From sneaking into London raves with a fake ID to spinning unforgettable sets at ‘Pikes’ in Ibiza
Carly Carmen’s story is proof that passion and persistence can turn obsession into a career. Known for her blends of UK Garage-inspired vocals with tech-house energy, her music takes you right to a Summer party in Ibiza. Risk, resilience and rebranding have all played a role in her uprising.
We sat down with Carly to talk about her DJ’ing journey, from memories of her first parties overseas to on-stage nerves and shots of tequila. Carly wholeheartedly believes that the only way to succeed is to make the music you love, for you.
Hello Carly! Let’s rewind a bit. How did you first get into DJ’ing and the music scene?
I was always so fascinated. My friends would always DJ at their houses and at house parties and I’d be glued to the decks, but could never afford my own. One New Year’s Eve, a mate set up vinyl decks in his parents’ basement and played for about ten hours straight. I stood at the front the entire time!
I started sneaking into drum and bass raves in London with a fake ID
I was immersed in this music scene, but I was first exposed to drum and bass. That was until my first girls’ trip to Ibiza, which changed everything.
What happened in Ibiza that stuck with you?
We ended up at ‘Es Paradis’ for the famous water party. DJ Sammy was playing “Heaven,” and the whole club filled with water. I just had this moment where I was like, oh my God, I love this, I really want to do it.
Eventually, you made the huge leap to live in Ibiza for a summer?
Yes! After finishing uni, I literally booked a one-way flight with just £200 in my pocket. I had a hotel for a couple of days and thought, Let’s see what happens. I ended up getting a job at ‘Lineker’s Bar’ as a shot girl and somehow managed to survive six weeks out there.
When did DJ’ing go from a dream to reality?
I met Juliet Fox in Ibiza when I went out for my first full summer. She was playing six-hour sets at ‘Hush’, and I ended up being really good friends with her and still am to this day. It was Juliet who really inspired me. I went up to her and I was like…
“I’ve never really seen any female DJs!”
When she moved to London and I was also living there, I started going to all her gigs, meeting people, and eventually got to know everyone on the scene.
I eventually bought second-hand decks from a friend. I literally put them on the floor in my bedroom in my house share (I had no desk), and straight away started playing around. I did this the entire weekend.
No YouTube, no Google – just a USB with a few songs.
So how did you land your first gig?
I literally just texted the friend whose events I never missed and used to bring loads of people to, and was like…
“I’m a DJ now, can I play?”
He was like, have you got SoundCloud, a Facebook page or a mix? I was like no. He was like, Okay.. I’ll let you come, but only because you bring people to my parties. I’ll put you on a boat party, but if you clang, I’m pulling you off. I was like, okay, okay, that’s fine. This was my first set, and I filled the boat from just one flyer on Facebook. After that the the gigs came flooding in.
How did you find it being a woman in the industry back then?
There weren’t many of us. Honestly, it helped me at the time because promoters needed female DJs on lineups. Once my name was out there, people booked me non-stop for parties. I wasn’t even paid a penny for a really long time. No drink tokens, nothing.
Fast forward to now, what’s been your most memorable gig?
That is such an easy one! Last summer, I played a three-hour closing set at Pikes in Ibiza. It’s just such a special space, phones are banned, so everyone’s fully present.
David Morales was in the main room Freddies, all night long. I was like oh lord, everyone’s going to be in there. But no, the energy was unbelievable with everyone jumping around. After the gig, people said they didn’t leave that room all night and didn’t even see David Morales. They were like, the energy was insane. When I came off, I felt like I was actually floating haha.
On the flip side, have you ever had a performance where nerves got the best of you?
Definitely. If I have to walk out onto a massive stage,
“I get so nervous, like, really nervous, and feel major imposter syndrome.”
At Mambo’s in Peterborough, I played a huge outdoor stage under a motorway at an event called UNDER. Cameras were set up everywhere. I was so nervous, and I had to extend my set on the spot. The next DJ didn’t turn up and I had to think fast. But it paid off, by the end of the set, my crowd was wild!
Do you have any tricks for handling nerves?
Honestly? Tequila ha! Really, just one shot- it honestly works like magic. I swear by it! Nervous, anxious or tired – It solves everything.
You’ve also worked behind the scenes in music, right?
So yeah, I was the General Manager of Toolroom Academy. I handled everything from socials to running and shooting production courses, conferences, and supporting the students. It was amazing, but I realised I was giving all my energy to other artists and not leaving any for myself.
That’s when I decided to rebrand, launch my website, and really focus on my music with the help of Louise & Dora at Griffin King Creative.
How important has working with Griffin King Creative been for your brand image?
Massively important! I met Louise at Disney when we both worked there, and actually, that was when I started DJing, I love her and Dora. They really brought my vision to life, creating a professional platform where I can share releases and promote my work. Now, people who want to book me for gigs can see everything in one place, and it definitely helps to look more professional.
Now let’s talk about production. How did you find your sound?
So, I always loved UK Garage vocals but wanted to merge them with house and tech-house tracks.
