100% guaranteed to set the dancefloor on fire
Arrocha’s sets are an eruptive mix of all our favourite things: fusing hot beats from her home in the Canary Islands with UK breaks and bass and Berlin’s techno, her sounds never cease to force us onto the dancefloor. Heavily inspired by storytelling through her sets, as well as the psychology behind the idea of coming together, Arrocha’s music is constantly evolving and redefining what a club experience can be. A woman of many talents, Andrea talks to us about working in tech, starting her own creative community and making the industry a better place for all. Get your dancing shoes ready for Thursday and don’t forget to put your name down <3 is also behind Rotterdam’s Operator Radio and is starting her own creative community, Tierra Sónica.
Hi, so lovely to speak to you! How are you today?
I’m good thank you! Just had a very juicy orange.
Ah, the best ones. So, jumping right into it, how would you describe your DJing style?
I definitely focus on evoking emotions rather than sticking to certain genres – my main priority is in telling stories through my music and creating moods. It’s all about starting with a story and letting it take you somewhere else.
That’s what makes DJing so powerful, you control every corner of the room.
Yeah, but it can also be a bit scary. I only started playing about two years ago, so I’m much more used to being on the other side of the room. It took some time to switch, but now it’s really fascinating to observe the dancefloor from behind the decks. It’s nice to have different perspectives.
What is the main source of inspiration for you?
I actually have a Bachelors in Psychology, so I’ve always been curious about human nature and why our brains do certain things. I generally find it fascinating how people have this evolutionary need to come together and how it can now be done through music and club spaces. I’m also heavily inspired by bringing more representation for women in the industry. I’ve had a chance to speak to many wonderful women about their experiences and sticking up for them is what really pushes me. I also have my own show coming up, called Tierra Sónica, where I want to showcase as many female talents as possible. My main goal is to give a platform to smaller communities who perhaps don’t have the resources or are simply not heard by the industry. So yeah, any project I take on, along with questioning the psychology of it all, influence and inspire my work.
Women supporting women! More of that is definitely needed. You kind of already touched upon my next question, but how would you say your work interacts with the communities that you’re in?
We all have a voice and I try to use mine as wisely as possible. I curated a few events for Women’s Day – the goal is to come together a few times a year to explore what’s happening in the scene, both from a technical and a human point of view. I think it’s also very important to talk about mental health. It’s a very fast-paced industry, with a lot of competition, a lot of changes, A LOT of drugs. It’s really important to create safe spaces within all of that, and that’s what I’m aiming to do.
Is there anything else you’d want to change in the industry?
I think there should be a lot more appreciation for the team behind making all this happen. There are a lot of hard work and great people involved behind the scenes, and I don’t think they get enough spotlight.
On a complete 180 from DJing, what else do you do besides it?
I actually working communications for a tech company, so it’s quite an interesting combination. I have completely different routines on weekdays and weekends, but that’s kind of what keeps it exciting. There is such a contrast, because at my day job the path is so clear, but with music so much of it is about trial and error. I like having some stability as well as a channel through which I can write the stories I want to write. Apart from that, I’m also very into analogue photography and just the daily things, like staying at home and cooking good food. It’s really important for me to make the most of being with friends and loved ones.
This sounds like a really good balance. Everything is shifting these days, you really don’t have to be confined to one area of work anymore.
Yeah, people are often surprised when they find out I work in such different fields. But if you’re drawn to both things, then why not?
What makes someone stand out in the crowd to you?
That’s a good question! I think people who are not facing the DJ and are just doing their own thing with their eyes closed. It’s all about letting yourself go, so someone who is really present in the moment and just enjoying themselves would definitely stand out.
What’s your dream line up?
Definitely a mix of established and upcoming artists, I think that’s what makes it special. I would definitely bring a lot of UK artists, I love their scene at the moment! If I have to think of a name, I would include Luxe. She has a background in classical music and her production style is just insane. I don’t know how she does it!
And finally, what are you manifesting for the rest of 2022?
Apart from work related stuff, I’m definitely manifesting a lot of self-love, respect for myself and others around. Also just remembering that things will not always go your way, but you’ll always come out of it stronger.
Very wise words.
My sister always tells me I’m an old person trapped in a body of a 28-year-old. Sometimes I say things and just think to myself: ‘my grandmother could’ve said that.’
Haha! Well, thank you so much for speaking to me today. I’m really excited for Thursday!
See you then!
