Name: Mhairi Cunningham aka Mha Iri
Occupation: DJ, producer
Nationality: Scottish
Recent Release: Mha Iri's Lazuli EP is out Filth on Acid.
Recommendations: Fairy Tale by Stephen King - it's an absolutely beautiful fantasy novel that explores themes of aging, mortality and the true beauty that lies in our tragically short and finite existence.
"Counting Comets - Ruede Hagelstein" remix is just a really beautiful progressive track that has amazing atmosphere and emotion in it.

[Read our Ruede Hagelstein interview]

If you enjoyed this Mha Iri interview and would like to stay up to date with her music and current live dates, visit her on Instagram, Facebook, and Soundcloud.  

Do you think that some of your earliest musical experiences planted a seed for your interest in DJing?

Not particularly. My earliest experiences with music were the likes of The Carpenters, Bob Dylan, Simply Red, ABBA and Pavarotti as that's what my parents listened to.

I didn't even consider djing or think of it as a profession although I sang all the time and dreamed of being a lead singer.

For your own DJing, what were some of the most important things you learned from teachers/tutorials, other DJs, or personal experience?  

I was self taught and from personal experience I think it's important not to worry if you make mistakes. I'm a perfectionist and can be really hard on myself so that wasn't easy for me to do.

Ultimately strive for perfection but don't be too hard on yourself if it doesn't always go the way you want. Nearly everyone in the crowd has no idea anyway if a mix wasn't completely perfect and they are just enjoying themselves.

How do you approach digging, what are you looking for, and what were some of the best finds of the past few weeks for you?

I use Beatport, Spotify, Soundcloud and hypeddit to dig as well as a bit of bandcamp.

Recent finds have been Venere - "Once Again," N.O.B.A - "Atlantis," Exis – "Terminate."



How would you describe the experience of DJing, physically and mentally? Do you listen – and deejay - with your eyes open or closed?

I do it with my eyes open but I suppose I close them occasionally.

I liken it to being in a state of trance when I play and I really feel a strong connection and energy transfer with people in the crowd. It's something very special.

How does the decision making process work during a gig with regards to the inclusion of key records, the next transition and where you want the set togo? How far do you tend to plan ahead during a set?

I usually have a rough idea of what I want to play but ultimately it all depends on the night and how the crowd are feeling the set.

I take my cues from that and adjust throughout the set accordingly.

When you're DJing, does it actually feel like you're inventing something on the spot – or are you inventively re-arranging patterns from preparations, practise or previous performances?

No it doesn't feel like that. When I'm writing music that's when I feel I am truly creating but when I am djing it's more setting a vibe and enjoying the mixing process whilst transitioning, plus playing with sections of tracks to make it sound slightly different.

I don't feel my djing style or skills are that out there that I am inventing something on the spot personally.

Collaboration is a key part of almost every aspect of music making, but it is still rare in DJing. Do you have an idea why this is? Tell me about your own views on back-to-back DJing, interactions with live musicians or other forms of turning DJing into a more collective process.

I can only speak from my experience but if I'm going back to back with someone then I have to trust completely in their technical ability and our musical style has to be in line with one another. It's also really important to me that we know each other well. I'm also a control freak and for me adding another person into the performance is giving away a bit of control which is a struggle for me.

I've only ever really gone back to back in a professional setting with my best friend Aria who I feel completely comfortable with and have the highest admiration for and we just click personally and musically.

Especially in the light of advances in AI, where do you see the role of humans in DJing versus that of technology? Can AI act as a collaborator or creative stimulus?

AI is still an alien to me so I really don't know the answer to that although I do believe that nothing can compare to the human experience and the emotion and energy that brings cannot be replicated by AI.

Tinnitus and developing hyperacusis are very real risks for anyone working with sound. Do you take precautions in this regard and if you're suffering from these or similar issues – how do you cope with them?

I wear earplugs as soon as I enter a venue but I do take them out for djing as I struggle to get into it with them in. I know that I should wear them while playing but I just cant bring myself to do it.

I do however keep the booth monitor as low as I can to limit damage, and when I'm producing I also limit the volume as much as I can to protect my ears.

I'm fortunate that I have no issues up to now but I know that this may change over the years and I just hope I that have done enough to protect myself.

Let us imagine you lost all your music for one night and all there is left at the venue is a crate of records containing a random selection of music. How would you approach this set?

I honestly couldn't do that. Going back to being a control freak, I would absolutely not be able to handle not knowing what music was coming next in any way shape or form.

I feel it would absolutely destroy the performance for both me and the crowd.