Rohan Rakhit is a DJ, curator, broadcaster, and tastemaker who stays connected to the industry's rhythm. He showcases emerging marginalized voices within his DJ sets, highlighting the soulful essence of his hometown, London. Additionally, he is a key member of the DAYTIMERS collective, which supports South Asian talent across various fields, grounded in the communal ethos of rave culture, transcending generations and geographical boundaries.
REA is a DJ and producer based in Bristol, merging baile funk with the unique energy of UK bass music. Associated with SWU FM and Rinse FM, her genre-crossing performances range from small underground venues to major international festivals, including Outlook and Boomtown Fair.
In their discussion for Personality Clash, Rohan and REA address misconceptions about South Asians in club music and emphasize the importance of honoring historical influences through innovation in DAYTIMERS' notable release, ‘Alterations’, which is available today.
The name ‘Alterations’ pays homage to the intricate tailoring of South Asian garments and is a ten-track album created in collaboration with Relentless Records and Sony Music India, celebrating the advancement of South Asian artistry and its significant contribution to electronic music.
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REA: When did we first meet? Was it at Boomtown?
Rohan: I believe we had a brief encounter at the Jazz Cafe when we were on the same lineup. We didn’t have a proper conversation then, so this feels nice. Where did you grow up?
REA: I was born in London, but my family eventually moved away. I started university in Bristol six years ago and spent a year abroad in Spain. Now, Bristol feels like home. What’s your background?
Rohan: I was also born in London, but relocated to Switzerland due to my Dad’s job.
REA: Do you speak French?
Rohan: I was in the German-speaking region. I used to be fluent in Swiss-German, but I’ve lost that over time. I returned to London after studying in Nottingham and began diving into dance music passionately then. How does Bristol compare for you?
REA: Bristol has its unique charm. Statistically, it reflects the UK population quite well, especially in terms of diversity. However, I do observe that some areas are more diverse than others, which can feel segregated at times. During my time at university, I often felt like I stood out.
Rohan: I felt similarly in Nottingham and had those experiences when I first started going to clubs. Were you part of those initial DAYTIMERS conversations?
REA: Yes, I was involved, even though I was in Spain at the time.
Rohan: In those early discussions, we reflected on how university acts as a gateway to club culture in the UK; how bookings often go to those who look the part rather than those genuinely knowledgeable about music.
REA: The university club scene operates like its own ecosystem. A person bids to book a venue while inviting their friends, which restricts entry to those not in their circle. I felt like an outsider in predominantly white spaces, always on the edges. Even during house parties in my first year, I didn’t get the chance to touch the decks; it felt like an assumption was made that a brown woman wouldn’t know much about dance music.
Rohan: This "model minority" mindset comes to mind frequently and how those biases shape our experiences. Imagine if it were the reverse, where people would trust your expertise right off the bat; that would change everything. My path into music really started with DAYTIMERS, where I found myself advocating as a brown artist rather than just an artist. It’s perhaps only recently that I’ve started feeling less defined solely by my background and more recognized as an artist. How does that resonate with you?
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REA: I find DAYTIMERS’ international presence incredible. Yet, being based in Bristol sometimes makes me feel disconnected from broader scenes. I know I’ve been booked at times as a token since I’m among the few brown female DJs, leading to blurred lines about whether it’s for optics. While developing as a DJ and producer, I haven’t had many opportunities to discuss my brownness. There are many conversations about women's representation in dance music, but fewer about the experiences of brown women, which brings its own layer of exclusion.
Rohan: Just this past weekend, while performing in Germany at a large pro-democracy festival, I experienced a racist incident. It’s a stark example of how an event can present itself as radical and inclusive while doing little to genuinely include or protect us.
REA: I recently performed at a packed event where there were two lines—one going in and one coming out. I approached the bouncer, told him I was on stage, and asked if I could go in or had to queue. He told me to wait for five minutes and he’d let me in. I stood there with three white men, and people in the other queue began questioning how we were
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Rohan Rakhit is a DJ, curator, broadcaster, and tastemaker who stays attuned to the pulse of the industry. He showcases the next generation of marginalized voices in his DJ sets.