Taking us “Deeper” into a dark and sexy soundscape, DJ SYTHRA strikes up a spooky beat this season. [Cover photo: Koorah]
Thotyssey: Hi Sythra, how is October treating you so far?
SYTHRA: October has treated me well. It’s my favorite time of year.
Do you get really into the guts and gore of the spooky season, or do you prefer to keep it sexy? Or both?
I’m multifaceted: Christian Girl Autumn in the streets, Gay Witch in the sheets.
I’ve been seeing your name pop up on party posters all over recently.
It’s been a fierce, fierce year… let’s just say that. I produce two parties right now with my DJ partner in crime, Tony Moltony.
Can you describe your usual DJ sound today?
I’m def a techno head. I’m captivated by sounds and rhythms that induce hypnotic trance: tribal, minimal, psychedelic, organic, atmospheric… but always danceable. But I have some other tricks up my sleeve.
Can you tell us a bit about where you’re from, and if music was always a big part of your life?
I was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. I grew up in the Pentecostal Church; my father was a pastor. Music is a vital part of what makes Pentecostal worship services so powerful… so yes, music has always been a huge part of my life. Singing came naturally to me I was in choir, and played the violin for 13 years. I starred in my senior year high school musical. All that.
I went to college for acting, and moved to New York City in 2011. My dad had an old 1982 Korg synthesizer hidden in our attic. When I plugged that thing in, I think that was my first taste of electronic music.
I feel like me and music had a bad breakup somewhere around 2019… there were a few years where I went down a very professional career path that consumed my entire life. I hardly listened to any music during that time. Three years ago I discovered the underground music scene in Brooklyn, and I am happy to say that music and I have found each other again. Whenever I lose myself, music has a way of bringing me back to me.
Is there a particular origin story behind your DJ name?
I think it’s the name of a witch in some high fantasy RPG I’ve never actually played. That’s really the story. It sounds witchy and mysterious to me, and that’s very who I am. I want to cast little sonic spells on people that take them to a place where they can find out who they really are. Transformation through sound–when I DJ, it feels like wizardry to me.
What is the biggest skill that makes a DJ great, versus a mediocre or bad DJ, in your opinion?
Well, I think everyone has their own definition of what a good or bad DJ is. To me, every DJ is curator of their own personal taste. So I don’t really see DJs as good or bad, I just see them as having similar tastes in music to me or not. Sure, there is technical skill involved–and I do think that, baseline, you should learn a little technique. But at the end of the day, a DJ is playing music they love. And if people love the music they are playing, they will typically love the DJ.
I will say that I can tell when a DJ has a strong sense of empathy and emotional intelligence, and is really tapped into the room. Those are the best DJs in my opinion, if I had to say it.
Is it different to DJ for queer folks then for a straight or mixed room, as far as vibes and tastes? Or do you find that most folks nowadays are on the same page musically?
Lol, don’t make me say it! No shade, but some scenes are fiercer than others… and we’ll leave that there.
Fair! How about when vibes get frisky and flirty on your dancefloor, and folks engage in more adult behavior? Is that distracting?
People talking or texting on the dancefloor is far more distracting to me than anything else that might be happening.
Tell us about the monthly party “Deeper” that you and Tony produce at C’mon Everybody, which returns November 13th!
The vibe I play there leans very R&B / Deep House fusion with proggy moments. The party is like a sultry, soulful lucid dream that starts off downtempo and steamy… and slowly takes you to deeper states throughout the night.
I wanted to produce a dance party that invites folks to get a little closer. Whatever happened to intimacy, ya know? There’s getting your rocks off, and there’s deep connection. This is a deeper connection kind of party. That connection could be with yourself, with a good friend, or a lover. Many ways to connect.
Before DEEPER returns, you and Tony will be serving SUBLIMINA!
SUBLIMINA is our techno party. We started this one as a DIY rave and have recently moved to a Thursday night slot at H0L0 in Ridgewood. SUBLIMINA is a queer techno community who comes together to reach altered states of consciousness through sound and movement. Very hypnotic techno vibes. We’re kicking off Halloween Weekend #1 early, this Thursday, October 22nd 9pm-4am. The theme is WITCH; we are encouraging folks to come with a look or a spell book. It will be a spooky night of witchy hypnotic techno that makes you shake ass and think about things.
What else is coming up for you?
I plan to do a party every month for the rest of 2027! Would love to see y’all on the dance floor!
Excellent! Okay, lastly: in light of the spooky season, would you rather spin for a party of ghosts, vampires or werewolves?
Vampires, no question. Ghosts are too busy crashing out about the past. Werewolves are absolutely doing way too much GHB–very chaotic. Vampires would be dancing because there’s no better way to seduce a lover than with your body.
Correct! Thanks, SYTHRA!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for DJ SYTHRA’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram and Soundcloud.
