Interview with Marie Julie: “Vinyl is my journey: the tangible character, the tension and the magic of sound”

This vinyl disc jockey has managed to stand out not only for her technical skill, but also for her ability to create deep and captivating atmospheres that transport her audience through a unique sonic journey.

In this interview, Marie Julie offers us an intimate look at her career, influences and vision of the world of techno, from her humble beginnings to her consolidation as a respected figure in the scene. Through her answers, we discover not only her love for vinyl, but also her commitment to equality in an ever-evolving industry.

What was it that initially attracted you to the world of electronic music and techno in particular?

There wasn't one big breakthrough moment. I grew up listening to a lot pop of the eighties at home, and then with lots of music eurodance on the radio. My window to the wider musical world, as a teenager, was MTVAt night, they transmitted most underground electronic music, which I found very interesting. There was a small record store in my hometown where they sold books and vinyl, but they also had an obscure monthly magazine with a CD attached. In those CDs had drum & bass, ambient, dark electro and other strange electronic genresIt opened up a whole new world of underground electronic music for me.

My first raves were drum & bass, then electro, and I also had a big house phase.. In Ghent, you had the festival Ten Days Off in the summer, a ten-day festival with the best of house, electro and techno. I discovered many artists and (sub)genres there. It was definitely an important gateway for me. Techno was always present, but my year in Berlin, and my first visit to Berghain in 2006, they definitely won me over.

Is there a particular vinyl record that you consider a gem in your collection and that you always find a way to include in your sets?

There is not just one, but many! There are so many jewels. And I change my sets very often. frequency. But the jewels are usually made of older material such as Steve Rachmad (and all his aliases), Damon Wild, James Ruskin and melodic gems from Inigo Kennedy. There is also always a clue Dold, Altinbas, Phara, Jeroen Search, Border One, Talismann and Kr!z on my sets.

Which artists on the scene have inspired you and which of their productions have surprised you?

I'm a big fan of Efdemin. Not only his productions, but also how he builds a set and creates an atmosphere. But also DVS1, Klock, Mulero…no surprises there. I was inspired by them from the beginning. But the real answer here is that I am inspired by many artists. You are influenced by each one. I know it's a boring and politically correct answer, but it's the truth!

Techno is known for its intense atmosphere and ability to take listeners on a journey. How do you describe your approach to building a set that has an emotional impact on your audience?

I never stick to one beat or vibe. Don't get me wrong, I like sets that get you into a certain tension and keep you there. But for me, a set is like traveling through the mountains, ups and downs, valleys and peaks.Playing with vinyl also makes you a bit of a selector. I always take a bit of a risk, I know some tracks are harder or make people stop and listen, but I think it's important to bring something different from time to time. I always have one or more people messaging me and pointing out those tracks. And sometimes you get a crowd that picks it up and together we reach that point. Magic!

As a vinyl DJ, what is your opinion on the experience of mixing and spinning vinyl records compared to digital formats?

I don't actually know how to DJ with CDJs. I tried it once and I see the massive potential. The combinations and layers are endless and can be very creative. I like it when a DJ masters itIt's already a great thing when you mix two vinyls and sometimes you create an incredibly good mix. I always imagine how even sweeter mixes could be achieved when you play digitally.

I could definitely get lost in that easily. But I'm hooked on my turntables. It's how I've always done it, I learned it from scratch, how I build a set, how I select tracks, how my sets are what they are. I don't want to change that. The tangible character, the tension, the small adjustments in the pitch, the visual aspect of the covers… Just traveling with them is already difficult 🙂

Vinyl is known for its unique sound quality and warmth, how do you think this characteristic affects the way the audience experiences your music compared to other formats?

I get a lot of feedback from people telling me that the sound was better when I was playing. That makes all the cursing worth it 🙂 But there's also the visual aspect. People love watching you work, setting the pitch, taking a record out of the sleeve, etc. I think (and hope) they are more open to following you on a journey.

What is your opinion on the role of female DJs in the scene? Which woman or women would you highlight in the scene for their work and dedication? 

I'm glad that there are more and more women active in the scene. When I started out, I was often alone. There was a lot more pressure, fewer opportunities, a lot of male energy on the dance floors, but also in record stores, in dressing rooms. You were often not included in the conversation. In addition to more female DJs, there were also We need more women as promoters, agents, organizers, technicians, etc.Only when the ecosystem changes as a whole will we finally have some equality.

There are a lot of women who are doing really amazing things. It's hard to name just a few, but I like female DJs and producers who also care about this female ecosystem and really advocate for other female DJs and change. So shout out to my other vinyl girls: The Lady Machine, Anika Kunst, Blasha & Allat, Reka Zalan, but also to emerging producers such as Sanna Mun, Kamelia, Isabel Soto.

I would also like to mention the DJs and promoters (international but also local) who work very hard to change the system, like Lea Occhi at Spectrum, Yamila at Closer in Milan, Dark Moon at Alter Ego in Madrid, Ghaza for La Nature Festival, Justine Perry at Resilience Paris… and I'm probably forgetting a few more.

The techno scene is known for being a nightlife scene, how do you think clubbing and rave culture has evolved in recent years and what impact has it had on your career as an artist?

Oh wow, a lot of things have changed. Raving and techno parties were more of an underground thing. Nowadays, raving seems more like a lifestyle. It has grown a lot, Techno has become a broad term… and attracts more 'techno tourists' nowadays. The bigger the crowds, with less education and experience in techno, the more the music adapts to another standard. It's normal when something becomes more popular, but it's worrying for the core. It's not all bad, if a 10% leans towards the sweet side then we are safe for another 10 years 🙂

With the rise of social media, The scene also lives outside the club walls. It definitely had an impact on the scene itself. In the old days, it counted your DJ set and your mixtapes. Now, well, it's a lot more, and Sometimes it saddens me that so much is about appearance and image. Also due to the lockdown periods where techno was mainly consumed on social media. It was a big turning point.

To repeat the 'it's not all bad', social media can give you more visibility and it can be easier for promoters who do more research to find you. That's a plus, but I can see that for many people it's difficult to find a healthy balance. I often open my Instagram and think: no, you didn't need to jump on this trend of social media influencer videos. Be confident, patient, find your strength in your music and your own abilities if you want to stand out and build something.

What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a vinyl DJ in the techno scene?

Practice every day! It's going to be frustrating at first, but don't give up. Find friends who can teach you some tricks. Don't be shy to ask for help (don't make the same mistake I did, haha). And for all the beginner DJs out there, there's a way forward, try to build something sustainable. It's better to earn your place than to seek easy success.

Finally, apart from the electronic scene, what genres/styles of music do you enjoy listening to?

I used to listen to a lot of music indie and electronic, but in recent years I'm listening to more heavily produced pop and hip hop. Besides that, I still listen to a lot of stuff from the eighties, from dark pop to the more well-known names.