DJ Fayes: “You can’t please everyone, but why should you?”
Dirty underground sound in mixes characteristic for their combination of various electronic music genres, absence of cheesy melodies and energetic personality that hypes the crowd from beginning to the very end. Join us for an interview with talented Slovak DJane and producer based in London AKA Henrieta Bevilaqua.
Hi Fayes, how’s it going, how are you feeling?
Hey! I’m feeling really happy now, since I boarded the one-way flight to London, all the weight fell off my shoulders. I’m glad to be be back in London, it’s the right kind of jungle for me. This time I’m planning to stay longer, I really missed the big city life.
What motivated you to change the location? Why London?
From all the cities I used to live in, London is definitely my most favourite one. It never sleeps, it’s music scene really suits my taste and some of my best friends live here already. Trying to create my own music, I wanted to take it to the next level, and this is a really good place to do such thing. So recently I’ve started a 3 month course aimed at music production, actually not too far from where I live.
Besides that I’ve been lucky enough to perform at 2 events since I arrived, one of them boasting 600 capacity. This combined with all the new opportunities and amazing people which give me energy and inspiration, I consider the move to be a really good decision!
Honestly, I love your style, both in fashion and music, where do you source your inspiration?
Thanks! I love crazy colours and believe that fashion shouldn’t be boring. It’s an opportunity to express yourself, your mood and your opinions. It’s something not to be taken too seriously, just have fun doing it! My preferred style is called Cyberpunk, characteristic for its crazy colours and sometimes overdone designs.
Talking about music – what I love about DJing the most is surfing on Soundcloud. There’s nothing better than exploring the universe of new and unknown music, if it’s jersey club, techno, romantic melodies or rock’n’roll bangers.
Thinking of the scene as whole, the presence of men is dominant, what’s your opinion on this?
Women are generally under higher pressure about the way they look or behave. Now this is not only the case in DJing, I mean generally in the professional world. I was going with the flow, trying to fulfil the desires of others, but you are never going to please them anyway, right? Then a friend of mine told me something that made me rethink my strategy
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful”
So I said to myself, I live only once – why waste it and not perform all over the world if I want to?
Have you ever dreamt of becoming a DJ?
No, not particularly to be a DJ. Ever since, little Fayes dreamt of having a job that she would enjoy doing where she could wear crazy clothes, doing something creative. I was going to raves, loving the life. But then I realised ”why couldn’t I be on the other side, playing the music I love, turning the party to a career?”
Basshouse, jerseyclub or jungleterror – not everybody may know these genres you play, why those?
I did my degree in Netherlands and the parties I’ve gone to were something I never dreamt of experiencing. I used to hate techno, psytrance or hardstyle, I didn’t understand them, but it all changed when seeing (or hearing) them live.
About that time I discovered trap, when at one of the parties and I remember myself asking people ”What is it? What is it that’s playing?” Dozens of festivals and parties later, I realised how many genres there are – I’m not going to fix myself to just one. If you like music in general, there’s something good to be found in every genre.
Biggest achievements to date?
I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to live in 4 countries over the past 5 years. It’s all about discovering new things and places for me, it’s my nature. That’s why I consider this to be an achievement, as it allowed me to get in contact with new cultures, languages and different life perspectives.
On the professional side, it was a great experience to co-author the first-ever article about trap scene in Slovakia.
Behind the decks, playing alongside Komander Ground, the star of Slovak trap for me, then also with Slovak artists I deeply respect like Inkwall, Konex, Norbert Ronin, Changing Faces or Kutlo, Czech Them Darned Teenagers and Lektrique from Canada. Playing in the one and only original underground club in Slovakia, Subclub, having a gig in Prague or supporting rappers Gleb and Fobia Kid. These were definitely the top moments.
How about your production? Where are you now and what are your future plans?
Few weeks ago I uploaded a mixtape ”Think Less Love More”. It’s a concept of ideas that you can fully understand only if listened to with quality headphones. Currently I have so many ideas how to connect sounds and genres, but my main aim is to move forward with the technical side of things.
It’s hard for me to identify or create my ”typical sound” as many artists aim to, because I like to experiment with dirty and clanky dubstep/basshouse bass links and hood/hip-hop samples. Jersey club meets dubstep? Just imagine how would that sound and if you can’t, then wait, I’ll show you (laugh)
Thanks very much for finding the time, it was great to meet you and get to know you a little better. Feel free to add anything.
People are formed by people and I have so many awesome friends I can’t thank enough. I want to thank my parents, for giving me the opportunity to travel and study abroad, not everybody can do that and I really appreciate it.
Big thanks to all of my friends who believed in me, back when I didn’t even know how to turn the mixer on. Namely the father of Epic Brains, Oliver, for taking me under his wings. Then George, who gave me the opportunity to play at my first party and both David’s from Tripologic, also for having me in their crew.
Also to everybody known and unknown, who do something more than just a 9-5 and complain, to all those who spread the positive vibes and do things they love without looking at the profits. You are helping someone to achieve their dreams.
Everybody love each other and do more than you are told to! (Andy’s clapping in the background)
Follow Fayes: Facebook / Soundcloud
Book Fayes: BOOK
Author’s note: ”I still feel that this interview isn’t earned, I’ve started only recently and basically haven’t achieved anything!” says Fayes off the record.
Author (Original): Feddie
Translation: Andy