DAMAGE brings CHAOS! to the club and is making it better for us all.
Before DAMAGE became DAMAGE - we knew her as a wholly-dedicated music fan with a deep passion for the bass-heavy, post-Dubstep club sounds that gave rise to many of Cape Town’s local club events, producers and DJs in the early-to-mid ‘10s.
The sound even inspired a blog she wrote called The BASSics - where she spoke to rising figures that caught her radar, and shone a necessary light on the sounds that hadn’t yet broken into popular culture, or became the soundbites of every TikTok or Instagram reel we see today.
Safe to say, club music runs deep in her system. This progression into becoming a DJ or running her club night, CHAOS! seems like a natural one - and something we are so glad happened.
While the sound has heavily influenced her approach to DJing, she’s remained aware of the pitfalls that often surround the music - and into the politics of nightlife, gatekeeping, and so much more.
in an email interview, host of Going Rogue, Junbi, speaks to her about her start as a DJ, where things are headed in the local music scene, and why she's becoming a vital part of the shift we’d like to see in local music.
Junbi: How and when did you start Djing?
DAMAGE: I've always been a music fanatic for as long as I can remember.
Before I even considered DJing or thought it was possible for me - I used to support a lot of local DJs and artists who would host events. I became completely obsessed with the local music scene in Cape Town. I remember I used to basically worship the DJs and producers that would play. The more events I went to, the more my love and passion for the music and artists grew. A special shout out to Cold Turkey (RIP) because that event really exposed me to an entire universe of music that I didn't know existed - and it's had such an immense impact on my sound today.
I would always need to be in the very front of the crowd (not only because of my height lol). I would concentrate so hard, and watch everything the DJ was doing and try my best to make sense of it - even though I had absolutely NO clue what they were doing! While I was doing this, I got a feeling in my gut that I could be doing what they're doing. That I have what it takes, and I have something different to offer. But, it took a good couple of years before I was able to put the fear aside and actually go after what I've been called to do.
The first DJ workshop I went to was in 2019, but after that there weren't many opportunities for me to get behind the decks and learn because of COVID. However, 2020 was when everything changed for me. I realised this is what I wanted to pursue wholeheartedly. When Hamshack Radio began in 2020, I would listen to their radio shows almost religiously - and then they announced they were hosting free DJ workshops for femmes and queer individuals for Women's month.
This was an opportunity that I could NOT miss, and it opened up so many doors for me. They extended their workshops and of course, I was 110% in! I went to as many as possible - and eventually got asked to do a monthly show as a resident. Just from showing up in these spaces I met a lot of artists. Many of which I have looked up to for years and who I have now worked with. I got booked for the first time in May last year because someone saw the music I was playing on my radio show. I also went to a couple of Pussy Party workshops whenever they were in Cape Town. I just made sure to take advantage of the opportunities that came my way, as long as it felt aligned with me and my values.
“Babes, success is relative. We create our own definition of success here.”
How do you think the DJ scene needs to improve?
I think people need to be more open to taking risks. There are way too many events and DJs which are just copying and pasting from one another. There's no imagination, creativity or vision. It's like people see a specific event doing ''well'' and they think that's what you have to do in order to be successful.
But, babes, success is relative. We create our own definition of success here.
If your version of success is doing what every other person is doing (and has done) because you know it will guarantee that the venue will be packed to capacity - then you should have a look at re-defining success for yourself. I also think a lot of people get into DJing and hosting events for superficial reasons, and that shows. It might not show immediately, but in the long run it will.
Why is it important to have representation in the DJ space?
For me, everything is political. We live in a world where there are entire systems that have been created so that people like me remain oppressed, marginilised, voiceless and ultimately forgotten. The music industry and DJ space is the perfect example of this. White people still hold the power because they have the money. They're continuously oppressing and marginilising Queer, Black, Coloured, Femme individuals in this industry. At this point it's a conscious choice they're making, and what makes me even angrier is that there's a younger generation of white promotors who are doing the EXACT same things - all white lineups, only booking friends etc.
To me, representation is and always will be fundamental to taking back this power. It's fundamental in opening doors for others who are struggling to find the space in this cesspool of an industry, to show people that things can be done in a way that's authentic and not at the expense of another person or group of people.
If it wasn't for DJs like Funafuji, Athi Maq, Sicaria Sound, Tash LC, I would not have thought that any of this was possible for me. Seeing people that look like me, even just a little bit, allowed me to envision a different life for myself, and made becoming a DJ feel much more possible, you know? We hear it all the time, but representation does matter, and it can literally change the trajectory of someone's life, I know it's changed mine.
What do you like about the DJ scene?
Right now, I LOVE the people that I have in my corner. They are all ridiculously talented, inspiring and beautiful people. I also love the fact that even though things aren't changing as fast as I would like them to (it would most likely take a few generations for sustainable change), I can feel a slight shift in awareness in terms of lineups, representation etc. Thank goodness for platforms like Pussy Party, She Said So, Lilies , The Other Radio and the promotors who just genuinely get it!
I love the fact that there are many people who are aware of the power and privilege they hold, and are open and willing to use this to empower, guide and support others. I love that there are so many different sounds coming out of the local music and DJ scene at the moment. We're in a very interesting time and space in our history and it's so important to think about the legacy you want to leave behind.
listen to DAMAGE’s peak-time, rave-ready guest mix on Going Rogue here.