12/02/2025
Only a few days away. So excited to play for MU4MH.
Evening everyone. All this week we are introducing our amazing DJ's who will be entertaining us and helping to raise lots of awareness for this weekend's Music Unity For Mental Health presents Emotional Response Winter Valentines Trance Party.
If you haven't already, check the previous 4 we have posted.
We have two more for you this evening starting off with our first guest DJ intro. DJ Mai
Laura has been in our sights for quite some time to play an Emotional Response and we are delighted to have her finally on this one. We're good friends with her and have been for many years, going way back before MU4MH started. She has shown huge support for what we do and played her first gig for us at Cyberdog on World Mental Health Day back in October. A truly verstile DJ who can play miltiple genres and formats including her trademark awesome vinyl sets. She's played for some of the biggest brands in Trance and Hard House and now she gets to play our little party too, We can't wait. 😃❤
Read on to learn more about DJ Mai in a our little interview with her.
How did it all start for you?
Went to my first rave at Stevenage Arts and Leisure in 1994. I knew early on that the rave scene and soon to be free party and clubbing scene was for me.
You’ve got 5 tracks to sum up your DJing career, what would you play?
Liquid- Sweet Harmony. Cortina- Music is Moving. Billy Hendrix- Body Shine. Will Atkinson- Rush. Mobi-D Sunshine.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Vigi (my brother) mastermind music creator and DJ.
What single night out has been the most memorable for you? As a DJ? As an attendee?
DJ Playing main room Koko for Frantic timeless Trance, playing vinyl following Lange (bucket list). As a punter Glasto 1997 Chemical Brothers.
Are you able to share any of your DJ tips and advice for aspiring DJs?
Be your authentic self. Enjoy every set and don’t be a wally.
If you could eternally be stuck in one year's music scene, which year would it be?
This is a hard one as I would love to go back to 91/92 and live this out as I was too young to rave but loved the music that I was living through my older cousin!
What is it that you love about the TRANCE scene?
There is something for everyone. Vocal, tech, uplifting, hard, psy. Smiling faces, goosebumps, hands in the air, it’s always a happy place.
What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear it?
N Joi - Anthem.
Please tell us a funny story that no-one would know from your escapades as a DJ?
I was playing at Exodus in 1998 on the Gangsta Dolphin System, this was an amazing rave! I was asked to play on another system which I though was really cool so me and my friends headed over. There was a guy playing keyboard on top of a double decker bus and the decks and speaker stack were just in front. I ended up playing for hours playing both sides of most of my records. I was having such a great time I would be running round the front of the decks to dance after mixing in the next track…I got a bit too carried away on one tune and the record ran out! Everyone cheered and then laughed. The vibe was so friendly and energy was spot on. Such a great memory.
What have you been up to on the DJ front? upcoming gigs.
Been enjoying playing vinyl sets for Frantic, Sunnyside Up and Whoosh. Also my first outing at Cyberdog for MU4MH over the past year. Really looking forward to playing a lush trance set at MU4MH on 15th Feb. I have another bucket list gig coming up on 1st March- Playing trance classics on wax in the main room at MOS back to back with one of my best mates Mobi-D. I’ve been booked to play at Jez and Serena’s (Mr & Mrs My House) new Hard House and Classics night Hysteria at the revamped 414 on 12th April. Hope to see you there!!
What artists are you personally rating right now?
Mobi-D is a stand out producer right now for making his own sounds moving away form pre-sets. His labels positive/alternative state has some superb home grown and international talent right now. Also Nu-Spirit, Laura May, Bryan Kearney, Will Atkinson Ashley Waters, Phil Reynolds.
What does music mean to you on a personal level and what made you decide to play an event that raises mental health awareness?
Music heals. For me it’s a safe haven and no matter what’s going on you can escape to your play lists. Playing for MU4MH is an honour as being able to do something that I love in a space of raising awareness of looking after our mental health means so much.
Any personal experiences that helped you make this decision?
Having those close to you suffer is hard, you’ve just got to be there. Knowing what to look out for, when to reach out is crucial.
Finally, you have one paragraph to tell people why they should attend a Music Unity For Mental Health event
The 15th February is the coming together of amazing music, celebrating our authentic selves in a safe space with like minded souls. Remembering that our mental health matters. Come get your rave on, the tunes are going to be amazing.
Huge thaks to DJ Mai for her ongoing support for us and the cause.❤
DJ Mai
Music Unity For Mental Health Social (Private Community Group)
