Raven

Raven

Raven is by every definition a DJ’s DJ: an artist with an encyclopedic knowledge of techno history, a truly nerdy level of technical skill, impeccable, discerning taste and an authentic commitment to nurturing the underground. Her EPs Flames (2020) and Mania (2021)––which pair her hypnotic and tender vocals with driving, sexy beats––were both released on Radio Slave’s cult label, Rekids. Her cerebral siren songs also quickly caught the attention of Amelie Lens, who featured Raven’s standout track “Metal on Metal” on her compilation Exhale VA002 (2021) and Global Underground #44 (2022). Since then, Raven has become a regular at Amelie Lens’ EXHALE and has appeared on lineups at Awakenings, Unreal Germany and Berghain.

Though now well known among the international club circuit as the ethereal and uncompromising “techno Tinkerbell,” Raven (and yes, it is her real name) has had countless past musical lives––from writing songs at age 7 to singing in a gospel choir. The Canadian-born artist didn’t start DJing out of desire, but rather necessity: she couldn’t find artists to play the music she wanted to hear. Beginning with a weekly rave series she hosted in an abandoned building in downtown Toronto, Raven has long been guided by a greater mission to create new scenes and sounds in places that are lacking. Since then, she has fluttered from city to city––Los Angeles, Chicago, Mexico City, Barcelona and Berlin––sprinkling her signature sound and sonic fairy dust around the globe like musical fertilizer. When she isn’t touring or experimenting in the studio, Raven can be found lurking on the shadowiest corners of Discogs in the early hours of the morning, or walking her dog, Wesley. In a series of musical releases slotted for 2024, Raven will soar to new creative heights––and prove herself to be an artist who is in a constant state of forward motion.

Raven at DGTL
DGTL ADE 2024: Brutalismus3000 invites