The first thing Klaudia Gawlas remembers about music isn’t a club, a festival, or a record store – it’s a car ride with her aunt.

“She had this cassette of Jeff Mills playing,” she says. “It was very monotone, but full of energy – smashing, really. I was hooked immediately.” That cassette became a daily ritual, a portal into a world of rhythm and repetition that would shape her life. Berlin raves followed, then Loveparade, and the seed of a career was planted.

Fast forward, and Gawlas is now a serious force on the international techno circuit. Her sound—tight, festival-ready, hypnotic—is leaving dancers spellbound from Colombia to Germany. Fresh off a South American tour, she reflects on the highs of performing abroad and the uncertainty the pandemic has wrought. “I had very intense experiences in Colombia. Two really beautiful parties, lots of overwhelming impressions,” she says. But the optimism of touring is tempered by reality. “Upcoming gigs are cancelled because of Corona. We don’t know how this ends up. We’ll have to wait.”

Catching the Festival Vibe

Her latest release on Popof’s FORM Music is a summation of all these experiences. Produced last summer, it’s a track built to capture the energy of festival season. “I tried to catch that summer feeling, pack all my inspirations into it,” she explains. The remix by Julian Jeweil, a producer she has long admired, was serendipitous. “I met him after his gig in Germany—grabbed his shuttle, asked if he’d remix my track—and he said yes immediately. That was a big moment for me.”

Despite the lure of producing on the road, Gawlas prefers the controlled environment of a studio. “Traveling is hard, time is tight. I love being in a studio with a good sound system, enough time, and no pressure,” she says. The studio is where her ideas take shape, where experimentation and focus are possible.

Music as a Universal Language

Her philosophy is simple: music connects. “It’s all about music. We all speak one language.” But there’s a constant negotiation between personal expression and audience expectation. “Your taste is not always the same as others’. You sometimes have to decide whether you make music for yourself or for the fans in clubs and festivals.” It’s a balance she navigates with a clear-eyed approach to career and creativity.

Even the most disciplined artists encounter hurdles. Gawlas admits, “I’ve made decisions that weren’t always right, but that’s how the cookie crumbles. Stand behind it, learn, or move on.” Away from the decks, she seeks balance in nature. Hiking, reading, and childhood loves like soccer offer an escape, though music is never far from her thoughts. “I love exchanging ideas with other DJs 0 it’s inspiring.”

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, Klaudia Gawlas is focused on festival season and new productions. “I love being on stage, celebrating music with the crowd. That keeps me going. I’m also considering recording a new album, but that’s a longer project.”

From a car ride with a Jeff Mills cassette to commanding international dancefloors, Klaudia Gawlas embodies a rare duality: meticulous in the studio, fearless on stage. She’s a techno artist building a global presence without losing sight of her roots – and the dancefloor is taking notice.

Keep up with Klaudia Gawlas on Facebook and Instagram. Klaudia Galwas plays Sea You Festival (18th + 19th July)  // Resident Advisor // Facebook // Soundcloud // Instagram //