How did you get into DJing?

I was clubbing for a few years and into the scene going out every weekend. i was hooked. I went to Goa, decided i wanted to be a Dj, bit cliche but, hey i had an epiphany of how i wanted to live my life and deicide myself. i came back to london where my friend was selling her entire technic 1200 setup with speakers, the lot of £800. i snapped it up , locked myself into the bedroom for months and laugh myself how to play. My friends started their night and invited me to DJ after hearing me play at after parties. The rest is history.

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

Watching other people play, being mindful of how they mix, listening to hours and hours of music after, going out every weekend helped. After awhile, its an intuitive thing but at first its not so easy to find out how to mix, and more importantly,how not to mix. Trial and error, and ear for medleys and keys, and finding your own style your happy with, and is part of learning any trade. I also learned how to produce on Logic from the producer friends after a few years and its taken awhile to get to a stage where I’m producing music to a standard now I’m satisfied with now. I havent went to music school for it, just again trial and error and getting tips off of the producer friends and help cleaning up in mix down stage.

What did your first setup look like?

I use to produce in Logic

What does your current setup look like?

I’ve got Cdj 2000 nexus, 900 DJM pioneer, RMX 1000, SP-16 Pionner /dave /smith sampler, AS1 synth. Im about to buy a Digitone too. I love it.

How did you get your DJ/Artist name?

Well i thought to keep it simple, was umming and ahhh -ing about wether to make a more interesting name or second name but its a bit complicated my second name being german( my dad is Polish, but I’m part german too ) so settled on ILONA. A lot of people, think its made up ,asking me if its my real name which is funny, i guess it sounds big and memorable enough to stand on its own.

If you could DJ at any 3 events/festivals what would they be?

oh my god okay a wish list : Awakenings, the set up is unreal. Drumcode events always deliver, and have a lot of respect for Adam and Ida. EDC , i say this is controversial being a techno artist but feel its important to play other music in the states and let them know its not all EDM. The country has changed, i played a small event in Oregon my home town this summer, and a lot of people knew i was playing a Charlotte De Witte track to my surprise. This would have been unheard of 5 years ago.

If you could DJ in any 3 cities what would they be?

I’ve been fortunate to play around the world but i have yet to play in Poland , which is very special to me as my dad is from Krakow, so that’s one. New York i have yet to play, having been based in the UK i have not got the chance to play much in the States, and cant wait to tour there more. Certainly Tokyo has to be on there, right. I cant wait to go there, doesnt everyone ?!

If you could be a tour DJ for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?

Jim Morrison- i was obsessed with him as a teenager, had his poster on my wall ! Lewis Capladi, hey he’s definitely not techno but good god he’s funny( and a fellow Scot) . My mom was born Scotland and go there often, alrite ‘mae. Inner City would be number 3. I played with them last month at Shoom in Brixton and they threw down. Kevin Sanderson is still on top of his game, and their live show is incredible. A must see. Its a Good life : )

What is your goal when you play live?

To do the best i can do. As an artist your constantly developing and there is no such thing as perfect. Making sure I’m prepared, having fun, and going with the flow. Ive done a few shows now live with all of my now stuff, and want to do more in 2020. Im also going to be starting a new Techno night REVELATIONS, so that will be an outlet for me to experiment and to bring some international talent to play with me and to tour with it eventually would be amazing.

What's your go to song right now?

Anything on Dense and Pika’s Kneaded Pains record label, Layer 909 records too. I love the track by Juliet Fox, ‘Beautiful’ on Drumcode. Timeless feeling.

What is your dream as a DJ?

I suppose I’m doing now, now that you ask me that question. Its not an easy industry but I’ve been hard grafting and see the fruits of my labour coming to the surface now. Now I’m releasing music and coming into my own as a producer its so satisfying hearing a track you made being played out and come full circle. I love dj-ing too, the magic that comes from the stars, and down through your fingertips and out of the speakers is something else and its like I’m in some sort of a trance when I’m playing. Incredible.

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a DJ?

You need to have guts, determination, thick skin, and most importantly and overall driving desire to dedicate your entire life to music and your craft. So many people want to be a dj now, and thats cool i guess, i mean we all like music … but to really have any chance of standing out, you need to be a producer now too and its saturated with just Dj’s. i wanted to be a professional dancer initially but i had dislocated both of my knees, and that went my potential career out the window. I would not have it any other way now, its a short life being a dancer and i will do this my whole life, and its so much apart of me movement, music, dance. You really have to want it is what I’m saying and learning as much about is as you can and throwing yourself into it fully , like anything, is the only way.

Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc.)

Instagram: dj_ilona_official

Facebook: @djilonaofficial

Twitter: @ILONAtechno

Mixcloud: Ilona

ILONA Interview | Respect The DJ Interview