Introduce yourself and tell us about the part of the UK you’re from?
Max: I’m originally from West Yorkshire but been transplanted to Brighton for a good long while now. The sea air agrees with me.
Victoria: I’m from Hertfordshire but met Max while I was studying in Brighton.
Tell us about some of your British DJ heroes?
Max: I was very lucky to have a few mates of mine do very well and give me pointers early on. From hip hop guys like Excalibah and DJ Woody (who was world champ from round the corner when I grew up) to house and bass guys like 1dan, Guy Andrews and Murder He Wrote. On an influences level I would have to say Joy Orbison was a big influence on me as a producer and DJ, especially around the time I started producing the stuff that became Anushka when I met Victoria.
Victoria: Jazzie B is just a legend and a pioneer. He has been doing it forever and is such an influential figure as a Black British DJ. We did a show a few years back with EZ and Roska, they are always a vibe. I have a lot of love for Moxie, Nicola Bear and all the other amazing women killing it in what can be a really chauvinistic industry!
What have you been working on recently?
Max: New Anushka! Lots of bits in the works and a few scheduled releases with our friends Yossarian. I Also did my first Orchestral Composition this year which I’m really proud about and has influenced how I’ve been writing generally quite a bit. I’m currently on the way to Berlin for Ableton’s loop festival which I am super hyped to be taking part in this year.
Victoria: Just writing writing writing. The sound has developed from the last record so it’s been a really nice experience to explore a different side to our musicality.
Tell us about the mix, how did you put it together, what did you want to represent?
Max: This mix was sort of a look at a few exclusive Anushka related bits which I wanted to see the light of day, transitioning into some of the Detroit-y kind of stuff that has been my main influence production wise for a long time, into some very weird out-there bits at the end via some music from around the world.
Talk us through the British music featured in this mix? Which British artists are you most excited about?
Max: There’s a lot of Anushka, including a remix of ours for a project we love called GEO, futurist UK soul well worth checking. One unreleased track from a very mysterious UK producer called Tramshed which I love, and also a totally mind melting production from Etch who is one of my favourite UK producers and a fellow Brightonian on a very cool label called Gully, headed up by homie and UK music champ, former Well Rounded boss, Donga. Big shouts to Murder He Wrote & The Maghreban on the remixes too, both UK squad killing it at the moment.
What is on the cards in the immediate future?
Max: Getting back on the road, and I think really trying to push this new sound forwards. Really exciting to be writing at the moment and every time we put something down it seems to be progressing and going new places which is very exciting. Victoria has just sent over some really next level stuff recently and I feel like I just hit a zone in the studio so I can’t wait to get back in the lab together and make some new sounds.
Victoria: We’ve got some exciting bits coming out but mainly just camping out in the studio.
Where is the best place in the world you have DJ’d and why?
Max: I won’t lie Siberia was pretty mad a few years back. I played that Boddika VIP and the bar staff started crowdsurfing. To be honest I love playing wherever I get asked, there is always something unique and it’s a real privilege.