Interview with DJ Mata Hari

Mata Hari is absolutely unique in the DJ club culture. Performing topless she combines breathtaking physical fluidity with her skills in dancing and playing music at the same time. Born in the Ukraine the incorporation of performing topless lend credence to her choice of DJ name, Mata Hari who used to say, :”I do not undress for you but because I feel myself this way in the world.” Not just exoticism for its own sake but to introduce people to a new aspect of beauty in art and grace in music.

Grace in music is what Mata Hari’s sets are all about. They can turn from RnB to Arabic to latin on up to commercial and electro house. Her body language changes with the music from spectacular burlesque to high level belly dancing to crazy interactive topless activity with her guests.

In addition to her single spinning she is sometimes paired with another DJ to from what is billed as the worlds sexiest DJ Duo, Shah & Mat. ShahMat is a contrast of characters, plasticity, mood and music… and also the hair color. It’s really the duo of two queens: the day and the night, the light and the darkness, the past and the future!

Mata, it is great to meet you. Can you tell us a little about yourself and where you grew up?

Nice to meet you too. My original name is Victoria. Since I was a child I was involved with music and dancing. When I was 7 years old my mother sent me to a kids’ school of arts (class of piano). When I was older I was interested in dancing and I started to work in night clubs as a go-go dancer. That is where I fell in love with club music.

When you were young what music did you listen to?

To be honest I was listening to R&B more than other styles. This is why the music I played at the beginning of my career  was R&B.

How did you first get started DJing?

Back in the days when I was working as a go-go dancer my friend invited me to a DJ Bazuka performance. She impressed me so much that I started to be interested in girls DJing. I had attended a school of the arts and had years of experience in the best Ukrainian  erotic show-ballet “X-Zone” so I have thought I would try to be a Djane as well. So….here I am!!

You play a very broad range of music. Do your sets vary because of the audience you play to?

In all situations, a DJ is a person who satisfies the crowd with music so I am trying to give my best to the people. Whatever it takes, I will do and I mean it.

What do you like to do to work up the audience?

It’s very important to understand the mood of place and the people. The atmosphere is very different in each place I go. But once you got it the crowd is yours! From then on you just have to make sure that you stay tuned and keep fellows happy with what you do for them. Another thing – is the show, the performance itself. Dancing, interacting with people, sexuality.

When you perform topless what kind of response do you get from the audience? Do things sometimes get out of hand?

I think I have a nice body. Why not let people to enjoy watching it? It’s a language that talks to people – it is body language. They respond back  with looks, notes, they take pictures while I am playing. I noticed that I get interest as much from women as from men. When people come for a topless DJs event they know what to expect….  and they get it.

You are also a part of a topless duo Shah & Mat. How did you two meet?

When we met I already had some experience in DJing but for a creative person it’s never enough. I always need to do something bigger and better. More emotion, more show. So back to the subject… when we met… we met in a party in Cairo. She already was a very successful model who got a lot of attention everywhere. We became friends very quickly. I told her about the project I had in my mind and she was interested… that’s how we decided to create the best show-duo ever!

You are very different in appearance, are your music styles the same? How well do you perform together?

Of course we aren’t absolutely similar in sense of look, taste in clothes and music. We contrast in character, hair color, and taste in music. At in the same time we look similar as we are two half’s of one but not separate. It lets people feel more energy in the air. People say that our performance is the best performance of a female DJ duo they ever saw. During our performance we change costumes a few times. When one of us is playing, another one is dancing in front of DJ desk. We interact with people, pour champagne on each other, dance. We are not afraid of very doing sexual things such as using cream and so on.

What has been some of the most memorable venues or events you have performed at?

Oh, it was my first big event, its “Halikarnas” one of the biggest clubs in Turkeyand Europe,  a club for 3,5 thousand people. It was amazing. “Halikarnas” was the first job I got outside of Ukraine. I didn’t know how it would go. If people would like me, my style, and my show! I remember how my hands were shaking! But it all was for nothing. That day was amazing! For the first time I felt the energy of so many people and they felt mine! We were dancing, jumping, and singing all together. We were one piece of energy! Unbelievable!

Have you traveled a lot? Where are some of your favorite places to visit?

I have traveled a lot, all around the world.  My favorite places are “Halikarnas” (Turkey, Bodrum), “Holic” (South Korea, Seoul), “Madwallstreet” (Switzerland, Luzern)

What do you think is the hardest part of your business?

Travelling is the hardest thing I have to deal with. Just thinking about a long trip makes me have the same feeling of tiredness. 15 hours flight to Taiwan. Every month I travel at least 4 times from country to country and I still have to give the same energy as if I just woke up after very peaceful sleep…. but right after I go on stage I feel refreshed. That is what music does to me!!!

Where can we find out more about you?

You can find out more about me in my websites www.djmatahari.in   and   www.djduo-shahmat.net .  Also my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/tdj.matahari

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