The alluring and educated (she has a B.A. in Communications) Misstress Barbara is one of Canada's own and best. DJing since 1994 she has made herself a global name in both the techno niche and international club scene. Today she runs her own record label and totes her record cases from continent to continent.
Verging on the violent when behind the decks she is somewhat intimidating to approach but below you'll see that she has a great character and charming way of expressing herself.
Do you ever have people tell you that electronic music is not real music? What is your response to that?
Yes it still happens but I dont take it personal and I dont over react to it. I explain that even though instruments are not played by a human, we still need the brain of a human to assemble all sounds and beats to make it sound like a proper piece of music, whether its electronic or not.
Does it ever feel that the 'DJ world' is still a 'man's world'?
Personally, in the position where I am with my career, I do not feel that anymore.
Have you ever played in your home town in Sicily?
Unfortunately not.
Is there any type of music that you hate?
Country.
I just read the disaster that was Celebration (
http://www.33-mtl.com/musique/techno/rep/rep_techno_04032002_english.asp). That is the best example showing that a DJ's life isn't one of pleasure and decadence. Do you find that sometimes you are dismissed as living the ideal life and not having to work for you bread and butter?
I think that in each field there can be horrible stuff happening. Of course if I were living a 9 to 5 life, working in an office every day, then I wouldnt have felt alone like a dog on that night of New Years Eve because I wouldnt have worked on that night, but then I would probably have other horrible stuff happening to me like losing my job because the companys cutting on staff, or being disrespected by my boss, etc. So I dont think that living the life I live is such a painful thing. Of course that was a sad experience and there will probably be more, but I dont think its worth to think I am missing out on another good type of life by living the one I chose to live, because everyone goes through good and bad times, no matter what they do, and besides all this I dont care because I love my life and I adore my career and I wouldnt want to change this for anything in the world.
You've said that your best experiences have been with the Latin American crowd. What differs when you play in that area?
Well, Latins are great! They love to dance and they feel the music so much that they arent scared of any hard beats. They love them and they allow me to play what I want, what I love, and seeing that they enjoy so much the music I love is for me the biggest form of satisfaction ever! They are very honest in what they like and dislike as theyre very expressive and passionate people. I love playing for them!
You are so young and have accomplished so much. Do you think you will continue on this road of extreme success and hyperactivity?
I think I will always continue working hard as I do. Of course in time we all have to balance life a bit, not to go mental, so maybe I will take some more time for my personal life and for the studio, but all this is certainly not going to stop now.
You've mentioned that you need to be quick the mixes when playing techno. Are there other such requisites for playing a great techno set?
Other than mixing fast you have to play with the EQs a lot too. I think that basically you have to change the sound as much as you can to make it your thing. Its like creating new music with the one you are already playing. If you know how to do that then youre doing fine when you chose to play techno.
Does Relentless Records deviate from techno?
Its been started via that, yes. But the label name Relentless has now changed for ITURNEM (www.iturnem.com), and it can now be like a more open minded label, music style wise of course.
Any CDs on the horizon?
I have just finished recording a mix CD for FLORIDA 135 Records, for Spain, which is coming out in July. And very shortly I will start working on MB 03 for Trust The DJ, which will come out in September.
Has there ever been a decline in the availability of techno music throughout the years? Have you ever noticed a decline in attendance at your shows which you can pinpoint to the decline of interest in techno?
Absolutely. I think techno is not a main attraction like many other styles. Often promoters and clubs lose a lot of money by putting big nights up and paying DJs to come and play their events, and then theres not enough people. Unfortunately techno is not the most easy music to understand and I think that many people who dont enjoy techno dont understand it and dont give it a chance. So it is a very unpopular style of music compared to house or trance, and I dont see this situation changing in the next few years.
I've never been to a techno show where the dance floor wasn't completely full of people totally going off. However, I have been to many breaks and house shows where the majority of the clubbers will be lounging. Do you think techno is of a more primitive nature? Like, we instinctively need to dance when we hear it because it touches some kind of primordial reflex?
I like how you think! As I think the same. Yes for me techno is something that makes you instantly shake your booty! Its so funky and its so powerful! And whenever there is a techno event with real techno lovers it is true that everyone dances their butt off! And its great. Techno is definitely very primitive, as you say, and its tribal and percussive beats with its fat bass lines makes you move, no matter what. Its simply the best!
Check out more information on Misstress Barbara on:
www.iturnem.com
www.relentlessmusic.com/flash.html
www.trustthedj.com/MisstressBarbara
