Page 42 - Zone Magazine Issue 007

feature interview
miss motif
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This international female Dj and Artist Miss Motif aka Amanda D’Arcy from Cork, Ireland has been rocking dance floors all over the world with her unique style of uplifting house/ tech & techno fused with live vocals. Already signed to EMI (U.K) and with releases on labels such as Sony BMG, Universal Recs, Positiva Recs, Ministry of Sound/Hed Kandi, to name but a few, her catalogue continues 2 grow at an exciting Rate!
Miss Motif is the enigmatic frontwoman of her Electro/pop band called "Scent". Entering a top 20 position in the U.K commercial charts as well as reaching No.1 in the Prestigious Buzz charts and the Cool cuts charts with her first hit single “Up and Down”,Miss Motif further showcased her passion for writing and performing when she was invited to sing "Up & Down" live (on Pete Tongs essential selection show) during the BBC Radio1 weekender in Ibiza for thousands of people at Café Mambo and millions of listeners worldwide.The Track features on the movie and soundtrack to "It's all gone Pete Tong”.The video was shot in London and was shown on MTV;
Miss Motif has had numerous club top 10 hits including no.1's chartered on Beatport, trackitdown, Juno download & Dj Tunes and has been predicted by mixmag as one of their future heros!
After witnessing her inspiring performance at an Irish Dj competition event Miss Motif was offered a residency on the Heineken Found @ Thirst world tour with Djs Tiesto, Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong, Ferry Corsten, Daniele Davoli & Smokin Jo' as a Dj & vocalist.The tour which lasted one and a half years saw her travel to more than 40 countries and play to over 120,000 clubbers worldwide on a quest to uncover the most talented Djs & producers,and give them an opportunity to showcase their talent and advance their careers. With a gruelling Club and media schedule Miss Motif laid the foundation as a respected female DJ and artist in todays music industry.
A Popular Dj with Fashion houses’,Miss Motif has Dj’d at many fashion events including the launch party for Sergio Tacchini’s summer collection in London as well as Djing for the first ever prestigious “Fashion TV” Fashion show and launch night In Ireland. Her own love of all things creatively fashionable and sense of style are what make her the perfect choice for these events.
Miss Motif is also a talented and respected Topline writer,writing for many paroducers and labels in the industry. Her writing style has ranged from Pop to underground..emotive, often melancholic but she always believes in telling a story.
Her passion for music is forever evident in her persistence to write/produce and play music year after year always pushing new boundaries. A Representative of the VSA (Vocalist/Singer- songwriter Alliance) Miss Motif works with all creators of music to work fairly within an ethical framework to promote transparency in the music industry. Offering protection and practical knowledge to empower artists and producers to navigate the music industry safely and professionally.
S.H.E FREQS! (Soul, House & Electronic Frequencies!) - Miss Motif's Dj Mix series following on from her DJ residency of the same name. Showcasing everything House especially her favourite tracks with big basslines thats rock every venue from all around the world.
New mixes can be found on www.mixcloud.com/ missmotif
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Miss Motif plans to launch her own record label in 2016 in partnership with Dutch DJ/ Producer Montana. The releases will definitley have a unique style of House/Tech and Techno. Always looking out for new talent she also wants to help launch the careers of upcoming producers with this label. Where did the name Miss Motif come from?
When I started DJing in 1999,I designed a picture logo which was the silhouette of a female DJ. I used this as the Motif on every poster printed to advertise my gigs so I decided to call myself Miss Motif.
What inspired you to become a DJ?
I've loved music from as far back as I can remember and have always been fascinated with the grooves and melodies of early House and dance records.Going to clubs in my teens I found it difficult to hear the music I liked so I decided to create my own parties and play records that made me and my friends want to dance. Watching DJ's like Paul Oakenfold,Todd Terry,Carl Cox and more I loved the energy and vibe they brought to a room of people and wanted to do that too.I had been making mix tapes from the age of 8/9 so I already knew then that I wanted to be a DJ.
