dig dis!cover with Isabelle Beaucamp

We’re thrilled to feature Isabelle Beaucamp in our dig dis!cover series. Known for her vibrant presence in the German hard techno scene, Isabelle regularly performs at clubs like Berlin’s Club Ost, Odonien and KitKat and tours internationally. In our interview, she shares her journey of starting her music career and developing her label, Bazar Sauvage. We hope you enjoy the insights from our conversation as much as we did.

How did you get into electronic music?
I got into electronic music as a raver myself because the music gives me a great feeling of freedom. Initially, I DJ'd for fun at smaller events or with friends, gradually getting more involved in the scene. While in Rome for my first lawyer job at the United Nations, I began DJing at public events. Later living in New York and performing regularly at Odonien in Cologne and other European venues made me realize I had to decide whether to leave my job to pursue this passion. I figured it would only make sense if I dedicated myself 100% to it and learned music production. In New York, I joined a lab that provided access to a recording studio and further production insights. This inspired me to delve deeper, eventually leading me to consider starting my own label. My journey has been very individual, often not fitting a specific track or genre, which prompted me to create a project that might coincide with launching a label that supports freedom. 

How did you teach yourself to DJ in the beginning? Or did you learn through friends and relatives?
My boyfriend at the time introduced me to mix music. He had been involved with it as a side project and really inspired me to give it a try myself. He showed me the basics, and from there, I dove deeper by watching numerous YouTube videos and tutorials There are countless tips and tricks available, but ultimately, I found that learning intuitively was the most effective method for me. I experimented with what I enjoyed and explored different techniques.

What are your musical role models?
I have many influences in both classical and electronic music. I enjoy playing classical music on instruments like the piano and flute and have even taught myself a bit of guitar. In the classical realm, artists like Igor Levit inspire me greatly. The piano helps me develop melodies and inspires my musical compositions. In electronic music, I've been influenced by Paul Kalkbrenner. His music is particularly vibrant for me as I tend to visualize music in colors, showing the emotional range of electronic music from melancholy to ecstasy and joy.

How did you come up with the label name “Bazar Sauvage”?
The name "Bazar Sauvage" struck me one night while I was contemplating founding my own label. I pondered what to name it and how to approach the cover design to move forward. It dawned on me that it should embody a wild bazaar. The word "bazaar" appeals to me, especially inspired by my extensive travels. The oriental bazaars in Iran, with their lofty ceilings filled with colorful goods, spices, and scents, left a strong impression. This diversity mirrors my approach to creating my tracks: I begin by gathering a variety of sounds, ideas and vocals before considering how they might blend into a final piece.
For the label, I envisioned a similarly open approach, aiming to include not just my music but also works from numerous other artists, transcending genres and cultures while being inclusive. The French word "Sauvage," meaning wild, was a perfect match, also reflecting my family background—I lived and studied in France. The name sounded beautiful and made perfect sense to me at the moment, especially paired with the image of a tiger. This vision of a wild bazaar, extending beyond human confines to include the animal kingdom and natural elements, fit perfectly. Thus, a track featuring tiger sounds was born, symbolizing the label. The tiger motif recurs throughout everything.

How do fashion and techno go together for you? (Bazar Sauvage Couture)
They perfectly complement each other. Music and fashion both inspire and challenge each other, creating dynamic contrasts. I'm particularly fascinated by how music can dictate fashion trends, and conversely, how fashion can influence music. Currently, there's a significant movement towards rave clothing that features darker, more fetish-oriented elements like leather and harnesses. This style, once confined to the shadows of clubs like Berghain, is now mainstream in the rave scene. Gone are the days of neon and glitter that once defined rave outfits; now, the trend leans towards darker designs, as exemplified by brands like Balenciaga.
This shift inspired me to carry the concept of a "wild bazaar" into a fashion project that embodies inclusivity. You can see this in my fashion shows, which feature a diverse range of models and gender-neutral, sustainable clothing designs. It's crucial to me that our fashion isn't just cost-effective but also sustainable, utilizing practices like fabric remnants and upcycling to refresh existing styles. This fashion project is now my primary focus, merging the vibrant worlds of techno and couture.

How can we imagine your everyday life?
Indeed, there's no typical day in my life, and that's what I treasure about my work, I’m not one for a rigid daily schedule. Weekends often find me traveling for gigs, leaving me to recover early in the week. This downtime is when I catch up on rest and recharge back in Berlin.
On typical weekdays, no two days are alike. My activities can vary dramatically from one week to the next. Whether it's working on fashion projects like the recent show in Rome, involving numerous calls and design sessions, or seeking inspiration outdoors, my schedule is fluid. I consume a great deal of literature and watch documentaries about fashion designers to fuel my creativity.
As for music, I don’t adhere to a strict studio schedule but rather produce based on when inspiration strikes. However, I maintain some structure when collaborating with external artists to ensure reliability and meet deadlines.
My weeks quickly fill up with various tasks—from managing social media to scouting new tracks for my DJ sets. I enjoy blending different musical styles, like classical or Italian music, into my techno sets. These diverse activities are not only time-consuming but also deeply fulfilling, making every busy week worthwhile.

How did you come across dig dis! and how have we been able to support you with your label work so far?
My search for a distributor started when I was planning my releases. I already had some tracks ready before I started my label. At an event, the ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event), I got to know your colleagues. I also came across the name dig dis! through other recommendations and asked around. The conversation at the event made me realize how important a good choice of distributor is. I was brand new to the industry at the time and carefully weighed up all the options with my friend Chris. What I particularly liked was the fair offer from dig dis! and the personal contact with the friendly colleagues in Amsterdam. They took the time to explain everything to me in detail, which gave me the feeling of being with an established distributor that works successfully with big labels and artists like Revised Records. It seemed to offer the perfect mix of professionalism and personal contact, the perfect mix of what we were looking for.

What else is coming up musically this year?
What I'm really looking forward to is playing a HÖR showcase in my resident club in Rome, Cieloterra and at Toxicator Festival. Further I’m very excited for my first India tour in early 2025 and for a possible showcase tour in Africa starting with Kilele Music Summit in Nairobi.. These are definitely  cool highlights for me. The international tours that are currently developing and the upcoming very interesting track releases are the things that really motivate me right now. Sometimes when I’m overtired and stressed from lots of tasks, that's the thing that builds me up again. The opportunity to do these enriching  trips and get to know other cultures is, I think, what interests me most about this DJ touring life. That's why it's a big highlight for me next year to go on several tours out of Europe.