Claudine Mayari on building community through music
How would you describe what you want people to feel when you’re playing?
I want people to connect with themselves, first and foremost. I always want to take people on a journey. I play across different genres, but it’s all rooted in melody and that R&B feeling. That’s where it starts for me. I love being able to move around sonically and take people somewhere unexpected. More than anything, I just want people to feel something. That feels important right now. Sometimes you go somewhere and it just feels like a playlist and the best DJs take you on a journey. They show you something new, make you feel something unexpected, and create moments you remember afterwards. That’s what makes it special.
How did Girls Love Soul first come together?
Me and Stephanie used to work together at Size?, and before either of us were DJing, music was the center of our shift. That’s really where our connection started. When we both left, we went our separate ways for a bit and started DJing on our own. Then she got in touch saying she’d been seeing what I was doing and had an idea. The funny thing is, I thought she wanted me to do a guest mix. I didn’t realise she meant as a partner. We met up, spoke properly, and I just remember thinking, yeah, this is missing. We wanted to create something that highlighted women. We started online, then it naturally grew into events and community from there.
What’s been one of the proudest moments so far?
Curating the line up via Red Bull for Cross The Tracks. That felt like a real moment for us because it reflected everything we’d been building online, showcasing women, creating opportunities, curating line-ups and bringing that community feeling into real life. To see it happen on that scale felt really special. And it’s a blessing to have done this two years in a row.
Girls Love Soul has built a real following over the years. What does genuine community mean to you now?
For me, community is about relationships and sustaining them. It’s about knowing people, understanding what they need, appreciating what everyone brings, and creating spaces where people can be themselves. It should feel welcoming. It should feel like people belong there.
Does it feel like that community is still growing?
Yeah definitely. We had a period where we were doing loads of parties, so there was a lot of in-person connection. Then life happens, things slow down, and there are quieter periods. That energy ebbs and flows, but we’re excited about building that side again. And we’re expanding our roster of talented DJs for our online mixes which is very special.
London feels like a city people have a complicated relationship with right now. What keeps you connected to it?
I definitely have a complicated relationship with London because sometimes I really do want to leave. But I love London and it will always be home. I love the diversity and blending of cultures. I’ve lived all over - Islington, Tottenham, Croydon, South East, now West, and every part of the city has given me something different. Even when it overwhelms you, there’s still nowhere quite like it.
Are there still areas or spots that pull you back in?
Soho, definitely. Even though I don’t always love being in central London, I do love the little pocket of Soho and just wandering around it. There’s always something happening and it still feels full of character. I also love Panadera Bakery there. It’s a Filipino bakery and their menu is divine. If you’re getting one thing, get the chicken and mushroom sando.
What’s a place you’ve discovered recently that’s stayed with you?
A space called Ibraaz, just off Oxford Circus. It’s dedicated to culture and voices from the global majority. There are talks, screenings, music, a library and a café. It feels like the kind of space London has really needed.
Music-wise, is there a sound you feel isn’t being pushed enough right now?
I love artists like Dijon and Mk.gee. I just think their sound is exceptional. I love the rawness, the lo-fi production, that nostalgic feeling. I always feel something when I listen to them, and I think we need more of that.
What’s been on repeat lately?
Good Intentions by Ego Ella May. It feels like an affirmation. It’s one of those records that instantly shifts your mood and makes you feel better. I’ve also been listening to threetwenty a lot. Their sound feels nostalgic, very New York, very ’90s. I could listen all day.
What’s a book people should be paying attention to?
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa. I usually lean more towards non-fiction, but I’m trying to get into fiction more. It follows a Palestinian family across generations, and you learn so much through it too. I’d really recommend it.
Current obsession?
Running. I told myself I’m going to be a running girl this year, so I’m trying. It’s harder than I expected, but I’m sticking with it.
What are you watching at the moment?
I’m such a re-watcher, so I’ve been watching One Tree Hill again. Watching it as an adult is completely different. And I watched The Swimmers recently, which I really loved. Emotional, inspiring and based on a true story.
What do you want more of in music, and in life?
With music, people know me for R&B and soul, but there’s definitely an alter ego in me that wants to explore more electronic sounds and those spaces. In life, I want to slow down more. Really take care of myself, be healthy, and look after my nervous system. That’s the goal, really.
Who should we speak to next?
My friend lxtisse. She’s a DJ, works in consultancy, puts on events, and is always finding ways to bring people together. She’s doing so much already, and I really think this is just the beginning for her.