By G.Wen
G.Wen: Anja, who are you? What is your musical journey as a DJ?
Anja: I’m Anja Sugar, a Parisian DJ, and I’ve been mixing for about fifteen years. I started at the Baron, Lionel & André’s club. It was a great calling card, and then the gigs quickly followed.
G.Wen: Can you tell me about the influences in your music?
Anja: I have a classical music background; I studied at the conservatory. As a teenager, I was mainly into urban/hip-hop music, while my parents were more into Soul, Rock, and of course, Oriental music. I discovered electronic music in high school, and it never left me.
G.Wen: Can you tell me about the parties you collaborate on as a DJ?
Anja: My best friend Eddie Megraoui and I started our own parties, Vaudou Cochon, at the “feu” Petit Palace, which are now in residence at Rex Club. We mainly invite our artist friends, emphasizing gender diversity, both male and female.
G.Wen: What is your favorite Parisian nightlife spot to party at?
Anja: I don’t have a favorite place to party; it depends on the lineup and the vibe of the night. I think nowadays, people are more inclined to attend a party to listen to a specific artist or follow a collective rather than go to a specific venue.
G.Wen: How do you see Paris nightlife?
Anja: Paris is one of the best capitals/cities today for nightlife. There are more and more venues, and all musical styles are represented.
Anja: I don’t like to define myself by my gender in music, even though it’s true that women are still underrepresented on the turntables. There have been several times when I arrived at the door of a club to DJ, and the security staff didn’t believe me when I told them I was the DJ for the night.
G.Wen: What is your favorite playlist?
Anja: Here are five tracks I played last weekend in Marseille:
- Melody Boy 2000 – Sound Stealer
- Mella Dee – Find love yourself
- Kimshies – Blue planet
- Kim Wilde – You keep me hangin on (Gumm ft Sassafrass edit)
- Did Virgo – Coronacid (She TEIKS rmx)
G.Wen: What are some typical dancefloor tracks you enjoy playing?
Anja: I don’t have a specific playlist or typical dancefloor tracks; it changes all the time depending on the club I’m in, the energy of the people in front of me, and the current releases. However, I always include an Arabic track in my sets.
Anja: A good party is, in no particular order, a good sound system, happy people, and good music, nothing more. And if possible, clean toilets, that’s always a plus.
G.Wen: Do you have a memorable memory from Paris nightlife?
Anja: One of my memorable memories from the nightlife is meeting my brother and partner on Vaudou Cochon, Eddie Megraoui! It doesn’t get better than that.
