Marie Vaunt: Bridging Cultures Through Techno
American-Japanese DJ back on HI-LO's imprint with techno weapon
Born in the U.S. and raised in Japan until her mid-teens, Marie Vaunt carries both worlds with her, and it shows in her music. She has built a name for herself in the global techno scene with a sound that blends peak-time energy with subtle nods to her Japanese heritage. Her latest release, ‘Kurayami’ on HI-LO’s HILOMATIK imprint, is a perfect showcase: dark and mysterious, with haunting melodies woven through its breakdown that nod unmistakably to her roots.
“There’s a lot of Japanese influence throughout the track,” she shared during a recent fan Q&A on Heldeep’s Discord server. “But especially in the breakdown, that’s where it really comes through.” Marie’s return to HILOMATIK with Kurayami is a strong statement: dark, groovy, and full of character. She is one of the label’s first female artists, following the likes of Mariana Bo, Sarah de Warren, Helang and (half of) RiVid. “I feel honored! I love the label and what it has accomplished, and I personally love Oliver [Heldens] as well! He’s such an amazing person.”
Marie’s evolution
Before becoming a touring DJ and techno producer, Marie was, like many artists, working her way through other paths. “I was introduced to DJing at an early age”, she said, “and my love for music just grew from there.” Playing the Steel Yard stage at Creamfields last summer was one of her career-defining moments. “There were a few I felt were special, but that one was definitely up there.”
Marie, who’s one of Beatport’s chart-topping female techno artists of 2024, shares some advice to up-and-coming producers: “The best time to start is right now. It might feel overwhelming, but so does everything worth doing. Make as much music as possible, mix as much as possible, hone your skills and enjoy the ride.”
Collaborations
One of her standout collaborations so far has been with Belocca, the Hungarian tech-house titan. Together they released ‘Lost In Rhythm’, also on HILOMATIK, in October last year. Despite coming from different sonic backgrounds, the two artists found immediate synergy. “Even though our styles are a bit different,” Marie said, “we had a pretty good idea of what we wanted the song to sound like, and the process itself was very smooth.”
And there's more to come. While she couldn’t confirm specifics, Marie hinted that new collaborations are on the way: “Yes! I can't really reveal anything at this moment, but I'm super excited to get them out in the world!” If one of these collabs could be with HI-LO or Kai Tracid? “There might be something in the works with one of them already!”
Marie on tour
Marie is prepping up for a special set at EDC Las Vegas this Friday, where she’ll be playing at the Quantum Valley. She’s crafting something tailored for the occasion. “It's such an amazing opportunity! As for sticking around, I might try to catch Eli Brown's and Tiesto's set, but I actually fly to Europe the next morning so not sure if I'll be able to.”
When asked where she loves playing most, her answer reflects her multicultural identity: “It’s always special when I get to play in Japan, as it is my home. But if I had to pick only one country for a whole tour, it would be the US since there are so many amazing venues.”
