Alexis - DJ

After entering into the musical world through a job at Balamii Radio, DJ and producer Alexis has formed and developed her style based upon the music she discovered from exploring the London nightlife scene. We met Alexis at her home in Peckham (before lockdown 2.0) to discuss past, present and future, and everything in between.

What were your early influences?

I grew up listening to... well I guess my Mum grew up listening to a lot house and disco, and then I got into dance music through that. It’s definitely influenced what I play now - a lot of it is from my Mum’s CDs, she’s got an amazing CD collection.

Obviously the clubs are shut and will be for a while. How have you been staying musically active through this period?

I think staying musically active was quite hard initially. The whole fun of DJing is being with the crowd and having that interaction. Livestreams and recording mixes also wasn’t really for me so the main thing I have been doing is writing loads of music which has been really good as I didn’t really feel like I had time for that before. It’s mainly techno and left field and I’ve also been incorporating some of my own vocals.

Has the pandemic changed what you have been listening to?

Ye, it has changed completely. I don’t really listen to dance music whilst I’m just chilling at home, so I’ve been listening to a lot of folk, indie stuff, Bon Iver, and just rediscovering a lot of stuff I used to listen to as a teenager, a lot of ambient as well.

Ye I think that’s really what I’ve been listening to, and then for any mixes I’ve just been digging through my catalogue and playing stuff my friends have sent me.

What are your favourite London Venues?

I think the Pickle Factory is one of them, cos it’s really small, the sound is good, it’s just great. Fold as well, I’ve only been once or twice but again, the sound is really good, and the dancefloor is just a bit more of a free for all! Corsica Studios as well. I went there every week when I first moved to London. I really miss that!

And what about the best Peckham spots?

Musically, I think Rye Wax is a great one. I’ve been going there since I moved here. Peckham Audio which opened recently is good as well. And then other spots, there’s a falafel place just round the corner, Salas, best wraps ever!

Favourite records in your collection?

I have a record by The System, I think it’s called ‘The System EP’ and it’s just my favourite record ever. It’s just beautiful. It’s quite electronic and synth-poppy but it’s just amazing. Then there is this really really cheesy pop record. I got it when I was living in Houston. They don’t really have many record shops but I think I heard a Danni Minogue cover of this and then I found this in a dollar bin and I was like ‘I need to have it’, and I play it all the time. I think it’s a great closer, especially when it’s super early and no one cares about pretending to be cool.

Best party you have played?

I played in February, in Maastricht, for some guys who’s party is called Linke Soto and that was just so much fun. I played the closing slot and it was in this amazing old factory, so the actual building was just mad! The crowd was so lovely, the promoters were so nice and it was just so much fun!

Dream gig?

Glastonbury would be a cool one definitely. A 6am weird set, I think that would be a lot of fun!

Oh, dream gig! Berghain, I forgot! I would really love to play there, or P Bar is just sick, definitely one of those would be the big goal!

And finally… What does Wonderland look like to you?

A room full of dogs! Just puppies everywhere! And snacks! Those are my two loves!