When DJ, producer and promoter Malissa Kains first began learning to mix, it was on borrowed decks at after-parties, snatching a tune or two before being pushed aside. The experience was isolating and frustrating, and it highlighted how few spaces there were for women to practise without judgement.
Out of that gap came Sisu; a platform dedicated to supporting, educating, and showcasing women and non-binary DJs and producers. What started as an idea for peer-to-peer practice sessions has grown into a grassroots network with real impact across the UK and Europe.
Sisu now runs workshops on DJing and production, curates events that put underrepresented artists at the centre, and hosts regular radio shows that give emerging talent space to experiment. Their DJ roster spans genres and identities, reflecting a belief that the value of a community lies not in one sound but in the connections it makes possible.
At the heart of Sisu’s work is a refusal to accept the industry’s old barriers. By creating entry points for new DJs, building mentorship pathways, and holding festivals and promoters accountable, the collective has become both a launchpad for artists and a critical voice within electronic music. The focus is not only on representation but on reshaping structures, pushing for fairer opportunities, greater visibility, and long-term investment in diverse talent.
Nearly a decade on from its beginnings, Sisu has seen its members progress from their first hands-on workshop to festival stages and international bookings. But the ethos remains the same: create spaces where women and non-binary artists can take up space, experiment, and grow together.
Why did you start Sisu? What gap in the music industry were you determined to fill?
Malissa: I found learning to DJ difficult, not having my own equipment I was learning at after parties getting the chance to play one tune before someone else was swiftly wanting to play another tune.
I was always the only girl in a line of boys at the afters, not being able to smoothly mix it was dismissed and so I wanted to create a welcoming space to be able to make mistakes and just practise with no pressure.
Little Hats
Your roster spans so many sounds and identities. What’s your process for curating who joins?
Little Hats: Sisu has never been defined by one sound or aesthetic. We are eclectic and welcoming. What unites us is the eagerness to share the journey, and to lift one another up. Our community is cyclical: we take, and we give back—each at their own pace.
Since launch, many have come through our beginners’ courses, placing their hands on CDJs for the first time. The same people attend our nights, meet like-minded individuals, and see relatable role models behind the decks. Some secure their first gig, radio slot, or collaboration through the community.
Fast-forward: they invite Sisu to support them at their first major booking, or to join a night they themselves are curating. We have seen many such journeys unfold, and we curate for this mindset rather than for any particular sound.
What’s the most rewarding change you’ve seen in the scene since Sisu launched?
((( CLEOPATRA ))): Women taking up space in the DJ scene!! More workshops and people becoming students - it’s great to see a level of jamming and education behind peoples inspiration to start DJ-ing.
Holy C
What’s your best piece of advice for DJs looking to break into the industry?
Holy C: Get to know your sound and DJ style. Figuring out what makes you unique takes time, passion and patience. Enjoy every moment! Having clear goals you’d like to achieve is very helpful.
If there are dream parties I want to be playing, I’ll start curating a set specifically for this, record it and get in touch directly. When looking to break into the industry, it’s important to have a thick skin, and self-belief. Don’t be afraid to cash in a favour if it’s offered! Also, having creative headshots that represent you as a DJ is essential!
Little Hats: Begin with vision. Picture your ideal dancefloor the sound, the crowd, the energy and work towards bringing it to life. Seek out opportunities that fit that vision. Decline those that do not. Grassroots projects often provide the space to have more curatorial agency, and to steer the night into your own vision.
Adapt to the context: the slot you play, who comes before and after, who is in the room. But always find ways to let your own identity shine through. Stay true to your sound while catering to the occasion: the balance is what marks a thoughtful DJ. Find your tribe. Collaborate with those who share or complement your taste, and support each other as DJs and fans alike.
((( CLEOPATRA )))
((( CLEOPATRA ))): Start collecting music!! Create a Bandcamp account! Support and buy music when you can. Don’t be afraid to perform for yourself of one person it’s not about the crowd it’s about the story you’re telling with music!
As a small collective, how do you see your role in challenging festivals and the wider industry to be more accountable for their partnerships and investments?
Dolça van Leeuwen: As a grassroots collective, our strength lies in community, transparency, and values-driven action. We may be small in scale, but we’re deeply connected to the people and ideas that are shaping the future of electronic music. That gives us the power to ask hard questions about who gets platformed, where funding comes from, and how inclusive spaces really are.
We see our role as both a support system for emerging talent and a critical voice that holds institutions to account. By leading with integrity in our own work; from who we collaborate with to how we structure our events — we hope to model alternatives to extractive or performative industry practices. Festivals and larger players need to recognize that true accountability goes beyond optics; it’s about long-term investment in equitable ecosystems. And we’re here to keep that conversation active and loud.
Lucine
If Sisu could make one change to the global music industry overnight, what would it be?
Lucine: A fairer redistribution of resources whether that’s fees, opportunities, or visibility.
Too often the industry is structured to favour the same few, when there’s so much incredible talent everywhere that deserves support.
Little Hats: To make mainstream what we have nurtured at grassroots level.
For years we have worked to:
Raise awareness of the gender gap and turn awareness into action.
Create entry-level opportunities for new DJs.
Build mentorship structures with clear pathways for growth.
Become a recognised focal point for promoters who want to diversify line-ups but do not know how.
Promote collective collaboration among marginalised groups, rather than competition—curating group line-ups, sharing opportunities, and making decisions together.
The effect is a more diverse and inclusive music scene, one that benefits dancers as much as DJs. (Little Hats)
Our aim is that these principles should no longer be confined to community movements, but should penetrate the industry at large.
Dolça van Leeuwen
What’s next for Sisu? Any projects or events you’re especially excited about?
Dolça van Leeuwen: We’re really excited about expanding our showcase series, bringing together DJs, producers, and creatives from across the electronic music scene.
Our focus continues to be on nurturing emerging talent through hands-on skill-sharing, mentorship, and community building. We’re also working on curated events in new cities and a few collaborations we can’t wait to announce. As always, it’s about amplifying diverse perspectives and pushing the culture forward.
What is Sisu listening to on repeat right now?
Dolça van Leeuwen: Right now, Sisu is deep into a mix of hypnotic techno, breakbeat, and experimental club sounds. Artists like VTSS, Anz, and SHERELLE are on heavy rotation, anything with high energy, bold textures, and forward-thinking production.
We’re especially drawn to tracks that blur genre lines and bring fresh perspectives to the dancefloor. Whether it's a driving 4/4 rhythm or a broken beat that catches you off guard, it’s all about sounds that move both body and mind.
