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treesunstars

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treesunstars

about

treesunstars (Skylar Heyden) seeks to connect body and soul through relentless percussion and atmospheric exploration. Based out of Brooklyn, she blends garage, house, techno, and lesbianism into a ritual of dance, deconstruction, and love.

spotlight

  1. What’s something you’ve learned about vulnerability — behind the decks and on the dance floor?

    I’m a perfectionist at heart & struggle quite a bit with the idea of failure or embarrassing myself, so much so that I often stop myself before I even start! DJing breaks that cycle because it’s like a runaway train; once the music starts, there’s no stopping it - mistakes and all. Embracing the unexpected (and the unintended) is unbelievably liberating, and has been a compass for me in honing my creative voice.

  2. When did you start DJing/producing? What sounds or scenes shaped your taste early on?

    I started DJing seriously just around two years ago at this point. Growing up, I was deeply ingrained in YouTube EDM (Monstercat, Proximity, etc.), but I found my tastes shifted a ton once I moved to New York and started engaging with nightlife regularly. The “ah-ha” moment was seeing Eris Drew & Octo Octa play into the sunrise. That changed everything for me.

  3. What helps you get into a creative headspace?

    I can’t just stop at the music; my creative process is a full body experience, and often involves a lot of visual design and world building. I really like leaning into the fantasy of it. I often create moodboards and spend a lot of time with the feel of it before working on a new project or playing with a new style.

  4. Is there something you intend to build your radio set around — any themes, questions, feelings, or something else?

    This set draws inspiration from my recent trip to Japan. I found myself drawn to the colorful design of Tokyo’s public transit and felt particularly special about a beautiful seaside train in Kanagawa. It felt like the edge of the world. I originally came to techno as an artist because I was pissed off & hurting, and I needed something intense to drown it in. This time, I want to reclaim techno as a tool for joy, and wade in the memory of the train by the ocean.