Resident profile: Mojave

What do you get when you mix California sun with Berlin nights? Probably something like Monday resident, Mojave. She’s definitely an artist – one to watch (and hear):

Mojave · Turbo Dreams 003 – Mojave

Mojave is a Los Angeles- and Berlin-based DJ and producer who specializes in soulful house and dark techno, drawing inspiration from the beauty and decay of Southern California’s Mojave Desert. A multi-instrumentalist with a foundation in classical, jazz and music theory, formal training in sound design and production, she brings a sharp ear, unique sound and open mind to the decks. She cites her inspiration as; DJ Rush, Truncate, Ben Sims, Kerri Chandler, Robert Hood, Gary Beck, Mark Broom, TSVI, Mr. G, Radio Slave, Tijana T

Transduction Signal by Trovarsi · Transduction Signal #008 – Guest: Mojave (FNOOB Techno Radio) 08-28-2019

Mojave has performed top nightclubs, festivals, and underground parties throughout the U.S. and Europe, headlining Berlin’s Suicide Circus; supporting the likes of Sasha and Skream at Minimal Effort festival (LA); DVS1, Volvox, DJ Hyperactive, Paul Johnson, Woody McBride at Even Furthur Festival (Wisc.); Maya Jane Coles at 1015 Folsom/Noise Pop Festival (SF); headlining DEFSF (SF); Radio Slave, Robert Owens, The Advent at 6AM x INCOGNITO (L.A.); Tijana T at Focus (OC); John Tejada at The Liquor Store (Portland); Kerri Chandler, Sonny Fodera, CamelPhat, Coyu, Mark Kinchen, Prok & Fitch, Harvey McKay, Noir, Danny Howard at Exchange (LA); Matt Lange at Clinic Wednesdays (LA); Francesca Lombardo, Chus & Ceballos, GAWP at La Cave (OC); fundraisers at SchwuZ (Berlin) and Nublu (NYC).

Internationally, she holds a residency on FNOOB Techno Radio (London) and appears regularly on prominent radio global shows like Data Transmission, Dublab, Barcelona City FM, KXLU FM, Threads Radio. In Berlin, she serves as a social media manager for female:pressure, an international collective advocating for women-identifying and non-binary artists in electronic music. In Los Angeles, she co-manages PANIC, an underground house/techno warehouse monthly, where she’s a resident alongside Mr. C; and Jill’s House, a house event providing a platform for marginalized artists. She’s also a regular performer at ExchangeLA. All shows listed at Resident Advisor.

Mojave · Berlin Essentials – Guest: Mojave – August 2017 (ft. Slam, Truncate, Ben Sims, Floorplan)

A native Bostonian, Mojave spent her formative years playing in orchestras, slinging records at home, and organizing shows in Boston’s punk/hardcore scene. Upon moving to New York and Los Angeles at 19, she found herself quickly immersed in both cities’ dance scenes. Her love for house/techno and the warm social inclusion of these communities—the idea of the dance floor as a safe haven, where all are welcome—inspired her to become a DJ, producer, and event organizer to bring people together and promote these uplifting values.

Influenced by her classical training and upbringing on metal, classic rock, hip-hop, post-rock and ambient music, Mojave delivers exciting, genre-blurring live sets and compositions, moving fluidly between soulful house, jackin’ techno, dark techno, ethereal ambient stretches and breaks. As electronic music continues to evolve, she is on top of it, while staying true to the roots. In her soulful, high energy sets, she selects fresh, diverse, emotionally evocative tunes that elevate the energy of the room, fill the dance floor, and keep audiences guessing.

Mojave · Turbo Dreams 001 – Mojave

In 2020, she’ll make her debut at Detroit’s Movement Electronic Music Festival and California’s Hyperspace Festival alongside Luke Vibert, Drumcell, Richard Devine, J.Phlip and more.

Quote from DEFSF:

In the world of techno DJs and producers, there are some people who get it, and then there are some who don’t. It’s quite obvious that when listening to Mojave’s sets and productions, that there’s a deep and fundamental understanding of the mechanics of techno and electronic music. If you’re to understand Mojave’s upbringing listening to hard underground music and you pin it up alongside a trained ear with a strong foundation in music theory and history, It’s easy to see why.

Mojave’s music comes from a very informed place and when you listen to her selections everything has an interaction and each part of the music is considered on its own. From tonal characteristics, rhythm, pitch, to that essential ill groove that most people seem to gloss over these days, she has it nailed down. Mojave’s musical choices, like all good techno, just make good sense, with function and flow down to every nuance.

Do yourself a massive favour and check out Mojave’s photography on her website – it is stunning. Another favour to yourself – check out her Turbo dreams show on Mondays every four weeks. Next show Monday 09 June 2020 at 9pm LA time (Tuesday 5am UK time 0600hrs CET).