Which events will people know you from here in Bahrain?
There were so many shows and residencies over the years. I suppose I was best known as the DJ for Block 338, when it first opened, and Meisei. The events: I opened for Robyn S, Mr Hudson, Claude Challe — too many to count!
What have you been up to since you left?
I was living in Los Angeles for a few years, developing contacts in music and recording some tracks. I was also DJing in New York, Napa, Paris, London and LA. LA wasn’t really my scene, so I moved back to the city I love, Paris [where she started her career back in 2007]. I’ve just arrived to my residency in Ibiza, where I will be mixing for the private super mansion to the stars, ‘The White House Ibiza’. I’ll be in Ibiza, until September and then, back to Paris! I’ll be popping around Europe a bit to mix. Next week, London! www.whitehouseibiza.com
I understand you’re now based in France; what are you doing there?
I love Paris. I always feel completely at home [there]. In Paris, I’m building my brand, as DJette Kiwi – in music, fashion and as a character. I have a residency at Andy Wahloo [Momo’s bar – owner of Sketch London, Momo’s, Derriere]. I have also become the official DJ/Director of Music for Jorgen Simonsen. His fashion house is well known for styling super stars like J-Lo, Kylie Monogue and Michelle Rodriguez. I love working with Jorgen. Much like his design, he is creative, diligent and extraordinary.
You started out as a vocalist. Is Waiting your first single or are there others that people can have a listen to?
It’s not my first single but it is definitely my favourite. Building in music takes time, to accomplish tracks in the style and level one seeks. John [Hancock] is such an exceptional producer. I feel so fortunate to get to work with him. In LA, I did some music for films with Jeff Rona [one of the composers from The Lion King film] and completed one single. In the past, I have also composed and done the vocals for a large European fashion brand, Tally Weijl. Almost everything is available on my SoundcCloud. https://soundcloud.com/kiwi-djette
How did you get together with John Hancock?
John and I met attThe Sundance Film Festival. I was actually talking to him for over an hour and never realised he was one of the composers/producers for Kaskade and Late Night Alumni! I have been in love with Kaskade’s music since I was 16. It seriously shaped my style as a composer and DJ. We saw John at breakfast the next morning and my friend alerted me to who he was. I shyly asked him to hear one of my demos. He agreed and the rest is history. It is unbelievable to imagine that I am working with a person who wrote three of my all-time favourite songs. It’s a dream!
Are the two of you working on any other music?
It looks like I am working with Junior Sanchez for my next single but I would love to work with John again and I think that is definitely a possibility. At the moment, he’s working on his new album with Late Night Alumni and a compilation with Myon. So nothing solid planned. But yeah, he’s a genius and a pleasure to work with. I am massively looking forward to future projects with John.
Where does the inspiration for your sound come from?
This is always the hardest question. Music has always been a big part of my life. I’ve played instruments, since I was five but had to take 10 yers off for my career in sports — I have a Commonwealth Gold in Judo. My parents exposed me to everything from Vivaldi to Ella Fitzgerald, Tears for Fears, Oingo Boingo and Joni Mitchell. For me, I have adored everything from NWA and Blackalicious to Clean Bandit, Christine and the Queens to David Morales, Frankie Knuckles and Benny Benassi. Ah, I was in Ibiza last year and Benny’s set at ‘Hi’ blew my mind! Right now, I’m loving Benny Benassi’s new single Shooting Helicopters, Chromeo’s new singles, Christine and the Queens and Junior Sanchez’s new album, whic,h in my opinion, is the best work he has ever done. I just wanna be a dirty house wife [as in the wife of dirty house!].
Any plans for a return to perform in Bahrain?
Ah! I love Bahrain! It would be great to get some bookings in BTtown. It is such a magical place with beautiful humans everywhere. Noone ever understands how special Bahrain is, until they experience it. So unique! I miss the island of a thousand palm trees!
