So Viktoria, how long have you been in the UAE?
I’ve been here for five years, coming and going. I’ve been DJing for one year. I started a long time ago but officially one year. I started in school, at discos, home parties and then in the club.
Where are you from originally?
I’m actually Russian and my roots are Siberian, but I grew up in Kazakhstan with the Mongolian and Kazakhs people.
What are the Khazakh clubs like?
The clubs there are very nice – better here. Most of them are after-party clubs, starting about 3am in the morning. You have huge clubs that play underground, non-commercial music. Of course.
You’ve got some impressive tattoos, Ms StarSky. What’s the story behind those?
My tattoo is my precious. I’m actually a tattoo artist. I was doing tattoos for six years before I came to the UAE. I’m an artist first of all. I was studying graphic design in university. I was then a designer and I came to the emirates as an interior designer. But I left my job because of the music only. I’m starting to produce my own music.
Why the tattoos?
It’s my hobby, I like to draw; it’s my soul. But music has given me inspiration. When I was studying I did a tattoo on my foot. The other’s from my colleagues. I have a Japanese coys, seahorses, a dolphin…
Basically an ocean then?
I have an ocean, the Japanese letter for ocean on my left hand.
Okay, ocean girl, what can we expect to hear from you this month?
I play deep house, tech house, techno, sometimes funky house. The mainstream is tech house and progressive.
You’re based in Dubai, do you play Abu Dhabi a lot?
I used to play in Zenith, but the DJ booth is so high. You need to be able to see the people and what they like. I dunno – maybe I’m very short or something. Abu Dhabi is very commercial, and everyone likes R&B – I don’t.
What’s your dream club?
Pacha is the dream club. Every DJ wants to play in Ibiza.
What does 2010 hold for you?
2010 is going to be a crazy year because I’m doing my first album.
When’s it out?
That’s a secret.
Was it difficult to go from spinning discs to creating music?
The DJ who respect themselves should produce their own music. I’m working with a DJ now, who is teaching me. He’s actually a producer. I just found inspiration in the way he works. It’ll be tech house.
Why the name StarSky, Viktoria?
Because there’s a star in the sky (laughs).
Moonlight Dance Party, January 22, from 9pm at Escape Lounge, Hilton Abu Dhabi; Vogue Party, January 29, from 9pm at Sevilo’s, Millennium Hotel. Dhs100 cover charge, ladies get in free before midnight. Call 055 656 0801 to get on the guestlist.
