Grace Dahl playing at Boiler Room
Credit: Grace Dahl

Interview with Grace Dahl on Boiler Room Breakouts, Serial Disc Touchers & Techno with Soul

Grace Dahl doesn’t just make techno to move bodies — she makes it to crack you wide open. With a sound that fuses high energy and emotional depth, she’s become one of Europe’s most compelling forces behind the decks. From a viral Boiler Room set in Lisbon to the launch of her bold label Serial Disc Touchers, Dahl is carving out a space where raw intensity meets fearless vulnerability.

You’ve described your sound as emotive high-energy techno. How do you balance raw power with emotional depth in your sets?

I think that tension between rawness and emotion is what keeps a set alive. It’s almost like storytelling: you need peaks and valleys for it to resonate. If it’s all just brute force, it loses its humanity. I always want my sets to move both the body and the heart.

Your Boiler Room Lisbon set made serious waves—how did it feel capturing that moment with a global audience watching?

Honestly, it felt surreal. Boiler Room is such a unique platform because you’re aware of the cameras, but at the same time, you’re just locked into the energy of the room. The Lisbon crowd was so open and vibrant, they gave me the freedom to be playful and really connect with the music. Seeing the response afterwards was overwhelming in the best way. It felt like a beautiful snapshot of where I am right now as an artist.

Serial Disc Touchers is a bold name and an even bolder label. What’s your vision for the imprint, and how do you choose who joins the roster?

The main vision behind SDT is creative freedom, breaking out of the boxes that the industry or even ourselves sometimes tries to put us in. I want it to be a space where both established and emerging artists can feel safe to experiment without second-guessing if it “fits”. When it comes to choosing artists, it’s about vibe over genre. I look for people who aren’t afraid to color outside the lines and who have a genuine love for the craft, rather than just chasing trends.

Picture of DJ Grace Dahl
Credit: Grace Dahl

From Berghain to Awakenings, your schedule is stacked with iconic venues. Which recent show left you feeling the most creatively charged?

It’s hard to pick because every space brings something different, but playing at Berghain last time left a massive imprint on me. There’s an intensity there that’s hard to put into words, the way the room responds, the trust between DJ and crowd. It pushes you to be fearless, to dig deeper into yourself rather than just relying on ‘safe’ choices. After that set, I felt recharged on a soul level.

Your roots stretch from Budapest to Spain to Amsterdam. How have these cultures shaped your approach to rhythm, energy, and storytelling?

Each place added a layer. Being born within the energy of Budapest gave me an early appreciation for intensity, a kind of emotional rawness. Spain taught me about fluidity and passion, that heat and looseness that translates into groove. And Amsterdam sharpened my sense of structure and progression, that careful crafting of a narrative. I think that’s why my sets and productions blend hardness with fluidity: they’re built from these different energies I carry with me.

System Failure is a massive release to kick off 2025. What was the concept behind this EP—and what did the remixes bring out of the original?

With System Failure, I was channeling that feeling of chaos when systems — whether personal, societal, or technological — start to crack. It’s intense but also strangely liberating. The remixes brought completely new perspectives. Each artist deconstructed the core tension in their own way. Some made it even harsher, others found unexpected pockets of melancholy inside it. It made the whole project feel bigger than just my own interpretation, which was exactly what I hoped for.

You ran a DJ competition for your all-nighter at Radion, Amsterdam. What are you looking for in the next generation of techno talent?

I’m not necessarily looking for someone who can just mix perfectly or play the hottest tracks. Personally, I’m always looking to hear individuality… someone who understands how to shape energy, take risks, and make a room feel something. Technical skills are important, but soul and storytelling are what truly leave a mark. I’m excited to find people who aren’t afraid to carve out their own lane.

You’re making your Fabric London debut alongside Héctor Oaks and Patrick Mason. How are you preparing for such an iconic night—and what can London ravers expect from your set?

Fabric has such a legendary status, it feels a bit surreal to finally step into that booth. Preparation-wise, I’m digging deep into my collection to craft something that feels both true to me and respectful to the legacy of that space. London crowds are known for being open-minded yet discerning, so I want to bring a set that’s high-energy, dynamic, but also packed with emotion and unpredictability. Expect a real ride — not just power, but twists, turns, and hopefully a few memorable surprises!