Ahead of her performance in Mumbai, the American DJ, known for her hard techno sounds, dives into all things India, being crowned in the world's best, and the rise of female DJs in the world
Landry was recently voted as the World's No 1 Hard DJ by DJ Mag in their Top 100 DJs 2025 list. Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement
American DJ and music producer Sara Landry is coming to India for the first time but it feels like she's always been connected to the country. So imagine her excitement at being able to perform here on the first day of Sunburn 2025, which has moved to Mumbai for the first time since it started 18 years ago in Goa.
Among her many accolades, Landry's most recent is being voted as the World's No 1 Hard DJ by the prestigious DJ Mag in their Top 100 DJs 2025 list, for her dominance in hard techno. It is only right then that the Netherlands-based DJ is called the "High Priestess of Hard Techno" because of her palpable beats that showcase a different side of electronic music, and the island city is going to witness it this weekend.
Ahead of her performance, mid-day spoke to DJ Sara Landry about her India visit and her latest accolade, but not without diving into the evolution of the genre and her music, and most importantly the rise of female DJs in the world.
Here are the excerpts:
1. Is this your first time in India and the city?
Yes, it is my first time in India, and I am so excited to be in Mumbai! I’ve heard so many amazing things about the beauty of the city, and the energy of the people and I can’t wait to experience it firsthand. I am so excited to play some 'trippier' psychedelic music and just deliver a beautiful experience to the fans.
2. How have you seen techno music evolve?
It’s been incredible to see techno and hard dance grow and reach wider audiences. I know a lot of techno-junkies are grappling with the idea of it emerging from the underground in the way that it has, but I love it. It’s proof of how powerful hard dance is and the fervour, that has resulted is proof of the magic in the music.
I never compare genres because there are aspects of every genre of electronic music that I love and pull inspiration from. What I love about this scene is how ever-evolving the many sub-genres are, so I don’t think you can put one above another. The magic of modern technology in music production means that things are constantly changing and evolving and as an artist it's so beautiful to be able to take elements from a variety of hard dance genres and make music that is in its own unique sonic space.
3. During the same time, how have you grown as a music producer ever since you started out?
I have grown so much since I started – I mean, my first show was a tiny house party in Texas during SXSW. Music has always been a huge part of my life and who I am, when I was in college at NYU in New York City, I was very much around the scene, but it wasn’t until after I finished school and moved back home to Texas that I decided to make music my career. From that moment I was just heads down, doing my thing – and here we are today!
I originally moved from the US to Europe to get used to the energy it took to be touring so much – I was actually first in Berlin, but I just didn’t really vibe there. When I would go to Amsterdam I was always so happy, so I decided to move there – even if I’m not home much because of my touring, I am very glad I get to call it home.
4. You were also recently crowned the No 1 Hard DJ by DJ Mag. What role do you think it plays for female DJs in the world?
I am so grateful to be where I am and to have been given this award. As I continue to grow and progress individually, it’s so important for me to continue to foster the incredible community of women in the scene around me as well. The girlies have to stick together! I hope it inspires any female artists to know that it is possible and they can do it too with hard work and determination.
6. In a music industry that is known to be predominantly male, have you seen the rise of female DJs since the time you started out?
It’s funny, because we’ve always been here, and we’ve always dominated – but we’ve only recently been getting recognition. There is such a vibrant, talented community of women in electronic music, and we’re not going anywhere anytime soon. I’m incredibly grateful for the talented women who stand around me and am honoured to share the stage with them and support them. Any opportunity I have to dance while my friends play I always take!
7. Having moved to the Netherlands some time ago, how has that shaped your understanding of world music?
Harder styles of dance music have deep roots in the Netherlands, so I definitely credit my move to Amsterdam and my collaboration with Dutch promoters for the evolution of my sound. I love the elements of gabber and hardstyle and love including high energy inspiration from these genres in my music. This regional cultural understanding has just served to deepen my belief that music is the universal language that unites us across cultural and linguistic barriers. So my goal when I make music is to make something that can be felt and understood by anyone, regardless of the language they speak or where they are from.
8. With your India visit, are you hoping to collaborate with some Indian DJs - male or female or would you be open to it?
I’m always open to collaborating with amazing artists from anywhere, but I always feel like I never have enough time to really get into it! I love Indian sounds and melodies, they are so beautiful! I love Hindi mantras and chants, and that shows up in a lot of my music and the psytrance tracks that I play and it is always transcendental and makes me feel very elevated.
9. What are you currently working on in terms of new music and can fans expect a sneak peak of something new at the festival?
I can’t give too much away but I’m always working on new music – fans will just have to wait and see for themselves when I get behind the decks. I’ve been working on a lot of very psychedelic tracks and I’m excited to see how the crowd responds to them.
10. Last but not the least, what are you looking forward to in India beyond the music, in terms of food and culture?
I’m very excited to experience the cultural richness and beauty, and very excited to experience the cuisine. I love Indian food and Indian flavours and can’t wait to try as many things as I can. India is such a beautiful place with so much culture and I am so excited to be experiencing it for the first time through the lens of hard dance electronic music.
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