What criteria must a record have to gain a spot on your setlist?
I only play music that creates an emotive response in me otherwise it's just noise. It can be a vocal or musical melody,a bassline that resonates under my skin or a drum beat that makes me want to move. It's all about the energy and vibe of the track,I envisage how it would feel on a dancefloor and then I can't wait to play it!
You've been running your own clubnight called S.H.E FREQS! for over a year now. Can you tell us about it?
S.H.E FREQS! Soul House & Electronic Frequencies is a night I run and promote that celebrates female DJs. The premise is simply to play quality House music in all its forms with solid grooves and big basslines. I have a lot of fun at these nights,it has open minded positive vibe for real lovers of House music.
So many divided opinions on old skool DJing vs modern DJing,What's your viewpoint on this?
I played vinyl only DJ sets for about 5/6 years and then embraced the advances in technology by mostly using CDJs. I prefer to play this way so haven't felt the need to use software like serato or trackor etc. It doesn't bother me what technology a DJ uses,the most important thing is track selection. It is however a lot easier for a travelling DJ not having to drag a heavy bag of records around!
How does it feel to work in a male dominated industry?
Honestly there are so many talented women in this industry now if you just look for them. For me it's always been a positive experience. I only work with people respectful to me as a person and a DJ/Artist. I ignore any negativity and believe in myself enough to push forward and achieve my goals.
What's your most memorable gig?
A few years ago I went to play at a club in
Vietnam with Tiesto but a few hours before the gig we were asked to have a meeting with some government minsters. We had to play our entire setlists,write out every lyric of every track and I had to sing the songs I intended to perform live to them. Afterwards we all sat in a meeting where they gave their opinions on our music and finally approved our gig. They came to the club that night to check we kept to the approved setlist! It was very surreal haha!
As a talented songwriter and vocalist, how did it feel to reach No 1 in the charts?
It feels great! I don't write songs thinking I need to write a hit record,I try to write from a place of personal honesty and hope people can relate to it in some way. When it climbs to a top chart position it kinda feels like the people say "yes I get it" and that's a beautiful connection.
Your track featured on the movie and soundtrack to "Its all gone Pete Tong" that must of felt pretty cool?
Yes, for sure! It's a great movie with an equally great soundtrack so to be included was a very proud moment. We had a party in Ibiza and Pete Tong invited me to perform my track "Up & Down" on his Essential Selection show live on air on BBC Radio 1 for their Weekender Show at Cafe Mambo. It was pretty amazing!
Your remediation of "teardrops" gives me Goosebumps, your unique way of singing while DJing, where did that idea stem from?
Thank you! I love the original and when Andrea Bertolini called me about collaborating on it with him I was slightly apprehensive. It's difficult doing a cover as vocally everyone will compare you to the original but I'm very happy with how it sounds!Singing while DJing is just a natural thing for me,it's another passion of mine so the two were always fused together. My father was a drummer in a band and he often took me to his gigs when I was a young girl where I'd sit side of the stage observing intently! He sang lead vocals for some tracks while drumming and I was captivated by the combination of vocal and drum rhythms. He was a big influence. It was also here that I learned about reading a crowd and the importance of setlists.
If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would that be?
Most definitely Prince,He is the epitome of musical talent. I'm a big fan!
A year and a half world tour is pretty off the scale, with some of the biggest names, how was that?
Crazy fun! Being offered a residency as a DJ/ Vocalist on a global Dance tour with Tiesto,Paul Oakenfold,Pete Tong,Daniele Davoli and Smokin Jo was not only a massive step in my career but a huge learning experience. After working hard for a few years before to get to this point,It's where I honed my skills as a professional DJ and performer on an international scale,soaking up all aspects of the music industry along the way. Being handed control of the DJ booth,stage and party for thousands of clubbers every night in different countries was truly special and where it all came together for me. It was the dream gig.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
Ha! Yes I talk quietly to myself a lot!