As the UK based techno artist prepares to release her new album ADRIANNARCHY on TMPL Music, she reflects on the emotional challenges behind its creation, her ADE shows, refusing to be confined by genre expectations, the next chapter of her evolving musical journey and a star-studded remix series featuring Christian Smith, Wehbba, T78, Drunken Kong and more
In an electronic music industry increasingly shaped by algorithms, carefully defined genres and the relentless pursuit of dancefloor impact, maintaining a distinct artistic identity can be an act of rebellion. The pressure to deliver a recognisable sound, satisfy audience expectations and remain commercially relevant can leave little room for experimentation. But sometimes the most significant creative breakthroughs come from abandoning those expectations altogether.
That’s the philosophy underpinning ADRIANNARCHY, the new album from Canadian born, now UK-based techno DJ and producer ADRIANNA, out now on her own TMPL Music imprint. A deeply personal exploration of creative freedom, emotional expression and artistic independence, the record represents the culmination of a demanding period of growth, both inside and outside the studio.
“ADRIANNARCHY is about autonomy, taking control of your own story and living life on your own terms,” she explains. “It represents a period of growth for me, both personally and as an artist and feeling free to express myself without worrying so much about expectations.”
That desire for creative independence has been shaped by a musical journey that began long before techno became her primary focus. “I grew up going to raves, not specifically techno. Before moving to the UK, I listened to house, electro and different styles, mostly of electronic music. After moving, studying at music schools and networking at events, I started getting into tech house and then techno as I was exposed to more European styles.”
While her musical direction gradually evolved, it was the emotional connection she discovered through performing that convinced her to pursue music seriously. “For me, music paying off is a feeling that’s hard to explain. It’s looking into someone’s eyes and seeing an emotion that you connect on. If I hadn’t experienced that early on, I don’t think I would have pursued music. That connection is what made me want to keep doing it.”
It’s a sentiment that speaks to the essence of her approach. Despite the increasing recognition, international bookings and support from some of techno’s biggest names, ADRIANNA remains motivated by the relationship between music and human emotion.
Her influences reflect an equally broad appreciation of electronic music’s different personalities and creative approaches. “Carl Cox has been a big influence and there are so many other DJs and producers I admire, many of them female, including Monika Kruse, Deborah De Luca and Nina Kraviz. There have also been people who have opened doors for me, like Marie Vaunt and Lisa Lashes.”
What unites these influences is their individuality. “I really admire people who aren’t afraid to carve their own path. I think having a varied musical background has influenced me because I’ve never felt tied to one sound. I like taking inspiration from different places and experimenting rather than trying to sound like someone else.”
That willingness to experiment has become increasingly important as her career has developed. While ADRIANNA’s productions are renowned for their precision and dancefloor impact, she has become less concerned with satisfying the expectations associated with any particular subgenre. “I feel more free now to experiment with different sounds without worrying so much about fitting into a particular niche or sub genre,” she says. “I really like using unexpected sounds or instruments, and I don’t think every track has to achieve a specific goal.”
Allowing music the space to evolve organically has become an essential part of her creative process. “It’s okay to have tracks that breathe, build an atmosphere or tell a story rather than everything being built around the drop. I think I’m more comfortable now with letting a track develop naturally and seeing where it takes me.”
That philosophy sits at the centre of ADRIANNARCHY. Rather than approaching the album as a collection of conventional techno weapons, she allowed the emotional intentions behind each composition to determine its musical direction. “I chose instruments, keys and BPMs based on what I wanted to express with each track. The ideas, vocals and melodies started on the piano and later I composed the grooves and added elements like orchestral sounds and electric guitars. I wanted to explore different sounds that helped express the emotions behind each song.”
The result is an album that challenges the idea that a techno artist must remain within a narrowly defined sonic identity.“It’s always been important to me not to nail myself to one sound forever. I want to be able to evolve and grow as an artist,” she explains. “I’ve felt the pressure to contract my sound to fit a certain vision and I understand that with bookings and brands there are constraints to consider. But I love so many different styles of electronic music and it’s important to me to keep pushing boundaries.”
Her conclusion is particularly revealing. “I know not everyone will enjoy that variety, but there are a lot of people who just love music and I don’t want my sound to feel like it’s been curated by an algorithm.”
It’s a statement that captures the rebellious spirit behind the album’s title. ADRIANNARCHY is as much about resisting creative conformity as it is about discovering new musical possibilities. That ambition extends to the seven-week remix campaign preceding the album, which has seen an impressive collection of international techno producers invited to reinterpret its material.
Featuring Christian Smith, T78, Wehbba, Alex Stein and Drunken Kong, the series introduces ADRIANNA’s compositions to different corners of the electronic music landscape while providing alternative interpretations for the dancefloor. “Having been working in techno clubs, I wanted to make sure the album could reach a wider audience in those spaces. But I didn’t sit down to write club bangers,” she explains. “The album came from a place of needing to release, let go and grow. I’m happy with how the original tracks fit into my sets, but I wanted to bring in artists I really respect to reinterpret them. The remixes give the music a different life and allow it to reach different listeners and work in different settings.”
