DJ AYA
DJ AYA is a Swiss-born, Berlin-based DJ known for her powerful, bass-driven sets and intuitive mixing style that energizes dancefloors from Europe to Tokyo. Classically trained on piano from the age of three, her sound now spans electro, breaks, and experimental bass—constantly evolving, yet always rooted in rhythm and emotion.
Together with her best friend Gabriella Rowland, she co-runs (lip) service, a music-focused bar night centering lesbians, trans, and non-binary communities. What began as a shared vision in East London has now become a vital space in Berlin’s queer nightlife, offering both intimate social vibes and global FLINTA* talent.
We spoke with DJ AYA about her musical evolution, creating space for queer joy, and what she has planned for the dancefloor at the KEYI Magazine event at Tresor on September 18.
Hey dear, so nice to have you in our KEYI world – community! Could you introduce yourselves?
Hi, my name is Lilian, also known as DJ AYA and I currently live in Berlin. I work as a DJ and run my own event – (lip) service, a music-centric lesbian bar and club night.
Your sets are known for being bass-heavy and energetic. How do you curate your sound to reflect the mood of a space or crowd?
My sound has gone through quite the journey in the past years since I started and I have to say that sometimes I still get booked for my older sound, which is much faster and harder than what I like to play now. So I always make sure to check the line-up and the party before I get to my gig, so I know what I can expect and/is expected of me. But generally, I freestyle during most of my sets so I can respond and adapt to the energy that is needed on the dancefloor and usually manage to pick up the dancers when I start playing and take them on my Aya journey 🙂
From classical piano at age 3 to DJing global dancefloors—how has your relationship with music evolved over time?
When I think back, there was always music playing or an instrument being played in my home growing up but since it was mostly classical music, it felt more like schooling than being able to really enjoy the music if I am completely honest – I guess I was just way too young to understand and to appreciate it! But of course, today I am very grateful to have had the education and the knowledge I have attained then, and it obviously comes in very handy now 🙂
But the passion for music has always been there, whether I would play the piano, sing, dance in the club or stand behind the booth – when there is music, I am fully locked in with my whole body, mind and soul. Music has always been my best friend, a place of safety, a place to escape, my companion throughout every emotion I have ever felt and simply something that carries me through whatever life throws at me.
(lip)service was born out of a desire to create space for lesbians, trans, and NB folks. What was missing from Berlin’s queer nightlife that you wanted to address?
The idea for (lip) service (which I run with my London bestie Gabriella Rowland) first took shape back in our early 20s, while we were immersed in East London’s queer scene. Between all the fun, a recurring conversation kept coming up: the need for a sexier, more music-focused lesbian* party. Years later, after both of us landed in Berlin, it finally felt like the right time to bring that vision to life—and so (lip) service was born.
Looking at the nightlife Berlin already had to offer for our community, we realised Berlin didn’t necessarily need another club night, but rather a bar night—a space where we could meet in a more relaxed environment, whilst enjoying fantastic music. That’s also why we came up with our slogan: Berlin music-centric lesbian bar night for hot dykes* to meet, mingle & make out. Although the bar night is still at our core, we do oscillate between club nights also, allowing us to showcase global FLINTA* talent.
You are part of the lineup for our next KEYI Magazine event in Tresor, which will be fashion-art and music immersive event – what are you preparing for us ?
Since it’s part of a fashion and art event I think I would like to play out some of my, let’s say nerdyer tracks, a little more experimental with more bass, electro and breaks. Nonetheless, I will always keep it floor-ready, groovy and sexy. I’m very excited!
As someone who has experienced queer nightlife in both London and Berlin, how would you compare the two scenes?
I’d say the Berlin queer scene might be slightly larger than London’s, simply because historically there have been more spaces in the city specifically dedicated to the queer community. That said, both cities share a lot in common as international capitals, attracting people from all over the world. Ultimately, queer nightlife is queer nightlife—whether you’re in London or Berlin, you get a similar experience of what it means to be part of a Western queer hub.
You were born in Zurich but have roots in Japan. What are your thoughts on Asia? What’s your favorite place to visit or perform?
I love visiting Japan in general but I loved playing at Vent and I really enjoy Mitsuki in Tokyo.
What role do style and fashion play in your self-expression both on and off the stage?
I’ve always been interested in fashion and love expressing myself through the way I dress. It’s somewhat a reflection of who I am, and I enjoy seeing how my style changes over time—it shows all the different phases and chapters I go through, all my different eras haha. But I honestly don’t take it so seriously and just have fun with it and wear whatever feels good to me at that moment, on and off stage.
You’ve spoken about not comparing your journey to others. What helps you stay focused on your own path in such a competitive industry?
Oh, I don’t remember speaking about this haha but I would say just focus on your craft and skills, believe in yourself and in what you do and support other’s successes as much as you celebrate your own. Everyone is on their own journey and I believe that whatever is meant for you will come to you in the right moment.
When you’re not touring, what does a perfect weekend in Berlin look like for you?
Spending lots of time with friends! Either it will be a very relaxing and wholesome weekend with lots of sleep, nice meals and maybe hit Vabali or you’ll find me dancing somewhere all weekend – all depends on how I feel, what I need and what’s on!
Is there a moment in your career that really affirmed, “This is exactly where I’m supposed to be”?
I wouldn’t say there was a specific moment, but following what I love doing the most and seeing it resonating with others – it’s the best feeling ever! If I can see that I bring joy to people for a couple of hours on a weekend and make them shake their asses, then I am exactly where I am supposed to be, doing what I can do best. But the proudest I’ve felt has been since we launched (lip) service —being able to give something back to the community while building a space I truly believe in and seeing how important it’s become to others makes me proud for what I have achieved so far and that again, reassures me that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, doing what i am supposed to do.
pictures by Kolja Tinkova
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