Last month we featured an artist on our line-up that we have loved here at Berlin-Brighton for many years.
Born into this world with a love for all things creative, it was only a matter of time before we saw this artist spread her wings and shine on an international level. Born in Brazil, BLANCAh started her professional music career as a DJ 16 years ago.
In 2014, BLANCAh embarked on her biggest year and joined forces with Steyoyoke. Since becoming a member of the Berlin based record label, BLANCAh has built a solid path in music production by delivering a continuum of highly acclaimed releases. She defines her musical identity through melodic compositions, often featuring her signature dark quirky soundscapes. Her music is clearly a reflection of her love for all things strange and wonderful. Both remixing as well as composing her own songs, her work always depicts her sensitivity and versatility, which combines to create a unique essence and form of self-expression. It comes as no surprise that in 2016 BLANCAh was awarded at the “Rio Music Conference”, winning the highly esteemed, “Revelation Of The Year” award.
As a matured artist, BLANCAh is now well established and has cemented her music identity with a multitude of skill and talent. Her commitment to stay true to her roots, has really pushed her need for creative expansion and has in fact, strengthened her ability to stand out from the crowd.
Hi BLANCAh, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Hi guys, thank you so much for this opportunity to share with your audience a bit more about me and my work. I‘m really fine, I just came back from my tour in India, which was absolutely amazing. Now I'm working on the final adjustments for my upcoming EP that will be released soon by Renaissance Records, and I’m also preparing my set for my show in Brighton.
You have been floating between Brazil and Berlin for quite some time now, how did that musical journey start?
It basically started when I kicked off my project as BLANCAh and I released my first single “Who’s That" with my old label, Steyoyoke. As the label is based in Berlin, I decided to come here (Berlin) to know a little more of this city, to live the music culture that overflows here, and also to play at the anniversary party that the label promotes annually. Since then, I came back every year to play and to visit some friends. I also have a kind of tradition now, always when I'm about to release some new EP, I come to release in Berlin first, I think it brings me luck.
Steyoyoke is a Berlin label which was very much at the core of what you were doing, how did that connection happen?
It happened naturally through the music when I sent a demo that was accepted in 2014. I am very grateful for the almost six years that I spent dedicating my time and my energy exclusively to this label. I was very dedicated, faithful and exclusive for this project. I learnt and grew a lot and I know they also grew and learnt with me. But a lot has changed during these six years inside that label and so I decided to end my journey with them a year ago, and to move on. Today, for me Steyoyoke is a label that has released my songs in the past, and now I’m focusing on my future.
How is the scene in your native Brazil right now?
It‘s amazing, mainly in São Paulo and in the south of Brazil where we have emblematic clubs like D-Edge, Warung, Vibe, Terrazza, CAOS, and Beehive among many others who fomented the scene in Brazil. We also have many small nuclei of people who are passionate about electronic music and promote parties in the countryside, and many new artists are working and growing with quality. I see many new producers arising in Brazil.
Where was your first gig?
Well, I have almost twenty years of career. Before being BLANCAh I was DJ PatyLaus. The first show of my life was in a club recently inaugurated in my city. I was a type of DJ that played various music and did not focus on electronic music. As BLANCAh, my first show was in a city called Alfredo Wagner. I played at a festival called LIFE. On the dance floor was just 6 friends and my father. Despite the failure of the festival, I was very happy because the most important people in my life at that moment were present. And I was giving life to BLANCAh.
Where was your first gig in Berlin?
Ritter Butzke
I have been hammering your releases for years now at our events and radio shows. Are there any tracks you like to revive during your sets?
Yes, Ripple Effect. To me this is one of the most beautiful songs which I ever made. I still play it in my sets .
What can people expect from a typical BLANCAh LIVE set? What flavours and grooves do you inject into a dance floor??
I make my sets a journey. I start with intimate and deep songs, and I go up gradually, mixing energy, strength and poetry, with a hint of hypnotic sounds. Hope that people in Brighton like it.
You have been in Berlin back and forth for a few years now, where's your favourite place to just to kick back and chill?
I love doing picnics in the parks around, like MauerPark and Tiergarten.
And equally, where's your favourite place to let loose?
My Studio.
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
I like to listen and support young brasilian guys like "Obscure Sense”, “Trommer” and “Paulo Foltz”.
What are your go to labels?
I already released in labels like “Steyoyoke”, “TimelessMoment”, “Moovment”, “Sprout”, and my next release will be with “Renaissance”.
You started 16 years ago in the music scene, what inspired you at such an early age to get into electronic music i.e. was there an artist, sound or an event that inspired you?
I started my career as a DJ around 20 years, but I was a type of DJ that played varied styles of music. Electronic music came slowly into my life. As I tuned my ear, opening myself up to new sounds, and learning how to mix. I started listening toTripHop music and I fell in love with this style. Portishead, Massive Attack, and many others artists were my base to start in the electronic music universe.
What else can we expect from you soon?
I'm about to release my new EP on the emblematic label “Renaissance". I am very happy for this achievement in my career. I‘m also finishing my second album and I’m looking forward for this release also. And I’m really happy that I will perform in really nice festivals around Europe this summer like Fusion Festival, Exit Festival, Bloque Festival and Le Reve Festival, in the next 2 months.
Great stuff and thank you for speaking with us today, we're looking forward to more great things from you. Is there anything else you'd like to add for our readers?
Thank you guys, it was my pleasure to talk with you. Lets spread love in this world. Peace.
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