Among the most significant contributions is Christian Smith’s progressive reworking of Clarity. The acclaimed Tronic founder brings his trademark hypnotic grooves to a track that showcases ADRIANNA’s more melodic and vocal-driven sensibilities. Their relationship extends beyond the remix itself, with ADRIANNA having released music on Smith’s Tronic imprint earlier this year. “I met Christian some time ago and really respect him, both as an artist and as a person. I’ve been a fan of him and Tronic for years, so signing to his label this year was incredible.”
Christian’s interpretation of Clarity took the music somewhere unexpected. “What he did with Clarity gave it such a different feel. It made me feel like I was somewhere on a beach. It was really uplifting and positive, and I loved that he took it in that direction.”
Vocals have become an increasingly expressive element within ADRIANNA’s productions, offering a way to establish an immediate emotional connection with listeners. “I love working with vocals and singers. I think the human voice adds something emotional and relatable to electronic music, even if it’s just subtle vocal chops or a couple of words. For me, it can give a track its own identity and make it more memorable.”
Her willingness to collaborate has also contributed to a growing discography spanning Terminal M, Codex, Tronic, We Are The Brave, Kurai Records and her own TMPL Music. Recent projects include Game of Looks with Spartaque, while artists such as Monika Kruse and Gregor Tresher have previously reinterpreted her work. “Collaborations and remixes are a great way to reach new audiences and learn how other people approach production and releases,” she explains. “I also enjoy hearing how someone else interprets music and takes it in a different direction to what I originally had in mind.”
Running TMPL Music alongside her own recording and touring career has provided another perspective on the industry, reinforcing the importance of relationships and the work that happens beyond the studio. “I’m grateful to have released on these incredible labels and to have built those relationships. I’m always trying to learn as much as I can to improve my music. Releasing on various labels as well as running TMPL Music has shown me how much goes on behind the scenes to get music out there and heard. I have a lot of respect for the people who do this and it takes a team of trustworthy people working together.”
Meanwhile, her profile as a performer continues to expand. Appearances at E1 London, Eden Ibiza, Creamfields’ Steelyard and Forbidden Forest’s Arcadia Spider have placed her alongside artists including Pan-Pot, UMEK and Alan Fitzpatrick, while her productions have received support from Charlotte de Witte, Adam Beyer, Joseph Capriati and Nicole Moudaber.
Yet the experiences that stay with her aren’t necessarily defined by the scale or prestige of a particular venue. “There have been so many moments, from pure joy to almost existential and going into a flow state. I always try to be as present as possible and experience it all. I think I’ll always love hearing the crowd scream, sometimes during a drop and sometimes in a moment of silence. It’s an incredible feeling.”
That connection between performer and audience will take on particular significance during Amsterdam Dance Event, where ADRIANNARCHY receives its official release on 23 October. The album launch coincides with a sold-out performance at Amsterdam’s extraordinary Faralda Crane, followed by further appearances at Kraft Events and Club John Doe.
The timing feels appropriate, although ADRIANNA reveals that the album’s journey to completion was considerably more demanding than initially anticipated. “Originally, I planned on releasing the album in May but it wasn’t done. It took a lot emotionally and energetically to finish and there were many times I wanted to stop.”
Her determination to complete the project ultimately brought its release into alignment with ADE. “I think I believe there is no right time as much as I believe this was the right time. And as we moved closer to ADE, which we had planned earlier in the year having some of the remixers at the party and the timing of the release just made sense.”
For audiences attending her Amsterdam performances, she promises a combination of the high-energy techno that has established her reputation and a glimpse into the next phase of her musical evolution. “I’m performing at three events this weekend and people can expect my high energy sets, unheard music from TMPL Music and some sounds from ADRIANNARCHY.”
With the album finally complete, ADRIANNA is already considering how its musical ideas might evolve beyond the conventional DJ format. “Personally, I want to sit with myself in this new perspective and take the time to understand some of the motivations and choices I’ve made on a deeper level. I want to be patient with that process.”
Creatively, however, her ambitions are already taking shape. “Musically, I’m really excited about developing a live act, deconstructing some of my tracks and layering elements like vocals and keys into my sets. That’s the direction I want to explore alongside DJing and producing.”
It’s an intriguing prospect for an artist increasingly comfortable challenging the boundaries of her own sound. ADRIANNARCHY represents far more than another milestone in her increasingly successful career. It is the culmination of a demanding period of personal and artistic growth, an assertion of creative independence and a reminder that techno’s greatest power often lies in its ability to communicate emotions that words alone cannot capture. And if the album’s central message is about taking control of one’s own story, ADRIANNA appears determined to ensure that the next chapter is written entirely on her own terms.
ADRIANNA – ADRIANNARCHY is out now on TMPL Music. Grab it on Beatport HERE.