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We interview Margaret Westergreen, a local DJ that is rocking the South African Music scene,better known as Lady M. She has traveled and played to the likes of Amsterdam and Berlin and can be found rocking the deck at most of the top Cape Town venues. Lady M will be releasing her debut ‘Solitude’ EP at the end of this month and describes her sound as deep and driven by big basslines, strong percussion, atmospheric melodies and some vocals, what more could you ask for?
Full Name: Margaret Westergreen
Stage Name: Lady M
Age: 29
Hometown: Cape Town
Music of Choice: Electronic/House/Techno
How did you get into DJ’ing and how long have you been doing it for?
I moved to CT when I was a teenager and fell in love with the deep house scene. I started learning to mix vinyl when I was 17 through my brothers friend and well-known local DJ, Peter Abrahams. I had an on/off love affair with playing music for the first few years but have now been playing professionally for about 6 years in total.
Where in SA would you say most of the party animals reside?
I would say Cape Town is the jol capital.
Do you have a current residency?
It seems the structure of weekly residencies has fallen away from clubs these days but I play regularly at Chukkachurri, Fiction, Goldfish Submerged Sundays, Redbull Studio events, Butterbox events, Make-Believe events and Together.
Where in SA is your favourite venue to play and why?
I love playing in the engine room at Origin in Durban. The people are always up for it and that dance floor just explodes, it also has the best sound and lighting in the country.
What can club goers expect from a set by Lady M?
It depends on the nature of the gig but I like to create a mood and then build up the energy as I play. My sound is deep and driven by big basslines, strong percussion, atmospheric melodies and some vocals.
What time of the night do you prefer playing and why?
I enjoy playing at any time really. Obviously peak time is fun but I also enjoy playing opening sets as you have to build up the floor from nothing. I enjoy playing closing sets too as by that stage the floor is ready for anything and you can push the boundaries more and play more interesting music.
Explain the feeling you get when you’re behind the decks and controlling the crowd?
I don’t see it as controlling the crowd but more of sharing my music and if you connect with it then we go on a journey. When everything is going full force it is an exhilarating feeling being behind the decks though, won’t lie!
What’s the craziest thing that has happened to you while behind the decks?
Marriage proposals!
Last year you played in Amsterdam and Berlin. What was that adventure like and how did the locals respond to your music?
I honestly had the best time over there! The scene in Europe is on another level and it was so good to experience. It was also an education and grounding and I was full of inspiration and new found direction when I came back to SA. I had 3 gigs whilst I was there and had a positive response from the locals in both Amsterdam and Berlin.
What are you looking forward to in 2013? Any big events that fans can catch you at?
I’m looking forward to the release of my debut ‘Solitude’ EP at the end of this month, which is coming out on local label Triplefire Music. It will be available for purchase and download on Beatport from the 31st Jan. I will be focusing this year on producing and releasing and I’ve also just started my own record label ‘Magique Music’ which I want to get off the ground. I’m going to be travelling Europe again over our winter for 3 months visiting/playing in Amsterdam, Cologne, Berlin and Ibiza. The next big gig for me will be at CTEMF in February which I’m very excited to be playing at. So all in all I reckon there’s lots to look forward to.
Follow Lady M on Twitter
Check out the promo link to Lady M’s debut EP with info and track listening here, the official release date is 31 Jan 2013.
