Auja is a DJ who began to spin in the early 2000s. Also a composer, she has released remixes on Schallmauer, Hexagonal Music, Lamia Recordings…. In 2023, she launched Digigroove Records. She is a member of the Tranquilo collective in Valencia, Spain, an artist community focused on downtempo events. Now based in Poland, she also hosts the show "Dance Dance Dance!" on Shared Frequencies Radio, featuring mixes exploring house, electro, and world rhythms.

Welcome, what can I get you to drink?

I don’t usually drink much alcohol, but I really love a good Jurançon Moelleux.

Can you tell me about your first DJ experience? 

My very first introduction to DJing was when I was 17, in 2000. My cousin was a mobile DJ and he introduced me to the craft. But the first real experience where I found myself alone behind the decks was in early 2002 at La Locomotive in Paris. I got to play in the small upstairs room while I was doing a short internship there. I was able to spend time with the resident DJs and observe their different ways of working. They were incredibly kind and gave me some great advice.

Can you tell me about your first beat making experience? 

That was in 2005, under my first artist name, DJ Lilly from 2002 to 2015. I started producing my own tracks on Reason, using my mum’s old PC. I uploaded my tracks to Myspace and other platforms, which led to me being noticed in 2006 by the Swedish label Substream. I had the opportunity to remix two tracks: “Why Keep On” by Rubikon and “Do You Believe in Heaven?” by Risqué. After that, I moved on to Ableton to produce tracks.

Your top 5 new releases?

- Amand & Capoon “Ouverture (pt. 2)”

- Omar Dahl “In The Shade Of The Moon”  (Original Mix)

- Sezer Uysal “Ikigai” 

- Vanetty “Reunite” (Alex Lowen Remix)

- Jefrey Blake, Jury Spika “On a Yacht” (Original Mix)

Your top 5 oldies?

- Nathan Fake “The Sky Was Pink” (James Holden remix)

- Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan “Silence” (Sanctuary Mix)

- Iio “Rapture” (Deep Dish remix)

- Butch “Reshef”(BNZO Remix)

- Paul Kalkbrenner “Gebrünn Gebrünn”

Your maximum BPM?

These days I max out at around 130 BPM. I guess we calm down a little with time.

Most of my sets range between 120 and 130 BPM, depending on the mood.

Shared Frequencies Radio in three words?

An amazing community-driven and collaborative radio station based in Austin, Texas. They’re open to all kinds of electronic music.

Your favorite hardware?

My Korg Wavestate MkII synth. I’ve been using it a lot in my recent productions. I’ve only had it for about a year, and I discover something new about it every time I compose. It’s actually my first hardware synth, before that, I only worked with VSTs and a MIDI keyboard.

Your favorite record store?

Nowadays I mostly buy music online, especially on Beatport, though I do most of my digging on SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube.

But my all-time favorite record store was Extra Records in Lyon (sadly now closed). I had some wonderful encounters there, and they always had an incredible selection.

When you dig, what are you obsessed with?

Melody, atmosphere, and groove. I’m often drawn either to tracks with strong energy and groove that make you want to dance, or to more atmospheric and emotional pieces. I like having both options when I play events, so I can take people on a journey where the music carries them emotionally.

Sea or mountains?

The sea. It has something very calming about it — especially in colder or temperate countries. Let’s just say heat isn’t really my best friend.

There’s always something beautiful and special about watching a sunrise or sunset by the water.

Your three favorite spots in Bydgoszcz?

Mózg, an underground club hosting many concerts and DJ nights, from all styles of electronic music to experimental sounds. The space and the vibe are great, and there are always beautiful discoveries to be made. And I really like See Ya, somewhere between a bar and a club, with a focus on jazz and house. It’s a friendly place with great music, and in summer there are DJs playing on the terrace. For the third one, I’m still looking.

DIGIGROOVE in three words?

Immersive. Collaborative. Experimental. I launched the label in mid-2023 with the idea of combining music with other art forms. During the first year, I collaborated with Alessandro Granito, a visual artist like photography and video, and we developed a visual concept for the releases and events. I had to pause the project last year, but now it’s starting up again!

Your favorite quote?

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu

If you weren’t a DJ, you would be…

An ethnologist. I’m fascinated by cultures, traditions, and ways of life. There’s so much to learn and discover.

Interviewed by invisibl journalist