The women of progressive house and melodic techno are a formidable bunch. Not only are they inspired, but they’re innovative, evocative, and impressively industrious. These women are from all over the world and come from a menagerie of influence and inspiration. If it were possible, we’d celebrate every single one of them.




The 11 women on our list are an inspiration to fellow females and all burgeoning young producers in the genre. Between the lot of them, they’ve graced the biggest festival stages in the world, released magnificent music on the industry’s biggest labels, and made a name for themselves doing what they love. Let’s hear it for the girls.




1. Miss Monique

The eclectic mix of techno, trance, and progressive house that Miss Monique creates has racked up a severe online fanbase. The producer turned to her YouTube channel through the pandemic to connect with fans and play music. There, her Livestream sets have racked up millions of hits. She also has a fan-favorite podcast, Mind Games, where listeners are treated to a fresh DJ set every month.




2. Gioli and Assia

As two multi-faceted, creative women, Giolì & Assia started as an artist/manager duo. Assia was the practical, get-it-done accomplice to Giolì’s burgeoning sound as a DJ and producer. After opening their label, Diesis Records, and finally landing on a clear direction forward as the melodic techno / electro-pop duo Giolì & Assia. Their music is often flavored with a bit of the Middle East, adding hand pans, steel drums, and other fun instruments.






3. Korolova

Born in Kyiv, Olga Korolova is a rising superstar in melodic techno. Her visually stunning YouTube videos and intimate performances have earned her a mass of dedicated fans and critical acclaim. Melodic techno is a somewhat new direction for Ukranian artist who started her career in EDM. She feels that she's truly found her dance music calling now, evidenced by her domination of the club charts and support from industry luminaries. She even recently went back to back with Gordo on one of her livestreams.




4. Maya Jane Coles

Maya Jane Coles is usually involved in every aspect of her work. From writing, production, engineering, mixing, and even cover design. She has a vision. The London-based producer / DJ has collected a staggering three million followers on Soundcloud, 20+ magazine covers, and countless worldwide fans thanks to her effortlessly chic take on house and techno.




5. Sinca

Sinca has a multicultural and vastly artistic background. The Montreal native is a fast-emerging DJ and producer whose already been named a rising star in her field. Her debut release, the instrumental progressive house track “Mancora,” was picked up by UK label and global tastemaker Anjunabeats.




6. Anfisa Letyago

Anfisa Letyago debuted on the iconic Dutch label Spinnin’ Records in 2016 with “Stop Talking.” Her style is a mix between hard-hitting melodic techno and deep house grooves. In 2021, she officially launched her label, N:S:DA. Toss in a BBC Radio 1 Residency, an official Moby remix, and a digital Mixmag cover, and it’s apparent Anfisa is here to stay.




7. Giorgia Angiuli

Giorgia Angiuli is a classically trained musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist from Italy. Through her solo productions, she moves seamlessly between techno, house, and electro-pop. She’s also a big fan of toys. In addition to her dreamy vocals, during her live sets, she uses a theremin, toy flute, sax, trumpets, and just about any instrumental toy she can get her hands on.




8. Eli & Fur

This London-based duo created a truly mesmerizing sound. Eli & Fur marry mysteriously moody melodies with evocative vocals and cascading synths with a flair for dark, emotive dance anthems. With a steady stream of releases on their own NYX Music and seminal imprints like Anjunadeep and Sony RCA, they’ll undoubtedly continue to mesmerize dancefloors for years to come.




9. Dinka

Tamara Hunkeler, better known by her stage name Dinka, describes her sound as “Multicultural Dance Music.” The Swiss DJ taps influence from world music to add to her uplifting brand of progressive house. From 2007 - 2017 she couldn’t be stopped, snagging deals with both Anjunabeats and A State of Trance. Though we haven’t heard much from her since then, she’s still earned a well-deserved spot at the top.






10. Eleonora

The genre palette of Eleonora almost reads like a drink menu: dark pop, cold wave, downtempo, and trip-hop. And much like a good bartender, she blends it all seamlessly together. Her chill variety of techno lends itself well to her sultry voice, as apparent in tracks like “Awake.” Besides her experimental electro, she’s also fronted several inspired jazz projects.



10 Women of Progressive House and Melodic Techno

Europe certainly isn’t short on celebrated house and techno artists. In 2021’s annual curated list of dance music’s creme-de-la-creme - DJ MAG’s Hot 100 - over 60% of the awarded artists were Euro-based. While the UK, Ibiza, Belgium, and The Netherlands often own the label of “house music hotspots,” Ukrainian DJs are also on the rise. Recent world events have only highlighted the fact that the resilient artists of Ukraine have always shown a true passion for their community and their craft. We’re honored to celebrate Ukrainian DJs, their music, and their legacy.




