DJ MELL G feels very grateful to get the chance to travel the world, meet so many different people, and approach very diverse cultures and places thanks to music. This being her third year on tour, the German DJ, who is quickly making a name for herself with her unique mix of techno, electro and ebm, works hard to have balance in her life, finding moments for herself and reconnecting with nature to counteract her hectic professional life. Today she is releasing her empowering single, Hey Mr. DJ.
Her new track is a powerful anthem to remind all the women in the industry that they don’t need anyone but themselves. An ode to female power with which the artist who is steadily gaining recognition in the electronic music world fills herself with strength and moves forward firmly believing in herself in a male-dominated world. And that's not all. Her European tour will be followed by the release of her upcoming EP, Synchronize Existence, which drops on Headroom Records in November.
Hi Mell, welcome to METAL! How are you and where are you answering us from?
Thanks a lot! I’m doing great, and I hope you are too. Right now, I’m in my studio, which also doubles as my home office.
I know you have a lot of shows lined up across Europe in the coming months. But before diving into that, how was your summer? Have you been travelling a lot, or did you get time to rest?
My summer was fantastic! However, playing festivals during the day can be challenging for me, as my sound leans more towards dark and heavy, which suits clubs better. Still, I had some incredible back-to-back sets with Helena Hauff, DJ Stingray 313, Newinfluenzer, DJ Spit, and Interstellar Funk. It’s always a challenge, but also super fun and inspiring to play B2Bs. I hope to collaborate with them again in the future. This is my third year of touring, and to be honest, I’ve gotten better at travelling alone and finding time for myself amidst the chaos. You learn to embrace that it's okay to rest on a Monday while the rest of the world is working! I’d say I’m managing quite well at the moment.
In just a few months, you’ve achieved a lot—from your Boiler Room debut, a milestone for any artist, to recording several HOR sessions and performing in major cities like Berlin, Copenhagen, Vienna, and Paris. Has your life changed much, or does it still feel the same in some ways?
My life has definitely changed a lot, but I’ve always made it a priority to stay true to myself. I even tell my close friends, “Please smack me if I ever get arrogant, haha!” I like to think I’m still down to earth, but I had to find a new rhythm amidst the hectic, fast-paced, and sometimes lonely nature of this career. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job and know how lucky I am to see the world, even if it’s mostly through hotels and nightclubs. But when I’m back home, I need time to process everything and recharge by doing sports, hanging out with close friends, or simply doing nothing. Life on the road is full of contrasts, going from airports and waiting around to playing in front of five thousand people and sitting alone in a hotel room right after. It's all or nothing, but that’s how I’ve always been.
If you had to pick just one show from all the ones you’ve played, which one would it be and why?
The last time I played at ∄ in Kyiv, just a week before Russia attacked Ukraine. There was an energy in the air that was unbreakable, mixed with deep gratitude. I had never experienced anything like it. At that time, I was still living there.
You recently released your new single Hey Mr. DJ, a bold, empowering message to the music industry, particularly to the men in it. Can you tell us more about the track’s message?
As a woman in a male-dominated world, I’ve faced my share of challenges as a DJ and producer, with people trying to hold me back. This track is my way of saying, “I’m better on my own. I don’t need anyone telling me what to do or how to do it.” It’s really that simple.
Do you think we’re heading in the right direction when it comes to equality? Do you feel women are getting the recognition they deserve in the music industry today?
Things have definitely improved over the past few years, which is great. But I wouldn’t say things are equal just yet. It’s like this: imagine a scale with men on one side and women on the other. The men’s side is always heavier, pulling it down. To level the balance, we need much more focus on women, and for much longer, until things are truly even.
How was the process of creating this track? Any interesting anecdotes?
The funny thing is, the track is almost two years old! It took a while to find a label that wanted to release it. It’s one of my cleanest productions, so I’m thrilled that Headroom Records loved it and launched a great campaign around it. It’s full of empowerment for me, and hopefully for others too.
At the end of the year, you’re set to release your next EP, right?
Yes! Hey Mr. DJ is part of my upcoming EP, Synchronize Existence, which drops on Headroom Records in November. The title comes from DJ language, symbolising the process of syncing back with yourself. I’ve dealt with a lot of toxic relationships over the years, and this EP reflects that journey. The B-side features more dancey, happy vibes, reflecting my rediscovered balance and peace with myself.
Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and Barcelona are just a few of the cities on your international tour. What’s your favourite part of travelling the world thanks to your music?
The best part is connecting with people all over the world about club culture, music, and even just the places themselves. I love catching late flights so I can have a coffee somewhere and soak in the atmosphere of where I am. That’s the greatest gift.
In mid-October, you’ll be back in the Netherlands for the ADE Morning Ambient Session and a panel talk on mental health. Are you excited?
Absolutely! I’ve been digging deep into ambient tracks lately because this will be my first time playing a completely different kind of set. It’s a fresh challenge, which I love. I’m also really passionate about the panel talk on mental health in the music industry. The more we talk about it, the easier it becomes to manage, and I’m proud to be an advocate for this since the release of my album Issues.
Do you have any personal goals you want to achieve before the end of the year?
Definitely! I’m focused on finishing my next two EPs and finally wrapping up my first live set. It’s been a long time coming, haha!
