AAJA 1st B-Day

Published on 2019-10-30 00:00:00 by AAJA

AAJA Deptford: Celebrating One Year of Music, Community, and Innovation\

As AAJA Deptford marks its first anniversary, we sat down to reflect on the journey so far, the vibrant Deptford music scene, and the vision behind combining a venue with live radio. Here’s what we discovered:

Why did you choose MOT for the venue?

Deptford has always been a hotbed for music and creativity. It’s home to a strong community of artists across all genres and art forms, constantly working on exciting and innovative projects. The people, venues, and music here make it a truly special and dynamic place to be.\

Why did you want to combine a venue with live radio?

The initial idea for AAJA was to focus purely on live streaming. However, we quickly realized there was an opportunity to create something even more engaging. We wanted a space where people could experience the shows in person, whether over a drink or a dance.

Our setup features a DJ booth built into an old industrial cooking unit, housed in a railway arch dating back to 1865. The design is minimalistic, with the main focus on sound quality. We’ve equipped the space with multiple Adam studio monitors in each corner, creating a high-spec sound environment that’s perfect for both live performances and broadcasts.

Now you’ve reached your first milestone, how do you feel you’ve progressed over this last year?

It’s been a natural progression for us, and every day has been a learning experience. It’s been incredible to see the space take shape and grow into what it is today. The people who pass through—whether artists, listeners, or partygoers—are what make AAJA special and keep us moving forward. We’re really excited about the future and where we’re taking AAJA next.

Can you tell us about the label side of AAJA?

Originally, AAJA was conceived as solely a record label. After opening The Arch, the label aspect took a back seat, but we’ve still managed to release a few records. Now that AAJA is more established, we’re aiming to get back to releasing three records a year.

Our most recent release was a single from Everson titled Grass is Green, and we’re looking forward to sharing new music from Alex Richards and Tommy P soon. Prior to this, we dropped a Various Artists 12’’ featuring Ady Toledano, Alex Richards, Everson, In:State, and Guili.

How would you describe your personal music tastes at the moment?

Being involved in the live streams has really helped diversify our musical tastes. While AAJA’s vision is rooted in house and techno, we draw inspiration from a wide range of genres and influences. This eclectic approach is reflected in the variety of shows hosted at The Arch.

Tell us about the artists booked for the 1st birthday party.

For our first birthday, we wanted to celebrate with a mix of headliners and familiar faces. We booked Finn, DJ October, and Enchanted Rhythms, who had all caught our attention after playing at The Arch recently. Alongside them, some of our regulars and extended family—like Dear Boss and Alex Richards—took to the decks. It all came together to create a truly memorable party.