Miss Monique

Since making her Ibiza debut in recent years, Miss Monique has graced hundreds of stages across the globe. Her eclectic mix of techno, trance, and progressive house has racked up a serious online fanbase. The producer turned to her YouTube channel through the pandemic to connect with fans and play music. There, her livestream sets have racked up millions of hits. Her biggest one is a live set from Atlas Weekend Festival in 2020. The stream boasts an impressive 5 million views. She also has a fan-favorite podcast, Mind Games, where listeners are treated to a fresh DJ set every month. Those close to New York might want to check Miss Monique out this summer at Superior Ingredients in Brooklyn.







Artbat

This duo of Artur Kryvenko and Vitalii Limarenko earned a nod as superstar David Guetta’s favorite tune of 2020 with their CamelPhat collaboration “For a Feeling.” The French “Titanium” producer called Artbat “rising stars.” Hailing from Ukraine, the two friends create an energetic and innovative melodic house sound recognized by artists like Deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin.




DJ Nastia

Anastasia Topolskaia, better known as Dj Nastia, is known best for her dynamic mix of jungle house and techno. Nastia is openly proud of her Ukrainian heritage, and she’s touted as the most toured DJ in the history of her country by Resident Advisor. Born in a small village in eastern Ukraine, she started visiting nightclubs in Donetsk with her older sisters as a young girl. Though she had no formal music education, she loved to dance. After she started spinning in ’05, she took gigs at radio stations and clubs across the country - including a residency with the media giant BBC Radio 1. A true DJ at heart, she says her goal is to get as many people on the dancefloor as possible.


Juicy M

Juicy started her DJ career in 2007 as a resident DJ in fashionable nightclubs like Orangerea Supper Club and Matrix in Ukraine. Known for her wicked technical skills and her mixing videos on YouTube, she was also named “Best Female DJ of the Year” by the 2010 ProDJ Awards. In the early 2010s, she took her first international gigs as an opening act hip hop and R&B DJ. By 2015 she’d become the first woman to sign to the heralded Armada imprint since she’s shared the stage with Skrillex, Afrojack, Black Eyed Peas, and Backstreet Boys and played in some of the world’s top destinations and festivals like Green Valley, Pacha, Privilege, and Creamfields.




Woo York

After releasing a string of successful EPs on Soma Records and Planet Rhythm in 2012, Woo York went from a local heroic duo to internationally recognized artists. Their unique, hardware-based sets and their melodic approach to techno have made them standouts in the underground scene. Their 2018 debut album, Chasing The Dream, includes hits like “Second Breath” and “Equilibrium.”




Korolova

One day, Olga Korolova decided to switch her studies from mathematics to music. Her parents were unsure of her newfound career path as a DJ, but Korolova knew what she wanted. After intensive touring and performing hard-hitting EDM on big festival stages, she started to feel a disconnect. After finding herself mesmerized by a techno stage at Daydream Festival in 2017, she knew she had found the music of her soul. She’s leaned into her soul music with her visually stunning YouTube videos and intimate performances.




Daria Kolosova

Daria Kolosova grew up living in Lutugino, Ukraine. After falling in love with electronic music at a young age, her formative creative years came after she relocated to Kyiv. After headlining nearly every club in Kyiv, she joined forces with DJ Nastia for an international tour before eventually becoming a resident of Nastia’s newly launched label, NECHTO.




Nastya Muravyova

Nastya Muravyova is one of Ukraine's most active DJs somehow balancing a job as a flight attendant with a consistent touring schedule that takes her across Europe to gigs at institutions like Tressor and Berghain.  She's held down the decks at institutions like Berghain, Fabric, She blends pumping four-to-the-floor techno with edgy breakbeat for an infectiously sexy sound. We love her 2018 warehouse set from The Boiler Room on YouTube.


Xenia

Xenia’s high-energy style of techno has made her a rising star in the underground scene. Her fuzzed-out banger “Stimulant X” asks dancers the adage “how low can you go,” but with a sinister twist and a massive beat. Last year the rising star joined Analog, a powerful worldwide agency, as she declared her position in the techno scene.



Ukrainian DJs You Should Know

On Thursday, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian missiles assaulted the country's capital Kyiv as families hid in shelters and subway stations. Harrowing video of bombings has come in from across the country as a catastrophic humanitarian crisis mounts. 

The situation is unlikely to improve any time soon. Below you will find a list of nongovernmental organizations providing aid and help on the ground. Please head to any of these websites if you'd like to donate.

We stand in solidarity with our community in Ukraine. Several Ukrainian artists have posted messages of shock and solidarity, we've included some of them below. Our heart goes out to them.

United Help Ukraine

United Help Ukraine collects and distributes food and medical supplies to Ukrainians displaced by war. Their fundraising also helps wounded soldiers and their families.

