TROVE 030 | Danielle

At multi-day dance festivals, there can be 200-plus artists on the bill—and for me, that gigantic number is actually key to the magic. Wandering between stages, stumbling upon someone spinning something incredible and getting completely swept up, even when you’ve got no clue who they are.

In 2022, as I pranced down to the glistening Adriatic at Love International, techno at the legendary Beach Stage drew me in. Bristol’s Danielle was behind the decks that day. Fast forward a year, and I’m dragging my ragtag crew to the Earthling Stage at Houghton to see her, yammering the whole way about that blissful Croatian afternoon. At both occasions, Danielle sewed tracks together, brimming with brute force. Techno as it should be. Now it’s late 2025, and Danielle is contributing to the 30th episode of TROVE. Life works in mysterious ways.

Recently, when Danielle and I got in touch, she had just returned from the French countryside, where she had visited her partner’s family with their 19-week-old baby. “Travelling with a young baby is quite challenging, but we learnt so much from it…ours is really a dream and takes it all in their stride.” As a first-time mom, Danielle is soaking up the glow of motherhood—along with every messy, wonderful trail it leaves behind.

From a DJ’s POV, last week saw her spinning in Pisa, then zipping over to London for a quick day trip to shoot content ahead of a Phonox party, where she’s set to play alongside close pals Amaliah, NIKS, and Jossy Mitsu.

2. Spacecops | “Space III”

Got this one on a trip to Palace vinyl when I visited their new premises in Brixton. It was my first time visiting there, and I love how everything is categorised with regards to digging. I think it makes it really easy and exciting. This one is a proper roller; it steadily evolves, and I could play it for ages without getting bored!

3. Cash Machines | “Synchrojack” 

I also picked this up at the visit to Palace Vinyl. It’s an amazing houseyish-techno record from 1995, and the title track is my favourite from the EP. I remember listening to it and within 5 secs it was in the ‘keep’ pile. Really bouncy, and kinda upbeat and positive when the chords come in, listening to this makes me realise what a soft spot I have for chords in dance music!

4. DJ Ali | “Chalent City”

This one is the most recent release of my selections. DJ Ali has been on my radar for a while and makes such consistently great techno. This is my fave track from his latest release. Really driving, rolling, and almost hypnotic. There’s a softness to it as well as a toughness, kind of the perfect track in my opinion. Again, the chords have me in a chokehold!

5. Waajeed | “Right Now” (Mark Broom Remix)

This one is from 2023. I recently came across this in my Rekordbox collection while searching for something else with the same BPM. I don’t remember buying it, and my play count suggests I’ve never played it either! I love that about Rekordbox —the way you can discover new music within your own collection, like listening to the B-side of a record you bought for the A-side. Anyway, it’s the Mark Broom remix of Waajeed on Tresor. I think it’s an incredible remix, and I’ve been playing this in every set since I re-discovered it—one of those quite versatile numbers that can really up the ante in a set. It sounds great, pitched up or down. The toughness of the drums contrasts so well with the melody, a perfect remix, in my opinion, and kind of unexpectedly works.