I originally started DJ'ing in South African as a goth DJ, and then later as an EBM/industrial DJ for Darklight in 2000 - 2006, where I played various clubs and events for Nightwatch over the years, and had residency at a few of his clubs.
In 2001-2002 I was asked to join up with the Black Metal Underground, as their official industrial/ebm DJ and played all their events until they closed when one of the principal members left for overseas.
In 2005 I started playing for South Africa's most elite EBM/Industrial club, 'eXistanz' as their first ever female DJ, causing a nasty ripple through a rather male dominated scene. After a few short months but loads of hard work and motivation I gained residency, and had the opportunity to play for eXistanz/Zeplins's gigs with VNV Nation (2005+2006 tours), and Assemblage 23. In 2006, I was hand picked alongside my DJ partner Dale, to DJ along side Mark Jackson and Ronan Harris at Zeplins. Shortly afterwards, with DJ Fracture and Sekt (the founders of eXistanz) no longer able to continue with the club, and my driving passion for the scene well known, the decision to hand the club’s management over to me was made.
I managed eXistanz with all the dedication and commitment one can give, until it sadly closed down when I left for the UK, as there was no one that was trusted enough by the founder’s to take over.
In the time that I managed eXistanz I learnt a lot about events, gigs and behind the club scene, not to mention how to be tough as nails with managing a team of 8 male DJ's! It was never an easy job, and there was always someone or something that needing sorting out immediately, however it was one of the most rewarding, and educational experiences I have had, and I was honoured to have been an integral part of such an amazing, and involved organization.
In 2005 I started darkstar.entertainment, with Dale, which was always my dream. With the events and organizations we had played for, over the years we got to meet all the club owners, promoters, and other connections in the club scene. darkstar.entertainment ‘s vision was to spread the ebm word to every corner of South Africa, and by the end of the year, the idea of the DJ Wars was born, and working alongside others, we put together one of the biggest EBM/industrial events in SA, which meant a team of DJs from each of South Africa's major cities getting together and battling it out in a different city over 3 weekends, which was loads of fun and meant us building amazing bridges between the scenes, and also befriending Durban's premier EBM club owners, Sin-thetik, whom we were lucky enough to play for, and still remain very close with.
In 2006 darkstar.entertainment had its first solo project. An 'alternative rave' featuring 27 DJs from every club and organization, from the past decade of South African alternative, called 'Hellraiser' which pulled a crowd of almost 700 people, and took 3 hard months to organize! The event was a huge success, and led to one of the proudest moments in my years of serving the scene.
Sadly, shortly after that I made the decision to move back to the UK with my family, where I have been living for the past year. Living in Kent, has made it rather difficult for me to make contacts, however we are now settled quite nicely and I hope to take darkstar.entertainment, as well as our London project, koeXistanz (feat. 3 of the former eXistanz DJs from SA, and Simon from Slimelight), to a new level, promoting EBM/Industrial/dance scene throughout England and Europe, and taking the music to the ears of those not reached before.
I would love to get in contact with any like minded people who work hard to promote the scene and appreciate the dedication it takes to spread the word that may be interested in getting together for an event, or just an informal chat to throw a few ideas around.
Watch this space!