On Tour

Sally C

Irish born, Berlin based DJ & Producer

Whether via her DJ sets or label Big Saldo’s Chunkers, Sally C has developed one of the most distinctive sonic signatures in electronic music. The Belfast-born, Berlin-based artist traverses the gamut of vintage house, hip house, acid and breakbeat, all with that unmistakable Chunker sound.

Sally’s DJing journey begun in 2010 at the Reading Rooms in Dundee, Scotland, an iconic local club, playing host to the likes of DJ Pierre, DJ Sneak and Green Velvet. It was here she met an open-minded and accepting community and gained a crucial education in digging, mixing and all things dance music culture, an experience that would set her up for the rest of her career.

These guiding principles of authenticity, community and independence lie at the core of who Sally is as an artist and have defined her brick-by-brick journey since day one. Moving to Berlin in 2015, she etched out a spot in the city’s thriving club scene, throwing parties at Griessmühle and her own open-air raves, all the while building a fanbase for her raw and chunky style. When she was tapped for her debut Boiler Room in 2019 at AVA Festival, it was a noticeable levelling up. No longer a developing talent, RA lauded her as a festival highlight, noting her “musical range and technical acuity”.

Up until 2020, Sally had built her name entirely based on her inspired selector skills, but all that changed with the launch of her own independent imprint Big Saldo’s Chunkers. The label is inspired by the golden era of hip house and US house music from ‘88 – ’98, and in particular, artists such as Fast Eddie, Tyree and the late great K-Hand, whose trailblazing music has impacted her so heavily.

Berlin based Irishwoman Sally C believes in back to basics party music with a sincerity that shines out like a probe light.

Everything in her tracks is straight from 1988-92: she samples, chops and loops like Todd Terry, throws in piano riffs like the most shameless of Italians, makes bass tones that bring to mind early Murk, Gat Decor and Together’s “Hardcore Uproar.” It’s Man Like Sasha, on a mission, hands in the air, “Where you from what you on?”, sweet, sorted, safe, wish bosh bash, no messing about and it cannot be denied.

People fret about music becoming formulaic but it’s a formula this potent, what’s the problem? [The Wire]