JOWI: Building a Sense of We Through Harder Sound

From Duisburg to some of the hardest stages in Europe, JOWI has carved herself into the next wave of techno with a sound shaped by intensity, curiosity, and community. Since her breakout moment at Verknipt Festival 2024, the Polish producer and DJ has stayed in constant motion — with sets for Creamfields, Decibel, Kappa Futur, Terminal V, HIVE, and as a recurring force for Teletech.

JOWI: Building a Sense of We Through Harder Sound

Known for her diverse, high-energy style, JOWI builds her musical world on unpredictability — a deliberate refusal to stay in one lane. Her influences span early inspiration from scene-defining artists like Amelie Lens, Nina Kraviz, Charlotte de Witte, as well as Ben Klock, Dax J and I Hate Models. Now, she’s expanding her universe even further with a new alias, Dolce Wita, exploring the hypnotic roots of her relationship to techno.

Across her story runs one consistent thread: energy shared, not performed. Emotion as propulsion. A space where intensity becomes connection.

People know they’re going to hear something hard, but it’s never the same kind of hard

How do you explore new sounds while staying true to your style?

JOWI:: I’ve always been someone who loves to experiment. It’s rare that one of my sets is strictly industrial, or strictly schranz, or only gabber. I spend a huge amount of time digging for music, listening to demos people send me from all over, and of course producing my own tracks. So every set becomes a kind of surprise even for me.

Mixing different styles allows me to keep the tension and the energy alive between me and the ravers. People know they’re going to hear something hard, but it’s never the same kind of hard. That unpredictability has naturally become part of my identity as an artist.

Your early inspiration came from DJs like Amelie Lens, Nina Kraviz and Charlotte de Witte. How did they shape your vision?

JOWI:: Back then I remember thinking, “Wow, finally women on the big stages… I want to be there one day too.” Seeing these women break through gave me this strong push and showed me that anything is possible.

Women just radiate a different kind of energy on stage.

Their productions kept getting better and better. Amelie Lens’ Basiel EP completely blew me away. I still remember seeing Amelie and Charlotte live for the first time in 2018 — women just radiate a different kind of energy on stage.

JOWI: Building a Sense of We Through Harder Sound

The wild thing is, last year I ended up on the same lineup as Charlotte de Witte at Decibel Festival in Italy and even had a quick chat with her. Moments like that still don’t feel real. I’m genuinely curious where this journey will take me. Maybe in a few years you’ll see a b2b with one of these three power women — who knows?

My new alias, Dolce Wita, is a ‘back to the roots’ moment for me.

How do you channel your personal experiences into high-BPM music?

JOWI:: I’ve been hyperactive ever since I was a kid. I’ve always moved a lot, talked too much, couldn’t sit still in school. I was constantly being relocated in class. Playing gigs finally gave me a place where that energy feels not only accepted but celebrated.

On stage, people enjoy that I can’t stand still behind the decks. And because I give 100% on the weekends, it somehow helps me stay calmer in my everyday life. It balances me out.

When I play and I see people with the same energy in front of me, beside me, or even behind me, I can’t stop smiling. It feels like: “Wow, I’ve found my people.” In those moments, everything clicks, and I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

JOWI: Building a Sense of We Through Harder Sound

Tell us about your new alias, Dolce Wita. What side of your music does it reveal?

JOWI: My new alias, Dolce Wita, is a little “back to the roots” moment for me. I’m trying to revive the sound that made me fall in love with techno in the first place. It’s much more hypnotic and groovy than what people usually expect from me or what I play in my regular sets.

I also love starting sets around 135 BPM, so the contrast became too big. That’s why I decided to create a separate alias. Even my stage presence is different: I’m super focused, more experimental, and fully immersed.

Stay tuned! There are some really exciting tracks coming out next year.

You’ve released music solo and through collaborations. How do collabs influence your process?

JOWI: I believe every collaboration helps me grow as an artist. It’s beautiful to exchange ideas with other producers, asking how they create certain elements, learning from each other, and realizing how differently everyone approaches sound.

A good collab brings something fresh into your future productions, yet you can still hear who contributed what, because we’re all unique. Especially in production, I feel like I learn something new every single day.

New talented producers often don’t know what to do with their music

KRAWALL Records is described as a home for hard, eccentric industrial dance. What inspired you to start the label?

JOWI: I think the plan to start a label was always there somewhere in the background. Every week I receive amazing tracks from artists — some who’ve been in the scene for years, and others who are new and a bit lost about where to go with their music. I love playing their tracks on the weekend, but I felt that wasn’t enough support.

New talented producers often don’t know what to do with their music: how to promote it, who to trust with releases, or how to build momentum. As artists ourselves, we understand them best and together, we can help their music grow.

So when Zatox came to us with the idea, Jazzy and I immediately said yes. Zatox is already a legend in the scene, and it’s amazing to combine his long-time experience with our fresh energy for the label.

How is it working with your partner, Jazzy?

JOWI: That’s a good question. I think everything in life has two sides. I love sharing my hobby and now my job with someone.

We decided to build two separate studios so we can give each other space and avoid influencing each other too much. But in the end, we still show each other our ideas, ask for feedback, share licenses and sample packs.

Playing b2b or being on the same lineup means we get to travel together, explore new cities and cultures, and destroy stages side by side. We’re lucky that we have similar energy levels, so no one gets left behind. People often tell us they can feel the real love in our b2b sets.

Now to the “negative” part, which is positive: we’re extremely honest with each other (sometimes also at the stage). That means we quickly say “no” to a track the other person wants to play if we don’t feel it or think it won’t land well. I sometimes overuse effects, and Jazzy uses slip-rolls in the most questionable moments — so a very real “stop that” slips out sometimes. But honestly, that honesty is a strength. With someone else, I probably wouldn’t dare to be that direct.

Your new singles on Zentryc and KRAWALL have been well received. What sets these tracks apart?

JOWI: The tracks are now out, and they’ve been received really well. Both are super catchy, super danceable, and both have massive kicks. We’re really happy with the numbers they’ve reached, and it makes us smile every time people tag us, DJs play them, or listeners share them.

“Filth” is special because it’s the first time I experimented with a BPM switch inside a track. That was new for me, and I think also for the listeners.

How do you adapt your sets for different audiences — from Creamfields to underground clubs?

JOWI: To be honest, whether it’s a massive festival or a small underground club, my performance and energy stay exactly the same. In every set, I try to include a few tracks no one has heard before, a few of my own productions, and a few tracks that everyone knows. For me, that combination creates the perfect vibe.

JOWI: Building a Sense of We Through Harder Sound

Women have taken over more and more stages this year. How do you feel about this shift?

JOWI: I think it’s truly beautiful and it’s exactly how it should be. We need more women in the scene, and more women in studios creating absolute bangers. I’m excited for the future and genuinely optimistic about the direction everything is heading.

Women aren’t being booked to fill a quota anymore — they’re being booked because they’re talented, because they sell tickets, and because they deserve those spots.

I often sit in the studio thinking about the old days

Your first full EP, ‘Back To Techno,’ goes back to your 2018 roots. What inspired this?

JOWI: Honestly, I often sit in the studio thinking about the old days. That’s why I wanted to create an EP that reflects that feeling — although the release had to be pushed to next year because of my move.

With this project, I want to show what I originally fell in love with. I want to prove that simple sound can still be powerful, that you don’t need much to fall in love with music. I won’t reveal too much yet, but stay tuned.