Music, style and sampling: how DJ and producer TSHA effortlessly combines them all

It may seem like a difficult task to create a dance track from the piano and vocal samples of an ’80s disco-funk deepcut – the type that might soundtrack a romantic road trip rather than a night out – but London-based DJ and producer TSHA makes it look easy. ‘Power’, which features on her 2023 album, Capricorn Sun, encapsulates her buoyant style of dance music, which she peppers with meticulously selected funk, soul, Bollywood and Malian Wassoulou samples, set against a soundtrack of dreamy synths and piano instrumentals.

Since releasing her debut EP, Dawn, in 2018, TSHA has earnt her spot in London’s creative community: signing with Ninja Tune records, DJing at Burberry’s London Fashion Week after-party in 2022, curating her own fabric presents mix album, and featuring on Printworks’ closing-day lineup. Now, following her first Coachella performance, TSHA is sharing her sounds and sartorial style with a global audience.

It’s fitting, then, that TSHA is the UK ambassador for DICE and Bershka’s Moved by Music platform, which celebrates music, fashion, emerging artists and parties across Europe and Latin America. Fresh off the launch of her curated Moved by Music playlist, we caught up with TSHA to learn more about her hunt for new sounds, her growing appreciation for fashion, and the evolution of her live performances.

On dreaming up her creative concepts

When it comes to visuals, I’m often inspired by my dreams. For my album, Capricorn Sun, I had a dream I was surrounded by real goats, in a very psychedelic ’70s setting. I was also listening to a lot of Pink Floyd, which informed the aesthetic, too. When I visualised it, I thought, ‘There’s no way that anyone will let me have a bunch of real goats in their house for a shoot.’ But it actually happened – it was quite exciting to do that shoot. The team and I found a house, which was originally owned by gangsters, and it had all its original ’70s decor. Fashion-wise, I worked with a stylist to source vintage pieces including sweaters and miniskirts – for each project, I think of trying something different.

On her collaborations and explorative sampling

For me, collaborations happen naturally. Someone usually sends me an idea, or I’ll lead people towards certain subjects, which informs their writing. I worked with Clementine Douglas [dance-pop topliner and vocalist, who has worked with P!nk, Galantis and Chase & Status] on two of the songs on my album, ‘Dancing in the Shadows’ and ‘Anxious Mind’. She’s a phenomenal writer and made my life so much easier. Occasionally, ideas come together when I’m in the room with someone I know – ‘Giving Up’ with MAFRO came about because they’re my partner and we live together.

I was fortunate to have Oumou Sangaré’s vocals on ‘Water’. That came about from looking for samples, which led me down the path of learning about Malian griots – and I fell in love with the culture. ‘Water’ would have been on my EP, Flowers, but I couldn’t clear the sample in time. That’s what led me to write ‘Demba’ with Trio Da Kali, which is another group of Malian singers. I was really excited once we did get Oumou’s sample cleared, because her vocals are amazing – the soul and the storytelling is just beautiful.

On preparing for a set

When it comes to DJing, finding unusual tracks that not everyone has can be hard. I spend hours and hours looking for music – going through promos, searching the internet, searching stores. It’s like a full-time job in itself. Then I have to sit down and go through all of it, download the tracks I like, and figure out where they would fit and what vibe they would be. I don’t necessarily plan how my sets will go, but I’ll make a playlist where I organise songs by tempos and keys, so I know what goes together. But usually what happens is just what happens. I see what people like and how the set is going and the flow.

On her journey with fashion

I was always into fashion, but it took a while for it to click in terms of the effort that goes into designing garments, learning about different materials and how they make you feel. What interests me about Bershka is how a lot of the clothes are unique, and the brand’s style choices are very forward-thinking.

I’m also starting to be very selective with my outfits for DJing – I’ve started calling clothes ‘pieces’, like pieces of art. I think more about what my pieces are, and how I can reuse and restyle them for a set. With club sets, I’m a bit more relaxed and I like to be comfortable. Unlike Coachella, where I wore Sandy Liang skirts, which are more dressy. I normally do that for festivals because you’re more seen, and I’m conscious of how clothes are an extension of me as an artist.

On her future shows and sounds

I’m starting my live shows soon, so I’ve been rehearsing with my band. I’m playing bass and some other bits; I have a guitarist who is also playing keys and samples; and I’ve got a drummer and a singer as well. My first show is Primavera Sound, but we’re also playing Field Day and more festivals – we have six live shows lined up, which I’m excited about. I’m also working on my second album, which I’m hoping to drop next year. I don’t like to do the same thing all the time, so there’ll definitely be some different sounds on there. But before then, keep an eye out for some new singles.