travel, techno-tribal-fusion fire-belly-dance-music, peace, justice, evolution and changing the world
Music
wow - its my life... what can I say here? I have love for all beats of a world fusion flavor, but am especially fond on Middle Eastern and Indian sounds. My style is probably most influenced currently by Tribal Style Bellydance, but also by my own roots in trance and breakbeat.
Movies
DJ Layla Another Glimpse
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DJ Layla plays at a number of different events featuring bellydancers from all over the West Coast, including Tribal Fest, East:Meets:West, and Global Infusion.
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a short video collaboration with my husband Jeffe taping and myself editing the cuts and choosing music...
Television
don't really watch a lot, except on DVD... and even that doesn't really hold my interest lately. Watch this space to see if I change my mind!
Books
Heroes
Ghandi, Buddah, Jesus, Muhammed and the rest of the super best friends! Really I'm just a fan of anyone who lives their lives courageously and works to create peace on earth!
About me: DJ Layla - a rare gem who will transport you into a divine realm of sound and space - takes her mixes to another level with the storylines she creates using music as her muse. She has a natural talent and way to mesmerize the dance floor with her sultry beats, silky smooth segues and vibrant depth of energy that enraptures your soul and body.
Layla began her musical odyssey behind the decks in 2000 as DJ Velo. Her Vision: “I was akin to a new caterpillar, devouring everything around. 5 years ago I was first discovering the electronic music culture, going to those “rave” parties, dancing to the best music I’d ever heard. I had to have more. I had to collect it. I had to play it. I had to play it loud…' “
Her first musical forays took her into the realm of hard house and progressive trance, but she eventually made her way through almost all genres of electronic music, and was known for seamlessly mixing genres within her sets and mix CDs.
“The music is my voice. It says things for me that I could never put into words. There is a rush of excitement as I make the beats merge, creating a whole new sound with my own hands right in that moment. It’s so beautiful I get lost sometimes, riding the waves of the beat to a high like none other.”
Layla is dedicated to supporting the women of the dance music community, and starting in 2001, held a monthly potluck in Portland called Sister PDX where women could gather in a non-competitive atmosphere to learn about spinning records, share music, connections and advice. By late 2002, these gatherings spawned an invitation to create the Portland branch of the popular San Francisco collective, Sister SF. Although Layla is no longer a resident, Sister PDX is still making headway in the Portland scene, highlighting some of Portland’s established and up and coming female DJ talent.
In 2003, she began her study of Middle Eastern dance, finding her way into the tribal style, which awoke her connection with ancient sound & movement, which she ever-so-sweetly mixes with modern dance floor rhythm. It also rekindles her connection to the power of balanced female energy, as the atmosphere of the classes and the dance itself reminds her of the feeling she had created with Sister PDX.
“My connection to this tribal dance culture fills me with life and enthusiasm. As the light enters, so does information, and a synchronicity of my interests, my heritage and my place and purpose in this world.”
Layla’s current musical style proudly reflects her Middle Eastern heritage by incorporating the organic feel of Arabic and Indian musical traditions into her sets. Drawing from her background in dance performance and choreography over the past decade, and strongly influenced from her current study of Middle Eastern dance and American Tribal Style, Layla’s musical taste is both unique and highly dynamic. On any given night, her sets may range from the organic sounds of Vas and Solace, to the beautifully intricate drum and bass of Talvin Singh and Nitin Sawheny. Still not wanting to be pinned down or categorized, Layla’s musical collection is ever expanding further into the realm of “worldtronica,”collecting spicy beats and chunky drums from wherever they manifest on this beautiful blue island in space.
Layla is capable of uniting energies together and bringing up the temperature of a room whether she is throwing down dance-beats on a crowded club dance floor or setting the soundscape for a steamy tribal dance performance with some of the worlds’ most renowned tribal dancers. Layla transforms her performance space not only though her intuitive sense of programing, but through her tribal inspired costuming which she feels is an integral part of her overall presentation and a catalyst to transport listeners and dancers to a space outside their normal realm of perception. Her vision for the future is to collaborate with tribal style troupes and Middle Eastern dancers from all over, setting the musical backdrop for improvisational exploration within this sacred dance, celebrating the true beauty and power of the female form.
Currently Layla is involving herself with a number of projects locally including her own Guerrilla Tribal dance jams held monthly in Eugene, OR. Layla also guest DJs for Tribe of Eve, a female centered theatre troupe uniting the worlds of music, fire, Middle Eastern dance and taking their performance art to another level. Currently, Layla co-hosts a weekly wednesday night at club Taboo in Eugene, OR. Something Special features not only amazing DJs and musical guests, but also performers of all stripes, including bellydancers, glow perfromers, burlesque and neo-vaudeville cabaret - something special for everyone!
I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
Who I'd like to meet:
Dancers, DJ's, freaks, clubgoers, party kids, synthetic hair fans, tribal style bellydancers, fusion fans, people on an evolutionary path in their own life...
What: Thill the World PDX When: Saturday Oct. 27 Where: Holocene 1001 SE Morrison St Portland, OR 97214
On saturday, oct. 27 at 3 p.m. Portland zombies will gather together in the name of all that is holy and dance dance dance to Michael Jackson’s classic, "thriller." At the same time, all across the world, other zombies in other cities will be doing the same thing. We’re going for a world record here. No really, we are. Instruction of the dance steps will begin at 12:00noon and the choreographed world record attempt begins at 3pm. Seriously, if you can raise your arms and walk around, YOU CAN DO THIS! Dress in your zombie best! For more information go to: www.myspace.com/ttwpdx or learn the dance via videos here: www.thrilltheworld.com
After almost 9 years living quietly by the sea in the most south-westerly corner of England, in one month I'm moving to the centre of Hamburg in Germany. Why?
Because it's there.
To mark the occasion I've added the song Someone Stole My Roof to my jukebox. It's not brand new, although it is on the current Life Is A Mirror cd, and the lyrics seem somehow appropriate. I'll post them to my blog later.
I'm hoping to have my new song Dust Off Your Wings completed and online before it's time to pack up my studio!
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