February 26, 2024 |
Whack on Amaliah’s most recent EP Manifold and it’s hard to stop your head routinely bobbing along to the beat. A dubby concoction of bouncy womp-womps, the four-part work was released in December via Moxie’s label On Loop and proved that the DJ and producer is one to keep an eager eye on. Despite the infancy of her career, Amaliah has already accrued two sets behind Boiler Room’s famous centre-stage decks, a Glasto appearance and a Rinse FM residency, laying a sturdy foundation for her ascension into the upper echelon’s of electronic music’s far-reaching community.
Founding label and London-based club night Borne Fruits in 2019, Amaliah is keen on building her clan and has invited established artists like Shanti Celeste as well as up-and-comers like Fio Fa to join her on the airwaves. Debuting her skills in production with a two-track EP entitled Borne Fruits 001, the label boss then went on to gather the best and brightest of the capital’s fresh-faced music-makers for her first compilation entitled Club Entry Vol. 1. Featuring Bailey Ibbs, Jossy Mitsu, Bluetoof and more, Amaliah demonstrated she has as keen an eye for talent as she does an ear for tracks that land well on the dancefloor.
Anchoring her sound in a love of soundsystem culture and the golden era of dubstep, Amaliah is the real deal. Years of crate digging and soaking up London’s eclectic club scene has allowed her to finesse an envious mix of percussion-heavy basslines, deep house and techno that can’t help but conjure a spirited two-step from partygoers lucky enough to be in earshot.
It’s this distinct style which has ensured Amaliah’s calendar is booked and busy for the months to come, kicking off with her upcoming set for AVA Festival at London’s Koko. Sharing the lineup with notable names like Or:la and DJ Boring, she is set to play a B2B with fellow selector Danielle on March 2 and it’s not one to miss. Here, we sat down with Amaliah to ask her about her dream festival lineup, what’s on her rider and what we can expect in the upcoming year.
1. Who is Amaliah?
“I am a DJ and producer from London and I run my own label, Borne Fruits. I’m also a Gemini and a cat mum.”
2. What’s on your rider?
“Tequila, ginger beer, salted crisps and grapes.”
3. What’s one track you know will get people to the dance floor?
“Delicious Inc. ‘Eau de Chantè’.”
4. What was the first album to get you into dance music?
“I don’t know if I can pinpoint an album but I know Basement Jaxx was the first dance act I saw live when I was 14 or 15 and then Swamp81 became an obsession around the same time.”
5. What is your favourite club in London to play and why?
“My favourite overall club to play is The Cause. They host such a wide range of incredible parties, the team are super lovely and the club itself is so unbelievably impressive. I also want to give a special mention to Fabric Room 2 because the booth in there is sooo so good.”
6. What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen from behind the DJ decks?
“I’m not sure I can write that in here!”
7. If you had to curate your dream festival headliner, who would be the three names to top the bill?
“Björk, Rihanna and Erykah Badu.”
8. If you weren’t a DJ/producer, what would you be and why?
“I’m an art nerd so I’d probably be working in a gallery or with exhibitions.”
9. What’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday?
“I actually had the best Saturday recently. I woke up mid morning, caught up on TV, went and got a tattoo, had some pho, out with my housemate, and then a big group of us went to Fold. Sounds simple but was actually so nice!”
10. What does the rest of 2024 hold for you?
“A lot of gigs in new places, first times at festivals and more music on the way ;).”
Photography courtesy of Amaliah.
