TONY Y NOT
TONY Y NOT
“Trusting my gut and creating from a place of curiosity and excitement is the way to go”
Photographer: Neel Gupta
“
” Mental health is such a huge part of this industry, but it often gets ignored in favor of the glossier, more glamorous side of things
Interview by: Mauricio Viana
In my conversation with Tony y Not, I discovered the synergy of her distinctive sound, a blend of emotional resonance and fearless curiosity. With her new EP, Have You Lost Your Mind?, set to drop on the mighty Kompakt, Tony explores uncharted sonic territory that mirrors her personal evolution and strong commitment to creative risk-taking.
Yet her artistry runs deeper than music. She’s also a passionate advocate for mental health, using her Safe Spaces Series podcast to spark honest and vulnerable discussions about the behind-the-scenes struggles that many artists face. By openly sharing her own challenges and triumphs, she’s helping promote a more supportive and empathetic music community.
In this interview, Tony reveals the sparks behind her creative vision, the hurdles that have shaped her path, and her belief in music’s power to heal, connect, and transform.
Tony, thank you for being here, and congratulations on this cover feature! How are you processing all of the recent success in your career?
Thank you! It’s one of those moments where everything feels like it’s aligning in the best way. Last year was quieter in terms of shows, but I was working on a lot of music, defining my sound, having fun with the process and now it’s all coming together. I was also focused on my health and taking a step back to rethink how
I wanted to evolve and show up as a DJ and musician because some things weren’t working. This year feels like a fresh start, almost a reinvention, and I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead. I think every artist goes through cycles of growth and introspection, and I fully embraced that.
Your new EP, ‘Have You Lost Your Mind’?, is slated for release on Kompakt right in the middle of all the Miami Music Week buzz. What’s been the driving force behind this particular project, and how does it reflect your current sound?
The EP features two tracks, each with its own character. ‘Have You Lost Your Mind?’ is an upbeat dance track with an unexpected vocal break. I decided to bring my voice back into my music. It’s something I’ve always loved but held back from using. The inspiration came from this overwhelming sense of global chaos, like the world had collectively kind of lost it, and that energy fed into the song.
‘Deep Don’t Stop’ is more hypnotic and driving, with droning vocals that add a darker, almost otherworldly vibe. It’s about losing yourself in the rhythm while reflecting on the madness around us. I like music that takes you somewhere, that makes you feel a little lost before pulling you back in. Both tracks embody that balance. I don’t want to make safe choices; I want to make music that surprises me and others.
Last year’s ‘Give & Take’ really caught people’s attention. Looking back on that release, how did it influence your creative direction or mindset going into this new one?
‘Give & Take’ showed me that trusting my gut and creating from a place of curiosity and excitement is the way to go. It pushed me to be more fearless in my sound and experiment even further. One big shift was embracing my voice more. I was always shy about singing, but now I see it as an essential part of my music. The reaction to ‘Give & Take’ gave me the confidence to keep going in that direction of just embracing confidence in my taste. I also wanted to continue making tracks that work on the dance floor while branching out into sounds with more emotional depth. I love music that makes you move, but I also love music that lingers, that sits with you after the night is over. That’s the balance I’m chasing right now, creating something that works in a club but also has a deeper, more personal layer to it. I think there’s a huge opportunity to blur those lines, and that’s what excites me most about making music right now.
Your sets are known for swerving from playful, pop-tinged gems to darker, acidinfused rollers. How do you maintain that sense of freedom and spontaneity while still connecting with the dance floor?
It’s all about trusting the crowd, my instincts, and knowing that the best moments often come from unexpected turns. I love playing with building tension and release. DJing is about connection for me. I make eye contact, dance with the audience. I don’t want to just play to them, I want to be part of it. In the end, I’m just another dancer on the floor. That shared love for music is what brings us all together, and I never want to lose that sense of unity and spontaneity.
I can get all spiritual about it, how music is this healing shared language, this energy that flows between all of us but at the same time, I think DJing is also about not taking yourself
too seriously. If I’m having fun, if I’m in the moment, the crowd feels that. I want my sets to feel like an experience that people can have to come together and collectively forget about reality for a moment.
Beyond your music, you’ve also championed mental health through your ‘Safe Spaces Series’ podcast. Was there a specific moment or experience that motivated you to start these frank discussions within the community?
I’ve faced my own battles with mental and physical health, and I know how isolating it can feel. There’s an unspoken pressure in this industry to always be ‘on,’ to act like everything is amazing all the time, but that’s just not the reality. So many people struggle, and I realized that not enough of us were talking about it. I wanted to create open conversations where people could feel seen and understood and the feedback has been incredible. People tell me all the time how much these conversations resonate with them. I think social media makes everything look perfect, but people crave honesty. I know I would have loved to have something like this to listen to on my hardest days, just to remind me that I wasn’t alone. That’s why I do it because I know how much it can mean to hear someone else say, ‘Yeah, I’ve been there too, and it’s okay.’