Donate to United Help Ukraine via PayPal




Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross, alongside the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, helps ensure that food is still being produced and aids in infrastructure repair. They also rebuild damaged homes, hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, and community centers.

Donate to the Red Cross once or become a monthly contributor.




Voices of Children

Voices of Children provides psychological support to children affected by the war in Ukraine. They also offer family services coping with the difficulties of rehabilitating children.

Donate to Voices of Children




UNICEF

UNICEF is the United Nations-backed agency that provides aid to children in over 190 countries. They support health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education provide safe drinking water, sanitation, and safe harbor to families in Ukraine.

Donate to UNICEF




Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders

Unfortunately, Doctors Without Borders had to halt all activity within Ukraine. However, they are mobilizing in bordering countries to provide humanitarian medical assistance to those displaced. 

Donate to Doctors Without Border as a one-time fee or monthly gift




Sunflower of Peace

This nonprofit is preparing first aid medical backpacks for frontline paramedics and doctors. The packs are designed for groups of five to ten and include bandages, medicine, and medical instruments.

Donate to Sunflower of Peace

Continue reading for messages from Ukrainian-born artists.


Korolova

Nastia

Artbat

Woo York

Miss K8

Juicy M

How You Can Help Ukraine

Ukraine

Korolova

OCHO Episode 8

Daylight Sessions 03 w/ Manu Gonzalez, Korolova, Reboot, LP Giobbi

Korolova, real name Olga Korolova, finally feels connected to her music. Her lilting and emotional melodic techno represents a full-circle moment for the Ukrainian DJ and producer. 

She first fell in love with dance music while watching Gabriel & Dresden in 2003. And while she's spent much of her career in EDM, she's held her connection to the soaring melodies she heard that night close to her heart. She's spent the last year reinventing herself, and she feels at home at last.

Korolova Liveset

“I’ve never been a very big fan of pop music,” she says. “Before I listened to Korn and very hard music. Or British rock and old music, like Bob Marley.” But when she watched Gabriel & Dresden perform something woke up in her. She knew that she wanted to give others the same feeling.

Korolova immediately took to DJing. And she pivoted from a degree in mathematics to music, much to the dismay of her parents. Although her mom encouraged her to take music lessons as a child - a tradition she's continued with her daughter -  her parents weren’t convinced DJing was a realistic career choice. “My parents started thinking that maybe you need to change your way and try to something else. They were worried. You can be a good music player, but my parents were not thinking about this as a good profession.”

She eventually found herself traveling the world as an EDM DJ under the name DJ Da Queen. She was living her dream of being on stage, but her heart was somewhere else. She says, “I was not very big fan of that style, actually. For me it’s too much hard bass. It’s why I wasn’t a very good producer of this music. I’m not feeling that.” 

Korolova was grateful for her success, yet she struggled to find her voice. That changed when she traveled to Mexico to perform at Daydream Festival in 2017. She was booked to play the main stage with Yellow Claw, Oliver Heldens, Afrojack, and a host of other massive EDM heavy hitters. After her set, she ended up at a stage that resonated with her deeply. As she marveled at music from Claptone, Boris Breja, and Kölsch she turned to her manager (husband) and said, “Andrew, we need we need to do something in this way for sure. This is music for my soul.”

She started to work on techno as a side project in 2016 and still accepted gigs to play EDM. “Every time I wanted to start something my company would say ‘Olga you don’t have time, you have a lot of gigs.’ It was very hard for me.” That is until COVID hit. With no bookings, nothing was holding her back anymore. “It was time for me! I was very happy that we had time for my project Korolova. And it’s worked!” 

Korolova has found her heart song. Her keen attention to melody is something she’s wanted to share since she first heard Gabriel & Dresden nearly 20 years ago. She’s now remixed Tube & Berger, released a collaboration with Jan Blomqvist on Get Physical, and has an upcoming project on Tiesto’s Musical Freedom. It’s a remarkable moment for her because Tiesto’s trance classics are such an integral part of her musical DNA.

She’s leaned into the beauty of her music with a series of YouTube videos recorded against breathtaking backdrops. They’re almost like personal Cercle events complete with drone shots of fantastic locations like Love Valley in Turkey, an ancient castle in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine, and the Farsh Café on the cliffs of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

It’s a fascinating way to connect with her audience. And while the experience has been gratifying she admits, “It's a little bit sometimes complicated. Especially one of them in [a] frozen lake.” She imagined recording from a place many could only dream of. Especially her family in Portugal who has never seen snow before. However, she says, “It was very hard because it was minus 10. Can you imagine?” And her set from Egypt was another extreme, “And the last set was another situation, it was plus 35. It was so so hot!” 

