AZA (aka Isis Azarene) is proving to be a standout component within the next generation of rising techno stars, championing a unique perspective that marries her Caribbean roots with the driving force of high-impact house and techno. Curating her sets with polyrhythmic-leading selections at the core, she considers the audience, the venue, and occasion to electrifying effect. Having trained classically as a vocalist, the San Francisco-born DJ and producer’s underground talents remained a well-kept secret, until she found herself sharing the stage with Collette during her debut live performance in 2018. In just a few short years, AZA has become a familiar and captivating name throughout the Midwest (USA) and beyond, appearing on line-ups alongside the likes of Green Velvet, Hannah Wants (UK) , Stacey Pullen, Alberto Ruiz, Codes, Colette and DJ T1000. 

 

During her career’s inception in 2018, AZA launched her discography with the all-important “Seiglu” (meaning resilience). Chartered via the Italian imprint S6A, the single was a dreamy slice of deep-tech that narrated a personal journey of strength and resilience following the end of a long-term relationship. Using studio time as a way to reflect on life experiences, AZA quickly found her innately authentic voice in the industry, taking influence from her diverse collection of 90’s records in order to create a nouveau strain of underground music that is truly her own. A follow up single titled “Innan” (ZFF) marked her debut contribution to the world of melodic techno, as she sought to explore the genre’s early beginnings through the lens of her Caribbean heritage. Once again mapping her thoughts and emotions through sonic tales, the cut represented her newfound comfort in finding solace within, and marked another seminal turning point both personally and professionally.  

 

Presenting a level of musicality and skill well beyond her years, AZA flexed versatility on her inaugural EP “Walk With Me”. Released in early 2020 via the Cincinnati-based imprint Golden Pony Records, the two-tracker took a dive into her deep-house repertoire with satiable rhythmic beats and minor key changes. It served as an homage to her growing fanbase; an uplifting and positive opus that fulfilled her desire to create dance-inducing, ‘in the moment’ music for her audience. 

 

With infinite creativity at her fingertips, AZA has journeyed through deep house and into the discovery of techno with ease, all while implementing her trademark polyrhythmic sensibilities. Reflecting her career’s immense growth, AZA launched her own label Soundbeing Recordings with the monumental cut “A.I” in 2020, which was subsequently re-released with LW Recordings the very next year. Soon after, the sound warrior was picked up by Mastoid Kollektive to join their charitable compilation “Pink” in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The included “Sage” celebrated techno in its rawest form, and sat beside tracks from the likes of Dave The Drummer, Mark Broom and Truncate. Continuing this rich vein of form into 2022, AZA was selected to rework madeofants’ “cyberhellravedungeonfunruncore”, delivering a Retox Remix that honoured the rich history of Detroit techno in all its glory. The following month, she secured her spot on Nashville Resistance’s 5 Year Anniversary Compilation with the high-energy “Move”, proving her flourishing success in the genre’s vibrant underground realm. 

 

Finding equal passion and success behind the decks, AZA has been tapped by some of the Midwest’s leading house and techno venues for her fresh and dynamic performances, including Detroit’s TV Lounge and Indiana’s The Patron Saint and INVY clubs. Taking her sound across the region, the budding artist is set for a busy few months of shows as she solidifies her place as one of the key artists to look out for in the coming years.