Five minutes with Sally C ahead of Caprices Festival

Your sound has evolved a lot over the years. What do you love most about your job?

There really is an infinite amount of music out there, which is one of things I love the most. I know no matter how many records I find, there will always be more. It’s comforting in a way to know this, and that music discovery and inspiration has no end. The feeling of hearing that sound that makes you want more, and makes everything feel optimistic and clear, is one of the best feelings in the world. Then sharing that with other people — it’s a special ecosystem that I’m grateful to be part of. 

I loved it when you played ‘Shake Up’ by Manchester-based producer Aiden Francis on The Lot Radio. His roots in Manchester echo how you cut your teeth in Dundee. What does finding that kind of community mean to you, and how can others find it too?

That track is so good! I love Aidan Francis, he’s such a great producer. I was lucky to find such a raw, welcoming and authentic community when I lived in Dundee. I was 18 or 19 years old when I fell in love with house music and dancing. I learned so much from the people there and the passion and talent I was surrounded by. It was gritty and inspiring and real. I’ve always taken that with me and not just in music. I feel if you have the right values and intent and surround yourself with good people that inspire you and lift you up, you will always find community. 

Caprices happens in the Swiss Alps, yet has built its reputation as one for the music heads. What do you think sets it apart? Who are you most excited to share the line-up with and why?

It’s my first time playing at the festival. The line-up is so solid. Craig Richards is one of my favourite DJs — hopefully I will catch his set. I love the way he mixes and the journeys you go on when he’s playing records. I can’t move from the dancefloor when he plays. I think intentional and refined curation plays a huge role in setting festivals apart. And not always booking the same people. Keeping things fresh.

Ski or après?

Après! 

Your label, Big Saldo’s Chunkers, champions emerging talent at a time when access can be tough for young creatives. Can you tell us about three artists we should be paying attention to right now?

Eoin DJ, an amazing Irish artist who will be releasing a very sick EP on the label very soon. Keep your eyes peeled. I love the way they combine emotion and groove so seamlessly in their tracks. I can’t wait to share this record. It’s going to be a good one. 

BELLA, who was the first artist outside of my music to release on Chunkers. She is an incredible producer from Amsterdam. It’s such a pleasure to work with her. She’s got some fresh Chunkers up her sleeve this year I feel.

PAURRO is also an incredibly sick artist from [Mexico City]. She’s got such a vibrant, rolling energy in her sets and productions. She released a fire EP on her own label last summer, [so I’m] looking forward to what she has cooking this year. 

As electronic music faces growing pains, some are calling it a ‘reckoning’. As the scene evolves, what does your utopia look like?

I would love to see diversity sticking and promoters taking it seriously. There was a strong wave of change in this regard after the pandemic, but I feel we’re slipping back into all male line-ups and tokenism. It’s possibly one of the most uncool, creatively limiting regressions a promoter and the scene in general can make, and it feels like a slap in the face to be honest. Electronic music was built from the margins by queer communities, Black artists, experimentation and risk, so pretending diversity is a trend rather than the foundation feels disconnected from its roots. If we want the culture to stay relevant, we have to treat representation as a long-term commitment, not something fleeting or temporary. That, to me, is what would create real sustainability and meaningful change — and that’s my utopia. 

Finally, what can we expect from your set at Caprices? 

I’ll be closing one of the stages on Friday 20 March. It’s a two-hour closing set so expect Chunkers, rollers and euphoria!