or Android: Apple
Pioneer or Denon: Pioneer
Rekordbox or Serato: Both
Can you juggle?: Haha, no!
Weirdest/Coolest item of clothing: Grandma costume – A gigantic pink 1970’s nylon nightie & a peacock dress
First record ever bought: Sister Sledge
Favourite place to hang out in Brighton: Berlin :)
Best club night: Berlin-Brighton
Where does the best roast: My house
Best place for food in Brighton: The Chillie Pickle
Coffee or Tea: Green tea
Favourite drink when you're out: Bloody Mary (At Block Bar!)
Favourite Track right now: Delerium - Silence feat. Sarah McLachlan (Avira Extended Remix)
View on Seagulls: I defend them
Favourite seafood: Oysters
Favourite words: Woolworths & Bubble (try saying them without smiling 😊)
3 words to describe your mix: Atmospheric, melodic, fierce
Tracklisting:
Franky Wah - The Otherside feat. Robinson (Extended) - [SHEN Recordings]
Kajis & Movement Machina - Zone (Mike Koglin Remix) - [YOMO Music]
Tiefstone - Sauron (Original Mix) - [Nightmare Unlimited]
Alive - Haze (Orginal Mix) - [Wyldcard Records]
Andy Kulter & Steand - Rituals (Original Mix) - [Ultimo Paradiso]
Sandeep Pai - Mirrors (Jerome Isma-Ae Remix) - [JEE Productions]
Delierium - Silence feat. Sarah McLachlan (Avira Extended Remix) - [Armada]
Che Jose - Andromeda (Extended Mix) - [Siona Records]
Space 92 - Phobos (Orignal Mix) - [Perfekt Groove Records]
BRKZI - Come Get Me - [GRVNT]
Drunken Kong - Strange Feeling (Original Mix) - [Tronic]
Juheun & Drunken Kong - Open Door (Original Mix) - [Tronic]