ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – GAIA
At the heart of the UK’s underground club scene, Girls Don’t Sync has built a reputation not just for genre-blending, high-energy sets, but for shaking up the status quo.
In this month’s Artist Spotlight, we catch up with GAIA – DJ, organiser, and one quarter of the powerhouse collective – to explore how it all began in Liverpool, the importance of real representation, and how collaboration and community continue to shape her sound. From workshops in Toxteth to studio sessions and sound systems across the country, GAIA’s journey is rooted in friendship, heritage, and a mission to pave the way for the next wave.
Girls Don’t Sync has been making waves in the UK music scene. Can you share the story of how the collective came together and what inspired its creation?
Me and Matty grew up in South London, Brixton and went to school together then both moved up North for university, me in Liverpool and Matty in Manchester. We both had our earliest rave and club experiences together! When I graduated I started working in a club in Liverpool where I met Sophia who was DJing one night and we instantly connected! Same goes for Hannah, we started doing DJ workshops in Toxteth for kids and became great friends. The idea to come together to create and host a club night celebrating aspiring and established DJs from marginalised genders felt like a natural next step, and we all worked on it together! The early days of GDS were rooted in promoting and community, and right here in Liverpool! Then one event we ended up playing together and… the rest was history! Our styles and sounds merged so well and we started to build ourselves as a DJ group.
You’ve been vocal about representation in dance music. How does it feel to be paving the way for more diversity, and what changes would you still like to see in the industry?
Diversity in the music industry is a broad term that gets thrown around a lot, but for us, it’s about real representation – on and off the stage. It’s not just ticking boxes; I really believe it’s about creating genuine opportunities for people from all backgrounds, especially in spaces that have historically been dominated by one type of voice. From DJs and producers to managers and sound engineers, diversity means breaking barriers, amplifying unheard voices, and making sure the scene reflects the world we actually live in. It’s an ongoing process, and while progress is happening, there’s still a long way to go!
As a DJ and member of a collective, collaboration is a key part of your journey. What’s the best lesson you’ve learned from working so closely with the other members of Girls Don’t Sync?
So much, these girls are also my best friends and I learn from them everyday! But I’d have to say the power of collaboration over competition. In an industry that can sometimes feel individualistic, being part of GDS has shown me how much stronger you can be when you uplift each other. It’s about trust, sharing knowledge, and pushing the scene forward together, rather than just focusing on personal wins. And that representation matters so much, it not only enables so many people to feel connected and seen – it’s also about creating lasting change and making space for the next wave of talent.
Your sets are known for their high energy and ability to connect with audiences. How do you approach curating a set, and what’s your favourite track to drop at the moment?
It’s always a big mixed bag in my sets! A lot of my sets are prepped before with tracks I want to test out or definitely want to play which depends on the event and also who else in on the line up. This is so important to try and compliment and bare in mind! Recently I’ve started delving a little darker, stepping more into instrumental sets with MC’s, grime, bass and dub bits. But I’ll always sprinkle music that makes people want to move, nostalgic vocals or hard hitting drums. As well as South Asian or Middle Eastern samples and sounds dotted throughout my sets. I love having that kind of freedom to tell a story through my own heritage as a DJ now more than ever. A track I’ll always always drop no matter what, has got to be Aja Mahi – RDB! TIMELESS Panjabi UK Garage, what’s not to love!?
The music industry can be demanding. How do you stay grounded and maintain balance while managing such a busy schedule?
I used to really struggle with this! I felt like I was always ‘on’ and definitely didn’t take enough time out to reset and recharge. I think the other girls really help to remind me of that! Sleeping more, eating better and doing things that always help enrich my brain and body. Simple things: Reading, minimal phone time to properly disconnect and spending quality time with friends and family! And learning to be more unapologetic in MY time! I would often burn out a lot from doing too much, saying yes to too many things and taking a lot on. Be mindful of your capacities!
Liverpool is such a vibrant city for music. How has the local scene influenced your journey as an artist, and are there any Liverpool-based artists or collectives you’d like to shout out?
Yes! Svara radio, sadly one of the cities only independent stations now. We saw Melodic close their doors and it really affected the scene and community here. We need more independent radio stations that allow artists to showcase themselves, nourish their craft and experiment and learn. Svara really are cementing themselves as a space that so many people can exercise their passions in. Oh and my baby girl Amber Rose of course! I’m so proud to see her smashing it and taking risks and pushing her sound and style beyond Liverpool too!
What advice would you give to young women or non-binary DJs who are looking to break into the industry?
Stay authentic, stay consistent and remember there is so power in collaboration! It’s also easy to feel imposter syndrome or compare yourself to others, but everyone’s journey is different. Focus on honing your craft, putting out mixes, networking with like-minded people, and showing up for opportunities! Also, don’t be afraid to take up space. The industry is changing, but there’s still work to do, so be confident in what you bring to the table and make sure your voice is heard.
Finally, what can we look forward to from Girls Don’t Sync in 2025? Any exciting projects, collaborations, or gigs we should keep an eye out for?
Yes! Music! We’ve been in the studio a lot and last year we released our first EP and single and we can’t wait to keep making and creating the GDS sound, with all of our own inspirations and influences. So keep an ear out for that! We’ve also just started working with the Anthony Walker Foundation and have recently been appointed as ambassadors: we stand with AWF in their mission to challenge hate, educate, and create a future built on equality. Anthony’s legacy is a reminder that we all have a role to play in driving change, and we’ve always been committed to using our platform to amplify this message.
