7 minute read
DJ Shania Tashya.
Shania Tashya is a young 22 year old DJ from Goa. She holds the distinction of being one of the youngest female DJs in Goa.
Born and brought up in Goa, Shania completed her schooling at Manovikas English Medium School and her higher secondary schooling at The Kings School, Davorlim. She then graduated with a BBA degree from Dempo College of Commerce and Economics.
Her career as a DJ began when she was just 15 years old. At that time, Shania had no idea as to what her journey would really be like- it was purely out of passion. She had to learn to balance college and music but it presented her with the opportunity to learn time management.
At 19, she started Liquid Melody, an experiential event management brand that caters to the hospitality industry to create an experience for their clients which is more than just music. They organized cocktail-making workshops, live artists with DJs, drinking games, and brought together different elements to create a whole “sensory experience.” She's always been a person who has chased everything she finds a spark in. And that’s really how she was able to find what works for her and what doesn’t. And that’s how she still continues to learn.
Shania always wanted to become a teacher. She remembers having an imaginary classroom, a chalkboard, and even an attendance register for her 'students'. Over time, her likings and passions kept evolving. But she really knows herself as an overly ambitious person- there’s so much she always wants to do. And till today, you’ll find her doing a hundred things but that’s just really her figuring out what actually sparks her soul and keeps her attention alive.
So even when she did tell her parents that she wanted to DJ- they saw it as another one of the 100 things she wanted to try out in life. Before wanting to DJ, she started learning the drums and guitar but eventually gave up on both. However, she knows that her passion for music constantly drives her in this field.
She grew up listening to famous pop hits from artists like Akon, Sean Kingston, Ne- Yo, Rihanna, Eminem,
Chris Brown, and Jason Derulo. There was also an influence of retro music in her life through her parents- ABBA, Gipsy Kings and Eagles, to name a few.
But in terms of what she listens to, that has greatly evolved over time. There are numerous new genres and styles of music she finds herself listening to, that she couldn't have imagined. She believes she wouldn’t have known so many genres if she wasn’t a DJ, but the passion and drive she has toward music always pushes her to know more.
When Shania was 13, she attended a Christmas Waltz hosted by DJ Navin and crew, and for the first time in her life, she watched DJs play. She remembers it being 6 in the morning, around 1000+ people dancing and everybody was so into the music and the DJ that she wasn’t able to comprehend what the DJ playing felt like. Being in the crowd, she had goosebumps and wanted to feel that euphoria of being on top. She remembers going back home and telling her mum and dad that she wanted to become a DJ.
That stuck with her. Then her brother-in-law Raul gave her his DJ console and taught her a bit of mixing. A few months later, her father bought her first DJconsole. She then moved on to playing a few gigs to gain confidence at this shack called Elliots in Majorda, where groups of students from BITS Pilani often came in.
She “officially” started taking up gigs when she was 15- after her father pushed her into playing at the opening of their Waterpark Froggyland, which was his dream. From then on, the journey just got better.
She felt a sense of great joy to be able to do what she loves. DJing allows her to express herself creatively through music and to communicate so much more. Making people dance is such an empowering feeling, and seeing happy and smiling faces is something that really uplifts her.
Music has immense power and to be a facilitator of good music feels rather excellent. Shania has had the opportunity to perform at some of the best nightclubs across India in cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Chandigarh, Pune, Chennai, and more. She has worked with some pioneers which include Kitty Su, Oktoberfest, VH1, Submerge, and Shiro amongst many others.
She remembers how she was trembling at her first gig- a 15-year-old girl with hardly any knowledge of how to make a crowd move. She is thankful that her father pushed her to do it, for she's had a great journey as an artist since then.
What really pushed her forward thereafter was the support that she received from so many club owners,
managers, and DJs. Although she was really young young and not even legal to enter clubs at the time, there were a few people who really saw her passion and understood that this career was something she really had a lot of love for and supported her through gigs. She is grateful to people like Kenneth from SinQ, David & Ajit from Titos & Cape Town Cafe, Radha from Redbull, Mark from Storm7, and DJsMackenzie (Mackie) and Joel apart from many others who have pushed her forward in her career.
Ironically, it was her parents who pushed her into pursuing it back then. There was resistance from her end because she was worried about her board exams, but her parents have unconditionally supported her and made her believe that she would be able to manage it all and their trust in her has allowed her to push herself and still continues to move her every day.
Since DJing is still such a taboo in this industry, she expects her parents to not have good regard for what she does- but it’s quite the opposite. And it’s really only because of them she has been able to make it this far- for Shania realizes she wouldn't go too far if they weren’t happy. Her journey as an artist is still a long way, but their appreciation and support are always what really makes it worth the while.
It’s been 7 years since she's been in the industry and till today, the fire and passion still burn in her. Every gig is a new experience and it is a great opportunity to be able to do what she loves.
Peggy Gou is an iconic favourite and woman artist who Shania deeply admires. Her style and personality as an artist are quite inspiring. From the Goan DJ clan, her favourites include DJs Navin, Joel, Mackie, Rinton, Jay, Dwayne, Melwin and Nrush.
Further, Shania helps her father in their brand called The Synergy Project which caters to the hospitality (hotels) industry for their everyday entertainment as well as for weddings and corporations for one-off events. They organize team building activities, fun activities, water-based, adventure based, fun, and treasure hunts.
Shania loves making small differences, rather than dreaming big. She wishes to continue to play music and spread the good energy as long as she is able to.
She is also in a phase of her life where she's finding other areas which strike the excitement in her. Her plan is to study further and really understand what she should to do in the few years to come. So, it’s more about exploring life and knowing her purpose until she decides to further venture into anything else.
Shania says that one must do what one love to do. “Be passionate in all that you do. And if you’re not happy with your life and career, you have the power to change it. It all comes from you, and your potential is endless”, she adds.
