FAST 10: DJ Niamh
10 questions with a FOrm Favourite…
One of the DJs consistently impressing us would have to be DJ Niamh. Have a gander at her Soundcloud page and immerse yourself with the impressive array of mixes. Go on. We’ll be here when you get back. ..
*20 hours later*
It’s good eh. Do you see how she connects cosmic, breaks, deep house, old-school and whatever else with effortless ease? Kinda makes you feel envious (😧) yet inspired (✍🏿) at the same time? It makes you think: Does she hear the tunes in the same way I do? How did she connect those two tracks, and why didn’t I think of that? Does her techno even sound like my techno? Does her green look like my green? How does David Lynch even exist? And who invented those little plastic fixtures at the end of shoelaces, keeping all the threads from unravelling? Look, it might just be me, but that’s what good music does. It inspires, laying the foundation for many thoughts and ideas to breed and blend like a delicious breakfast smoothie.
It’s not just creatively where Niamh has staked her claim. She is an essential cog in the local music community, contributing her time as a radio presenter to cherished and vital institutions like SYN and PBS FM. And when she’s not being communally conscious, she DJs at clubs from Colour to Gasometer. Yes, she is a boss without knowing it - and that makes her even more of a boss. So, in other words, Niamh is the perfect subject for our boss-laden Fast 10 series. So sit back, pop on a DJ Niamh mix and get comfortable. These are fast yet very important ten questions...
1. Three words to describe my music:
Silly, motivating, moving. My dream is to make someone laugh and cry at once on the dance floor.
2. A female artist everyone should know:
My favourite producer currently is Anz, who is based in Manchester in the UK. She has a real talent for adapting old sounds and musical references to her own style, which is really fresh and emotive. Closer to home, Mabel is an extremely hardworking DJ, producer, and promoter. Her skills are genuinely off chops, and you can tell it all comes from her heart as well as her brain.
Anz
‘My current favourite producer is Anz, who is based in Manchester in the UK.’
3. A track I’m embarrassed to love:
Probably Poison Arrow by ABC. Dad had a burned CD of 80s tracks that we always listened to in the car so I know all the words. But it still slaps!
4. The local industry needs more:
Government support!! Whether that be federal, state, or council. Naarm (and the rest of the country) has so many brilliant creatives, but we risk losing people to places that have better infrastructure and attitudes towards the arts. Backing for late-night trading and small to mid-size venues would help, and of course financial support for studios/radio stations/people! How are we supposed to develop and thrive if everything is purely dependent on big profits or someone’s pre-existing wealth? (ED: Preach 🙌🏽)
DJ Niamh
5. My drink of choice at a gig:
Gin and soda (stay hydrated!)
6. What empowers me:
For lack of a better descriptor, my support network. I have such a solid group of guardian angels around me and I’m honestly the luckiest scamp in all the world because of it :’-)
7. The best gig I’ve ever played:
B2bing with the v talented Sophuli to kick off the first Daydreams party this year. A few summers ago one of my best friends and I went to Daydreams every Sunday like clockwork. We saw so many sick DJs and met so many friends there, and those interactions and experiences really were the catalyst for me realising I wanted to learn to DJ. Getting to play the party was a really lovely full-circle moment.
8. If I wasn’t in the music industry, I would be:
Truly I have no idea. I played music all through school and tried doing my undergrad at the Conservatorium until I figured out that wasn’t for me. After that I thought about being a footy journo for a bit but I’m way too much of a nuff for it, so I’m glad I found my way back to music.
9. Someone I look up to is:
Pjenné – an incredible DJ, radio presenter, and now label head. Her commitment, support, and celebration of the local scene, whether that’s on-air with Passing Notes or in other ways, is so inspiring and admirable.
10. The best piece of advice I ever received:
My Babcia (grandma in Polish) used to say “cut off your finger, don’t grow back. Cut off your hair, grow back.” Do with that what you will.
For more Fast 10 features go here…