Tanz Talks 008 // Ethel
Ethel’s dedication to the scene is something that drew us towards her many years ago, whether it’s her energetic sets that glide between genres, her involvement with the RA+RE collective in Paris with their famous Breakfast Club parties, or her latest addition to her artillery, her Life Enigma label and events which just dropped their first record. After recently making the move from Berlin to Sitges in Spain, Ethel’s story continues to evolve, so we wanted to catch up with her and see what’s happening over there…
Quickfire Round
Favourite film?
The Warriors by Walter Hill.
Your go-to dish when cooking?
Pasta with anything.. I love improvising some sauce to go with them.
Favourite band/artist you have ever seen?
Recently LA FEMME, but in general the entire line-up of Benicassim festival in 2007 -- When I look back, what an experience it was!
Favourite record artwork?
Gemini - Swimmin’ Wit’ Sharks, simple and memorable. Classic.
Funniest moment in the booth?
Always when I am sharing the decks with Melody, its too much fun!
One thing you would change about club culture?
I would make the whole club culture more about the music and dancing and less about everything else, nothing new under the sun, but so true in the end.
Interview:
Hi Ethel, welcome to the Tanz Talks series, a pleasure to have you on board. How has the start of the year been for you?
Great, busy, extremely busy! Finding the balance between different projects, music and work I am doing and also enjoying life. Feeling good and excited for the summer ahead.
You recently made the move from Berlin to Sitges, close to Barcelona. How has the experience been for you? Are you feeling settled musically?
The experience is amazing, I feel more inspired here and was happy to make a switch after so many years in Berlin. I am new here, and I love discovering a new city with fresh eyes. I have already met so many new people here, and it feels incredible.
Congratulations on the launch of your Life Enigma label. How does it feel to start this new chapter?
It feels amazing, like anything is possible. I have the freedom to bring any idea to life, and I’m really enthusiastic about it. The record itself and the launch night at Studio Stereo was received really well it seems, sharing the line up with long time friend DJ Tjizza, and local friends, felt like a warm welcome to myself and Life Enigma.
Is it something you thought about for a long time? What’s the idea behind the label?
Yes, for a long time. I was simply waiting for the right moment. The label is a tribute to life’s beauty and mystery, an invitation to pause, reflect, and appreciate the gift we’ve been given.
Would you say the aesthetic and sound of the label is a reflection of your current sound as a DJ?
Yes, something like that! I feel the label is moving in a direction that reflects the different sides of music I truly love. Release 001 is quite diverse and touches on many of the elements I appreciate most. Lately, my digging has been leaning more toward a new wave direction, even though it’s a style I’ve always listened to.
What did the early days of music look like for you? How would you say things have changed for better and worse within the industry?
In the early days of discovering electro music, I used to go to local clubs around 2005–2006. The same tracks would play every weekend, and I’d find myself hoping the DJ would drop that one song again so I could finally figure out what it was, sometimes catching it on Radio FG and trying to track down the ID. Back then, the choices felt much more limited than they do today.
Now, there’s incredible access to amazing music from all over the world through platforms, podcasts, and online radio, with so many new ways of digging. But at the same time, one of the downsides of the industry today is social media and everything that comes with it. I miss the sense of authenticity from before, when things felt more genuine, and the focus was more on the music itself.
How important is community? What does it mean to you?
I think community is so important in the music industry. It’s about belonging and the feeling of being part of something bigger, where you can be yourself and create without overthinking. Music isn’t made alone, this is for sure. It’s a safe space, where ideas flow, where you should feel supported, and where everything comes from a real place.
I think today that feeling sometimes gets lost with ego and competition. We forget that it all started with people sharing the same emotions, looking for connection, and creating their own space together through music and parties. That’s what community means to me, and these are my values.
What’s in store for the rest of your year?
Working on upcoming label releases, playing gigs, exploring new music, and enjoying life in a simple, meaningful way.
Finally, can you leave us with your favourite item from the Tanzform website?
The Mirror your Mind T shirt is dope!
https://tanzform.com/products/mirror-your-mind-tshirt-up-cycled-fabric