Laylla Dane

In an industry teeming with saturation and perishable hype, Laylla Dane (real name Marta Daneva) looks like a person who has meticulously crafted a playbook on how to maintain relevance and consistency in everything she does. Two decades into her career, she stands as one of the most successful Bulgarian-bred DJs to appear on the global electronic scene. Laylla’s impact, however, extends far beyond the decks, underscoring a multifaceted identity that defies categorisation.

Regularly citing Sofia veterans Bosha and Cinnamint as major wellsprings of initial inspiration, Laylla Dane dived deep into the art of deejaying through prestigious residencies in the early stages of her career. The once-iconic downtown venues Chervilo, Toba&Co, and Culture Beat hosted most of Laylla’s formative moments in the booth until the first international calls started to come in. Shortly after a well-deserved debut at Berlin’s Club der Visionaere and a remarkable appearance at Zip’s New Kids On Acid annual event, she opted for a lengthier pilgrimage to the techno capital, which eventually unfolded over nearly one decade.

This transformative process not only paved Laylla’s entry into the European club and festival circuit but, more importantly, sculpted her into the artist we recognise today. She is operating inside a fertile sonic area where house, techno, and trance are covered in thick layers of trippy psychedelia. In terms of craftsmanship, Laylla’s approach embraces both thoughtful planning and intuitive decision-making, backed by an impressive technical proficiency that establishes her as a genuine keeper of the original DJ values.

From continuously exploring new forms of self-expression to creating meaningful experiences and inspiring fellow people to excel, Laylla Dane’s 20-year journey has been an eclectic one. And yet, you should go back to where it all started for Marta to truly feel where her talents hit hardest.