INTERVIEW

DYNAMIC DJ AND PRODUCER AQUTIE - a rising star in the global dance music scene, AQUTIE delivered a standout performance at the Do LaB stage at Coachella, captivating the crowd with her signature blend of house – deep house, Afro house, Tech house, gqom, and amapiano. The South African/Guinean artist has continued to make her mark in the industry, with this performance only solidifying her foundation. Reflecting on her Coachella debut, AQUTIE expressed her gratitude, sharing, "I feel thankful, more than anything, I feel thankful to be a part of the moment." She also highlighted the significance of the lineup, noting, "I am part of the moment, and to be doing it with people that I know...a lot of women of color and a lot of people of color, feels amazing…they're really highlighting us in a great way."

When discussing her approach to a festival set versus a club set, AQUTIE emphasized the importance of taking the audience on an emotional journey. "For me, when it comes to these kinds of festivals, I like to always make sure that the crowd feels some kind of emotion," she explained. Her set aimed to create a range of experiences, from high-energy moments to melodic and hard-hitting sounds. "You kind of go slow at times, and then you take them to the high parts and you keep them there." AQUTIE elaborated.

AQUTIE also shared her excitement about incorporating her own music into the set and gauging the crowd's response. Playing her spin on a remix for Charity Redding was a particular highlight. "It was really nice to play my music in the set and to test it out," she said. The crowd's enthusiastic reaction to her music provided valuable insights for her production process. "That gives me an idea of how I should move forward when it comes to making music, you know?" AQUTIE noted.

Beyond the music, AQUTIE's fashion sense was integral to her Coachella experience. She collaborated with Helmut Lang designer Dylan Mekhi Etienne-Ramsay to create a custom outfit, drawing inspiration from the flowing materials she observed at the Do LaB stage in previous years. "I want to float in the wind. I want to feel like a goddess," AQUTIE explained. The resulting design featured a wrap-like front and a hood, crafted from a shimmery, opal-like fabric. "It's like Opal," she described. AQUTIE expressed her desire to feel like royalty, stating, "I just wanted to feel like a queen."

Looking ahead, AQUTIE's intentions are clear. "My intention is to continue creating, continue connecting, continue making memories for people that come out to my shows, connecting with people through music, dance, my culture as well as bringing happiness & joy to people and joy to the things that I do," she shared. Reflecting on her journey, AQUTIE emphasized her dedication and growth. "This is my 12th year since I started DJing," she revealed, adding, "I feel like I'm at a point in my life now where things are really coming together.

Check out AQUTIE’s new release ‘OVERPRESSURE’ out now on Nervous