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I met Katia in one of the most idyllic locations that DJing has brought me. In February, I was introduced to her at Zanzibar Gathering, a small festival put on by the teams from Lighthouse Festival, Butik Festival & Why?Not Club Zanzibar. The festival hosts about 300 people; more than anything, it feels like a party put on for the extended friends of the organizers as opposed to a large impersonal affair. Instead of stages, they planned events in different locations everyday, including but not limited to:
- a secret island party at an abandoned restaurant on an island in the middle of the ocean
- a villa party at some crazy villa / hotel with a dancefloor next to a pool overlooking the ocean
- a party on a sandbank in the middle of the ocean that only exists for 7-8 hours a day depending on the tide
- a club night at the local spot Why?Not Club, known for its location on the ocean, and its floor to ceiling windows. During the full moon, at high tide, the water rises above the windows in the club, and the waves hit the windows during sunrise.
The entire thing sounds like a logistical nightmare that most wouldn’t even attempt, but the team running the festival were beyond impressive, both in their location scouting and execution. My favourite day was the abandoned restaurant/secret island party - but maybe that’s because I had a day off, and I was on a cycle of dance/swim/run around/repeat. The day Katia, Melody and I played on the sandbank, they told us they had to set up later than they had anticipated because when they arrived, the sandbank wasn’t ready for them to start putting stakes in the ground (for shade and the booth).. I ended up finishing early as well, because the tide started to swallow the sandbank up. It was really something special.
I spent the week in Zanzibar leading up to our sets at the sandbank hanging out with Katia and getting to know her. I was very intrigued by her depth of knowledge and passion for music - at her age, I barely understood what it was that drew me to dance music, and I certainly didn't have her solidly formed sonic identity around it. I spoke extensively with her and her partner Nizar about their home, Kyiv, and the effects of the war, and the realities of visiting there and playing now. Over the week and many conversations, I felt myself warm to the idea of visiting Kyiv, which I had initially written off since the journey takes about 20 hours by train. After speaking with them, I came to realize that it is a privilege to experience and visit there, but also a pilgrimage for the dance in a way that is rare in our current world.
Katia’s mix has this constant, unwavering energy that runs through it. It has peaks and troughs that don't ever disturb the flow but keeps the interest. It holds a distinct type of energy throughout, similar to what I seek in my own sets. I first listened to it while walking in the springtime sun in London - it felt perfect for that moment, but also transported me back to her set on the sandbank. I felt inspired by her & her mix (i’ve already listened to it 4x) and I hope you do too - and if you get the chance to see her play, or better yet book her, please do <3
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Peach: Hi Katia! Thank you so much for being part of the Sixth Sense mix series. How are you?
Katia: Hi Serena! Thank you so much for having me—I really appreciate the invitation. I’m doing well and super excited to share my mix!
P: Where in the world do you live?
K: Right now, I’m based in Vienna, Austria.
P: Have you lived there your whole life?
K: No, I’m originally from Kyiv, Ukraine. I moved to Vienna seven years ago to study Communications.
P: Do you go back to Ukraine a lot? What is that like?
K: I’ve been able to visit home a few times over the past year, but I always wish I could go more often—it never feels like enough. Every visit is deeply emotional; it’s incredibly inspiring and fulfilling, yet also heartbreaking. The war has completely reshaped life for everyone, but despite everything, people continue to live, love, cry, dance, and create. Their resilience is truly remarkable.
P: What is the music scene like in Ukraine?
K: It’s something very unique and authentic—Ukrainians know how to party. Music and respect for it, as well as the comfort of every person involved, are top priorities there. That’s exactly where I fell in love with electronic music and club culture in my teenage years.
Right now, events are still happening in incredible spaces like K41 and Closer—not just parties, but also concerts, lectures, and workshops. There are also amazing record stores and cultural hubs like АБО and Octan. However, everything has to wrap up shortly after 10 PM due to the curfew.
P: You said you fell in love with electronic music and club culture in your teenage years. Where did you discover it? Where were you going out?
K: My first underground party was an event called Схема in 2014. I went there with my brother and his friends. It’s a legendary party with a focus on experimental electronic music, and it definitely played a huge role in shaping the Ukrainian scene. The events are usually held in industrial locations, and one of the most unforgettable ones took place under a bridge—in a graffiti-covered skatepark right by the Dnipro River. The sound wasn’t the best, but I’d give anything to experience that atmosphere again. Схема still exists as a project and remains something worth paying attention to.
P: How does the Ukraine scene compare to Vienna?
K: Vienna definitely has a scene—there are great artists and collectives here. I really respect the people who keep pushing it forward, nurturing the values that define it. While the clubbing experience here is more structured and commercially driven, there are also nice off-location events where people create everything from the ground up, bringing a real sense of community. A great example is Apartment 8.
P: Tell me more about Apartment 8 - it is a club? Or a collective?
K: Apartment 8 is a record and concept store, but also a collective and event series known for its strong vision and well-curated lineups. Check it out!
P: What are your earliest memories of music?
K: My mom loves music, so I was surrounded by it from birth. However, my first clear musical memory goes back to when I was four. My older brother was attending a preparatory class at a specialized music school, and I was sent along with him. We learned the basics of solfeggio and classical music. Not long after, I started playing the violin, and music became a big part of my childhood.
