Liverpool-based DJ G33 – aka @gaia_ia – joins us for number #023 in our size? sessions Mix series. Originally hailing from Brixton, G33 is relatively new to the DJ scene having only taking to the decks in 2019; you wouldn’t think it though.

Check out our exclusive Q+A and mix below!

Tell us about yourself; where you’re from, what you do and what’s your shoe size? 

“Hiya! I’m Gaia. Also known as G33, I’m originally from Brixton, South London, but I’m now based in Liverpool. Self-proclaimed adopted Scouser. Shoe size is 3. I know I have proper tiny feet man.”

How did you get started in the music industry? 

“I’m relatively new and definitely still learning my way around the music industry, to be honest. I would always be super controlling with the AUX and playlists for my friends’ house parties when we were in school though. Then when I moved to Liverpool, I’d been saying for a while I wanted to learn, I had a couple friends who were DJs and I got interested,

“Then, last year my mates got me a DJ course for my birthday and I proper got the bug. Even got a bit fanatic with it. Got some equipment, gassed my housemates up with my bedroom mixing. Honestly, I’d say it was my friends who gave me confidence and push to start playing out and getting myself out there, and since then I’ve never really looked back.”

How would you describe your music style? 

“Growing up, especially in South London, my music taste and influences have massively shaped my love for so many genres from bashment, grime, UKG etc. I grew up listening to a lot of reggaeton and Latin music too, that holds a massive place in my heart. But ultimately my music style is just mad random. I love getting experimental with my mixing too. I like genre blending stuff that would never normally go together, like house and afrobeats. You’ll hear a bit of that in this mix, 

“To be honest, I love playing anything that makes you want to move basically. I like hard-hitting stuff, so anything from baile funk to trap, both UK and American. But UK trap/rap scene at the moment is just smashing it. So I’m a big fan of that too. And Northern/Liverpool rap is on the come up and I want to continue to push it. There’s a lot of musical talent up here that I want to see championed,

“I’m actually starting a bi-weekly residency on Plus 1 radio, a new station founded by Taylah Elaine, which I’m really excited about. I want my show to focus on underground, emerging new music but I especially want to focus on northern artists and DJs so I’m buzzing to get started and shine a light on up and coming talent!” 

What has been your record of the year so far and what are you looking forward to hearing for the rest of the year? 

“Oooooh, I always struggle with these kinds of questions you know. This is so hard to just pin down to 1 album man. But off the top of my head, the first thing that came to me was J Hus’ Big Conspiracy. The production, wordplay, the features, he’s a genius man. Everything he touches is honestly just brilliant. Even his older stuff like his mixtape 15th day; I still bang that out, it’s timeless,

“I loved Pop Smoke’s album too, he was really evolving and growing musically and this album proper encompasses that. I’m looking forward to more chances being taken in terms of artists and even DJs getting out of their genre comfort zone. Headie One did it with his new stuff, Pop Smoke was on to something pretty clever, mixing and sampling old RnB will trap/drill beats, ‘RnDrill’, I thought that was sick, nostalgic and current at the same time.”

Have you been making much music recently and can we expect some releases soon?

“I get mixes out when I can, all pretty different feels. I’ve just done a baile mix for Reprezent which was fun, and on my Soundcloud, there’s a whole bag of mixes from r&b to garage etc. Soundcloud is actually where I source a lot of my music. I love edits and refixes, and I wanted to try and make my own, so a couple of months ago I put out a garage edit and the response was half decent! It’s definitely something I want to do more of. Getting more into producing is defo the next step, so keep ya eyes peeled from some more edits and maybe original beats from me soon!”

Has there been a particular event/party that has stood out for your career?

