Cover Photo: Renzo Navarro
Photo: Renzo Navarro
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Stream our monthly mixtape of riveting tunes curated by leading DJs and musicphiles in the country
“I guess I consider music a form of therapy,” says Samantha Nicole, DJ and music and programming director of Futur:st and UNKNWN. “Whatever mood I am in, it’s got an infinite pool of means to get me motivated, distracted or inspired.”
See also: Meet Me at the Bar: Get to Know Gugu Room's Jason Soong
Every now and then, she plays at Kampai, The Bowery, OTO and more. She recalls, “While there have been countless unforgettable gigs I was fortunate enough to play, the most recent [UNKNWN event] for me was [the most memorable]. . . It’s probably the country’s first biggest party since the pandemic happened, so there was a lot of bottled-up energy from nearly a thousand people. I hopped on wanting to spin an entirely different set but ended up going another direction—which I think worked beautifully.”
Above Photo: Cru Camara
Photo: Cru Camara
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Growing up in a household that loved karaoke and parents who sang timeless classics such as "Top of the World" by The Carpenters and "Don’t Know What to Say" by Ric Segreto, she began to love the power of song. “I just remember feeling there was a lot of heart in these songs, especially with my folks singing when we were gathered around and just spending time together,” the electronic music DJ relates.
See also: In Conversation with DJ Jose David
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This is what draws the crowd towards Samantha’s space for more than a decade in every single stage or country she performs in. “I’ve always sought that sincerity and heart in the kinds of music I listen to or play,” she says.
The DJ gives us a glimpse of her heart by recommending a playlist of captivating sounds from her favourite acts, ranging from meditative to alternative tracks.
- Pinky Ring - Joy Orbison
- Marea (we've lost dancing) - Fred again... and the Blessed Madonna
- S.O - Kelly Lee Owens
- Guilty - Tirzah
- French Navy - Camera Obscura
- Finale - Beach House
- Tokyo Breaks - Gnor
- If I Had A Gun… - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
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Christine Andas is a features writer and the style lead of Tatler Philippines. She mostly covers style-related content but enjoys writing about space, sneakers, and her favourite stars. She acquired a master's degree in Creative Writing at the University of Santo Tomas and has written young adult short stories which can be read online.
