July 11, 2025 |
After seizing global dance floors with a sound shaped by taut techno mechanics and shape-shifting basslines, Surusinghe is a star on the rise. With releases on imprints like AD93, Steel City Dance Discs and Tra Tra Trax, the Melbourne-born, London-based producer is about to add another notch onto her belt – a debut for Amsterdam’s beloved Dekmantel Festival. After releasing her slick, four-track EP, I Can’t Remember the Name of This, But That’s Ok, at the end of June, Surusinghe is approaching this debut with some serious rhythmic muscle.
Co-produced by Cameo Blush, the record is fuelled by Surusinghe’s sharp, forward-thinking approach to club music and doesn’t waste a second. It’s engineered for both the late-night hours and laser-focused listeners, striking an impressive balance between emotional voltage and percussive control. FTRW! kicks things off with a foundation of spitting techno. All Night leans into a low-slung, dembow-driven groove, while Kinda Like That sees NYC-based trio Kassie Krut overlay a breathy, hypnotic vocal atop razor-like beats to create something both sensual and slightly unhinged. A Rhyw-assisted closer entitled Wolfgang leaves things on a high, diving head first into a thumping tempo that is primed for melting minds. It’s an offering that embraces both precision and chaos, with Surusinghe knowing exactly when to let the tension simmer and where to shell it.
She applies the same ethos to her DJ sets – instinctive, stuffed with heaters and guaranteed to whip a crowd into a frenzy. Her upcoming Dekmantel appearance, where she’s set to dominate The Nest stage with a b2b with Moktar on August 2, is one to watch. Here, we sit down with Surusinghe to talk creative discipline, late-night lucidity and how to stay grounded when everything else is in motion.
1. Describe your sound in three words?
Drums and bass.
2. This is your Dekmantel debut – what are you most excited about when it comes to your set?
Ooof that’s a tricky one. There’s so many things! Definitely the fact that it’s on The Nest stage. The way the floor vibrates there makes my body so tingly haha. But probably most excited about sharing the stage with my good pal Moktar! We go back so long and he’s such an inspiration for me musically. I think it’s going to be special playing with a fellow Australian and a person I love a lot.
3. Who else are you most excited to catch at Dekmantel?
There are too many options! I am yet to see Blawan‘s new live set and I’ve only heard the best things, so probably that. Also Dozzy b2b dBridge will be unreal.
4. Your most recent EP dropped in June – what was the inspiration behind it?
TBH I didn’t have a clear inspiration that helped me develop the music. It’s really just an evolution from things that I’ve put out previously. I worked closely with Cameo Blush on the record so I’d say he was an inspiration.
5. If you had to save one track from the EP from a burning building, which would it be and why?
Definitely Kinda Like That ft Kassie Krut. It’s the first time I’ve released a track with a vocalist and I’m really happy with how it came together. It’s not how I envisioned the track sounding but I really fuck with that as well. It’s nice to be surprised and pushed in directions that I don’t always anticipate.
6. Who are some upcoming DJs on the scene right now that everyone needs to get to know?
I’ve been playing some of Sam Girling‘s tunes out recently they always get a dance floor going. I feel like he’s like one Summer away from being on every line up.
7. What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen from behind the decks?
A group of my friends accidentally took too many mushroom drops at the start of a four hour set I did and I got to watch them unravel over a four hour period. I just laughed at them whilst I soundtracked their trip. It was honestly hilarious. I wish they’d do it more often haha.
8. What’s on your festival rider?
My rider is a bottle of reposado tequila and a few beers. I also ask for apple juice and ginger beer for mixers. For my festival rider, I also usually ask for some form of box to stand on when I play. Annoyingly because I’m so short, I can’t usually reach properly when I’m playing on big festival setups haha.
9. If you could curate your own festival, who would be the three headliners?
Oooooh. This question is so unfair, how could anyone pick three! I’m just say Rihanna, Rihanna and Rihanna lol. Can she stop having children and just do Glastonbury already!
10. What’s one set you’ve seen that you’ll never forget?
Mala at Outlook Festival. I still sometimes go back and watch videos from that set. It changed my brain deposition.
Photography by Leanda Heler.
