Serenda: The Ransom Note Mix

5 Minute Read

Music

Soulful, fast paced House music with a pulsating drive.

Serenda is a London based DJ who was raised on a broad assortment of sounds which stem from her Guyanese and Greek roots. Her taste is versatile and far reaching drawing from influence from funk, soul, hip-hop and beyond. However, she is perhaps best known for her energetic take on house music which blurs the lines between styles but sure as hell keeps things moving on the dancefloor.

This month marked the release of a new EP on Rhythm Section, what is likely to be a pivotal moment in her musical career as she joins an esteemed label of artists who have helped to redefine the shape of British House music and its associated culture.

Serenda’s sets are less about fitting into a genre and more about evoking sensation and connection.

This mix is a dynamic, fluid representation of that. Showcasing her ingenuity and ability to weave sounds and styles together in a way which is as playful as it is concise.

Listen and read the interview below:

Please introduce yourself…

Hiiii I’m Serenda a DJ producer & artist.

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

I am a shapeshiftier spirit navigating the dance floor & booth as both a playground and an altar. I move between chaos and ritual andddsd I’m currently sat with my cat Larry at my flat in London.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Where was the mix recorded?

At home, at 4am in liminal place – I like being in that state cos I feel that’s where fun happens. Like when you get sleep paralysis … it was my first time recording a mix with lots of vinyl too!

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Somewhere in motion – on pluto maybe. It’s not “easy listening” it’s intended to feel and be moved through the body.

What should we be wearing?

Something that feels like your second skin.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

I’ll go dreamy and say somewhere like Guyana in the rainforest where my roots are, humid & alive. On a monster system maybe like the one I played at public records but somehow tuned perfectly in the middle of it all. Sunset to sunrise, people dancing in lakes, perched up in trees. Somehow the rain doesn’t affect the records haha.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Pipe Bomb – Spektr, I keep going back to it for like every set recently, there’s always a moment for it

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

For my own my 2.5 hr set at The Cause, I felt shaken up afterwards in a good way haha. And there’s way too many to choose but if we’re going iconic & legendary then Larry Levan’s paradise garage 79’ set never fails me.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

I’d love to B2B with K- Hand for the priestess NRG & I’d love to B2B with Theo Parrish one day, it would be like doing SAS military training but for music.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

My first decks were a Xmas present from my dad of Serato decks that I plugged into my laptop when I was 15. Now I have two 1210’s and cdjs at home.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The starting track because it’s the leading statement – like what are we saying here? Although the ending track makes an imprint on the crowd in a different kind of way. It really depends on the setting.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I’m a Gen-Z, unfortunately I grew up on an iPod soo the first record I actually brought was when Driza Bone – Pressure along with like 5 other records, I remember thinking “shit I’ve got lots of catching up to do”.

The last I brought was country boys go dub – Paperclip People ( I played it in this mix )

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Rich dark chocolate with HOT chilli and salt and then the acid reflux after you’ve ate the whole bar

If it was an animal what would it be?

A red octopus (Sensual & alien)

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

I don’t really believe any track is impossible to mix you just have to be willing to lean into the chaos & get creative.

Upcoming in the world of…

Hm. Well I literally just released my EP Second Skin on Rhythm Section so deffo check that out!

And other than that… Expansion.

Anything else we need to discuss?

I want listeners to know this mix- it’s very non- linear. It’s a slightly more abstract expression of the gnarly sides/realms of my taste. Wanted it to feel ecstatic whilst also being deep & percussive.