Known as the First Lady of Defected Records, Sam Divine has been making crowds dance for the last 20 years. Her love for the dance floor has carried over nicely onto the airwaves where she’s been presenting the label’s radio show for nearly 10 years. How did she go from a fan to one of Defected Records’ most recognizable faces? “You have to take risks, be knocking on doors, and have really really thick skin,” says the self-taught DJ. Sam Divine’s grit is a measure of success.Ā Having unexpected time off the road, she shares how these disruptive times have helped her kick open the door to new habits. She also talks about the changing landscape of women behind DJ decks and the importance of forging your own path as an artist.
The love affair between Sam Divine and Defected Records first started at the weekly parties the label was known for hosting at the Ibiza club Pacha. Since then she set her sights on being as present with the label as much as possible making sure she got as much facetime wherever, whenever.Divine’s tenacity paid off big time. Sheās been with Defected Records for almost 15 years and also runs a successful imprint of her own (DVINE Sounds), but that’s only the tip of the iceberg as with many success stories. Underneath it all lies dedication, determination and a hunger to keep pushing no matter what. āIt takes time. 20 years [in] now, I can kind of look back and Iām pretty much at the top of my game, and Iām having so much fun doing. It hasnāt always been easy… […] build your community because you have to be in this for the long haul,” says Divine. “It doesnāt happen overnight, but if you put your mind to it and you’re really focused and determined, itās the same in anything in life, you can achieve what you set out to achieve.ā
Cut me open, and I bleed Defected.
You have to find what sparks a light. What’s that flame For Sam Divine? Defected Records.
Many artists pivoted when it became apparent that the pandemic’s grip around the world was tightening. COVID-19 has changed the way the world lives. People have found “silver linings” amid loss and isolation. Adversity can open doors to opportunity. āMost of my friends were drinking gin at 12 pm and having a lovely time….thank god I donāt like gin otherwise I would probably have been on the gin train as well,ā laughs Divine. āI did 100 days sober and it was incredible.ā The nightlife is breeding grounds for excessive drinking and substance abuse. Divine joins several other artists who are redefining and modifying their relationship with drinking.
Itās amazing, music sounds different when youāre sober
On DJing when sober, Sam Divine is among the many artists shifting behavior around alocholĀ
āIām going back to the places that before Iād either be pretty much hungover or rolling through from the afters in Vegas getting on a plane. It wasnāt good for my body, but also mentally I took quite a battering because of it as well,” Divine explains. “I did 100 days [sober], and it was a complete game-changer for me. I noticed everything was a lot clearer and I was sleeping betterā¦better relationships. My relationship with alcohol actually coming out of those 100 days [changed]. I took alcohol completely off my rider.ā Through her strong will and with the support of those around her, she’s creating healthier habits to suit her current lifestyle. Surrounding yourself with people who champion good habits will help you in the long run.
Life is for living, but itās about getting that balanceāthatās the harder thing. Itās taken me 20 years of DJing and touring to actually now finally find a balance.
DJing is a steady grind over time
Being on the road takes a toll on the body and mind. So much so that it led Divine to a nervous breakdown prompting her to make some changes. She’s recognizing healing as a journey of its own and its slippery slope. The pandemic magnified the importance of self-care, and she plans on carrying her newfound healthier lifestyle and stronger mindset into life in a post-COVID-19 world. āMusic is hitting differently as well, and Iām very, very vocal about [sobriety] because itās too easy to get dragged back into it. Especially when we go back as well full-throttle everyoneās going to be going crazy, where the first three months I go back, Iām actually going to do it soberā¦try to do it sober,” she notes. “After youāve not seen everyone for a year, right? ‘Letās have a shot!’ Iām going to try my best anyway,ā Divine says in a soft manner. āAs Iām getting older, Iām kind of realizing that you canāt just do that forever, you can’t party forever. Itās so important to look after yourselfā¦get your vitamins, eat your Wheatiesā¦ā
Everything is a strategy and thatās why a lot of DJs probably donāt make it as well.
Learn to crawl before you walk, maintain a steady pace during your journey
āThereās always been a strategy. [ā¦] Itās about making the right moves. You play the right parties, bring out the right music on record labels. [ā¦] Itās important to have a lot of strings to your bow,” explains Divine when it comes to building upon your wins. “Iāve got radio, a bit of presenting, production, DJing, my merchandise, my brandingā¦.All of these things when they come together and stars align thatās kind of when you hit the sweet spot. That definitely took well over 10 years.ā Fresh-faced DJs are typically more eager and say yes to any gig that comes their way. They fail to realize (and accept) whatās feasible both on a professional and personal level. Many overlook logistics and ignore their well-being. The body needs rest and rolling into gigs wonāt keep you in the game for long. Knowing when to say no is equally as important as saying yes.
Itās been an incredible journey. For me, now, itās about traveling the world and meeting new people. Iāve made friends for life through DJing. [ā¦] There are so many amazing things that have happened in my life because of [it]. The most important thing that I probably would have told myself is to get that balance right. Probably not to party too hardālook out for myself a bit more.
Advice to her younger self, Sam Divine embraces her journey
Luck favors the relentless. From her early days as part of Defected Records’ street team and working at a record store, it would all be a matter of divine timing before crossing paths with Simon Dunmore. āI just connected with Simon. He took a huge gambleā¦Everyone was probably looking and saying, āWhat youāre signing a female DJ?’,” explains Divine. “It turned a lot of heads and people were talking about it because no other labels were championing female DJs at that point.ā This positioned her well helping her build a presence within the club circuit and organizing events of her own. She hosted the first party featuring an all-female line-up of 27 DJs 12 years ago. āI donāt really think people knew it was a problem. We get used to seeing all-male lineups in festivals and clubs. We kind of got conditioned to that, to think thatās just normal,” Divine comments. “Itās having these conversations that puts it in the forefront of peopleās minds. Over the next five years, weāre going to see a huge rush in the market of female DJs. I think itās important for DJs like myself to be a good role model…prove that girls, you can do this. It is a slog. It hasnāt been easy because it is a male-dominated industry. Iāve come across a lot of sexism, but weāre stamping that out slowly.ā
2021 is already looking brighter for Divine with some potential gigs on the calendar. She’s also hosting āHouse Music All Life Long,” Defected Records’ new U.S. radio show Diploās Revolution Channel 52 on SiriusXM. 23 million monthly listeners make up the label’s loyal online radio community. āOn a two-hour show, we can take people on a journey,ā Divine highlights. āItās amazing weāre touching all four corners of the world. [ā¦] thereās just so much good music around. We could fill it every week with two hoursā For her, it all comes full circle. Sheās been listening to the Defected radio show for more than 10 years and presenting it for the last six years.
With the DJ market at its most competitive it’s ever been, how can an aspiring DJ breakthrough? āIt comes down to how you carry yourself and the music you play. You have to stand out and be unique. […] It doesnāt come overnight. Everything comes through practice [just like] the best golfers and footballers. It takes years and years,” advises Divine. “Itās quite interesting in the music industry, everyone kind of sees this glamorous lifestyle and it looks all great but the background and the storyā¦I started out in my momās shed in the garden. [ā¦.] It took 10 years to get to [here].ā It’s not only about what you bring to the table (or decks), but also what people think of you. Make sure to treat everyone with kindness and respect because you’ll need their support one day.
For Sam Divine, it’s been a dream come true to sign with Defected Records. Together, they’ve been creating sparks on the dancefloor and show no sign of slowing down. Good thing Divine is always ready with a trusted pair of sneakers to keep her comfy while making crowds dance for hours on end.
