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Malissa a.k.a. Jeane Isadou and I contacted each other in 2016. Since then, her music career has taken off. However, she will never forget that first gig. "I was as happy as a kid when I could mix two records together."
“Bij een vriend en mijn toekomstige leermeester Dima, zag ik voor het eerst iemand met vinyl draaien. Dima kon twee platen naadloos aan elkaar mixen en ik raakte daar enorm door gefascineerd. Ik wilde begrijpen hoe hij dat deed, maar ik bakte er niets van.”
Happy as a child
“At a certain point I bought my own turntables. Slowly yet steadily I started building a collection of house, minimal and techno tracks. You can imagine that I was happy as a child when I finally succeeded in mixing two records together. Proud as a peacock I presented my new skills to Dima.”
TWSTD
“In 2012 I was a contestant in the TWSTD dj-contest. That was my first performance in front of an audience. This took place in the Sugar Factory in Amsterdam.
Adult style
“On top of that, the booth was equipped with an Allen & Heath mixer instead of the Pioneer that I was familiar with. I lost all courage but when I put the first record on, all my nerves evaporated. After my set I thought: ‘I totally enjoyed this feeling. I want to do this more often’. According to the jury I had a beautiful, strong and adult style. I was through to the quarter final.”
Improvising
“Before my gigs, I usually already select some track that are on mu mind. I spend a lot of attention to creating a special intro and combining genres. Having my music categorized, allows me to improvise faster during a performance.”
To smile
“I prefer to play techno. It gives me an enormous boost. Sometimes I even forget to smile during a set, because I am completely focussed and so much enjoying myself.”
Uncle
“At home I play all styles of music. Once a week I play soul/disco together with my uncle, for instance. And he’s better at it than me.” (laughs) “When I’m on my own minimal tracks are often first go-to-music. During a gig I like to mix in fast, but when it’s a podcast, it’s a different cup of tea. The aim is to present the most beautiful side of a track.”
Gigs
“Every gig is exciting. Luckily, these days I am able to eat before a gig. Putting the first track on the turntables scares of those last nerves. Exactly how my first gig went. My friends’ enthusiasm has totally motivated me to continue my path in music.”
Dockyard
“I remember well that during ADE 2014 me and my agency XT3.AM wereinvited to play at Dockyard festival. I had half an hour left before it was my time. I must have walked around at least ten times. In retrospective, I absolutely enjoyed the experience and received some amazing feedback.”
Orange Room
“Last year I became a resident of Orange Room Nijmegen. These days I play with Jan Liefhebber (resident Orange Room) on a regular basis. We always have a blast. Also I have learned tons from Jan. Last year we did a four hour long B2B set. That’s when I became very aware of his immense experience. Every once in a while, I still made some small mistakes. I still do.”
“In my everyday life I’m a nurse. I work at the weirdest hours. Therefore I am sometimes not able to play on weekends. I also don’t have the space at the moment to seriously start producing myself. I mainly enjoy all the gigs, podcasts or just nice evenings at home with friends.”
This interview with Jeane Isadou is originally published on DJMag.nl on March 10th 2016.
Who is Jeane Isadou?
Jeane Isadou is an DJ in the Dutch techno scene. As a musician, Jeane Isadou definitely benefited from her upbringing. Her rhythmic feeling and passion for music bring a positive energy to her music. Her personal style is deep dark minimal and techno.
In 2015 she became resident of Orange Room in Nijmegen. Jeane Isadou is also a part of the agency called XT3. Jeane Isadou has performed in several clubs, such as the Sugar Factory, Studio 80, Poema, Waalhalla, Dhoem Dhaam Warehouse, Beatclub, Lindenberg, Akhnaton, Platinum, de Kroeg, Kronkel, Tgat and club Schlaflos in Switzerland.
Jeane Isadou also played on renowned events, such as Amsterdam Dance Event, Dockyard Festival, Orange Room, Raven is Leven, Blenderz, Into the dark, Stam-Pot, New Dutch School, Techno Tuesday, Subcultuur, Cabin in the Woods, Nachtdier, Aangespoeld, Droef and Techno breakfast.