Whilst Spain’s leading female techno spinner Fatima Hajji is currently on lockdown at home in Madrid, When We Dip caught up with her to discuss the change in her sound, her label Silver M and recent US shows plus much more.
WWD: Hello Fatima, welcome to WWD! 2019 was a busy year for you and your own label imprint, Silver M. What were some of your highlights?
Hi there, thanks a lot for having me here. Last year on my label Silver M I had almost 10 releases mostly from newcomers. In 2020, we will probably release a bit less to give more support to each EP.
For me, as a DJ, 2019 was EPIC! I visited a lot of new countries and had the pleasure of performing at a lot of amazing parties around the globe. The perspectives for 2020 were amazing until this crazy virus has taken over and involved all of us.
WWD: You recently played some very special shows in Miami and New York. What’s it like to play in the US?
I really loved it! It’s a dream for me to play in the US and also to visit places that are so familiar as I’ve seen them in movies and on the TV, it’s magic! Also, there’s a very nice mix of people at the parties, I can’t wait to go back.
WWD: Having played all over the world, you’re a ‘must see’ festival act for any discerning techno fan. What festivals are you most looking forward to performing at over the summer?
This summer (let’s try to think positive), I’ll be performing at Tomorrowland (for the third time) it’s very impressive and a must if you want to see the huge and amazing production around.
Also, I’ll be performing at my first Echelon in Germany, Verknipt in Holland and, of course, in my country Spain I’ll be playing at A Summer Story in Madrid and Dreambeach, Almeria, among others.
WWD: You never seem to stop touring! Do you always get a buzz from the constant moving around or does it ever become tiresome?
I think it’s my way of life; it’s hard to live without it, I really love it and don’t want to stop doing it. That’s why the quarantine seems so unreal and crazy, I think I didn’t assimilate yet.
WWD: You’ve been running your prolific label Silver M since 2016 and it’s been going from strength to strength releasing the likes of Spartaque, Drumcomplex and Frankyeffe to name just a few. What characteristics do you look for in artists hoping to get signed up?
It is easy; I just need to like the tracks.
WWD: How and when did you first discover your love for techno music?
When I was 16 I use to ‘steal’ my brother’s K7s with sets recorded at parties they use to attend in our area and I got hooked instantly.
WWD: You rose to fame for your devastating hard techno sets but have switched to a slower techno style in recent years. How do you envisage techno music to evolve in the near future and do you miss playing at higher BPMs?
It became really difficult to find new tracks and have a fresh set playing hard techno, so one day I realized that I needed to find new stuff that I really like and made me 100% enjoy playing every set. Now it’s the opposite situation, it is impossible to listen to all the new track, and there are amazing new tracks every day, so I’m very happy about this and I think this is the key more than the BPM average, I still play hard but on a lowest range of BPMs.
WWD: Finally, what can we expect from Fatima Hajji in 2020?
It’s very difficult to answer this question at the moment, but for sure I will keep doing my thing. I’m currently broadcasting regular live #stayathome sets from my home in Madrid every week via my socials, I’m producing in the studio (I have 2 EPs that will be released soon) and, of course, I’m so anxious to be back on the stage when the current situation gets resolved.
Sending best wishes to all of you from my house in Madrid and pls stay safe. <3
Find Fatima Hajji Online : Facebook // Instagram // Soundcloud // Twitter