P: When did you start to DJ?
K: I started five years ago when I was 20.
P: Is there any specific parameters within music that you look for when you’re digging? What makes up the sound you feel most connected to?
K: I enjoy music that has a distinct character and a sense of storytelling. It’s not just about the sound but also the feeling it creates. When digging for music, I don’t stick to specific genres—I like to keep an open mind and explore different styles and moods. Finding something unexpected or a track that really stands out is always exciting to me.
P: Is there any moments throughout your musical history that you feel like contributed to where your sound is today?
K: My first visits to Closer in Kyiv played a big role in shaping my connection to house music. Their festival, Brave! Factory, was also very impactful—it was where I first discovered so many amazing artists.
Another memory that stands out is one of my visits to Berghain on a hot Sunday in August 2023. That evening, John Talabot’s set turned Panorama Bar into a wild, hypnotic space, almost like a devil’s ball—in the best way possible. His sound, sometimes dark but always groovy, combined with the energy of the room and the presence of close friends, made it an experience I’ll never forget.
P: You produce music as well - could you share any equipment you use? Any forthcoming releases you’d like to share with us?
K: Right now, I’m working in the home studio that Nizar (my partner) and I share. My current favorites are the Ultranova Novation and Roland Fantom XR. For drums, I mostly program them in Drum Rack or work with samples—cutting and reshaping them in different ways.
As for releases, I’m really excited about two upcoming compilations featuring my tracks—one on PLOT Records and another on Layers.
P: Link us your favourite release of yours so far. Why is it your favourite?
K: I’d mention my track on PLOT Records because it is really fresh and reflects my current mood in dance music. It’s the kind of sound I love playing at parties myself.
P: How did you record the mix?
K: I recorded it at home, both vinyl and digital. I put some time into planning, recording, and re-recording because I wanted it to sound exactly as I envisioned. In the end, I’m happy with how it turned out!
P: Was there any inspiration behind the mix? How did you approach it?
K: Yes, there was! I recorded it right after returning from magical Zanzibar, from the cozy gathering of Butik, Lighthouse, and Why Not Club. That week was one of the most incredible of my life—filled with amazing house music, great people, and breathtaking nature, with the ocean always nearby. The mood I was in when I came back, and consequently in the mix, reflected all of that. I wanted to create something with a warmer vibe compared to my recent mixes—telling a story while blending in unexpected elements within a rolling tech-house framework, with touches of progressive and breaks.
P: Did you have a setting in mind when you recorded the mix (like a location, or a space, or a party, or a time, or a dream)
K: Yes, that magical setting in Zanzibar, especially the sandbank where we played, was hard to get out of my head haha.
P: Do you DJ full time? Or do you have another job? If so, what is it?
K: No, I also have a few project-related jobs. I’m part of the booking and production teams for two festivals—Hyperreality and Lighthouse. Additionally, I work at a communications and project management agency.
P: Could you tell us more about Hyperreality and your role with them?
K: Hyperreality is an annual festival dedicated to club culture and sound experimentation, usually taking place in an off-location on the outskirts of Vienna at the end of May. This year marks the third edition since I joined Hyper as part of the booking and production teams. It’s a really cool project that pushes boundaries and creates a unique space for music and community.
P: Who are your favourite DJs and producers right now?
K: There are so many! My all-time favorite DJ since 2018 is Jane Fitz—she’s so special and never disappoints.
Lately, I’ve been really inspired by Sedef Adasi, Ciel, Bashkka, Roza Terenzi, D. Tiffany, and Regularfantasy—both as DJs and producers. I love Sugar Free, Christian AB, Gene on Earth, DJ Sotofett and soo many more!
From Ukrainian artists, my forever favourites are Noizar and Borys. And of course, my talented partner in crime, Nizar Sarakbi, is one of my biggest inspirations.
P: Can you tell us where people can see you DJ over the next while?
K: I'll be playing twice in Berlin in April, as well as in Wrocław soon. You can also catch me at Lighthouse and Hyperreality Festivals. My debut at the wonderful Butik in Tolmin is just sooo exciting, along with some other nice festivals and events across Europe. There are also some great gigs coming up in Vienna. Summer is looking fun!
Tracklist:
Mister Poison - Reach Out
Dj VIBE feat. Franklin Fuentes - I´ll Take You (The Light of the Day Mix - Katia Curie Edit)
Joe Silva - The One (Jt Donaldson Beats 'n' Dub)
Undercover Agency - Is It Love?
Grant Dell & Richard Phoneman - Sub-Strata
Airey - Cities
Nizar Sarakbi - unreleased
Ray of light - Soul Darkness (Evanz D Soulful Dub)
Paranoid Jack - Drum Addicts
Dean Coleman - This Is Phyre
Jamahr - Traumatize
Tom Parris - Double Drop
Minilogue Vs KAB - Join The Minikab
Nizar Sarakbi - unreleased
Katia Curie & Nizar Srakbi - unreleased
Tony Thomas - Scarab
Titto La Rocka & Mangelt - Deep Blue
Undisputed Truth - Fire In Dub
Eddie Richards - Dark 1.3
Roza Terenzi - Fine Gay