“The only reason I wanted to start DJing, was because I wanted to be able to create an hour mix of music that I love.”
I started making tracks purely for myself, so I could play them in sets.
Then I did a production course, and the tutor said, “Don’t use samples or vocals from other songs. If you want to get it signed, it’s really hard to clear it; some people won’t touch it.”
In the end, every single one of my tracks with vocal samples has been signed! When you create something because you love it, not to please a label, it will resonate way more.
What advice would you give to other women who want to start out?
Do it for yourself, not for clout, followers, or even labels. Play the music you love, make the tracks you want to hear and practice every chance you get. Start small, even if it’s just a few songs on a USB that you know inside out. The industry can be savage, so networking and community are key, especially for women.
Some of my top tips:
- Stay true to yourself and your sound- use reference tracks to guide your production
- It’s not what you know, it’s who you know! All of my gigs are from knowing the right people and spending every weekend at events.
- Content – posting regularly on socials, photos, videos, mixes, music, content showing your personality, day-to-day stuff, showing the real you to stand out from the rest of the people/djs/artists on social media.
- Don’t compare yourself to others; everyone is on their own journey, and no two artists’ journeys are the same.
- Know your worth – ask for petrol money or money to at least cover your costs/cab home. I’ve played for some brands for free for years, and when I finally asked for money to cover my travel, they refused. So I turned the gig down.
- Be prepared to be rejected over and over again – but keep going! If you really believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve anything.
Carly Carmen’s journey is a great reminder that the road to success isn’t always linear or glamorous. Whether it’s sneaking into clubs before you’re old enough, moving to Ibiza with just £200, or playing unpaid gigs to build a name for yourself, it’s about creating meaningful music because it is a reflection of you.
For Carly, DJ’ing isn’t about clout or follower counts; it’s about connection, energy, and doing what you love so much that the rest follows. And if one thing’s clear, it’s that she’s only just getting started.
- Carly’s favourite ‘crowd pleaser’ track: Armand Van Helden – ‘You Don’t Know Me’
- Carly’s recommendation for beginner-friendly decks: XDJ-RX or similar.
- Carly’s upcoming release: Shine- pre-order here
Carly Carmen London Based Dj & Producer
Carly’s music, gigs, social links and booking details can all be found on her website carly-carmen.com.
This interview was created by Social Media Manager and Content Creator, Molly.
Molly helps creatives grow their online presence through bold, authentic storytelling that sparks real connections. Alongside content creation, she also writes features and blogs that spotlight the creative community.
For collaborations, features, or content support contact us today.
From sneaking into London raves with a fake ID to spinning unforgettable sets at ‘Pikes’ in Ibiza
Carly Carmen’s story is proof that passion and persistence can turn obsession into a career. Known for her blends of UK Garage-inspired vocals with tech-house energy, her music takes you right to a Summer party in Ibiza. Risk, resilience and rebranding have all played a role in her uprising.
We sat down with Carly to talk about her DJ’ing journey, from memories of her first parties overseas to on-stage nerves and shots of tequila. Carly wholeheartedly believes that the only way to succeed is to make the music you love, for you.
Hello Carly! Let’s rewind a bit. How did you first get into DJ’ing and the music scene?
I was always so fascinated. My friends would always DJ at their houses and at house parties and I’d be glued to the decks, but could never afford my own. One New Year’s Eve, a mate set up vinyl decks in his parents’ basement and played for about ten hours straight. I stood at the front the entire time!
I started sneaking into drum and bass raves in London with a fake ID
I was immersed in this music scene, but I was first exposed to drum and bass. That was until my first girls’ trip to Ibiza, which changed everything.
What happened in Ibiza that stuck with you?
We ended up at ‘Es Paradis’ for the famous water party. DJ Sammy was playing “Heaven,” and the whole club filled with water. I just had this moment where I was like, oh my God, I love this, I really want to do it.
Eventually, you made the huge leap to live in Ibiza for a summer?
Yes! After finishing uni, I literally booked a one-way flight with just £200 in my pocket. I had a hotel for a couple of days and thought, Let’s see what happens. I ended up getting a job at ‘Lineker’s Bar’ as a shot girl and somehow managed to survive six weeks out there.
When did DJ’ing go from a dream to reality?
I met Juliet Fox in Ibiza when I went out for my first full summer. She was playing six-hour sets at ‘Hush’, and I ended up being really good friends with her and still am to this day. It was Juliet who really inspired me. I went up to her and I was like…
“I’ve never really seen any female DJs!”
When she moved to London and I was also living there, I started going to all her gigs, meeting people, and eventually got to know everyone on the scene.
I eventually bought second-hand decks from a friend. I literally put them on the floor in my bedroom in my house share (I had no desk), and straight away started playing around. I did this the entire weekend.
No YouTube, no Google – just a USB with a few songs.
So how did you land your first gig?
I literally just texted the friend whose events I never missed and used to bring loads of people to, and was like…
“I’m a DJ now, can I play?”
