When we think of women who have been actively building community within bass music culture in the US, The Librarian is, without a doubt, high up on the list. Known not only as an incredibly skilled genre-bending DJ and producer but also as the co-founder of Bass Coast Festival. She’s been a guiding light in the scene for well over a decade. This year at Shambhala’s 26th anniversary, we joined forces with Bass n Babes to sit down with this true OG who lit up The Grove (plus a surprise set at the AMP) stage. We talked about origin stories, inspirations, community, and the legacy she continues to build both on and off stage.
Photo by @BananaCamPhoto
A Library of Legacy
Baby Kush, Bass n Babes: What is your artist name?
The Librarian: I am The Librarian. I was named by my best friend, Liz [Bass Coast co-founder]. She always used to receive my hand-me-down mixtapes and mix CDs, and they were always very diverse in genres. I had a wide library of music, and I couldn’t help but look like one.
BK: How would you describe your sound?
The Librarian: I love to travel through different genres, but mostly they’re all rooted in bass music. Yesterday I traveled through 130 bpm UKG, electro, dubstep, footwork, juke, and jungle.
BK: When did you realize you wanted to be a DJ and music producer?
The Librarian: Well, that’s a funny question, because it was actually here [at Shambhala]! Here, at one of the early Shambhalas, when I was young and a live musician, I discovered sound system culture and the community around it. I realized immediately that that’s what I wanted to do. I just always knew that that would be possible. It took me a few years to figure it out, get gear, and move into actually becoming a DJ. But this is my origin story, here. So it’s always really special to play here.
BK: Who are some women who have inspired you along your artistic journey?
The Librarian: Well, that’s a good question, I mean… my mom. She’s always been so supportive of me starting Bass Coast and following my dreams of a music career. And then other artists I’ve been inspired by, I think back to my roots, like Björk, and all the foundational records I listened to when I was young.
Photo by Kyle Quickley
BK: Do you feel like your style has changed from when you started DJing until now?
The Librarian: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I like to evolve all the time, so every year it changes. When I first started, I was deeply inspired by the dubstep movement that was just coming alive. When I heard dubstep from the UK for the first time, it shook me. I knew that it was what moved me at my core, so at the beginning, I was very much a dubstep DJ. Then, over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate so many other genres; I collect everything. But I still stick to mostly playing bass music.
BK: What do you wish a younger version of yourself knew when you were starting as an artist?
The Librarian: When I was starting, I was maybe afraid to ask for help or ask questions. I didn’t really know people in the electronic music scene, and what I know now is that people want to help and want to share. So what I would say to anyone starting now is to not be afraid to ask other artists for support or help, or random nerdy questions about gear or anything. People want to share.
“Just focus on what you’re doing. Don’t pay a lot of attention to thoughts or criticisms that can slow you down, just stay true to yourself and keep going.”
BK: You also run Bass Coast, an amazing festival, so I was curious: do you have any advice for event production and running a festival? Anything you wish you knew before you started?
The Librarian: Well, it all happened so organically fast that we were learning as we were going. We’re still learning as we’re going 17 years later. Don’t be discouraged! If you have a dream, you’re going to come across no’s along the way, but the only way to make it happen is to not be discouraged. Find a way to turn it into a ‘yes.’ Also, the community needs more events and opportunities to connect with each other. So just keep doing it. Start small, and grow naturally.
BK: And more events run by women!
The Librarian: Yes! More events run by women!
BK: Do you have any advice for aspiring women DJs and producers?
The Librarian: I am so excited to see more and more female producers coming up all the time. It’s cool because I feel like when I started, there weren’t that many. I didn’t really let that get to my head at all. I was really focused on my love for music and my dream. The advice I would give is to focus on what you’re doing. Don’t pay a lot of attention to thoughts or criticisms that can slow you down; just stay true to yourself and keep going.
BK: What is your most memorable fan interaction?
The Librarian: Maybe ten years ago at Bass Coast. I looked up while I was DJing, and this whole crew had made Book Club signs. And so they started the Book Club movement! Every year, they upgrade their sign, and that’s grown into sort of a bigger thing than I would have imagined. It was so cute and heartwarming.
BK: Do you have a dream B2B set?
The Librarian: Well… Madam X is here on site, and she and I have been dreaming about doing a back-to-back, and we’re like, if someone doesn’t show, we would love to do that together. I love her music, and she’s an incredibly skilled DJ. I think we’d have a lot of fun back-to-back, so my dream b2b today is to play with her.
[NOTE: The Shambhala magic came through on this one. Later in the weekend, this dream B2B ended up coming true on the AMP stage!]
Photo by @BananaCamPhoto
BK: What do you want your legacy to be as The Librarian?
The Librarian: That’s a tricky question because I’ve never really thought about it in that way, like what I want to leave behind. I feel that I am always focusing on building community, so hopefully that community is my legacy.
BK: Last question, bass or babe?
The Librarian: Oh, I don’t know! Both?!
Photo by @BananaCamPhoto
Cataloging Greatness
It’s no lie what they say; Shambhala has a special magic to it. Speaking to The Librarian about the passion that has driven her throughout her creative path in the midst of this festival, where it all started, made us all the more excited to see what’s next for her. From her legacy of Bass Coast to her ever-evolving sound, The Librarian is proof that staying true to your vision can inspire more greatness than you could have ever imagined.
A main point that we drew from this conversation was how crucial community is to creative success, and Shambhala was absolutely the most fitting setting to speak on this sentiment. The air of community and feelings of family fill the farm every summer, and having been there, we can’t wait to go back and see who will inspire us next.
Keep up with The Librarian
Soundcloud | Spotify | Instagram | YouTube
Keep up with Shambhala
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube
Keep up with Bass n Babes
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Looking for new music? Keep up with our weekly Spotify Playlist, Fresh Hunts. Updated every Friday with all the latest releases. Whether it’s the newest drops from The Librarian, all your favorite artists, some old-school, or underground…we just want you to hear it.
