Tech-touting DJ Anna is one of Brazil’s finest contemporary musical exports, serving up warm but raw electronic beats that went down a storm at her regional debut almost a year ago. Having thrilled a throbbing crowd at 360°, the rising star is back for another session which is already tipped to be among the best of the season.
You spun at 360° for Audio Tonic last season – what do you remember of the gig, and how was the crowd?
I loved everything. The crowd was fantastic, we really connected. The weather was amazing, 360° was packed – it was really cool. And that is why I am so excited to be coming back.
Your dad used to own a nightclub in Brazil. How much of an influence did he have on your career path?
It was because of him that I got started. At his club I used to regularly go and see what the DJs were doing, and I always thought I could do better. He encouraged me to try and have a go at it – he gave me all the conditions to develop my career as a DJ. He used to take me to buy vinyl in São Paulo, and bought me some equipment as well.
How strong is the electronic music scene right now in Brazil?
It is very strong. In Brazil the scene is really growing, even if electronic music isn’t the main thing right now. Events are getting bigger and better; the Brazilian producers are starting to break out of the local scene. Even if commercial music is still more predominant, we are working on changing that.
Why aren’t there more female DJs in the world?
I really don’t know. We are a small number compared to the men but there are a few of us, and I think that the few that there are, are doing extremely well.
A lot of female DJs are getting as much praise as some of the top male DJs, which is so important for the industry.
Describe your personality in five words.
Shy, dreamer, unstoppable, lazy, strong.
Describe your DJ sound in five words.
Driving, groovy, bass, techno, house.
A guilty pleasure?
Funk music from Rio de Janeiro.
Three of your biggest musical influences?
There are so many I will have to name four: Caribou, Carl Cox, Kraftwerk, Carl Craig.
If you could steal any DJ’s record box, whose would it be?
John Digweed’s.
And if the world was going to end in seven minutes, what tune would you play?
Carl Craig, At Les.
DJ Anna performs at Audio Tonic's Sunset Sessions, 360°, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, February 6,from 4pm. Free guest list at www.platinumlist.ae
- What’s happening in clubland
Steve Aoki
Last spotted at People in Dubai 12 months ago, Aoki is more used to crowd-surfing far larger audiences in a blow-up mattress, as well as showering them with his Teutonic electronic beats and signposted drops.
• February 5, from 9pm at Eden Beach Club, Rixos the Palm. Tickets from Dh150 at www.platinumlist.ae.
Audio Bullys
Once the duo behind Nancy Sinatra-sampling 2005 super-hit Shot You Down, Audio Bullys are now just Simon Franks, who takes the mic here backed by a tour DJ.
• February 5, from 10pm at The Basement, Boutique 7 Hotel, Tecom. Dh100, ladies free before midnight.
Basement Jaxx
The vintage UK house-pop duo make another appearance in Dubai. Hope to hear classics Red Alert and Rendez-Vu among some new tracks.
• February 6, from 5pm at Nasimi Beach, Atlantis the Palm. Tickets from Dh180 at www.platinumlist.ae.
Klingande
The French producer/saxophonist responsible for Jubel, which clocked 87 million views on YouTube will make a regional splash with gigs in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
• February 5 from 10.30pm at The Exchange Club, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, 050 763 9275.
• February 6 from 11pm at Pacha Ibiza Dubai, Souk Madinat Jumeirah; 04 567 0000. Free entry.
Norman Jay
The “Good Times” party starter known for his annual Notting Hill Carnival sets and that hat, returns to Dubai, bringing his typically eclectic record bag, stuffed with floor-filling summery beats.
• February 6 at Zero Gravity, SkyDive Dubai. Free for men before 10pm and ladies before midnight, Dh100 after.
rgarratt@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Company%20Profile
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
