Having founded Kaos: Art in the Underground, a monthly creative gathering down in the basement at C’s that hosts art exhibitions, tattooing and live music as well as being the lead singer of post-punk trio Snuff Disco, Rachel McInerney has also recently ventured into the realm of DJing under the moniker of Gargoyle Girlfriend playing sets at numerous prominent clubs and parties around the city. Here she tells us how she ended up behind the decks and what she loves about it.
How did you start DJing
'I never intended to DJ. I guess at the time I was occupied with programming beats when my band Snuff Disco started out, so I was studying a lot of percussion and going clubbing with my ears perked up, trying to find local DJs for inspiration. But before I started making music, I was just a reckless dancer on the floor. The community here is just so loving. So two guys named Niq and Charley showed me the basics on a CDJ and I was completely hooked.'
Photograph: 周宁
Where can we find you?
'I don’t have a permanent home yet, but I’ve enjoyed playing at Elevator, ALL, Celia, an ALTER. event – and DMT club out in Hangzhou rules. All the clubs offer very different atmospheres and resources, so I’ll usually adjust my set based on the habitat. Like sometimes fog control and visuals are really important to me.'
What do you play?
'The first club music that really rocked my world at 21 was hard gothic EBM. I’ve since levelled into more of a tech-house zone with progressive house and trance, always with a tinge of disco and sometimes tribal elements – but even so, the tiny little emo undertones are there.'
Photograph: courtesy Rachel McInerney (Kaos: Art in the Underground)
Why do you like it?
'What I find magical about DJing is that no two DJs are ever, ever gonna play the same stuff and also, the independent tastes that can come through. Often, people come up to me all excited after a set and say something like ‘I NEVER thought I’d hear a Joy Division sample in a club.’ And I resonate with that feeling. It’s like, wow, I didn’t think clubs could be like this.'
Who inspires you?
'I’m really into bands like The Cure, Talking Heads, Interpol, Wolf Parade, and as far as electronic goes I’m always coming back to Stan Kolev, BICEP, Hozho and Boris Brejcha.'
McInerney’s creative get-together Kaos: Art in the Underground is happening tomorrow Friday 24 at C’s Bar from 8pm. Entry, as always, is free.
