OSLCTS.009 SYREETA
If you have been lucky enough to catch London-based selector Syreeta pre-lockdown, you will know that their punchy high powered 4/4 sets have enough energy to fill a room with pure joy and then some.
Syreeta came up in the East London scene playing alongside a plethora of talented DJs and artists such as Archie Hamilton, Samu.I, Varhat, and Vid and is now scheduled to play some of the biggest and best clubs in the UK and beyond. They are also a resident at HE.SHE.THEY and an advocate for inclusivity within house and techno music a movement that is rapidly making more and more positive change.
Education through musical discovery is important to Syreeta’s sound and her extensive back catalog of music adds a full and soulful quality to every set.
It is clear to us at Origins that Syreeta, who has plans to release their first string of productions soon, is going to be one of the most prominent forces in the music world in 2021.
SYREETA SELECTION —-
The Red Room (Obj Vocal Mix) - Dennis Ferrer
Waking Up - MJ Cole, Freya Ridings
Let It Go (with Marc E. Bassy) - Louie Vega, The Martinez Brothers, Marc E. Bassy
No War (Rampa Remix) - Âme, Rampa
Universe - Westcliffe
What They Say - Maya Jane Coles
Fall For You (Sandy Rivera’s Classic Mix) - Kings Of Tomorrow, April, Sandy Rivera
Never Grow Old - Re-Plant - Floorplan
Turn Me Out - Origin8a & Propa
More In Love - Shane Mahon
Firstly I would love it if you could explain to us a bit about your selections.
The tracks I have chosen are all songs that evoke emotions, each track has a memory attached to it, whether I have personally played it in a set, or been on a dancefloor when it has been played, there is no denying that these tracks give me the feels. One track in particular that stands out is Westcliff - Universe. Westcliffe sent this track to me around 4/5 months before I closed my DJ Mag live stream with it. The track had such a great response, I reached out to thank him, he was super happy but let me know during the lockdown, he had lost his motivation and deleted the file. Thankfully he is now back on his A-game, it just shows that you have to trust the process.
I would love to start with a question about the origins of your own sound, what was your first experience of music, and what was your first experience of the music you play out today?
Music has always been a huge part of my life, as a child my mum and I would do the housework and cook Sunday dinner together whilst blasting reggae music, even at a young age I realised music brought happiness. Throughout my childhood my dad ran pubs in Birmingham where I grew up, after pub closing, friends of his would throw blues dances, and he would bring me along. Blues parties were illegal house parties where the black community could come together in a safe space. Walking into these parties as a young adult, hearing huge bass lines coming from speakers stacked from floor to ceiling, everyone laughing, dancing and having fun, it was such a euphoric experience.
Once I discovered London and house music there was no turning back, I would travel down to London to meet friends, who introduced me to the scene, a favourite was Bagleys and Camden Palace, the feeling of walking into those raves was unforgettable.
You have done many amazing live streams over the last 2 years, your current most popular stream being an energetic and joyful set in Paris for Mixmag lab just over a year ago. Your more recent live streams have been at home and so I was wondering do you feel the difference in scenery changes your process of song choice?
I am a people person, and I am very much about the energy in the room, so playing to a live audience is unrivaled, and you have the instant feedback of the crowd, however, if the past year has taught me anything, it is to trust myself and my sound.
I feel you have more of a creative license in the live streams, and you alone are responsible for creating the energy within the set.
You never know what people are doing whilst listening, they could be out for a morning jog, doing a workout, or having a one-person party at home. So I ensure I always play the music I love and would want to listen to because I feel it comes across on screen.
Tell us your ideal post lockdown DJ set.
Ooohhh this is a hard one, firstly LOTS of people enjoying themselves, with hugs all around (I am a huge hugger), I would say somewhere on a beach or a boat in South East Asia, with myself, Loco Dice and The Martinez brothers. (I am manifesting this!)
What has been your favourite set to date?
I would say The Lab Paris, having to play after Jamie Jones was exciting, but also a challenge, as I wasn't sure if I was going to lose the crowd as everyone was there for him, but it couldn't have been further from the truth, the crowd came behind the decks, which is the first time that has happened at a Mixmag Lab and the energy was unbelievable, everybody stayed until the lights came on and it really felt like we had all shared such a special night together.
You are a resident for HE.SHE.THEY who push for diversity and representation in house, disco and techno - how important is visibility within the scene and what do you hope for its future?
I love being part of the HE.SHE.THEY family, they represent everything I believe in. Visibility within the scene is so important, it is one of the reasons I got into djing. I want the next generation coming through, to see successful role models, with whom they can relate and aspire to. Representation within the scene is improving, but we still have a way to go. I hope in the future we have less of these conversations and a more even playing ground.
I have read that there may be plans for you to release some music! What has your journey into production been like for someone already so connected to the music?
Production has been both exciting and frustrating, there is definitely an art to it. I am really enjoying the creativity of it, however, I am a perfectionist and I find that it is easy to be your worst critic, my team has now banned me from deleting anything I make because I am ruthless, even if other people have loved it. I also found, in the beginning, I was making tracks that I would not necessarily play in a set, now my workflow is so much better, and loving it much more, because I am making the tracks I will play out. I am looking forward to the releases coming out this year.
Follow Syreeta —
Interview by @lcy__________