Max HeyraudWe caught up with Thelma, a name that’s impossible to ignore in the ever-evolving world of techno.
Her sound? A wild, unpredictable mix of techno, house, garage, trance—taking what’s familiar and bending it until it’s something new, something that feels real. She has crafted a unique sound that resists the confines of industry expectations and embraces true artistic freedom.
Fresh off an Australian tour and an intense schedule of shows across Europe, Thelma opens up about life on the road, managing the delicate balance between personal and professional life, and her experience navigating the ever-shifting music industry.
With a new release on EC2A and a lineup of upcoming projects, Thelma discusses her creative process, the pressures of the industry, and how living in Spain has influenced her musical evolution. Read on for an honest conversation about the highs and lows of her journey, and what exciting developments lie ahead for the artist.
Thanks for chatting with us! I know you’ve been really busy lately—how’s life on the road been?
I love being on the road, to be honest, it’s probably one of the best parts of my job! If anything it feels weird when it stops, especially once I get into the flow. This year I’ve been playing in France a lot – it feels amazing to perform where I’m from. I’ve been sharing many lineups with LABAT, who has been championing my music for a while now, he’s a legend. In November I played my third Australia tour and mini Europe tour – my first time playing that many shows in a month. I thought I wouldn’t be able to hack it, but it went perfectly!
Balancing tour life, studio time, and personal time can be a challenge. How have you been managing it all?
I don’t know if I’m the right person to ask, as I still struggle with this myself! The overachiever and severe ADHD combo doesn’t help my case hahaha
I’ve been taking it day by day, separating my to-do list into three: things I need to do, should do and want to do. This helps me prioritise, knowing that if I do what needs to be done for the day, the rest can wait. It takes a lot of the pressure off and helps me focus on what’s actually important.
You’ve been pretty open about creativity, life as an artist, and the music industry, both its highs and lows. When did you decide to use social media as a platform to share your voice in this way?
I’ve always been a very open person, but I’ve shied away from it at times due to fear of judgment.
When you’re an artist, you are selling a brand, but the brand is you. That can take a huge toll on your mental health if you’re not careful. There is pressure as a DJ to keep up appearances online, and I feel like sharing the highs and lows has helped me maintain a more human connection with my audience.
I think the music industry in itself is great. There’s a lot of freedom and privilege that comes with this type of job, but as artists, the expectation to be a content creator can be draining. I hope that by being open about my experiences, others who are on a similar path will feel less alone as a result.
Congrats on your latest release via EC2A! How are you feeling post-release?
I’m feeling really happy about it, and more importantly, I’m genuinely proud of this release. It marks the start of a new chapter for me and my music. For some time, I felt like I was trying to chase after trends and release what was expected of me and this release feels more authentic. These are the kind of tracks I can look back on in five years and still love just as much.
The EP marks a shift in sound, leaning more towards a UK influence. Is this the general direction your music is heading, or more of a stylistic pivot?
I think I’ve always wanted to include that UK sound in my productions, without knowing exactly how to approach it. My journey as a music producer started in London after all, so this has definitely influenced my sound in some ways.
This project definitely marks a turning point in my sound, moving away from heavier, faster-paced techno towards slower, groovier tracks.
Can you give us some insight into the EP’s name, The Higher Land?
The Higher Land is a play on words with the Scottish Highlands, as Scottish crowds were the first to welcome my new sound with such open arms. The main track, ‘Greenhouse’ was named after the stage I played at for Terminal V Festival in Edinburgh. It was the first time I felt brave enough to move away from the harder/faster techno which was expected of me and play a groovier set that felt true to my sound. They loved it! Scotland is still one of my favourite countries to play in to this day.
What was it like working with Dr. Dubplate on this release?
I’ve always loved Ec2a as a label and admired his approach to it, releasing exclusively on USBs or vinyl. I feel like it’s more of a community and sound than just a record label. He emailed me a few months back after hearing some track previews on my story and I was honoured. When you’re constantly listening to releases from a specific label and that very label reaches out asking for demos, you know you’re on the right track. We haven’t met in person yet but I’m sure our paths will cross soon, maybe a potential b2b – who knows!
As an artist with such an eclectic sound, what are your thoughts on carving out a unique identity? Do you ever feel industry pressure to conform to a singular style, or are you fully embracing your versatility?
I definitely feel pressure, especially when in conversation with agents, managers, and promoters, it’s easy to feel like you need to fit into a box. When I think of artists I look up to who have been in the game for years, (VTSS and Mall Grab are great examples of this) they decided against the path that was drawn out for them and created their own. I respect that immensely, and it’s the kind of artist I’ve always hoped I would grow to become. If you have true supporters of your music, they will follow you no matter the direction you go in, as long as you keep what makes your sound you.
You’re currently living in Spain—how’s life there, and has it influenced your music in any way?
Life here has got a slower pace to it and I definitely feel more present nowadays. The warm weather and outdoor parties have influenced my music in more ways than one. There’s a small vinyl club here in Barcelona called ‘Les Enfants’ that I’ve become a regular at. One night, they were playing strictly 90s/00s deep house, and it was insane. I came back feeling so inspired that I actually wrote ‘Greenhouse’ the next morning. I 100% owe my love for a slower bpm to Barcelona.
You played Creamfields last year—an incredible milestone for any DJ. How was that experience for you?
It is still one of my favourite sets, looking back almost two years later. I was incredibly nervous before going on, having never played in front of 6000 people before. There was so much mud that they weren’t letting people into the festival, so the two DJs on before me had their sets cancelled. It seemed that I would be in the same boat – but by some kind of miracle, five minutes before my set, they told me I could start playing. As the opener, I went from playing in front of 0 to 4000 people within the first 20 minutes. It was insane, I can’t even describe the feeling. I’m so grateful I got that opportunity.
You also rang in the new year with a set in Belfast—how was that?
Belfast was my first ever international gig, so it will always have a special place in my heart. This gig was a little different, as it was my first time playing a housier set in a city where I was known for my heavy hitters. The crowd was totally engaged, and it exceeded my expectations. I also had my good friends there, a very talented Irish producer whom you all may know, GES and his girlfriend Nicola. This made the NYE experience even better.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or goals you’re particularly excited about?
So many things I can’t even count! I’ve got a release on the legendary Alan Fitzpatrick’s label WATB next month and another with one of the biggest UKG labels in May. This will be shortly followed by my debut house single on a label I can’t announce yet. In terms of gigs, I’ll be playing Terminal V Festival in Croatia this summer as well as a festival in Switzerland, some outdoor parties in Berlin and a huge announcement in Spain that I have to keep to myself for now. I can’t wait to share it all with you soon!
