Octo Octa Returns with Essential Mix
Octo Octa, fresh off her seven-year hiatus, delivered a two-hour house, breaks, and rave set for BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix. Listeners have a month to catch this genre-spanning session, which offers both nostalgia and forward-thinking energy after her long break from the scene.
The artist, whose real name is Maya Bouldry-Morrison, came out as transgender in 2016, a journey she says began after reading a 2012 article about Against Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace. Bouldry-Morrison's work is often autobiographical, exploring emotion and her identity as a radical queer trans woman. Her musical roots are not solely in house music; her teenage years in New Hampshire were spent listening to classic Warp records, IDM, and drum 'n' bass. Bouldry-Morrison's initial solo productions as Octo Octa were in the IDM and breakcore genres before she shifted to the house sound she is now known for. A significant part of her recent career is her partnership with fellow DJ and romantic partner, Eris Drew. Together, they run the record label T4T LUV NRG, created to celebrate trans love and visibility on the dancefloor, and frequently perform back-to-back sets. The BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix is a pillar of electronic music, running since its first broadcast with host Pete Tong on October 30, 1993. With its uninterrupted two-hour format, the show has become a prestigious platform for the world's top DJs and producers for over 30 years. Following the mix, Octo Octa is embarking on a packed tour schedule. This includes several dates playing alongside Eris Drew at events like Pitch Music & Arts in Melbourne and Summer Dance in Sydney.