This intimate way of connecting with her audience is a nod to her preference for small rooms. Festival stages are too detached. She says, “I love to see the people. I love to see that reaction. They bring me energy and I'm bringing it back.” She goes on to explain how she needs to feel the warm energy of a smaller venue. “I prefer [a] small place when you can touch, you can feel each other.” 

With her sound solidified, and her direction sure Korolova is eager to take on the future with a renewed sense of purpose. She finally feels heard, “My whole team, now understands what I tried to tell them [for] 10 years. It’s not just [a] project. It’s music.”

60 Seconds With Korolova

Korolova discusses her music style preferences. 

Read our Spotlight on Korolova: https://entergrayarea.com/artists/kor...

Connect with Korolova:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/edd.wav/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/eddwav/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/eddwav
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/33bZ6Y4
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/eddwav

Connect with Gray Area:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/entergrayarea/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/enterGrayArea
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/entergrayarea
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3nGJIfQ
Website - https://entergrayarea.com/

Korolova, real name Olga Korolova, finally feels connected to her music. Her lilting and emotional melodic techno represents a full-circle moment for the Ukrainian DJ and producer. 



She first fell in love with dance music while watching Gabriel & Dresden in 2003. And while she's spent much of her career in EDM, she's held her connection to the soaring melodies she heard that night close to her heart. She's spent the last year reinventing herself, and she feels at home at last.

“I’ve never been a very big fan of pop music,” she says. “Before I listened to Korn and very hard music. Or British rock and old music, like Bob Marley.” But when she watched Gabriel & Dresden perform something woke up in her. She knew that she wanted to give others the same feeling.

Korolova immediately took to DJing. And she pivoted from a degree in mathematics to music, much to the dismay of her parents. Although her mom encouraged her to take music lessons as a child - a tradition she's continued with her daughter -  her parents weren’t convinced DJing was a realistic career choice. “My parents started thinking that maybe you need to change your way and try to something else. They were worried. You can be a good music player, but my parents were not thinking about this as a good profession.”

She eventually found herself traveling the world as an EDM DJ under the name DJ Da Queen. She was living her dream of being on stage, but her heart was somewhere else. She says, “I was not very big fan of that style, actually. For me it’s too much hard bass. It’s why I wasn’t a very good producer of this music. I’m not feeling that.” 

Korolova was grateful for her success, yet she struggled to find her voice. That changed when she traveled to Mexico to perform at Daydream Festival in 2017. She was booked to play the main stage with Yellow Claw, Oliver Heldens, Afrojack, and a host of other massive EDM heavy hitters. After her set, she ended up at a stage that resonated with her deeply. As she marveled at music from Claptone, Boris Breja, and Kölsch she turned to her manager (husband) and said, “Andrew, we need we need to do something in this way for sure. This is music for my soul.”

She started to work on techno as a side project in 2016 and still accepted gigs to play EDM. “Every time I wanted to start something my company would say ‘Olga you don’t have time, you have a lot of gigs.’ It was very hard for me.” That is until COVID hit. With no bookings, nothing was holding her back anymore. “It was time for me! I was very happy that we had time for my project Korolova. And it’s worked!” 

Korolova has found her heart song. Her keen attention to melody is something she’s wanted to share since she first heard Gabriel & Dresden nearly 20 years ago. She’s now remixed Tube & Berger, released a collaboration with Jan Blomqvist on Get Physical, and has an upcoming project on Tiesto’s Musical Freedom. It’s a remarkable moment for her because Tiesto’s trance classics are such an integral part of her musical DNA.

She’s leaned into the beauty of her music with a series of YouTube videos recorded against breathtaking backdrops. They’re almost like personal Cercle events complete with drone shots of fantastic locations like Love Valley in Turkey, an ancient castle in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine, and the Farsh Café on the cliffs of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

It’s a fascinating way to connect with her audience. And while the experience has been gratifying she admits, “It's a little bit sometimes complicated. Especially one of them in [a] frozen lake.” She imagined recording from a place many could only dream of. Especially her family in Portugal who has never seen snow before. However, she says, “It was very hard because it was minus 10. Can you imagine?” And her set from Egypt was another extreme, “And the last set was another situation, it was plus 35. It was so so hot!” 

This intimate way of connecting with her audience is a nod to her preference for small rooms. Festival stages are too detached. She says, “I love to see the people. I love to see that reaction. They bring me energy and I'm bringing it back.” She goes on to explain how she needs to feel the warm energy of a smaller venue. “I prefer [a] small place when you can touch, you can feel each other.” 

With her sound solidified, and her direction sure Korolova is eager to take on the future with a renewed sense of purpose. She finally feels heard, “My whole team, now understands what I tried to tell them [for] 10 years. It’s not just [a] project. It’s music.”

Korolova

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