DEFECTED LOVES OSTEND

Defected is back in the Krush house with superstar dj RAE performing live! Copyright, Chocolate Puma and Franky Rizardo showed us the way and now it's up to Rae for our 4th edition of the mighty Defected night.

The singer-songwriter and DJ, Rae has not only carved out her own niche in the dance music industry – she is in the process of constructing her own throne. First there was Can’t Stop, collaboration with Kings of Tomorrow and her first signing with Defected, which was an instant hit with the house community; then came Persuasion, deep and melodic with an infectious groove. With Sandy Rivera on beats, the duo’s homemade video soon made its way to the no. 1 spot on MTV dance. Give Me Love and It’s Over, both with ATFC, sealed her reputation as one of the most exciting new artists on the scene.

And then came the addictive 2010 re-working of the seminal Kosheen track Hide U, also with Sandy Rivera. Powerful, with a soul of sweet melancholy, singer-songwriter and DJ, Rae has the voice of a modern house diva, a striking hot image and an infectious presence. Her super-slick stage shows have captured clubbers worldwide with Rae singing live, note perfect, over her own tech-fused DJ set with boundless energy and passion “The fact I do both is my USP – it’s still not a common combination. To do it right takes massive focus, persistence and dedication, I work hard but I absolutely love what I do and feel every second of it.”

Focus, persistence and dedication – three words which could describe Rae’s music career to date. “I’ve been writing all my life, poems turned into songs and when I discovered electronic music I would sing them over the top of instrumental vinyl tracks in my bedroom. I knew I wanted to do music but I couldn’t see the path into it straight away, I got into bands and was practicing all the time but I did feel a bit lost” so she traveled for a while and found herself drawn to the island of Ibiza “After a spell over there I was hooked, I came back super-focused I knew I wanted to be part of the scene, not just a punter rocking up at a club. I really wanted a piece of it.”

Fast forward to 2011and she was back on the White Isle DJing at Pacha “It felt like such a huge achievement, to be there on the decks, doing my own thing and being appreciated for it. I had to take a moment. It was emotional” If the past few years have been about honing her live performance, it’s because “I didn’t want to chose between singing and DJing, I've had to hammer it into people’s brains that I do both, proove myself, prove it works and its cool” For Rae the two go hand-in-hand. “Singing my own songs live in every set has become my trademark. I really do play from the heart, and I think people see that and feel my energy.”

Rae’s songs also come from the heart. “As a kid I absorbed a huge passion for music from my father mostly, we would listen to tunes spanning over decades, I always picked out harmonies and learnt lyrics really fast, I’ve been influenced by some amazing artists through the years, many of the greats, then my big brother got into house music and what can I say, It got me and the rest is…right here and happening now” Like every true songwriter, “I write from my feelings and emotions,” she says. “I can channel my moods in many ways, I buzz off the diversity of it and I get excited about new ideas every day”

Currently working on solo singles and her first solo album. “I have had the pleasure of working with some great producers on the scene, its inspiring and I enjoy collaborating, but I always had the hunger to do my own thing,” she says. “I have my own singles with my own sound, I love the whole creative process, the writing, production and so this is the next phase for me.” And then there is the unfinished album with Sandy Rivera. “Its special, and so different to what people would expect from us. We really put our souls into it and worked with some great musicians; It’s kind of electronica meets acoustic chill out, feel good vibes with a moody edge. All the songs are deep and emotive, It’s really cool and were really proud of it. When the times right Im sure it will get a lot of love”

Until then Rae is set on conquering the dance world in her own unique way and sealing her spot in the limelight, determined to give it everything she’s got. “My mission is to get my sound across to as many people as I can, with the music I feel and believe in. Make songs that cross the genres, reach the masses and stand the test of time. That’s my motivation, my challenge, my life.” And nothing will stand in her way. “I’ve cleared the way and chosen my path. Now it’s like, "I’m here, and I’m ready to take it all the way"