Glow Up: Sophie Reid
If you didn’t know before, you do now. DJ and producer Sophie Reid is on the glow up, making frequent waves as a female powerhouse in the Irish and international music scene. New to the game and resident at 712, Sophie has promptly made track and has recently supported the likes of Ben Hemsley, and local talents Yasmin Gardezi, and Decadance. Her guest mixes are consistent and her debut release ‘Detonate’ hits hard with a unique and admirable style. Watch out.
Listen to ‘Detonate’ on SoundCloud now.
Tell us a bit about where you’re from? Where did you grow up and how has this influenced your style in fashion and music?
So I was born in Dublin and lived there for a few years, but then I moved to Westmeath with my Mam and grew up between both places.There wasn’t much techno in the midlands when I was growing up. I discovered it mostly through my Dad, listening to it in the car and then when I found Soundcloud it was like a dream because I was hearing so many different genres of dance music, so I was able to really find what I enjoyed. It’s the same with fashion, I always wore whatever I wanted and never really followed trends because I was always going from Dublin to Westmeath and the styles were so different that I could never keep up with one or the other.
How did you get into dance/techno sounds? What other genres of music would you listen to on a day to day basis?
I think I got into dance music because my Mam and Dad grew up going to raves in the 90s and they had such a passion for techno when they were teenagers that it passed on to me, they’re always telling me stories of how they went to raves and how good they were back then, so I definitely didn’t pick it up off the ground. I started listening to dance music when I was about 12 or 13 and it just got more fast paced and heavier as I got older. I actually love rap music as well, it’s something I grew up listening to too, but as I got older my love for techno grew stronger than any other genre of music.
You’re a resident at brand and collective, 712 alongside iOsis, OISINOK, Mich, and Keyrah909. How did you become involved in this organisation and how has this supported your career so far?
Before I joined 712 I knew they were one of the Irish collectives who definitely had a heavier sound and promoted heavy fast paced techno, which I was really interested in. Then I went to my first 712 event back in February when they had CLTX booked who is one of my favourite DJs, and they just brought such a good atmosphere to the club and everyone was enjoying themselves; like they really knew how to run a good hard techno event. I really wanted to get involved and after my international debut in Liverpool I became part of the collective and I feel like they have really respected and supported me as a female DJ in the industry and have continued to do a really good job at promoting me and my sound. So much love for 712 and everyone involved in the collective, it’s like a big family.
Tell us about your recent international debut in Liverpool. How was that feeling to go and play to an audience in the UK? You’ve another gig there soon?
I was actually really nervous for my international debut in the WAV in Liverpool. It was really exciting getting to play to a completely different crowd, I didn’t know what to expect from them but it was insane! The energy was high and the lineup was perfect. I think we all complimented each other really nicely. I was back to back with keyrah_909 and we really did bounce off each other well. We both have a really similar taste in music, so we never planned our set at all, we just trusted each and went for it and it was amazing; definitely a night I won’t forget. I have another gig there on August 8th it’s a 712 X MindNoMore takeover in the WAV, this time we got Sons of Charlie for our headliners so I’m really excited to see how it goes, another stacked lineup.
Your first release ‘Detonate’. Tell us about this track! What did the production process involve and what was the aim for you as your debut track?
My aim for my first release was for people to listen to it and know exactly what my kind of sound as a DJ will be, I wanted it to be hard hitting, fast paced and a bit scary. It took me a while to get the track together because I was only starting to produce and I was switching between DAWs, so I was a mess at the start of it all but it was a really fun process in the end and I am really happy with how the track turned out.
Did you test the track live before you released to see the reaction from listeners? It’s a heavy hitting sound, have you got more sounds on the way?
I never tested the track before I released it probably because it’s 165bpm and it would have been hard for me to play it being an opening act at the time. I’ve actually only played it to a crowd once and I got a really good reaction, people who enjoy hard techno seem to like it. I have a track in the works and hope to release another few tracks before the end of summer. Now that I’m finished college I have a lot more time to focus on music.
You’ve went back-to-back with other great female DJs and supported your friends like Yasmin Gardezi. What does it mean to you supporting other female artists and creating a strong presence for the women in the industry?
I feel like in the past the spotlight has always shone on male DJs rather than female DJs, however, it has changed dramatically in more recent years which has broken barriers and reshaped the industry, and as a female DJ, I am so happy to be a part of that. There’s room for everyone in the industry and as a female I think it’s more nerve wrecking going into it as a girl because a lot of people still don’t take us seriously, but its clear we’re breaking stereotypes. It means a lot to me that maybe I can inspire other girls to start their music career too, even if they don’t take it seriously and just start it as a hobby.
What DJs do you look to for sound inspiration and skill? Who are you listening to at the minute?
I listen to a lot of different people at the minute because I really love hard groove / hypnotic techno as well as hard industrial techno. My top inspirations right now are Mac Declos and Alberto Tolo, they have really inspired me recently which is why I recorded a hypnotic loopy mix for the Reboot Selecta Series. Since seeing Mac Declos live in Berlin a few months ago, I’ve been really inspired in the hard groove genre. The DJ I’m listening to the most right now would be Fantasm, every single one of his tracks I love, it’s really similar to my style, he’s definitely my favourite at the minute. I’ve also been listening to a lot of DTKØ and TNMN right now, fast and scary as always.
What can we expect for the remainder of 2023 from Sophie Reid? What’s in the pipeline?
In 2023 I really want to put more time into producing, I have only being DJing for 6 months so I still have so much to learn when it comes to playing and producing, I’m so excited for everything to come. You can expect more international gigs and my biggest gig to date at Outset festival in August which I’m so excited for. But I think the main goal for the rest of 2023 is definitely to produce more and just learn as much as possible and get as much experience as I can.
Follow @sophieeereid on Instagram.
Based between Barcelona and Ireland, the electronic alliance who were both raised in Boyle, Roscommon, have curated a six-track collective featuring extraterrestrial melodies, deep breaks, and kicking snares.