EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SHIVA (pt.1/2)
"My whole being is a dark chant
/which will carry you
/perpetuating you
/to the dawn of eternal growths and blossoming" --Forough Farrokhzad
A lot of us fear the night swallowing us whole. Some of us relish the dark too long. Then there is a rare breed who border-hop between dark and light daily, snacking on a diet of ecstatic-madness. If you're open to an audible journey through the latter option, then Shiva's debut EP "Dark Moon" is your soundtrack. Every track is a consistent collapse and genesis, testing one's proprioception of the melody body. Every track has a lil something for the feminine and masculine ear. Every track is riddled with influences that span from freeform jazz to tribal trance. It is a poetic tip toeing into a vibrant dream-jungle.
Shiva is a Co-Host/DJ on Cypress Hill's BReal TV and has slated large festivals such as Coachella to the most intimate underground clubs such as Low End Theory. But "Dark Moon" is her first original body of work and is slated to drop 9/16. Since Shiva is a diosa, she's released fragments of the EP on the internet, including Diosa Vida (check pt.2 of the interview for an EXCLUSIVE treat). I've looped "Dark Moon" so much, starting to feel like an urban dervish on the cusp of rapture. I'm not the only one feeling "Dark Moon's" vibe. Gaslamp Killer and Mary Anne Hobbs from BBC have shown 'Dark Moon' much love and rotation during their recent sets. Alpha Pup Records has also picked up the EP for digital distribution.
Since music like this only orbits our feeds very rarely, Diosa Vida needed to pick this Sussex Born-Florida bred-LA based producer/DJ mind. We talked to Diosa Shiva about "Dark Moons" mystical origins, her view on female producers in LA, and upcoming show at The Low End Theory on 9/17.
You're considered LA's BEST female DJ. Which is 100% diosa. "Dark Moon" is your first project with all original production. How do you feel?
I'm really excited to put out my first release. It's been a long time coming...I've been making beats since before I started DJing. My drive to create and combine sounds with that producer spirit was what led me into a DJ career . So the fact that I've been DJing for 7 years and finally putting out my music feels really incredible.
Where did the concept for "Dark Moon" come from?
The track 'Dark Moon' was made on a dark moon (or new moon) night. The new moon represents new beginnings, releasing, letting go, reflection, starting fresh. Thats what this EP has been all about for me.
'Home' and 'Dreamtime' are named based off of the idea of what the new moon represents as well. Similarly, the track 'Full Moon' was started on the night of a full moon.
All of the tracks except 'Full Moon' were created this year. Making music in conjunctions with the moon cycles sort of organically came about and turned into a ritual for me while I was creating this music.
Sounds like a lot of feminine energy. How is the dynamic being a strong female DJ/producer in LA?
It’s fun. I don’t think I’ve ever complained about being a woman in a male dominated scene. In fact I see it as something that helps me stand out. I love the contrast and it’s inspiring watching this boom of female talent in the music scene. At the end of the day it’s all about your product and what you’re putting out there. I just try to stay focused on that.
Exactly. As much as the EP is dripping with a feminine touch, was it entirely self-produced? Any collaborators?
All of the music on the EP was written by me. I was blessed to connect with an incredible producer/engineer by the name of WoodysProduce who mixed and mastered all of my tracks. That integral process brought my sounds to life.
I'm sure you've received lots of love from this project!
Actually, I started 'Full Moon' about 2 years ago and played it one day for my friend The Gaslamp Killer and he freaked out and told me I had to finish it. Two years later I decided I would finish that track for this EP. I sent it to him and he's been playing it out which has been really cool!
I was also really blessed to connect with Mary Anne Hobbs and get her my track 'Dark Moon' which she played on her BBC show. That was truly like a dream come true. I look up to her so much.
Also Matthew Schrier from KCRW has been giving that track some love too. I'm just beyond grateful that people are actually hearing it and loving it enough to share.
Speaking of Gaslamp Killer, you have a show coming up at LA's iconic Low End Theory 9/17 where he's a resident DJ, right?
Yes. I've put an entirely new type of set together. I'll be performing on Ableton instead of turntables like I usually do. I'll be playing my first all original beat/remix set. I'm exhilarated about it. It's been really fun preparing everything and figuring out how to DJ my own tracks.
Lastly, what do you hope to offer listeners with "Dark Moon"?
I hope to invoke the same therapeutic feelings I received while I was creating it... translated through another's experience.
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