Interview with House Music Figurehead, DOMii

Charlotte, North Carolina’s most sought after house music set, DOMii is having a fruitful DJ career from playing Imagine and Breakaway music festivals to opening for the finest such as Tiësto, Thomas Jack, RL Grime, Mark Knight, Walker & Royce, Malaa, Gorgon City, Dada Life, Two Friends, Dash Berlin, Steve Aoki, What So Not, Dom Dolla, Will Clarke, Dombresky, Justin Martin, Seth Troxler, LP Giobbi, HoneyLuv and the list goes on.

A true believer in her production skills that has brought releases on Maison Fauna Records, Brooklyn Fire Records, Hau5trap and House of Hustle, we reached out for an interview following catching one of her latest releases, ‘What More Could You Ask For’. A must listen gem that hits different, ‘What More Could You Ask For’ keeps the dance floor enticing.

Following DOMii was chosen to give remix treatment to J.Worra’s buzzing, ‘YOU’, featuring Cat Connors on Club Sweat. As already a big name favorite supporting act, staple North Carolina party brand, Girls Room, founder and now honing in within the studio, it will be exciting to watch DOMii’s next moves.

What have been some of your favorite moments as a DJ?

3: Headlining my first show In Durham, NC

2: Opening for Tiësto in Charlotte

1: Launching Girls Room for the first time in 2018

What have been the top 3 moments in your life?

3: Graduating College

2: Attending my first party at Fabric London

1: Adopting my first puppy Leo.

Can you share a little about the sound design and message to your stand out track, ‘What More Could You Ask For’?

Sure, this track is definitely more experimental and minimal. During the pandemic I had no pressure to make any specific type of music which allowed me to test what I was capable of doing without any rules. I enjoy using short samples and percussion to fill space in my music. One of the reasons I love house music so much is that the focus can be more on rhythm and feel more than bassline and electronic sounds and it can still make for a great dance record.

The vocals fit perfectly with this concept; Doing just enough with the rhythm and percussion and not needing to add high intensity sounds to get what you need from the music. I find that I enjoy using bits and pieces of longer samples adding simple filters and distortion then taking out the parts that I like and using them in ways someone may have not thought of before. It helps create unique rhythms.

How did Girls Room come to be? Any announcements on an upcoming event? Any new releases on Girls Room to look out for?

Growing up as part of the LGBTQ+ community I knew that most cities lack safe spaces for lgbtq women. Spaces that cater to different styles of music and allow women to gather in a comfortable environment. I also knew that as an artist it was hard not to get pinned as the “girl DJ”. Once I had some experience in the nightlife industry and as promoter / artist I was at a place where I thought well if no one else is going to do it what is stopping me? So I manifested the concept of putting queer women at the center of the party. It’s empowering in such a unique way and allows for us to showcase amazing music and artistic talent that otherwise might be looked over or stereotyped.

Can you tell us a little about Groovy Bones?

Groovy Bone Records founder Tyler (Diskull) was my previous roommate in Charlotte, NC. He is an amazing producer and DJ in his own right and has done great things for the music scene here. His record label releases house music from talented producers locally and from all over the world. I am lucky enough to know Tyler and was able to release a solo record “dive in” on his label. Still one of my favorite tunes to play this date. He continues to inspire me as an artist. Check out his label and his music!

You have a set coming up at Imagine Music Festival. Have you attended the festival before? If you were to play the set tomorrow, what is the track you would open with?

Yes! I have played Imagine Music Festival 2 times before 2017 & 2018! In my earlier years as an artist I had many friends and family from Atlanta and was able to play great shows there. Through those experiences I was able to connect with the music community there and am so excited to be back. I’ll be honest I dont always plan what music I will start my sets with, I like to pick tunes at the moment. But thinking I would open with one of my own tracks. it’s always a great way to set the tone. Maybe “Dive In”.

Can you share any mixing tips for new DJs?

Over the years I realized that yes mixing is important but once you get the hang of it, it becomes the easy part. Your focus should be on being patient and using music choice as a tool to keep people interested in what you are doing. It’s always better to build energy and capture attention then to be another DJ that plays bangers consistently and too quickly. People will not remember you for that. I feel the same way about playing open format as well.

Is there any advice you received while learning to DJ and produce that sticks with you?

There are a lot of people that will tell you what you should do with your music but at the end of the day if you aren’t enjoying what you are doing move on and make music / play music you enjoy for people that can appreciate your uniqueness.

You are known for layering in a wide array of genres into your house sets, are there any tracks that you have mixed into your sets that really surprised the dancefloor? Have you ever mix dubstep or trap into your house sets? If so, what tracks have you found fit well?

I have mixed dubstep and trap in the past when opening for trap and dubstep artists. I loved doing it! But now that I have my own music and direction I try to avoid going all over the place and tell my story more clearly so I stay in the house music bpm / realm. What I always loved about house / techno music is that they are very versatile genres. I couldn’t even tell you what kind of house or techno I’m playing most times I just pick music that tells a great story.

“Warner Case” is an artist i use a lot in my sets. I use his tunes as a palate cleanser. Clean spaced out basslines, never too much percussion and always a cool simple vocal on top.