Charlie Black
From some of the world’s biggest festivals and club nights to some of the most respected labels in the industry, ALISHA is a name we’ve seen time and time again. As she returns to Kaluki Musik for the third time, we decided to catch up with her to speak about her latest release as well as some upcoming gigs she has.
Hi Alisha, thanks for taking the time to join us. We’ve been following your progress for some time and it’s been great to see how much you’ve progressed over the last few years. What’s the motivation that keeps you heading towards your goals?
Hey! My pleasure thanks for having me. Music is the motivation of course. I just love it, I love the feeling it gives you. Nothing compares really. I also love always wanting to push my boundaries & see what i’m capable of. I’m very determined to achieve my dreams and always push myself further.
You’ve had success from both DJing & producing. What’s your favourite aspect of what you do musically and why?
I genuinely love both sides. I didn’t want to produce when I first started as I really thought I didn’t have the patience to learn. But it just came naturally and I wanted to know more technically. There’s not anything specific that is my favourite apart from just making people smile and dance to my music & to my sets. I think that’s the most rewarding for me personally.
Tell us a little bit about the journey over the last year or so? How have you grown and what were the biggest turning points that pushed your career forward?
Well the last year hasn’t been the best in terms of gigs due to the pandemic. But it’s made me grow as a producer and also my first experience as a promoter as I threw my own party which was amazing. But the main thing was to move making beats out of my bedroom and into a studio which I built and learnt further within producing and I can hear the progress majorly in my work now to what it was in my bedroom.
Your latest release dropped this week on Kaluki. How did this come about and what made you choose this label?
I find it’s quite a tradition now haha. Annually release! Kaluki has always played a massive part in my career. Even as a raver it was the party I always used to go too. So for me to release on the label is an honour really. I appreciate the support from the Kaluki team & have now played several Kaluki shows. I felt the track reminded me of Kaluki parties, full of energy but also the underground feel to it. Luckily they liked it as much as I did!
You’ve got a number of gigs locked in for the summer ahead including some sold out shows. Which ones are you looking forward to the most?
Yeah I feel very blessed to play some of the shows & lineups I’m booked for. It still blows me away every time! Some huge shows such as 93 Opening, Parklife, Drumsheds, Elrow, WHP, Kaluki of course! And also the smaller cap headline shows which sell out such as Nghtwrk x Black Seven Music in North Wales are just mad! So yeah really excited for hopefully the year ahead!
The scene is going through a really difficult stage in its life cycle at present. What are you doing to stay mentally upbeat and positive in your day to day?
Yeah it’s been tough, but you have to try to look at it in a positive way I guess. If you have a negative mind set every day then what’s the point you’re not going to achieve and grow. I’ve taken this time as a positive to improve my productions and further my learning in all aspects. It’s given me time to appreciate everything in life & I think that’s what’s most important.
Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?
Relax? What’s that haha. I love to constantly be on the go with something I can’t stay sitting down and resting for too long. But when I do I love just spending time with close ones, grabbing some food and just taking time out in the spa in the week when I’m touring. Most of the time if im not playing at the weekends you’ll find me on a dancefloor somewhere!
If you could pick any artist, any genre, past or present to collaborate with; who would it be and why?
Hmm this is always a tough question. I think just being in the lab with The Martinez Brothers would just be such a vibe and fun. They produce all genres so you would never know what sort of vibe you’d come out with! I’d learn a hell of a lot that’s for sure.
What one piece of advice would you give to aspiring artists right now?
Just to work hard as much as you can. Don’t think it’s going to happen overnight. It’s a marathon not a sprint and there’s really no rush. Just enjoy every minute & do it for the right reasons.
Lastly, anything else you are excited to share with us?
Just lots more music from me this year. I’ve written more music than ever. Plenty of shows around the world. Myself and the rest of us are just excited to just get back on the dance floor. So I’ll see you at the front!
Turn it up & enjoy!
– Charlie
📸 : @louisnesbitt
