With an awesomely intense shock of red hair and an awesomely intense mix of sweet beats, DJ Sydney Blu rocked the rain-soaked crowd at the Ever After Music Festival this past weekend. In spite of the less than ideal weather, Sydney Blu delivered a wicked tech-house set that had everybody jamming.
As a top Canadian female DJ/producer, Blu has had some serious success over the past six years since the launch of her very own record label, Blu Music Records. She’s performed at all kinds of events and festivals around the world with all kinds of internationally acclaimed DJs. Also, every year in Miami, her Blu Party brand hosts Miami Music Week, showcasing the best up-and-comers to the EDM scene.
Since signing with Blackhole Recordings, Blu has put out an ongoing documentary series about her life as a DJ entitled Being Sydney Blu and is set to release her debut album Relentless later this year. In the meantime, we got to know her a little better after the set. Read on for the full interview.
29: How did you get into DJing?
SB: I was inspired by electronic music and then watched DJs for a couple years before I taught myself.
29: Who are your favourite DJs and why?
SB: Danny Tenaglia because he has blown my mind with his marathon sets over the years. Stacey Pullen “ he’s the best techno DJ out there. Maceo Plex “ he’s my favourite producer currently.
29: What other kinds of music do you listen to?
SB: I like downtempo stuff. I love Massive Attack. I love trip-hop.
29: What’s the best show or venue you have ever spun at?
SB: Probably the Rogers Centre with 35,000 people, opening for Deadmau5.
29: What do you do to get ready for a show?
SB: I keep to myself. I relax. I fully don’t talk to people before I play. It’s like meditation I guess.
29: How would you describe your style (in terms of fashion)?
SB: I like to wear blue obviously and I like wearing black. I like to look unique.
29: What’s the one makeup product you can’t live without?
SB: My eyeliner.
29: Have you ever dated any famous DJs?
SB: Yes “ but I’m not going to talk about it in an interview … nice try 🙂
29: What are some of the challenges you face as a female DJ and how do you overcome them?
SB: I don’t usually think about the fact that I am a female DJ. I just look at myself as an artist and that’s probably why I haven’t had those kind of challenges. I don’t think my challenges have had anything to do with my gender.
29: How did you come up with the name Sydney Blu?
SB: It’s my porn star name 🙂 My mother’s middle name is Sydney and my first pet was a bird named Blu.
