samantha Togni
BOUDICA // GEGEN
MARCH 17, 2022
SAMANTHA TOGNI
Samantha Togni is a fitting artist to launch the editorial leg of NYXXX. She's multi-talented, runs the independent event series Boudica and its annual conference at Freemasons Hall, and she'll soon release the first record on Boudica's upcoming label.
A former member of a punk band, you can hear the fiery influence of the genre in her DJ sets and productions—perhaps punk and techno go hand-in-hand in the first place, but Samantha's aesthetic is extra punchy. Releases on OBSCUUR, COUP and RAW currently shape her back catalogue, and as a DJ, there's no place too posh or skanky for Samantha. She's played at raves with the INFERNO crew, Boudica parties at Pickle Factory and slightly more high-brow events at London Fashion Week.
Based in London, Samantha's musical roots start in Tuscany and sprawl out to Florence—where she joined the aforementioned punk band—before settling in the UK capital in 2007. While the city had a thriving electronic music scene during this period, Samantha explored the selection of LGBTQ+ parties on offer and soaked up a bit of everything—house, rave, electro and techno.
Bored of seeing the same demographic on line-ups at the time, she felt the need to create a platform that supported gender minorities in music and give back to the LGBTQ+ community, whom she cites as the primary influence behind who she is an artist today.
Boudica was born in 2019, and this was Samantha's way of nurturing womxn and non-binary artists and giving back to the LGBTQ+ community. Over the years, she’s invited a range of techno-led talents to play, from local artists Becky Stroke, Tedesco, MarcelDune to international names like Nur Jaber and Lady Starlight.
Through Boudica, Samatha provides a vital outlet for womxn and non-binary artists to come together in a safe space. While her punk heritage is one aspect of her story, her open-minded attitude and relentless work ethic are also core to her projects. We talk about how this is both a good and a bad thing, her plans for Boudica, and how she is grateful to support organisations in Ukraine right now through music.
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Basic but valid question. How are you?
I am doing good thanks, I am currently on my way to Paris. This is my first gig abroad back and yes, it feels good being able to leave the country to DJ again, but also my heart aches because of what's happening at the moment in Ukraine. Tomorrow, when I am back in London, we are planning a fundraiser with some of the Queer collectives there including Boudica, Riposte, Monster Queen and Subversa, and to collect money for the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine. I am happy that I am able to support this by doing what I love doing.
The last time we did an interview for an independent platform, it was for Quarantune—which NYXXX spawned from—in March 2020. How would you describe the last two years between now and then?
A lot has changed within me since we last spoke. I still do what I love, I still work hard on my projects and I am extremely proud of the things I have achieved professionally.
But most importantly, the last two years have taught me so much about what the important things are in my life. My priorities have shifted and I have learnt to prioritise myself. At the beginning of the pandemic, I exhausted myself working—that was my coping mechanism to avoid coming to terms with what was happening. After I burnt myself out in the first half of the pandemic, I promised myself that my free time was sacred and there was no excuse to not rest or not enjoy time with friends, family and myself. Even if I am experiencing one of the busiest times of my life, I am dealing with it in a different way and I have to say, it feels pretty great. Cliché AF but it's really all about finding your inner balance.
A few months ago, we chatted briefly about your roots in punk for your full page (!!!) Boudica feature in DJ Mag. I want to know more about the punk scene you were part of in Tuscany. What was the vibe of the scene at the time and how did you end up in it?
I used to live in a remote part of Italy where there was not much to do and I had a big passion for alternative music, indie films and books. Weirdly enough the local library had records like Bad Religion, Ramones and Clash so I started getting into that type of music. The internet was my escape and I started to connect with people from all over Italy who were listening to punk and hardcore stuff.
I then finally went to my first gig to see The Exploited at La Gabbia in Bassano, I remember it took me 5 hours to get there (two buses and a train, maybe more?). Something inside me clicked—everyone was there for the music and the scene.
It did not matter how far you had to travel, how cold it was (I used to wake up at -27C sometimes!!), the only thing that mattered was being there, supporting, dancing ‘til you were out of breath and being part of something special.
I am lucky enough to still experience these emotions in some parties I play like Gegen in Berlin for example, or at one of the last gigs I played in London for the Stay Up Forever family. I find, in some techno parties, that rawness and sense of belonging that I used to feel back then.
Speaking of Tuscany, I also asked you to send a photo from the region, taken at any point in your life that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Tell us why the photo below sparks such feelings?
It will have to be this picture of me and my mum at my home in Tuscany. My mum is definitely my rock and I am hers. Also, I am very attached to my house and I feel very fortunate to have a space where I can go anytime I need to disconnect, surrounded by nature.
Tuscan dreams
Now back to the present day in London. The Boudica parties are thriving at the moment, particularly since clubs reopened in the UK. What is the most rewarding and challenging aspect of being a promoter right now?
I am so proud of what Boudica has become, we have created our own family and many people come back religiously to every party. It's a great feeling. One of the aspects I most love about Boudica is definitely putting together the lineups, it's so rewarding when people find out about a DJ because of your event and they start following and supporting them. Boudica was created to create opportunities to DJ and my biggest wish is to see the DJs that play for us, flourish and have great careers.
There is a lot of responsibility when you put together an event, you are creating a space and you are inviting others to it, people that you know or that you have not seen before. There is so much work that goes behind the preparation of an event and sometimes this can be quite challenging—getting everything done as an independent promoter. I always find the day of the party quite nerve-wracking but when I get to the venue and people start arriving, it all disappears and I am reminded of how important it is for the community to have this space.
I also asked you to send a photo from Boudica that captures the essence of the parties. Tell us about this photo?
I will have to go with this picture of me and my partner in crime, Wax Wings. This was taken during the first weekend the clubs opened after the pandemic. I will remember that Boudica forever, everyone was smiling and danced for 8 hours non-stop.
Boudica bellezze 📸 @999999999boyscrysendpics
You also have plans to branch Boudica out into a label and do a second Boudica music conference this year. Can you share anything about these projects yet?
This year we are finally launching the label. We are starting with a V/A including Nur Jaber, Wanton Witch, Femanyst and I. The presales go live on the 30th of March, I am so excited! When we announce the presale we will also announce the second V/A. We have some wicked names booked for it! We are planning to launch 3 vinyls records this year.
Boudica Music Conference will be happening again this year in collaborations with organisations such as AFEM, Musicians' Union, PRS for Music and many more. We will be doing it again at Freemasons' Hall.
I am also bringing Boudica to Italy in October and to Berlin in September. Similar to the one in London, we will be doing panels and workshops during the day and music during the night.
Let’s talk about your own music. Are you working on any releases or special mixes right now?
I have quite a bit of music coming out at the moment. I have a vinyl EP that is coming out on Pls.UK next week, 2 more on Lobster Theremin and one on RAW. I have also planned a few really cool remixes and tracks on V/As . I’ve been experimenting with other sounds and much slower BPMs. Hopefully, the album will be done soon—the plan is to release it on Boudica.
Tell us something not many people know about you?
I love cucumbers in my porridge.
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Tickets to Boudica on 22nd April are available here