Selectors Series: Amo La Música with Amelia Holt

Revibed Editorial Team

04 Sep 2024

Selectors Series: Amo La Música with Amelia Holt

They say the energy of the city that never sleeps is as boundless as its skyline, where every moment is charged with endless possibilities. In the third episode of our Selectors series, we spotlight Amelia Holt, a Mexico-born artist redefining Brooklyn's electronic scene, one beat at a time. With her fresh approach to DJing, Holt’s sets are as multifaceted and experimental as her eclectic endeavours.

From hosting her own Honey Trap parties and designing sensual lingerie to managing an artist agency and curating playful audiophile board game nights, Holt is a dynamic force truly deserving of the Big Apple. As a resident at The Lot Radio, she experiments with eccentric and vibrant beats, while her monthly music newsletter 'In Your Dirty Ears' offers hypnotic and transformative soundscapes to its readers.

Amelia has shared the stage with rising stars such as Call Super, Skatebård, Lena Willikens, and Emkay, and set off venues like Kiosk Radio in Belgium and HÖR in Germany. Her contagious rhythm has also traveled to Canada, Mexico, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, and Georgia, where she has at times made her mark with her intimate party format.

While gearing everything up for her next Honey Trap edition on September 20, she chatted with us and crafted a mix for the Revibed community that’s packed with uplifting dance grooves. It's the perfect way to wrap up summer—just as we started it: dancing our hearts out.

When did you first start Djing? How did it happen?

I remember starting around the Fall of 2016, about 8 years ago! I remember very vividly my friend, Eli Fola lent me his DJ gear for a couple of months and right away I got into it. I had a happy hour at Bossa Nova Civic Club in Bushwick and one party led to another.

However, before all that happened I was working at Red Bull Studios in Chelsea. I was the front desk girl and would see a lot of artists, DJs and music producers walk in to record their live radio shows & music in the recording studios. Through one of those encounters, I met Justin Strauss and my life changed. He was one of the first people I met when I moved to NYC. He invited me to one of his parties at the Good Room in Brooklyn and the rest is history. Something in me clicked and whatever it was I knew I wanted to do what he was doing, I was inspired.

How was the Honey Trap party born? What’s the concept behind it? Any funny anecdotes you’d like to share?

Honey Trap was born last year as a prototype and launched officially in February of 2024. So far, there have been a total of eight parties this year and the ninth coming up on September 20th. I had the privilege of organizing this party in DIY lofts to established institutions like Nightmoves, Bossa Nova & H0L0. I am truly grateful for all the artists and friends who have been very supportive of this project and continue to help me grow.

Before Honey Trap, I was throwing the False Peak parties with a really beautiful crew of friends, but finally decided it was time for me to launch my own party series. I wanted to push things further with curation and visual direction. My best friend, Grace Cowey, probably the only person who gets me better than anyone else on this planet, workshopped the most perfect names for all of my creative projects. In Your Dirty Ears (newsletter), UwU Dust Bath (label), House of Ill Fame (agency) & Honey Trap... I love the playfulness of the names she has chosen and all truly capture an essence of who I am.

The meaning of Honey Trap according to the Internet:

"A covert technique that uses romantic or sexual relationships to manipulate people for various purposes, such as to gain information, leverage, or blackmail. The term is often associated with espionage, spies, and high-stakes undercover operations."

Anyway, there is no darkness as such at the party. I simply find the name sassy and funny. It works!

Are you working on any new projects at the moment that you can tell us about?

I am currently working on releasing the first record of the Honey Trap imprint with a very talented producer/DJ from Australia, Pleaser. He is also a resident of Honey Trap and has helped me launch the party in Berlin. The music speaks for itself, but it has an industrial, sludge punk vibe to it. Keep an eye out on this release closer to the end of September.

Honey Trap merch: G-string with my two friends, also HT members Second Contact & Sarah Lim (the designer of all the party posters 😎).

Beyond Honey Trap, I have two other projects I've been giving love and attention to. House of Ill Fame, is my new boutique artist agency representing a really cool group of electronic artists from around the world. I am working with Elena Colombi, James Bangura, 2Lanes, Valesuchi, Kasra V, Sharlese and more to be announced later this year. I launched the agency earlier this year and it's having a really positive response. A lot of exciting news around it!

My other project is Chess Heads, a fun chess & music club I have every month in NYC. We actually just had a successful night at Nightmoves. I co-run this series with my friend, Cole Evelev and we get to invite friends to play chess of course and their cool jazz and esoteric records. Our next club meet is at Million Goods.

What are some music initiatives that inspire you?

I am inspired by Aurora Halal and her festival Sustain-Release. This year she invited me to co-curate the lineup for their 10th year and I felt incredibly lucky to work with her.

How would you describe the NYC electronic music scene these days?

The scene is thriving in NYC. There are a lot of parties, promoters and djs, maybe too many djs! I am seeing a lot of newcomers and a positive energy in the music community. I hope to see it continue to grow in this direction and a way for everyone to push each other up.

What can listeners expect from the mix you prepared? Did any new favorite tracks surface during the process?

Most of the tracks are from the 90s and early 00s, it's a very dance forward time machine. I do not expect anyone to be sitting while they listen. I had a lot of fun recording it and also found so many great tracks as part of the journey. My new favorite track is Skeleton Crew ‎– Burning Chrome, I love the spiraling euphoric sounds from it.

Has Revibed been helpful in your DJ activities?

Simply put, Revibed is my new addiction! ;)

Finally, you have three ongoing pre-order projects. Why did you choose these particular releases?

The three projects I chose are:

Piranha Dubs 1 – Alabamha
Transparent Sound – Tricks
Holographic Hallucination – Dark Tales Of X-Perimental Madness

I wanted a combination of experimental, dub, electro and dance tracks I could add to my personal collection. All of these tracks are songs I would use in my DJ sets and future radio shows ❤️.

👀 Discover more about Amelia’s work, his productions and compilations:

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Tracklist:

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Our Selectors series showcases the work and talent of DJs and music collectors from around the world, who continuously contribute to building the vibrant Revibed community.

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Selectors Series: Amo La Música with Amelia Holt

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