ONE TO WATCH: Eileen
At Nowadays Magazine, we’re drawn to selectors who move purposefully, and Eileen moves with the groove. Raised on the warmth of disco and soul, Eileen found her home in house music about six years ago, recognizing the eternal spirit of the sounds she grew up with. Her style is instinctual, percussive, and above all soulful, creating a space on the dancefloor where past and present collide. We’re proud to have her as our next One To Watch.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got hooked on music? My name is Eileen, I’m 30 years old and I live in the Netherlands. When I grew up, music was always present. My mom used to be a dancer and played a lot of disco and soul, like Earth, Wind & Fire, George Benson, and Prince, which shaped my early love for groove. I was always singing (to the annoyance of my sisters), and found so much joy in singing along to the songs I loved. My dad was more into rock and indie bands, and he loved going to concerts, which also inspired me to see my favorite artists perform live. My taste in music has always been broad. When I first started DJ-ing, I focused mainly on hip-hop and R&B. But ‘discovering’ house music completely changed everything for me. I could resonate with it on an emotional level, as well as letting myself go in the rhythm and movement. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to learn more about house music, and I haven’t looked back since. What inspired you to become a DJ? I’ve always loved sharing my passion for music with others. I used to listen to a radio show that featured weekly dj mixes, and I was fascinated by the art of blending two tracks seamlessly. When I moved to Amsterdam at 19, I decided I wanted to learn how to dj, mostly because I dreamt of creating my own radio mixes filled with all my favorite songs. As I got more immersed in the Amsterdam nightlife, I also discovered the power of music in that environment—the way it can bring so many different people together. It took me a while to make the leap to DJing in clubs, but when Jarreau Vandal, my DJ teacher at the time, gave me the opportunity, I couldn’t say no. And I guess the rest is history. Is there a track that shaped your musical identity as an artist? Not a track, more of an experience. In 2019, I went out to a club in Amsterdam and heard house music for the first time. I had always loved disco and funk, but I hadn’t realized that this type of music was being played in clubs. During that night, the groove in the house tracks instantly reminded me of my love for disco, and it all clicked. I got in before midnight and danced until the very end. That night marked a turning point in shaping my sound and musical identity. Are there any genres or artists outside of the music you play that you’re particularly into right now? When I’m at home, I love listening to a wide range of genres—jazz, reggae, and ambient house. I find they really help me unwind and inspire me in different ways. And when I’m driving, I’ll sometimes put on the classical music channel, also to unwind. What’s the most memorable gig you’ve played so far? It’s hard to pick just one—I’m grateful for so many incredible moments. Playing Lowlands three years in a row was a real highlight. It was my first time on a big festival stage, and having my parents there to share that experience made it extra special. I’ve also had the chance to play at Hï Ibiza twice, and this year alone I’ve DJ’d in places like Curaçao, Bogotá, and Tbilisi. But I equally cherish the smaller, more intimate club nights—when the room is dark, the energy is raw, and everyone’s completely lost in the music. Gigs like Time Is The New Space in Rotterdam, NAR in Utrecht, or DOKA in Amsterdam really stay with me for that reason. What challenges did you face while breaking into the industry, and how did you overcome them? When I started DJing in 2015, the scene was very male-dominated. Female DJs weren’t always taken seriously, and it often seemed like we were competing for the one available slot on a lineup. Thankfully, things have improved, especially since I changed my sound—there’s more awareness and space for diversity now, and I’ve felt a lot of support from within this scene. That said, there’s still progress to be made. Sometimes, lineups look diverse on paper, but the timetable tells a different story—women and minorities are often only booked for early slots. I believe real inclusivity means making sure that representation is present throughout the entire night, including peak hours. On a personal level, I’ve also struggled with impostor syndrome—feeling like I’m not good enough or second-guessing my choices. I try not to let that voice take over and instead focus on the good moments and the support I’ve received from family, friends, my agent, fellow DJ colleagues, and promoters. If you could go B2B with any DJ, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I’m always excited to share the booth with other DJs—it creates a special kind of chemistry. You bounce off each other’s energy, and that shared love for music behind the decks really translates to the crowd. I’ve been lucky to play B2B with amazing artists like Ajuma, Bibi Seck, and Mowgli, and I have one coming up with Bevan, which I’m really looking forward to. Looking ahead, I’d love to go B2B with inspirations like EG, Suze Ijó, and Kléo. I feel our sounds would complement each other really well, and it would be a joy to connect musically with them. Do you have a bucket-list gig? There are still so many clubs and festivals I’d love to play, both close to home, like RAUM and Traum, and further away. I’d love to explore more of the world as a DJ, connecting with like-minded people through a shared love of music and experiencing club culture in different corners of the world. Where do you see yourself in five years, both musically and professionally? Hopefully still happily DJing around the world! I’m currently diving back into producing, and this time I’m really determined to stick with it. So in five years, I’d love to have released some of my own music, but don’t pin me down on that one though! I also hope to be even more knowledgeable about music and its history, and to be enriched by many more uniting moments on dance floors around the world. Anything on the horizon that you're really (and we should be) excited about? Summer is approaching, and I’m very grateful for such a lovely summer schedule! I can’t wait to spend the season DJ-ing and dancing under the sun and getting to meet many more lovely people in the process. Thank you for sharing, Eileen!