“There’s probably 2. Warming up for Conducta for Cirque Du Soul at Hangar 34, that was the first time I had played out at that scale, it was mad. I was so nervous I felt sick before my set, but after 20 mins in I just had the best time. Seeing people dance and sing along and feel the stuff you’re playing is the best feeling. Then from that, I went with them to Manchester and played Hidden, and that time the nerves weren’t as bad and it went off,

“But last week I played at 24 Kitchen St for Culture Deck’s Carnival Party. 24 Kitchen St is pretty much my stomping ground at the moment, I’ve played there quite a bit now and have a lot of love for it. But this event was pretty special. Culture Deck (@culturedeck) provided a proper one for a Carnival event in Liverpool. It was a proper community event, with a range of ages just turning up to just enjoy bank holiday Sunday,

“There were loads of local DJs on the roster, and even Jamaican food provided by RayRayz, a local independent. It was my first time playing out b2b with my friend, Hannah Lynch, we played loads of old school dancehall and just had a lot of fun up there together,

“And off the back of that event, we’ve started working on a new campaign with Culture Deck that focuses on female DJs. The campaign is going to involve content, events, mentorship, and even free workshops for aspiring DJs. Keep your eye on Liverpool for the next generation of female DJing talent.”

And looking further ahead, who should we be looking out for in 2021?

“There’s a lot of female DJs shelling it at the moment, some of which are actually some of my closest friends too so without being biased (I am biased) lookout for them! They make me so excited. There’s Hannah Lynch, (@hannahlynch_dj) Scouse DJ with multiple residences around the city; she comes with a feel-good blend of RnB old and new. Hannah is currently running free DJ workshops with me at the Unity, a youth club in Toxteth as well as being part of the Culture Deck campaign. She’s been cementing her place as a pioneer for the Liverpool female DJ scene for the last couple of years,

“Renee (@yeahitsrenee) is just a big vibe; massively loved and respected here in Liverpool, high energy, funky sounds, brings a lot of life to any mix or set, definitely one to watch,

“Matty (@mattychiabi) is my best mate from back home, Brixton born and bred and she’s just smashing it, taught herself how to DJ during lockdown and is shelling the London radio world at the moment, incredible presenter as well. Get on them!”

On Friday you’re broadcasting an exclusive size? sessions Mix for us. What can we expect to hear? 

“BIG energy, blends of UKG, afrobeats, baile, 130bpm flavours, some of my favourite music that makes me excited and hopefully you’ll feel the same!”

Outside of the music industry, where do you look for inspiration?  

“My community; Brixton, Toxteth and finding new local and emerging artists. A few years ago me and my best friend, Matty Chiabi, created a music-based community collective back in South London to showcase local young talent called SouthSounds (@southsoundsevents). That massively has played a part in inspiring me, watching young people from my area just express themselves creatively is powerful to me,

“I look for inspiration from my family and friends, who are all so multifaceted in what they do. I’ve got a lot of friends who are dancers and I get a lot of motivation and energy from them too. As well as other things that are important to me like commentating on socio-political issues, and then embodying that in some of my mixes and work.” 

What are your top 3 records of all time?  

“This is so hard, but I’d go with:

Aliyah – Age ain’t nothing but a number

Drake – Take Care 

Amy Winehouse – Frank.”   

What are your top 3 trainers of all time?

“Again another headbanger. If you know me you’ll know how much I love my trainers. 

My mum complains about all the shoes I’ve left back at my family’s house back in London, I’ve got some gems dating back to when I was little, definitely a hoarder when it comes to trainers. Me and my best mate used to rock up to primary in Nike Rifts, we thought we were sick,

“Secondary school for me was when I started banging out Air Max 95s, and then moving to Liverpool it didn’t take me long to clock that these are undoubtedly the Scouse shoe. So defo 95s. My friend Ayshe (@azcaptures) has actually just designed her own pair with Nike by You, so yeah they’ve got to be in my top 3,

“This will be no surprise to those that know me, but Nike Shox is up there for me. I bang them out so I’m glad they’ve made a comeback. I’m gonna have to say the Air Max 97 as well. I remember I had to queue up in Brixton JD to get a pair and literally put them on to walk home in, there and then in the shop. Came home covered in blisters. Worth it though,”

“My top 3:

Nike Air Max 95s (honestly any but big up @azcaptures’ ones) 

Nike Shox TL (Skepta’s ones if we’re going to be specific with it)

Nike Air Max 97 the OG Silver Bullet (the coldest)”

Head back to the size? sessions Mix hub to catch up on the last (20:20 Mixes), and be sure to follow our Mixcloud channel.