RB Exclusive Interview: Wenzday

Welcome to the Heartbreakers Club! Los Angeles-based DJ and producer Wenzday has quickly become a household name in both the electronic music scene and hearts all across the globe. Combining her expertise in bass music with house music, Wenzday utilizes playful basslines, dark tempos, and minimal tech elements. She has performed at several of the world’s largest festivals in addition to landing releases on several renowned labels, including House Call, hau5trap, HARD Recs, and Deadbeats, as well as co-founding her own record label, 40oz Cult. 

This classically trained musical prodigy has not only assembled her own special brand of house music but has additionally established a vibrant safe haven for her fans by bringing them together on the dancefloor with her influential message of love and empowerment. Get all the details on why Wenzday is our favorite day of the week and so much more from our exclusive interview with Wenzday ahead of her tour stop at Darkstar in Tempe this weekend! 

You just added some more fall tour dates; congratulations! We are so excited to have you here with us at Darkstar in Tempe. What has been your favorite part of touring so far?

Thank you so much! I am so excited to be back in Tempe at Darkstar later this month. In my opinion, Arizona has one of the most engaged dance music crowds in the state, and every time I play here I gain more Heartbreakers which is absolutely incredible and I’m so grateful for that. I think my favorite part of touring this fall has been getting to new cities (specifically in Canada) that I have never been to and re-visiting past venues and reconnecting with familiar faces and having the best time!

How did you first get into DJing, and what inspired you to pursue this career?

The short version is that while I was in college I was diagnosed with vocal nodes and was put on voice rest. I was feeling very lost because I thought I was going to be a singer and that would be my primary art form in terms of connecting with people. I happened to stumble into a Banana Split Sundays party (Hosted by DJ AM and Steve Aoki) and I was absolutely mesmerized by DJ AM. I saw how he was so in tune with the crowd purely thru his music (without directly speaking) and it inspired me to learn to do the same!

Your track “Heartbreak House” had a huge impact! Where did the inspiration for this record come from?

Thank you! The response from this track over the years has been absolutely incredible. The song was written as I was going thru a breakup-but I wanted it to be more than that. I wanted in to be empowering vs sad. I thought that creating my own genre of “heartbreak house music” would be a fun way to separate myself from my peers as well. The whole EP was a conceptual body of work that I worked very closely with In/Rotation to craft and the fact that my fans dubbed themselves “Heartbreakers” after it came out was the most incredible feeling. Fast forward- we have left the house and have entered the club era with my latest EP with In/Ro “Heartbreakers Club”.

What are three characteristics that define a Heartbreaker?

Strong, empowered, and beautiful (inside and out).

Your visualizers, music videos, and album art are often distinctive and thought-provoking. How do you approach the visual aspect of your work?

Thank you! I have always been inspired by 90s movies specifically Romeo + Juliet, Eyes Wide Shut, Natural Born Killers, and True Romance. From my artwork and visuals, you can definitely see references to all these movies. I want to always take my fans on a visual journey as well as an auditory one during the shows to make the whole event more memorable. 

What advice would you give to aspiring female DJs looking to break into the industry?

The biggest piece of advice I can give to specifically aspiring female DJs looking to break into the industry is to work hard, study your craft, and know it inside and out. There is naturally an air of competition when it comes to females and we need to break down that barrier. There is room at the table for everyone to eat and be successful and I think the industry need to pit women against each other is tired. Everyone who puts the work in and proves that they want this deserves to be here.

What do you do to unwind and relax when you’re not in the DJ booth or studio?

I’m a nature girlie! I try to be outside whenever possible whether its hikes or camping. I think being able to disconnect and sit in silence (when your constantly around sound and screens) is so healthy and inspiring. 

What’s your favorite song at the moment?

Outside of electronic music, I am a huge fan of hip hop and metal. Spiritbox just did a remix for Megan Thee Stallion and I think it’s absolutely genre-bending and unreal. It’s a great example of two genres coming together to create something fresh and I wish more artists would join forces to do so.

Are there any upcoming releases or collaborations you’re excited about that you’d like to share?

I just released a song with my friend N2N on Glasgow Underground called “Loco” which actually features my voice. I had a great time writing this track and it absolutely goes off live! Looking into next year I am very excited to be releasing a song with one of my best friends Kaysin on Repopulate Mars. I have been teasing this song in my sets and even brought him onstage at my last headline at TIME Nightclub and the crowd loved it!

Now that you know a little more about why every day should be Wenzday, you can officially join the Heartbreakers Club this Friday, November 24th when Wenzday takes over Darkstar in Tempe! Get more info and grab your tickets here!

Connect with Wenzday: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud