ALISHA Unleashed: An Inside Look at Her Journey and Sound

If you love minimal tech house as much as we do and keep track of up-and-coming artists, then the name ALISHA doesn’t go unknown. She’s been taking off for quite some time now, and her recently recorded sets at ‘Music On’ in Amsterdam have been popping off. Originating from the UK, her journey into house music began with early exposure to dance anthems from artists like Armand Van Helden and Shapeshifters, whose tracks broke the charts and radio airwaves. These early influences sparked her curiosity and led her to explore the genre further.

Her career gained significant momentum with the 2018 release of “Trip” on Green Velvet’s Relief label. This track not only earned the approval of Green Velvet himself but also led to them to perform b2b, marking a key moment in ALISHA’s career. This success paved the way for releases on premier labels such as Kaluki, Eastenderz, and Hot Creations, each contributing to her growing reputation in the industry.

Aside from music production, performing live is where ALISHA excels. Whether it’s a small, intimate venue like The Loft in Manchester or a large festival stage like Creamfields, she loves curating a proper groove for the dance floors and serving up sets that leave a lasting impression. Her crowd control, connection, and track selection make her a valuable addition to any lineup and guarantee a good time. Let’s dive in and take a closer look into ALISHA's journey and what makes her a standout artist in the scene.

What drew you to the house music scene initially?

I can’t remember the specific moment, but when I was just starting to go out and hearing dance anthems from Armand Van Helden and Shapeshifters, all that were in the charts and on the radio, got me intrigued by the sound before wanting to explore it further.

How did it feel to see your track “Trip” on Green Velvet’s Relief label?

It was an unreal feeling to have the first approval of Green Velvet. We played b2b together just off the cuff before I sent him music, and luckily he loved this one enough to sign. Really kickstarted my releases off for me in the best way.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your career so far?

I think trying to stand out and also defying the odds of women making music too. I worked really hard to keep learning and improving my sound, so it’s nice to have it received in a good way all over the world.

How do you approach producing a track from start to finish?

I normally start with my kick drum and some drums. Normally I pop a loop in to get my creativeness flowing before taking it out completely. It’s normally a good starting point for me before adding my signature bass chain and filling it out with synth layers and FX so the track can tell a little story.

You’ve performed at some iconic venues and festivals. Which performance has been the most memorable for you and why?

This is a tough one as I enjoy every venue and party I play and have so many amazing moments with DJing. But recently I played all night long in Manchester in a venue called The Loft. It was only 400 capacity, which we sold out very quickly, and the vibe in there from start to finish was just incredible. It’ll stick with me for a very long time.

What’s your favorite part about performing live?

Making people dance, of course! That's what we’re there to do and to play good music. I like to try and give people the moments they won’t forget with new music.

You’ve had releases on premier labels like Kaluki, Eastenderz, and Hot Creations. Which release means the most to you and why?

None in particular means ‘the most.’ Every release is special, and especially on the labels you have mentioned have been a dream for me, so to achieve all of them has been an unbelievable feeling and have all done well for me and my journey.

What’s your typical day like when you’re not performing or producing music?

The weekdays for me, not in summer, are for producing music. We always try to keep it moving and working. But on my down days, I like to just chill with friends and family, eat good food, maybe do a bit of shopping if I'm lucky and just keep fit by exercising and looking at the spas.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

Be yourself, be kind. Take advice but guide it in your own way, as everyone will have an opinion but it's important to stay on track with yourself rather than what everyone else wants.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

East End Dubs. We’ve played together a few times, but production-wise he has helped me guide my sound to what it is today. I think we could make something special, and we definitely will be doing this at some point!

If you weren’t a DJ, what career path do you think you would have pursued?

Probably something within fitness or football. I used to play football before giving it up for music, so I'm sure I'd still be playing it by now!

If you could name this chapter in your life, what would the title be?

The UNLÍSH chapter.