He was like, have you got SoundCloud, a Facebook page or a mix? I was like no. He was like, Okay.. I’ll let you come, but only because you bring people to my parties. I’ll put you on a boat party, but if you clang, I’m pulling you off. I was like, okay, okay, that’s fine. This was my first set, and I filled the boat from just one flyer on Facebook. After that the the gigs came flooding in.
How did you find it being a woman in the industry back then?
There weren’t many of us. Honestly, it helped me at the time because promoters needed female DJs on lineups. Once my name was out there, people booked me non-stop for parties. I wasn’t even paid a penny for a really long time. No drink tokens, nothing.
Fast forward to now, what’s been your most memorable gig?
That is such an easy one! Last summer, I played a three-hour closing set at Pikes in Ibiza. It’s just such a special space, phones are banned, so everyone’s fully present.
David Morales was in the main room Freddies, all night long. I was like oh lord, everyone’s going to be in there. But no, the energy was unbelievable with everyone jumping around. After the gig, people said they didn’t leave that room all night and didn’t even see David Morales. They were like, the energy was insane. When I came off, I felt like I was actually floating haha.
On the flip side, have you ever had a performance where nerves got the best of you?
Definitely. If I have to walk out onto a massive stage,
“I get so nervous, like, really nervous, and feel major imposter syndrome.”
At Mambo’s in Peterborough, I played a huge outdoor stage under a motorway at an event called UNDER. Cameras were set up everywhere. I was so nervous, and I had to extend my set on the spot. The next DJ didn’t turn up and I had to think fast. But it paid off, by the end of the set, my crowd was wild!
Do you have any tricks for handling nerves?
Honestly? Tequila ha! Really, just one shot- it honestly works like magic. I swear by it! Nervous, anxious or tired – It solves everything.
You’ve also worked behind the scenes in music, right?
So yeah, I was the General Manager of Toolroom Academy. I handled everything from socials to running and shooting production courses, conferences, and supporting the students. It was amazing, but I realised I was giving all my energy to other artists and not leaving any for myself.
That’s when I decided to rebrand, launch my website, and really focus on my music with the help of Louise & Dora at Griffin King Creative.
How important has working with Griffin King Creative been for your brand image?
Massively important! I met Louise at Disney when we both worked there, and actually, that was when I started DJing, I love her and Dora. They really brought my vision to life, creating a professional platform where I can share releases and promote my work. Now, people who want to book me for gigs can see everything in one place, and it definitely helps to look more professional.
Now let’s talk about production. How did you find your sound?
So, I always loved UK Garage vocals but wanted to merge them with house and tech-house tracks.
The only reason I wanted to start DJing, was because I wanted to be able to create an hour mix of music that I love.
I started making tracks purely for myself, so I could play them in sets.
Then I did a production course, and the tutor said, “Don’t use samples or vocals from other songs. If you want to get it signed, it’s really hard to clear it; some people won’t touch it.”
In the end, every single one of my tracks with vocal samples has been signed! When you create something because you love it, not to please a label, it will resonate way more.
What advice would you give to other women who want to start out?
Do it for yourself, not for clout, followers, or even labels. Play the music you love, make the tracks you want to hear and practice every chance you get. Start small, even if it’s just a few songs on a USB that you know inside out. The industry can be savage, so networking and community are key, especially for women.
Some of my top tips:
- Stay true to yourself and your sound- use reference tracks to guide your production
- It’s not what you know, it’s who you know! All of my gigs are from knowing the right people and spending every weekend at events.
- Content – posting regularly on socials, photos, videos, mixes, music, content showing your personality, day-to-day stuff, showing the real you to stand out from the rest of the people/djs/artists on social media.
- Don’t compare yourself to others; everyone is on their own journey, and no two artists’ journeys are the same.
- Know your worth – ask for petrol money or money to at least cover your costs/cab home. I’ve played for some brands for free for years, and when I finally asked for money to cover my travel, they refused. So I turned the gig down.
- Be prepared to be rejected over and over again – but keep going! If you really believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve anything.
Carly Carmen’s journey is a great reminder that the road to success isn’t always linear or glamorous. Whether it’s sneaking into clubs before you’re old enough, moving to Ibiza with just £200, or playing unpaid gigs to build a name for yourself, it’s about creating meaningful music because it is a reflection of you.
For Carly, DJ’ing isn’t about clout or follower counts; it’s about connection, energy, and doing what you love so much that the rest follows. And if one thing’s clear, it’s that she’s only just getting started.
- Carly’s favourite ‘crowd pleaser’ track: Armand Van Helden – ‘You Don’t Know Me’
- Carly’s recommendation for beginner-friendly decks: XDJ-RX or similar.
- Carly’s upcoming release: Shine- pre-order here
Carly Carmen London Based Dj & Producer
Carly’s music, gigs, social links and booking details can all be found on her website carly-carmen.com.
This interview was created by Social Media Manager and Content Creator, Molly.
Molly helps creatives grow their online presence through bold, authentic storytelling that sparks real connections. Alongside content creation, she also writes features and blogs that spotlight the creative community.
For collaborations, features, or content support contact us today.