Anna, you’re one of Austria’s most established DJs/producers. How realistic is it to make a living from this nowadays? Is it still worth pursuing a full-time career?
Phew – I started at a time when becoming a DJ wasn’t as big of a trend as it is today, and social media barely played a role back then. Today, TikTok and Instagram make it easier to build your own platform. At the same time, constantly marketing yourself has become part of the job and even I still have some work to do in that area. 😉 Today, I’m able to make a living from my DJ gigs, corporate events and collaborations, and I’m very grateful that I can pay my rent doing what I love.
What do you remember about your first steps into the scene? How was it back then?
Early on, I had the chance to host my own events at Sass Club and, of course, DJ there myself, that was the first real step in my career.
Looking back at my beginnings, I unfortunately also remember a few men who laughed at me and didn’t exactly make it easy for me to find my place in the scene as a woman. But I just kept going. Luckily, I had people around me who believed in me.
Your sound has evolved a lot over the years. Was that a conscious decision?What do you remember about your first steps into the scene? How was it back then?
Not really – it simply evolved with me and my taste in music. I started out playing Deep House in 2013, and over time, my sound became harder and faster, …until I eventually realized that this kind of techno simply didn’t make me happy anymore. Right now, I’ve landed on a very melodic, bouncy and, I’d say, pretty “happy” sound – music that instantly makes me want to dance and simply puts a smile on my face. I’d say I’m a genre-fluid DJ. :))
How has becoming a mother influenced your career, as well as your creativity? Do you feel torn between both worlds?
After my maternity break, it was actually quite difficult to find my place in the scene again. Before that, I had regularly played gigs abroad, and afterwards, I sometimes felt as though I had to start all over again. Of course, they’re two completely different worlds: DJing until 6 a.m. on Saturday and getting up at 6 a.m. on Monday to get my girl ready for school. I don’t really have a proper sleep schedule anymore, but I often have much more time for her during the week – and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Have you ever felt judged differently as a mother working in nightlife?
Yes, especially in the beginning. People at the club would ask me things like, “So where’s Marie while you’re DJing?” At some point I got so annoyed that I just started answering, “She’s waiting backstage for me until I’m done.” 🙂 You probably wouldn’t ask a DJ dad at every gig where his child is and just because I work at night doesn’t mean I spend less time with my daughter. Quite the opposite: during the week, I often get to spend more time with her than many parents with traditional working hours do.
How do you approach social media as part of your work as a DJ and producer?
Social media plays a huge role today, and I’ll admit that I sometimes struggle with it. I come from a time when people mainly paid attention to what you were doing behind the decks. Today, reach, content and clicks naturally play an important role too. I admire people who are completely at ease with that because I still have a certain hesitation when it comes to putting myself out there. But I’m trying to find my own way of doing it while staying authentic and I think that’s ultimately what matters most.
