5 Minutes with Ayah Marar

Ahead of her performance in Room One at Dub Police next Friday we caught up with the truly international singer Ayah Marar. Having released her debut album The Real last year she’s also had her work signed to labels like Hospital and Ministry of Sound working with producers like Toddla T, DJ Marky and Calvin Harris. Treading a very dance music savvy blend of dubstep and drum & bass, the kind she showcased on her most recent single ‘The Raver’, she'll be perfectly at home on the Martin Audio soundsystem amongst heavyweight sets and original productions from Caspa and co. Hey Ayah. Tell us something new about you right now that no one else knows? I have an unhealthy obsession with Batman. Last year was big one for you, releasing a debut album and all. What’s the inspiration taking you to into 2013? Honestly, the talent I see all around me, the passion and drive from people who want to make the music world a better place, and a more interactive and believable experience. It's all about bringing things together and pushing it forward for the love, at the risk of sounding cheesy. Are there hidden depths to your live show? What’s it all about? Most of the time we are slotted in amongst DJs at big raves, so really I wanted to make it as close to a live DJ and MC style experience, the vibe we used to get when I went out raving years ago, but with an added twist. It still has to have the entertaining elements of a live show, and I think Illaman, Tenku and Trol23 help me bring that to the table in a hopefully enjoyable way. You’ll be sharing the booth with the Dub Police crew soon. Excited much? Absolutely! I've been a fan of Caspa and the boys for a while so it's a real honour. Who do you most want to collaborate with on a track this year? DJ Fresh must have been up there for on the list... As lucky as I've been and as amazing an experience as it's been working with the big boys, I'm really looking forward to working with new and undiscovered talent this year. It helps keep me on my toes and focused too! What’s new with your label, Hussle Girl? We released my album The Real last year, I'm currently in the studio working on my second album and trying to build the label so that I can start bringing unknown producers and artists through in the new year. I want to get more stuck in to the A&R side of things, and this will depend on the success of what I'm trying to do with my own material, ultimately. So we have a bit of an obsession with collecting cat photos in the office ;) How do you spend your spare time? Spare time? What's that? On the real though, I'm a huge film and TV show fan so if I ever have a spare moment on the road or before I go to bed, I like to get stuck into a good show otherwise I'll catch a movie at the cinema. Catch Ayah Marar performing at Dub Police in Room One on Friday 15th February.