Vanessa Maria Wilson is a DJ, producer, speaker, and a mental health advocate. She has appeared at Wireless Festival and on BBC 1Xtra and worked as a radio host amongst other things. Vanessa has also previously worked as a student wellbeing representative at the University of Bristol. We talked about the start up of her career, and the lessons she learned during lockdown and her career highlights to date. 

How did you first get into DJing/the music industry?

Whilst living in Bristol I joined a course called Mix Nights which is run by Saffron Records and it’s a woman only record label that helps to get women into the music industry. They also have DJ workshops which I signed up to and it’s a six-week course and at the end of it you played at a club. Then it just escalated from there- guest mixes and bookings and linking up with people in London and it took off just under two years ago. 

Then getting the job at Sony, that was a result of all the music stuff I was doing on the outside, all the projects, I was also running a platform that I founded with my friends called “No Boundaries” where we were looking to put creatives on, especially in the music industry outside of London. It was all that stuff like working with Notion magazine and all the radio experience combined that I guess worked in my favour at the Sony internship application and that’s how I managed to bag that job. 

I always ask my manager “How did I get this job? Like I have zero experience, I literally studied Psychology and was working within the mental health field and I had never worked in music” and he was like “Honestly, all the work you were doing on the outside. It was so clear you were really passionate about music and everyone who was up against you maybe had a music job, but they weren’t putting in as much work to secure that”.

So that’s how I got it. 

Passion and dedication.

How has COVID affected your work and plans throughout the last year?

I think for everyone it had a massive impact but for me it came at the right time because I was so burnt out. At the time of March last year, I was working at BBC, so I was working in TV full time, but I was also DJing a lot every weekend and I was going up and down the country. It sort of hit me at a time where I needed to rest, so I basically got time off to reflect on things I really wanted to do. Obviously, it was really difficult at the same time, like we all went through it -we know how shit it was, but at the same time, it was really nice to reflect and think what I want to do with my life and make sure I came out of lockdown in the industry, if that makes sense. 

It obviously messed up a lot of my bookings, as with anyone, like festivals but it also made me more driven -which is weird because I thought it would just mean I would let loose and start eating doughnuts for a year, but it made me think like let me actually go for it. 

What is something that motivates you?

As well as seeing other people achieving their dream, it’s also my own self transformation because when I think like where I came from and where I grew up and my family background. From even where I was heading in University and a lot of the mental health battles I had, as well as just a lack of self-confidence that I definitely suffered with for so long throughout university, and not believing in myself. From seeing that and to where I am now, I’m like wow, that’s crazy. If I can do it then I feel like anyone else can and that pushes me, because I’m like cool let me see how far I can push it and how many people I can take along with me and how many more doors I can open. When I started there were a lot of closed doors and it was so hard to break in and just feel like you were a part of a community.

So that’s what keeps me going- my own self-transformation and being able to transform someone else’s life and push them to grab whatever they want. 

Seeing you played at Wireless and other popular festivals, what was your favourite place that you have played at?

My favourite place was actually at a carnival after party in Bristol. It was June 2019 and let me tell you, the party popped off. 

It was a small venue and it’s called the Crofters Rights and it must’ve been like capacity of 100-150 at max but the room was really small and everyone in there was feeling the same wave. Everyone was absolutely gone, and it was just so much fun- I ended up standing on the decks, it was crazy.

It was one of those moments that you can’t get back because you can play huge festivals and whatnot but those intimate spaces where everyone is sort of feeling it and are just gassed for anything you play. It just feels very special. 

Are there any other festivals you would like to play at?

Listen, if anyone is reading right now- I want to play them all so you can book me!

But I really would love to play Eldorado in the UK. I would also love to play Outlook in Croatia and a local one that started off in Hackney, which is really close to where I live in London at the moment.

Anywhere overseas and I’m there, honestly. 

You took part in creating a documentary that explored the experiences of black students at Bristol University and talked about mental health (above). How was it working on that? Would you like to get more into directing/producing?

Doing that was an experience. 

There was a lot of pushback from the University and institution, and it was really hard to get it out and there was a lot of politics involved. But it was a great experience, and it covered a lot of important topics. I had so many people thanking me for doing it and I feel that it opened a lot of doors for students there at the moment to push for access and resources, which is something I am really proud of. 

I’m actually planning a music and mental health documentary at the moment which is looking at the mental health of DJ’s post lockdown and the effects of corona on the party and the nightlife industry so that’s really exciting. 

What ideas/topics would you like to bring more light to and push out into society?

I’m always going to be pushing music and mental health- those are the two things I am really passionate about. Just making the music industry a fairer more equitable place for everyone. Making sure everyone feels supported and welcome especially women, especially women of colour, especially the queer community and just any marginalised communities. At the moment it is very male dominated which I’m sure everyone knows but it’s that community support we need and making sure it’s a safe space. Support people with mentorships and upskilling people to get into positions of power.

It’s a good fight. 

Achieving so many things at just the age of 24, ranging from playing at Wireless to interviewing David Attenborough. What are some of your proudest moments/highlights?

I always think about the time I interviewed David Attenborough and I just look back and think that was actually sick. I remember someone telling me like “oh, this is going to be one of your career highlights” and it really is. 

I would also say the first time I went to the 1Xtra Studio because that was really special, and it was the moment where I was like anything is actually possible.

The final one would be when one of my mentees called me and told me that Drake had DMed him about his production and he was going to be working on and producing some songs with Drake. I remember he sent me like a three-page letter saying I just want to be a producer and I’m working so hard, and he was just so lovely. I just felt like a proud mum. It was a big moment for me. 

Who was your inspiration growing up compared to now?

My mum really inspires me. I know people say that’s a boring answer but its genuinely true.

My mum divorced my dad and moved out to Iceland to live on a dairy farm with one of her friends because it was her dream. She’s such an empowering role model for me because not many women can have kids, be married, and then still go off and do their thing. 

Clara Amfo is someone that I look up to as well, she’s incredible with everything she’s achieved, and her message is just so empowering for black women. An amazing DJ called Half Queen from New Zealand. Martha Radio is a huge inspiration and she got me into the industry. I could reel off names but I’ll stop at Martha because she’s just a very special person and amazing DJ.

One piece of advice you would give to someone starting up in music.

For entertainment and music, the journey is the goal. Don’t ever forget that there’s not a destination you’re going to. There’s a rollercoaster of ups and downs and just always remember your vision and the reason you’re doing it. As long as you have a strong why, the how isn’t important. 

Don’t ever stop believing in yourself, that’s the main thing, be your own best friend, believe in yourself, work hard, play hard, enjoy the moment. 

Dream artist you’d love to collab with?

Because I work at Black Butter, I’m going to have to rep it and say JHus because that’s my boy. I’m a big JHus fan if anyone knows but I’m not responsible for anything he says on social media. 

I would also bring Destiny’s Child back together and DJ for them. 

A quote you live and swear by?

What is meant for you will never miss you.

Any new and exciting plans in the coming year that you can tell us about?

I would say just keep waiting because until things are solidified, I don’t want to say too much. But there’s lots of exciting projects happening, lots of plotting and planning but that’s all I can say.

Lots of exciting news on the way.