Mental health is such a huge part of this industry, but it often gets ignored in favor of the glossier, more glamorous side of things. The reality is, so many of us go through the ups and downs, and I think it’s important to break the stigma. I love hearing other artists open up and share their experiences and it helps to validate what so many people feel. Community and connection are everything. I truly believe that when we talk about these things openly, we make space for healing, and I hope that through Safe Spaces Series, I can contribute to that in some way.
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about life as a touring DJ/ producer, and how can we foster a healthier, more balanced environment for artists?
People see the highlights, the big shows, the travel, the adrenaline but they don’t see the long hours, the exhaustion, the discipline behind it. Finding balance is crucial, whether that’s through better scheduling, more community support, or just normalizing that taking a break doesn’t mean losing momentum.
Touring can actually be incredibly lonely. In 2023, I was on the road a lot, and despite constantly being surrounded by people, I often felt very alone. Social media makes it look like nonstop fun, but that’s not the reality. This year, I’m reshaping my career to be more local and sustainable, prioritizing balance over constant movement.
You’ve played some of the most iconic venues and festivals around the world. Can you share a standout memory that still gives you chills when you think about it?
There are so many, but one that stands out, and I have said that before, is playing in my hometown, Zurich. Having my high school friends and family with me, watching them witness what I’m doing now, it means the world to me. There’s something incredibly special about that full-circle moment and showing my dearest ones what I do. Those are the moments that stay with you and actually show you how far you have come.
“
” I don’t want to make safe choices; I want to make music that surprises me and others
Your approach to DJing seems to blend contrasting moods—lighthearted fun and that late-night intensity. Do you follow a particular method or instinct when deciding how to steer a set?
I like to imagine what the night will feel like, setting a certain mood in my mind, but I don’t want to be too rigid in my selection. The best sets happen when there’s space to adapt, when I can read the crowd and respond in real time. Going with the flow allows me to create those unexpected moments where everything just clicks. It’s about striking a balance between having a vision and letting the energy in the room shape the journey. That’s what keeps a set feeling alive and dynamic.
You often talk about lifting up fellow female and non-binary talent. From your perspective, what steps would truly move the needle when it comes to representation in electronic music?
The industry is, for the most part, welcoming. There’s a lot of support, and I’ve seen positive changes. But when you look closer, certain biases still run deep. Line-ups are often curated in ways that feel performative and tokenizing, and I’ve been booked not for my talent, but simply to fill the ‘female DJ’ quota. Beyond that, frustrating stereotypes persist - like the assumption that female producers don’t create their own music. I’ve dealt with those doubts firsthand, and it’s exhausting. Then there’s the constant fixation on appearance, as if being sexy
and being skilled can’t coexist. The idea that ‘a woman in a certain outfit surely can’t mix’ is ridiculous. Male DJs rarely face this kind of scrutiny.
Representation isn’t just about numbers, it’s about visibility, opportunity, and real support. It’s not enough to acknowledge diverse artists; they need to be actively booked, given press, and provided with the resources to grow. The goal is to shift the culture so that diversity isn’t just a trendy talking point but the standard. It’s frustrating how often the focus is pulled away from the music itself, but I’m hopeful. There’s a growing push for authenticity and inclusivity, and the industry is evolving. While there’s still work to do, I believe that, over time, the conversation will center where it always should have: on the music.
Collaboration has been a key aspect of your journey, from supporting heavyweight names to exploring your own unique partnerships. Who would be your dream collaborator and why?
I’d love to work with someone completely outside the club world or someone who approaches sound from a totally different perspective. I also wouldn’t mind getting more into songwriting again and singing or maybe even diving into some really cheesy pop music and sad songs. There’s something fun about embracing a completely different genre and just going all in on the emotion.
“ ” Stop waiting for permission. Trust your voice, take up space, and don’t overthink whether something is ‘right’
If you could pass one piece of wisdom to your younger self, just starting out in this industry, what would it be, and how has that advice shaped where you are today?
Stop waiting for permission. Trust your voice, take up space, and don’t overthink whether something is ‘right’. If it excites you, that’s enough. Be authentically you because trends come and go, but staying true to what moves you will always set you apart. The moments where I’ve leaned into my instincts rather than chasing what’s ‘in’ have been the most rewarding, both creatively and personally.
Lastly, as you continue to break boundaries and share your music on the global stage, what do you hope listeners will remember most about your artistic journey?
More than anything, I want people to feel something , whether that’s pure joy or a moment of connection. If someone walks away from my set feeling uplifted, like they had a break from life’s stress, then I’ve done my job.
