I first met Amanda in Sienna, Italy last summer. I was backpacking around Europe and my good friend Angelo was doing a U of T study abroad summer semester in Sienna, so I thought I’d go give him a visit. Coincidentally Amanda was also in the same program.  A local club over there was having Amanda spin and I thought I’d check it out. Needless to say I liked what I heard and was on the lookout for her when I returned to Toronto. It actually turned out that we had a lot of mutual friends and I was surprised I had never bumped into her or heard her spin prior to that.

Enough about how I met her, lets get down to business. Amanda is so much more then a pretty face. I have seen her play at a few venues (The Basement, Gallery, Footwork, Paaeez, and more) and I was seriously impressed. She gives off a great vibe and pumps out some dirrrrtty tech-house. It’s a mixture of bouncy, dark, tech-house with feel-good groovey-deep-funk undertones. I know some of that sounds contradictory but you’ll get it if you hear it. You can definitely hear the Toronto influence in her style, but by no means am I saying she is generic.



Her track selection and mixing abilities are top notch in my opinion, but I think her personality and vibe is what really separates her from the average DJ. From my experience Amanda is a really chilled person, but when she gets behind the decks you really see her come alive, which I really like. Anyways interviewing her was a pleasure and I think her personality really shines through in the interview. So without further a due, here’s my interview with Amanda Astra.

Q: When, why and how did you first get into DJ’ing? And how did the name Amanda Astra come to be?

A: When i was about 13 I would dedicate entire days to my boombox waiting for songs that i liked to play on the radio so i could record them on a cassette and have my own mixtapes...

at 15 i downloaded a very amateur production software called HammerHead.. very old school haha. Soon after, i got my hands on FruityLoops and i mastered the program very quickly (I'm secretly a huge geek) and started making mixes on SoundForge..
At 18 I knew this is what i wanted to do with life and graduated from Trebas with a Music Production diploma.. I was always more into producing but as i started going to more house clubs i got quite inspired by the djs and knew that if i wanted to eventually get my own productions out i would have to begin Djing. It's only been a year now that I've been djing but it feels like second nature to me already. I'm really looking forward to pumping out original tracks very soon.

Amanda Astra is my real name except i cut off the extension of my very Polish last name as it is quite difficult to pronounce and it is extremely long. lol my first dj name was Dj Retromami (LOL) but a few friends of mine told me i should just use my real name haha so i listened to them.

Q: How would you describe your style (in terms of the music you spin)?

A: I've played a variety of styles until now including minimal and techno but these days i've been playing a lot more tunes with a truer housey feel, i like to shift with the musical trends and sometimes break out of them.. but if i were to label my style it would be tech-house, with associations to deep house and a bit of tribal.

Q: Who have been your major influences when it comes to DJ’ing and why?

A: There is so much amazing local talent that has greatly influenced me throughout the past few years...

A lot of my friends who share the love for house music have influenced me greatly as we all like to constantly talk about music for hours without end...

In terms of famous djs I would have to say I respect Daft Punk a lot not only as djs but as amazing producers.. Obviously Carl Cox, the king of clubs!! How can u not love that big black man behind the decks?

Q: You’re a relatively fresh face in Toronto’s scene, nevertheless you’re booking gigs left right and center. What has been your biggest challenge so far in terms of breaking into the scene?

A: The biggest challenge i'm faced with right now is to ultimately gain the respect as a dj by other djs in the industry. I don't just want to be known as a dj with a pretty face and just getting booked for that.. I want people to really try and feel what i feel through house music and really be able to find that true, genuine connection with the crowd. I don't particularly enjoy the spotlight on me all the time.. sometimes i like to get lost in the crowd.. i just want people to understand that i'm in this for the music and nothing else...

Q: In a field that is predominantly males (although more and more female dj’s are popping up everyday), have you encountered sexist attitudes? If so, do you have any examples?

A: You know, i don't find it so often and i'm very grateful for that. I thought it was going to be bad but its really not that bad at all! Everyone seems to be showing me love and respect! I have a very tomboyish personality and i'm very easy-going so working with men is actually a pleasure for me. LOL!

Q: What advice do you have for other ladies aspiring to be DJ’s?

A: Ladies, don't inflate your egos and act like princesses. Work hard, show respect and don't complain. Always show a great attitude and that alone will take you further than you could even imagine.

Q: What’s your favorite venue that you have played so far in Toronto and why?

A: I must say that i absolutely love playing at the Gallery inside Guvernment for the reason that the dj booth is at the same level of the crowd. Its right on the dancefloor and everyone there is always dancing up a storm. That allows me to feel like i'm out on the floor with everyone else. Another place i enjoy playing at is Footwork. The energy of the crowd there is through the roof. I really feed off the energy that the crowd gives me. I still like to kick-back and play at small cozy lounges around queen and college for that more intimate vibe from time to time as well!

Q: What’s ‘La Dolce Vita’ all about?

A: La Dolce Vita is a duo that me and Jon Jon just began. We both like to go crazy behind the decks sometimes and this allows us to truly let loose and become one with the crowd. Our two sounds together create a fresh new vibe. La Dolce Vita means the sweet life in Italian... the DJ life is a pretty sweet life!!! we just wanna let everyone know that we f**kin love house and love to party and thats pretty f**kin sweet to me!!!!!!!!!! Holla @ yer girl LOL!

Q: How do you like spinning with a partner?

A: Jon Jon is great. At our first gig at Footwork we merked it.. The crowd was killer and we were bouncin around like mad behind those decks... Playin alone and playing with a partner are two completely different things - to me, at least. It's a hell lot more fun!!! UR THE BOMB JON JON!!!!!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Toronto’s scene?

A: Everyone has different opinions about it but really, i don't have many bad things to say.. My favourite thing about it is that it feels like family. I can reach the club alone and already know i'm gonna know a million people there. Its very comforting.. i love my industry family a lot.. i've met so many awesome people that i absolutely love (you all know who you are!!!!) and i would be there for them in a heartbeat. House music is a magical thing. It brings people together and shows nothing but love. Not everybody understands house music baby!

Q: What don’t you like about Toronto’s scene?

A: Well, everyone knows that there's the "scene politics" but I try not to get too involved in it. Sometimes there are groups or 'cliques' that form but i try to stay away from that. I like to be social with everyone regardless of that nonsense and promote a positive attitude towards everyone in the scene. hmm hippy styles!

Q: What party are you most looking forward to this summer?

A: REALLY looking forward to the boat cruises!!!!! Festivals too. Hmm i really wanna check out Ibiza too!

Q: Favorite color freezee?

A: White.. what flavour is that anyway? lol

Q: Coke or Pepsi?

A: Coke the original baby!!

Q: Dry or Wet?

A: LMAO... dry is dry.. wet all the way!!! plus its sexier :P

Q: Salty or sweet?

A: SALTY for sure.. everyone who knows me knows i don't eat sweets!!! like AT ALL!! Including cookies, cakes, candies.. yep!! U BETTER BELIEVE IT!!! (with the exception of KITKAT lmao)

Q: Anything you want to get off your mind/any last words?

A: Lets all try to show a little bit more love towards the earth and the people on it. Show the people you love that you love them as often as you can. Giving always feels better than receiving... Smile. Laugh. Live. and keep listening to House Music 4 Life. PEACE - LOVE - UNITY - RESPECT + HOUSE MUSIC. xo to all.

And there you have it. Amanda Astra. She is definitely one talented chica worth checking out. Check out her Myspace for upcoming events that she is playing at. Also Check out her on Twitter

Aaron

“Getting down to business, so you can get to the business of getting down”

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