Wales-based event producer and multi-genre DJ Blondy, has been working on making a name for herself within the electronic music industry over the past few years. She works tirelessly to strengthen her community and pursue her career, and has even launched her own event promotion brand, SHWSH, last year. Despite living with a chronic illness that affects her day-to-day life, she remains positive and kind, never allowing her condition to get in the way of her dreams. We could all take a leaf out of her book when it comes to determination and intention. We loved hearing Blondy’s story, read on to check out what she had to say.
Interview conducted by VoiceBox's Lauren Louisha
Hey Blondy, thank you for joining us today! We’re super excited to hear more about your love for music, your events and all the things in between! Shall we start with your journey into music?
My relationship with music solidified and stuck with me from when I was a kid, my mum always blasted reggae and dancehall in the kitchen, my nanny always had her rock-n-roll Buddy Holly bangers on, and my pops with his old school trance, reggae dub, club classic selections when he was driving around doing his jobs.
In primary, I always enjoyed music class and even learnt how to play the cornet at a decent enough level that I continued into high school, that soon faded due to me focusing more on the academic side of things. BUT I never lost my creative spark for music. I was always that girl who brought her Bluetooth speaker into school for break and lunchtime with a SD card stacked full of tunes downloaded from tubidy. I never chose a music career, I always chose a different artistic outlet whether that be arts & crafts, ceramics, graphic design or even graduating with a BAhons in Visual Effects.
Although you chose to focus on the academic side of education throughout secondary school, you said you never lost your creative spark and even went onto study graphic design in university, is graphic design something that you’re still dabbling in alongside your music?
Yes, very much so. Becoming a DJ & events promoter, graphic design was a skill that just naturally aligned for me to pick up again after graduating. Having complete total freedom over your events online and physical content can stick you a level above others. Most events and musicians need artwork or some level of artistic promotion and by doing it yourself enables you to format it in whatever way you like and easily have consistent flowing content throughout your promo campaign. Things like event posters, album covers, individual pieces & a ton more can be done whenever and however YOU like without having to nag and pay someone else... which is a bonus too.
You told us about a brand showcase you had at Big Love Festival recently, do you have any stand-out moments from it?
Apart from the obvious; playing for 1.More.Thing again, whom I have so much admiration for and returning to Big Love Festival not only as Blondy but to showcase my brand Shwsh has to be the number one stand-out moment. Having your name on artwork beside your favourite artists never gets any less exciting to see, it's one of my favourite things about being a DJ. But seeing your brand being represented amongst several other huge brands as well; it was a big moment for sure having only been around for a year coming up this autumn. It made me so proud being billed and mentioned along iconic brands like Born on Road, members of Jungle Cakes & Hot Cakes Associates and sharing the lineup alongside one of Shwsh's residents too Rhi'n'b - gotta shout out the fabulous Rhi.
What's your favourite thing about being a DJ?
I'll give you 3 of my favourite reasons, otherwise I'll be here for ages.
1. Seeing my name on posters, knowing that out of hundreds of talented artists you got selected, that the little voice in your head that says you aren't good enough is wrong because your name is right there it's a big self confirmation purpose that what you're doing is enough.
2. Being my own representation. Being a disabled and chronically ill selecta within underground mobo genres from my city. Why wait for someone else when I can be the first and influence more to maybe pick up the mic, spin some tunes or become the next inspiring events promoter.
3. The confidence it gives me and the motivation to keep going, its good for my mental and physical well-being. It's almost like a super power, if it's not for the sets, events or time schedules of everything I'd be going day in day out in the same toxic cycle of staying at home. Music helps me get out the house and be sociable, even though sometimes it does get overwhelming I'm grateful for the time I do get out.
How do you manage your chronic illness whilst being consistently active in the music industry? And do you have any advice for other chronically ill people within the industry?
I recently realized that I used to suppress my illness and inner thoughts, but now I'm more vocal about my needs and requirements as an artist. When dealing with bookings & promoters I ask all the essential questions from locations: are there stairs onto the stage, ground fees, seating and if the facility has disabled access and/or toilets. When you write it down it seems a lot to an able-bodied person but they're everyday things a spoonie (disabled/chronically ill person) may need to know as we go through so much pre-planning and preparing just to step out the house. It's important we talk and raise awareness because disabled and chronically disabled are everywhere and we make up a quarter of the target market, we deserve a safe space and inclusion. What is equality without disability inclusion?
