If you don’t know the name Eloyse, you’ve been living under a rock…

A name you’ll spot scattered across the cities rich array of music posters, Eloyse is the local creative showcasing a finely tuned and carefully crafted sound. Look no further than her recent sets for Runnin Real (see mix below) or Lucid for reference of her selective finesse, ducking elegantly between electro, techno, acid, dub, jungle and breakbeat. She’s as likely to throw down a gritty distorted 150bpm acid tune as she is a slow dubbed-out electro track - and she’s made a damn right respected name for herself doing so.

There is a breadth and understanding to Eloyse’s mixes that set her apart. This has lead to supporting slots alongside Eclair Fifi, Super Jim Z, 6AM at the Garage, and other local legends Moopie, C.Frim, MTLDA and LOIF. Peak time sets at Colour, Radar, Boney and The Gasometer mean her fanbase is growing by the minute. So much so, that the last time you found yourself having a good old fashioned late-night early-morning sesh in the CBD, lost somewhere on a sweaty dance-floor, and heavily frothing the bass-heavy techno giving you mild heart palpitations and great memories, chances are the DJ was Eloyse… maybe.

Having just undertaken a Lazerpig residency alongside RBI, Eloyse is on her way to becoming one of the local industry’s leading ladies. With that in mind, we thought she would make the perfect next edition of our female-focused Fast 10 interview series. Without further ado…

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY MUSIC:

All-killer, no filler (:D)

2. A FEMALE ARTIST EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW:

Claudia Sin!

3. A TRACK I’M EMBARRASSED TO LOVE:

There’s no shame in what you like! Lately, I’ve been enjoying the ridiculous Soundcloud world of night-core and donk. I’m not embarrassed, but I think other people probably are for me.

4. THE LOCAL INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE:

Frankie Decaiza Hutchinson, Christine McCharen-Tran and Emma Burgess-Olson, co-founders of Discwoman

Knowledge sharing and access to equipment. I learnt to DJ when I was studying in Glasgow through working with their community radio station. It was a 15-minute walk away from my house and gave me access to a fully equipped studio. Everyone involved with the station DJ’d and hung out together all the time in the studio. I was extremely lucky to have access to DJ equipment as well as people who could share their own knowledge.

It’s pretty hard to try your hand at DJing or producing without access to expensive, specific equipment. The internet gives most people access to a wealth of DIY knowledge but having mentors in “the scene” to guide you can’t be underestimated.

It’s happening here, but we need more! Sound School is leading the way, offering a plethora of free electronic music courses. DJ workshops are popping up more and more - (DJ Club/Cool Room’s Discwoman workshops), (Nectar/FBI in Sydney). There are more artist talks taking workshop typologies and talking Rekordbox, CDJs and Ableton (Local Knowledge’s recent In Conversation with Simo Cell). I think these should be more of a staple in Melbourne, it would be incredible to have as many knowledge-sharing events as there are club nights. In terms of equipment access, a space could open up as a community studio where you can book DJ set-ups and access production hardware and computers with software.

If a broader, more diverse range of people have access to equipment and knowledge around making and playing dance music, then Melbourne’s dance music scene of producers and DJs will diversify too.

5. MY DRINK OF CHOICE AT A GIG:

If I am drinking then I’ll probably get a gin & tonic that I will no doubt forget about until I’ve finished playing.

6. WHAT EMPOWERS ME:

My friends! They’re so supportive and always pushing me to do more. They’re all doing such cool stuff which is constantly inspiring and motivating. Surround yourself with people you wanna be like!

7. THE BEST GIG I’VE EVER PLAYED:

Hmm hard to choose! Closing after Mark N for Steel City Dance Discs, opening for Privacy or playing Framework a couple of weeks back. All were so much fun.

8. IF I WASN’T IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY I WOULD BE:

Giving more life to a different creative thing I like doing on the side. I love sewing and am learning how to make clothes so I’d probably be doing more of that! I am working in various design jobs and going back to my architecture studies this year, so I’d have a bit more time for those too.

9. SOMEONE I LOOK UP TO IS:

There are so many! I do have an unwavering admiration for the Cool Room crew. They work so hard to create safe spaces to party and are the ones leading conversations around diversity, representation and education in Melbourne’s dance music space. Also Solid Blake. So obsessed with her! She also spent some time at Subcity Radio (in Glasgow) which is where I learnt to DJ and has a big place in my heart.

10. THE BEST ADVICE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED:

Leap, and the net will appear!

FAST 10: Eloyse