April 2, 2025 |
While the future of nightlife remains clouded by the smoke of uncertainty – with the ripple effect of lockdowns, strict council regulations and financial demands from landlords leading to the shuttering of 65 UK clubs in 2024 – our dance floors have never been more exciting. Inside 10 Magazine Issue 74, we spotlight a series of DJs that are experts in their craft, taking eclectic sonics born on the British Isles to the biggest stages globally and providing soundtracks to the sort of nights out you’ll be telling your grandchildren about.
A Peach set is always guaranteed to be packed with plenty of fruitful twists and turns. The Canadian producer and DJ is a mainstay on the club circuit and regularly spinsat the biggest festivals, taking the crowds at the likes of Dekmantel, Houghton and Lost Village on wide-ranging, house music journeys. She’s a label boss, too, having launched Psychic Readings in 2022. Her musical excellence is written in the stars.
Peach wears top by DKNY
Describe your approach to crafting a set.
I used to be granular in my approach to preparation, like making specific sets for every gig, but in the past year or so I’ve found that coming ready for every mood and scenario and making choices on the fly feels the best. I think this has coincided with digging back in my collection and starting to play out more records in my sets. Honestly, these days I’m mostly just showing up and playing all my favourite songs of the moment in a way that makes sense for the gig. For me, it’s about maintaining a certain level of groove and energy throughout my sets
What’s one track that’ll never leave your USB?
Madonna’s Human Nature.
What’s been the best night out of your life?
I think it has to be Glastonbury 2019 – I spent my first night out at NYC Downlow with friends and we all poured out into the IICON stage [in Block9] in the early-morning light. We found some people with a skipping rope and Shanti [Celeste] and I joined in and started jumping around while [record producers] the Zenker Brothers played in the background. Somehow we carried on to the Irish bar until the late morning and then rolled around at the Stone Circle cuddling.
What’s a project you’ve worked on that you’re most proud of?
Honestly, it’s a tie between my label Psychic Readings and the YouTube channel I started last year called peachcam666. I’m proud of the music I’m putting out for the label and all the elaborate marketing I did for the first release – which was a phone line people could call into and get a ‘psychic reading’ that was really just some music I made in [creative software] Ableton and my voice telling you that I had an EP coming. The YouTube channel is truly a labour of love. It’s a bunch of footage from festivals and clubs over the past few years that I’ve been documenting on a Sony handycam from 2008. I send them over to my editor Reilly and he watches them all and makes them into these little recap videos of the past few months. This year we’re hoping to make some more that track a specific weekend from start to finish and release them like little episodes, but it’s just him and me running this, so we’ll see what actually makes it out there. I started a mix series in 2024 as well, called Sixth Sense, and created a website to host it where I also interview DJs. It’s a handpicked bunch of DJs I really love and an ode to a medium I’m passionate about [the mix series]. This question struck a note obviously because I love the projects that surround my work and create a little world for people to step into.
What does music mean to you?
Oh God, this question is so difficult! Well, I guess it’s everything in my life that both gives me nourishment and excitement, but also sometimes stress because it must be work. I obviously love it with my whole entire heart and wouldn’t have it any other way but sometimes, when I’m at home, I listen to absolutely nothing and it’s also divine.
What shaped your musical tastes?
My parents, my friends and running around the dance floor until the early morning.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen from behind the decks?
Someone once ripped the CDJs out from the mixer while Moxie and I were playing b2b and threw them across the stage. I didn’t think a CDJ could bounce, but it truly can if you throw it hard enough.
What makes a great night out?
The perfect pre with friends plus a bottle, or two, of cremant, a cute cab to the venue with good chat, respectful security and staff, a chill spot to sit, gossip and chat, and most importantly, house music on an amazing sound system.
Taken from 10 Magazine Issue 74 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
THE FLOOR FILLERS
Creative Editor and Text PAUL TONER
Portrait BELLA MACGREGOR
Fashion assistant GEORGIA EDWARDS
Production ZAC APOSTOLOU and SONYA MAZURYK
