Santanna Oush has been building a strong following of fans. Her energetic sets and no-nonsense approach to playing quality music that drives the crowds have not gone unnoticed. No matter how small the space, Santanna has a way of creating big energy.
Alongside this, OuShe, her female-fronted DJ movement, has been gaining traction over the years. We were excited to see the shape it will be taking for 2025, on top of her many other music projects.
Before the madness of the season took hold, we grabbed some quiet time at the beautiful Torre del Mar Hotel on Playa d'en Bossa's beachfront, to chat about the noise she has planned for the summer ahead.
Santanna Oush goes on the record
Hi Santanna, thanks for joining us. The last time we saw you, you were speaking on the Queens of Ibiza, Shaping Nightlife panel at this year’s International Music Summit.
"Yeah, it was a huge moment for me. I was sharing space with some incredible women.
Laila McKenzie from Lady of the House (who brought us all together for the panel), Kim Booth (Cosmic Pineapple curator), Shar Simonetta (Island Hospitality), Cici and Anna Tur (both DJs and producers), all of them absolute powerhouses in the industry."
To be invited to speak alongside them was a true honour.
"I’ll be honest, I felt a wave of impostor syndrome in the lead-up. Performing has always come naturally, but speaking publicly like this was new territory. But it felt right. It was nerve-wracking and empowering all at once, a turning point. I’ve got a lot to say, and I guess it felt like time."
Yes, we’ve noticed you’ve been very busy and making a lot of noise with your projects this past year. Let’s start with your party OuShe. Can you tell us more about it?
"Yeah, well, firstly I have to give credit to my friend Steph for the name, she was the first to announce Ou SHE! But it really stuck. As I only get one headliner into each show now, so it really does mean, ohhh, ‘who is she?’
It’s a party and a platform that's there to elevate and celebrate women in music. Whether someone’s been mixing for years, just started learning from me, or has never played out before, if their vibe is right, there’s space for them.
OuShe is about giving women the freedom and visibility they’ve too often been denied in this industry."
"It first came to life in Pikes five years ago and has now grown into a travelling movement. We’ve been at Akasha in Ibiza, Stereo in Covent Garden, and at Mess in Biarritz. All over, and it’s moving more this year.
In August, it’s just been confirmed for Elevate festival. Melon Bomb is also playing, and a great lineup of people, so it's going to be a really special one. So yeah, this is the vision really for it, to go global.
Eventually, I’d love to put on a full OuShe festival."
Wow, it looks like there are some big plans ahead. Before then, we’ll be seeing more parties in Ibiza this summer?
"Oh yes, there’s lots planned for the summer! I’ve actually just had some exciting news about [UNVRS], which I’m absolutely buzzing for.
I also have my Thursday afternoon show on Ibiza Sonica Radio. It just launched in May and has been amazing so far. It's just been pure vibes. Just pure feminine energy coming from the speaker.
This summer I want to put on some after parties in secret villas. I went to a wicked Cocoon one the other day and I was like that's the vibe, that's the real old school Ibiza, and I want to get involved."
Sounds like you’re in demand and it’s all coming together. I’m guessing this has taken some years of graft to get to?
"Oh god yeah, I’ve been DJing now for about 23 years and have been playing at gigs for 20. I was playing for years on the side, working in sales jobs and whatever. Then, about 10 years ago, I went full-time. I was like, Fuck this. I just fell forward and trusted."
You must have played a lot of gigs over those 20 years. Is there any party in particular that stands out as one of those epic nights?
"I've played a lot of gigs! So, now here's the thing, right, I've gone from playing six to eight gigs a week to now playing one or two, which are either OuShe or a festival or headlining. Glastonbury stands out, but in Ibiza I’d say it was when I’ve played Hï Ibiza's Wild Corner a couple of times.
I went once and I played for a few hours, then I went back and played a six-hour set. It was a pretty special night, and it went by so quickly. It literally felt like six minutes."
And how about your own tracks, is there anything ‘Santanna Oush’ out there being played?
"I mean, I've played some of my stuff out a few times before, but I guess it really feels like now is the right time.. That's why this year I'm literally focusing on me, OuShe, and the music.
I’ve got some new and really exciting releases I’m planning for the coming months. I’ve actually just finished my first track. But before I put this out, I’m going to make another two tracks and then turn it into an EP.
I’ve played it out myself already, so I just need to get it finished so it can get out there properly."
Thank you, Santanna! To find out where you can catch Santanna and her Oushe movement across the islands' dancefloors, keep a check on our party calendar.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Dara Dorsan and Peter Young
