LOCAL FORM: DJ Belle
If you’re thirsty for a little high-octane electro, with sprinklings of rave, and an early 00’s pop sensibility, look no further than the stylings of DJ Belle…
The Melbourne based selector hones in on her raver’s instinct to curate mixes that fluidly ease you from late night into the early morning. If you’re new to the grit and guts of trance/rave, then she might just be the perfect intro for you.
Confidently dipping from electro to bass, ambient, jungle and breaks, a set from DJ Belle will keep you on your toes. Frequenting local watering holes Xe54, Colour, and Thank You 2 (RIP), her monthly radio show on Area3000 ‘DJ Belle’s Bass Camp’ gives Belle a space to showcase her unique taste. Alongside this, Annabelle makes up half of PlayGroup alongside best friend Camilla, a staple duo at Glamorama Bar.
Having contributed to local series’ melt., Synesthetic, and Red Room Recordings, her archive invites you to chuck on a mix, crank the volume, roll the windows down, and turn up your IDGAF attitude. Make no mistake, Belle isn’t afraid to go turbo, and that’s exactly why she’s quickly climbing the ranks of Melbourne’s emerging DJs.
Taking some time out from her busy schedule, Belle went 1 on 1 with us, selecting 3 tracks that have influenced her sound…
FIRST:
Tom Trago - Use Me Again (And Again)
‘This is truly one of the first tracks I heard on a club dance floor that made me fall in love with dance music. My journey with dance music definitely started with a love for mid-tempo disco. Trago used a sample from Millie Jackson’s ‘We Got To Hit It Off’, with the soulful lyrics only featuring intermittently throughout the song. Even though Trago teases us with a slow build, the walking bassline and big strings make you instantly aware of what track is playing. It’ll take you on a journey and always lifts the energy in the room.’
CLASSIC:
Interplanetary Criminal - Take Me Away (Interplanetary Criminal's Speedy G Remix)
‘This my favourite Y2K trance banger and will forever hold a soft spot in my heart. However, a few months back I discovered this awesome thumpy edit of the track by Interplanetary Criminal. Even though the original is classic, this remix incorporates a criminal bassline and effects that give it that extra flavour. When the bass drops, it’ll dare you not to move. No matter what genre you’re into, this song will always get everyone on the dance floor.’
CURRENT:
😝 Hermeth 😈 Devil's Reject 😝
‘Despite my love for early 2000s nostalgic trance, I’ve recently been tempted by the ‘devil’. I like to dabble in electro/ breaks, with Devil's Reject accurately reflecting an example of my current music taste. Hermeth is an absolute weapon and is not afraid to push boundaries which I admire and want to emulate in my own mixes. The burning bass will literally tear you a new one - it’s stupidly good! Also, take a look at the music video if you’re an animal lover!’
See All in Local Form…