London-based, Australian-born producer, songwriter and DJ HAAi got her start playing in shoegaze bands an collecting records in Sydney.
"When we moved to London, I started digging more and more, but never with the intention of playing out," she says. "Once the band reached its end, I was working on a bar in Dalston on Ridley Road that had two 1210’s, so I started bringing my records in during the week. It all started from there really. I started playing more and more, then started a little monthly party called Coconut Beats. I feel there’s so many twists and turns with how I ended up here. But the main thing is that it was always music first for me, and it always will be."
HAAI describes her DJ sound as, "energetic, melon twisting and hyperactive."
"It depends though," she adds. "I’m in the pit of festival season right now so I feel my sets are shorter and definitely lean into more hyperactive. However, where I really shine is all night long/extended sets. I like to play between 6-10 hour sets. This is when you can really lean into more hypnotic sound. Proper journey vibes. I live for these sets. Production wise, it’s also super broad. I’ve never really had a sonic lane tbh. I definitely have a forever fondness for the more psychedelic side of things from my time in bands, this definitely influences so much of what I make and play today."
Her latest, third album is DIGITiSE.
"They all span so many sounds which is something I really encourage other producers to do, especially emerging artists," she says.
"Having breadth as an artist allows you to tune your skills in different ways. On my last album HUMANiSE, I worked with choirs and used my own voice on most of the tracks, it was definitely more introspective and more to be listened to rather than for dancing. This new album, DIGITiSE, is more dance floor focussed. It straddles many genres and has some collaborations on it that I’m really proud of. People seem to be liking it so far."
As for gear: "At home, my set up is 2 x 1210’s, 2x CDJ 3000’s and an E&S rotary mixer. I’m running that through a QUAD 33 amp and pre amp and a pair of Klipsch Forte IV’s. I’m super proud of this little set up as it’s something I built over time. It’s super warm and it’s always nice to mix records at home with this rotary. Quite different to how I would play out though. Studio wise… Well, I produce on thread a lot as I’m away so much so I’m mostly glued to Ableton for most of my trips. My studio in London has some really nice gear. My main live set up is a midi keyboard, Novation Launch Control, Moog Sub 37, 2 x Kaoss pads, a Roland SP-404 MKII and a Space Echo. I recently got a Novation Peak which has been a super nice addition to my set up. It’s probably one of the most approachable synths I’ve used. As far as headphones, I’m an AIAIAI girlie through and through."
Looking ahead, HAAi has plenty planned for the coming months.
"I’m on the tour train for the foreseeable," she says. "My album comes out on October 9th so I will be doing some extended sets around the world to support it. I’m in the states a lot these days which I love, I have some really exciting trips coming up in NA over the next few months! Next up for me there is iii points in Miami plus some other dates that we’re announcing soon!"
Photo credit: Lamia Karic