Thanks for the time and all the best!
Thank you! :-)
‘Insomnia’: 30 Years Of A Sleepless Generation
by Axel Bray
Photo by Chris Dewhurst | FKP Scorpio
When Faithless
released ‘Insomnia’ in 1995, the track did not simply enter the
electronic
music lexicon; it infiltrated it.
It was more than a club anthem; it became a cultural marker, a track that transcended dance music circles and lodged itself into the collective consciousness. From underground raves to festival main stages, from film soundtracks to TV commercials, ‘Insomnia’ evolved into one of the most recognizable pieces of electronic music ever created. Its enthralling build-up, Sister Bliss’ sharp synth lines, and Maxi Jazz’s unmistakable spoken-word delivery ensured that the song would not just be heard but remembered. To this day, the moment the arpeggiated riff kicks in, the reaction is Pavlovian. Yet, its journey from studio experiment to global phenomenon was far from instantaneous.
Faithless was never a conventional dance act. Formed by producer Rollo Armstrong, multi-instrumentalist Sister Bliss, and lyricist-vocalist Maxi Jazz, the trio set out to craft music that was expansive and emotive, electronic in structure but deeply human in feel. A reflection of rebellion. Their debut album, ‘Reverence’, released in 1996, echoed this ethos, weaving together house, trip-hop, and progressive textures with a distinctly introspective touch. ‘Insomnia’, the album’s second single, emerged as an anomaly even within this diverse collection of tracks. Darker and more patient than typical club hits of the era, it unfolded like a story rather than a formulaic dance track. It refused immediate gratification, delaying its euphoric payoff in a way that defied radio standard conventions but made it an underground sensation.
Maxi Jazz’s lyrics played a crucial role in the track’s distinctiveness. Unlike the euphoric refrains that characterized much of mid’90s electronic music, ‘Insomnia’ was laced with tension and the existential frustration of a generation. Jazz, known for his calm and almost meditative delivery, narrated the struggles of sleeplessness with a detached coolness that was somehow both poetic and relatable. The now-iconic phrase, “I can’t get no sleep,” uttered in his measured, almost resigned tone, captured the restless energy of late-night cityscapes, the anxiety of overactive minds, and the dissonance between exhaustion and an inability to shut down. It was a lyrical motif that resonated far beyond the dancefloor.
The production itself was equally unconventional. While the track opens sparsely, with airy pads and a skittering beat that teases rather than announces its presence, its true power lies in its slow, deliberate build. The tension mounts steadily until the unmistakable synth riff arrives, a twisting, urgent motif that feels like an insomniac’s thoughts looping endlessly in the dark. The choice of instrumentation was crucial in shaping the track’s atmosphere. The pulsing bassline, crafted using a Roland Juno-106, combined with layers of delay and reverb, created a depth that felt cinematic. The rhythm section, borrowing elements from house and breakbeat, ensured the track remained dynamic despite its patience. Unlike the predictable drops that would later dominate festival anthems, ‘Insomnia’ delivered its release unpredictably, making the catharsis of its climax even more potent.
Despite its now-legendary status, ‘Insomnia’ was not an instant success. Initially, its reception was lukewarm, failing to make an immediate impact on mainstream charts. Its ascent was slow, driven first by club culture and DJ support rather than commercial radio. In the UK, it took multiple re-releases before it finally broke into the top three in 1996. By the time mainstream audiences caught on, it had already become a staple in underground electronic circles. What set ‘Insomnia’ apart from many of its contemporaries was its longevity. While countless dance tracks from the era faded into nostalgia, ‘Insomnia’ remained ever-present, continuously resurfacing through remixes, reworks, and live performances.
Its cultural impact is undeniable. It became synonymous with the late-’90s explosion of electronic music, a time when dance culture was breaking free from its underground origins and cementing itself as a global force. The track found its way into film soundtracks, television commercials, and even sporting events, each
time reaffirming its status as a generational anthem. Unlike many electronic tracks that remain confined to the era they were born in, ‘Insomnia’ refuses to age. It continues to ignite festival crowds, its drop still as electrifying in the hands of contemporary DJs as it was when it first emerged from Faithless’ studio.
Now, almost 30 years after its release, ‘Insomnia’ remains a reference point in electronic music history. It is a testament to the idea that dance music, often dismissed as ephemeral, can possess depth and permanence. It is a reminder that a track does not need to rely on obvious formulas to achieve mass appeal. It is proof that electronic music, when crafted with intention, can be as evocative and enduring as any genre. In an industry where trends shift rapidly and hits are designed for fleeting relevance, ‘Insomnia’ endures, its restless energy still pulsing through clubs and speakers, ensuring that for those who hear it, sleep remains secondary to sound.
Official press
