Bklava
DJ | Producer | Singer
Her alias sounds suspiciously like the Lebanese treat ‘Baklava’, and actually, the Brighton-based DJ, producer and singer is aligned with the Middle Eastern paper-thin pastry made of nuts and honey. The dessert is a dopamine-inducing combination, just like her debut release ‘Bklava’ on Ministry of Sound and track selection on the first Wednesday of each month via Rinse FM from 11:00AM to midday.
It’s a stroke of luck that things started happening for Bklava in 2019. Garnering support from DJ Target, Annie Mac and Toddla T in the early days of her trajectory, Bklava has since flourished despite the pause in gigs due to Covid-19. With an ongoing residency at Patterns in Brighton, Bklava previously shared the booth with El-B, Dan Shake, Zed Bias, Kurupt FM, High Focus Records and Conducta before the pandemic hit, offering a taste of what else is to come for the UK-Lebanese-Irish artist.
With a sound laced with sweet and summery tones spanning UKG, uplifting house and 2-step productions, Bklava has spent the last number of months taking her music to the next level. Just glancing at her Soundcloud is enough insight into her relentless work ethic and drive to create, with a stack of Rinse shows and guest mixes — including a One Mix for Apple Music’s Beats1 — ready to soundtrack another daily walk or work-from-home set-up. But if the UK opens up nightlife from 21st June, you can be sure to find Bklava at Brighton PRIDE with He/She/They at The Arch and Return II Dance Festival in London.
As the wait continues, Bklava looks back on a night that’s etched in her memory for all the right reasons. Sharing a flashback from Ally Pally, she also talks about singing vs. producing, her hopes for the dance music industry in a post-Covid world and the newly-found hobbies getting her through lockdown…
Four Tet ✨ Photo: Bklava
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it? What was the music vibe at the time?
This was a hard choice, but I chose a photo from a gig that has stuck with me.
Seeing Four Tet at Ally Pally was madness. I’d seen him before at clubs/festivals, and his sets are always memorable, but seeing him put on his own show in the beautiful Alexandra Palace was quite clearly something that came from the heart. It was a genuine work of art. The whole room was filled with dangling lights; they came down to your shoulders, which lent to the show’s immersive nature. Four Tet had set himself up in the middle of the crowd and was recreating his songs live in front of us, and he also delved into longer, more varied soundscapes that everyone got lost in.
I remember being in awe the whole evening. I was telling everyone about it for weeks.
At this point, I had already been DJing and singing in my sets at various gigs, and my goal from the beginning was always to have an incredible live performance that left people feeling good and inspired!
A good show, for me, is seeing an artist in their element, doing their own thing, and you can tell they love their job. This would always make me work that bit harder and fuel my creativity. Many of us in the industry do what we do to perform and connect with other people through music, and I really felt that when I watched this. It was extremely beautiful and euphoric.
How are you right now, and what's life currently like in Brighton?
I’m good! I’ve had good days and bad days like most people in these weird times. But I feel proud of what I’ve achieved and so happy at where I am in my life and my career. I can’t tell you how good it feels to say that!
Your recent single ‘Fired Up’ dropped on 12th March, this time featuring the wonderful ABSOLUTE. as co-collaborator. What was the feeling behind the track?
It was very much a love letter to the club. ABSOLUTE. is wonderful, and we clicked as soon as we met. We starting speaking about the club and relationships, and the song was born.
You're also a singer, as well as a DJ and producer. Do you prefer one of these creative forms to another? If so, why?
I don’t think there’s a preference, but each creative outlet has made me appreciate the others that little bit more. I’ve been a singer all my life and growing up, I didn’t care what I was doing in my future as long as it involved singing. There was nothing else I cared about as much as musical theatre, which still involved singing!!! But as soon as I began DJing, I got that thrill I hadn’t felt in a while, a new passion that was giving me so much excitement. I remember feeling torn up at the beginning about not knowing what to do. Should I DJ? Should I sing? Of course, now I do both! My live sets involve me singing whilst in the mix, and honestly, it’s the best outcome for me. Everything clicked when I started doing that! It’s made my job more complex, but I’m so much happier doing it!
It looks like the UK is set to have a summer packed with events this year (fingers crossed anyway!). Is there anything you'd like to see different in the electronic music scene and community compared to pre-pandemic times?
More representation. More women, more BIPOC, more trans and non-binary artists too. There can’t be one token person on the whole line up. I’m bored of feeling like I’ve just been booked to make the promoter or club look good. It’s constantly made me question my talent, my skill and my worth as an artist. I want to start seeing line-ups that aren’t full of white males (we love them, but only if we get to shine with them too!)
Back to the present moment. Tell us how the photo below is something that brings you happiness in your day-to-day life right now?
My guitar! It’s my baby right now and it’s getting me through those long days. I took up crocheting last year too and it’s giving me so much joy! It’s so nice to have other hobbies to delve into! Especially in these times. 😊
Tunage 💜 Photo: Bklava