Unquestionably, Grace Sands is a blue underworld legend. The well-known DJ has spent decades behind the decks. He is a resident DJ at Adonis, a monthly LGBT party in London, and Block 9 at Glastonbury. He is also a co-founder of Nottingham’s DiY Soundsystem, a free party collective that was founded in Nottingham in 1989. In between her electrifying performances at some of the greatest venues in the area, she manages her own label, TruVanity Music, and produces in addition to her frequent engagements and residencies in the UK, Europe, and beyond.
She’s doing a Laundrette party tonight at Berghain, so if you’re in Berlin, we advise you to try your luck in the intimidating lines at the club. Her set is slated for 2 a.m. local time on Saturday, so be prepared to get sucked in or go home. Wallflowering at a Grace Sands set is an impossible dream.
While in the booth,GRACE SANDS shared with us her excitement for her upcoming performance at The Cause, as well as the craziest things she’s seen in the crowd.
GRACE SANDS
1. For anyone who’s never seen you play before, how would you describe your sets?
“A blend of groovy deep house, acidic elements, and ’91 tripped out rollers, complemented by ballroom and kween anthems.”
2. What can we expect from your set at The Cause for their birthday weekend?
As mentioned above GRACE SANDS , but rest certain that I’ll be challenging Danny Tenaglia in every way! Laugh out loud.
3. You’ve been an Adonis resident since the very beginning, what do you think gives the party its spark?
“Amazing diverse group of allies, gays, thems, flintas, transgender, and lesbians managing their recent’renaissance!'” Additionally, the music is both extremely queer and “quality not commercial.”
4. What has been your favourite Adonis to play?
The events at the old Cause temporarily relocated to the larger room across the street on Cannon Street. I played “The Path” off the Another Side LP (Fingers, Inc.) and the room filled up with a great party mood. The bassline really hit home when I played it. It was a day party. I think I spotted Darkwah and their group shivering on their bum cheeks while they waited in line for drinks!
5. If you were going to curate your own festival, which 3 DJs would you have headlining?
What if I were curating, then? Kim Lana, Marron Bitch (a former resident of the House of Trash), and me (shameless!).
6. What is the wildest thing you’ve seen in the crowd whilst in the booth?
“I’ve performed twice or three times at Panorama Bar. I also performed at the men-only Snax FC sex party, where I was welcomed and permitted to play.
“It’s fun to play there because there’s a lot of activity on the dance floor, but during the breakdown of ‘Get Your Hands off My Man (Fire Island Remix),’ I did witness a couple of guys having sex!”
7. What’s your favourite city to play in and why?
“Tbilisi and Athens have been my recent favorites. I found Athens to be a really friendly city, while Tbilisi has a very active yet underground gay community with plenty of gorgeous transgender people.
8. What three essentials are in your festival bum bag?
“Treats, foundation, suncream.”
9. If you weren’t a DJ, what would you be?
“I have been a DJ for 35 and a half years this year, celebrating 35 years of building my own sound system. I did teach for a few years in the middle of the collaboration Digs & Woosh, where I DJed before making the shift. Actually, I miss it, and I still manage imaginative community projects, so I would probably be doing that.
10. What can we expect from you for the rest of 2024?
“My party GRACE SANDS of Time is back, starting on Thursday, May 2, at Night Tales loft, along with a companion record label called Grains of GRACE SANDS .” Look into house releases there as well as tracks by Lovechild and ADONIS. I’m going to put my insanely brilliant mixtape, Taste the Grains, into the world as well.