We adore SHWSH and what you represent, what made you set up the brand?
I started it up alongside fellow creatives just to bring something new and fresh to South Wales. I felt like there were people who were amazing talents in music & art, yet weren't getting booked, and the lineups that I wanted to see personally weren't present. I saw a lack of representation and rotation for other Welsh creatives for local nights. So I made the choice to stop thinking about it and make those lineups a reality, and book those new fresh faces and bring them to Cardiff and beyond. Shout out to Dan3man for supporting my endless ideas.
I went on to book those venues which allow and support the equality of minorities, I work with local Welsh-owned sound systems, I network with brands outside of my catchment area and bring outside brands and artists to the heart of Wales. I also, program events around artists so they are in the spotlight, make artists feel welcomed and cared for. Because there have been times I haven't felt welcomed or cared for, so I want to treat it as a reflection of the way I wish I was treated, get some movement going, and some real care back into music. If no one will do it, I will. And that's what SHWSH is, it's for us to be loud or to be quiet to just be us. No expectations, we don't have to be perfect as long as we're in it for the right reasons. And I think we're all in it for the right purpose currently.
Your social media is brimming with your achievements which just blows us away! What we can't help but notice is how much you adore your community, and how you go out of your way to be inclusive. What does being a part of a community mean to you?
Being part of a community means not feeling like I'm alone. I can dip off the radar for a little while and come back and that community is still there and vice versa for them. I'm there for people like they are for me. Friendship means a lot to me. I've always felt this way and it reflects who's around me, the people who are meant to be in my life are still here and those who aren't simply aren't & that's okay. We aren't meant to be around every person and be mates with everyone, but having a close-knit community or circle is a blessing in so many ways whether it be business or socially. Keeps me sane. My community educates me and teaches me valuable things. I learn a lot from everyone around me and I give thanks to them all.
What changes do you think venues could make to create a safer and more inclusive environment for the disabled community?
Having patience and just being mindful of those around you is a big one. I recently went to a venue that wasn't accessible, but a person who used a mobility aid was in the rave and everyone was so kind to help him up and down the stairs. That's one thing environments need to work on is just being kind, accepting and inviting towards people who may look different or have additional needs. But where possible having ramps/levelled flooring on bottom/entry rooms is better so at least the singular floor can be accessible. And clean disabled toilets, can't stress how rank some public accessible toilets are left in. Labelling events/venues that are fitted with strobe lighting so people with epilepsy can be made aware. We do it in films and TV show advertising, so why can't we be made aware of events too? So many little things we can do and talk about that are baby steps.
Do you have any tips for budding promoters?
If you're wanting to give it a shot, go for it. If you can find a venue, get speakers, equipment and artists around you that's what you need right there. Start small with a garden rave or take the big leap at your local pub. Just got for it. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do anything, the only person/s in your way is you. Just do it. Ask for advice from other promoters, I'm still learning as I go along. But once you make that first leap, nothing’s in your way then. If you're lucky to come across brands that'll help you on collaborative events work alongside them, shadow event managers and keep networking. Network for everything! Doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you're doing it and want to try it at least once that's good enough to keep the events scene alive.
It's been lovely chatting with you today and learning all things Blondy! Before we go, is there anything you’ve got coming up that should be on people's radars?
Thank you so much, I always enjoy our conversations! Yeah, we’ve got SHWSH’s biggest show coming up. We're bringing down arguably one of the best DJs within drum and bass, Crissy Criss, to Cardiff to a venue called Clwb Ifor Bach... which is INSANE to even be bringing SHWSH to Clwb, it's so iconic and rich with Welsh music heritage, we'll be collaborating on that with another Cardiff collective which is awesome.
We have plenty of takeovers to showcase and our annual residential night to be announced in honour of our amazing collective and hopefully a collaboration with 1.More.Thing early 2025 which I’m mega excited for - big ups the 1.More.Thing crew. I want to say I'm hopeful it's a peaceful autumn and winter season, but I never stop. I have a meeting with Cardiff Radio soon, so who knows Blondy on the airwaves once again, I’m always thinking and plotting my next event, mix or collaboration project!
You can check out Blondy's work here:
- Listen to her music
- Check out her Instagram
- Check out her brand SHWSH
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