“I never imagined going this far, to be honest.” Reflecting on her career, Eli Iwasa shares this thought with the same sincerity that has shaped her journey through music. Her dedication and love for sound have been the forces pulling her forward, not fame or expectation, but the undeniable connection between rhythm, emotion, and the people on the dancefloor.
Born and raised in São Paulo, Eli’s musical world was first shaped by the records she obsessively collected as a teenager—post-punk, synthpop, and hardcore rarities that she scoured Galeria do Rock to find. Sound became the thread stitching together the chapters of this life, starting with those early records. And at 17, she unknowingly stepped into the path that would define her future—walking into Massivo, a club at the heart of São Paulo, where house, disco, and garage filled the air. That night, something shifted. It was a time before smartphones, a time of upheaval and the thrill of something new—you had to be there to feel it. From there, it was a natural pull toward the darker, hypnotic pulse of techno, and soon, she found herself at the legendary Hell’s Club, where she first heard Jeff Mills, Derrick May, and Daft Punk played by DJ Mau Mau, an artist who would become one of her greatest influences.
For over two decades, Eli has not only been a defining presence in Brazil’s underground electronic scene but has also helped shape it. She has seen the scene evolve—from the raw, community-driven energy of its early days to the polished and expansive landscape it is today. “I feel we are creating something so special here, and I love being around for so long to see all the changes and evolution in what we do,” she says.
Her latest release, “What You Gonna Do,” is a reflection of that journey. Originally performed with her synthpop band Bleeping Sauce, the song has remained one of her personal favorites, a piece of her past that she wanted to reimagine for the present. “A lot of the fans that started following me in recent years have no idea I used to sing in a synthpop band. I wanted to revisit and do something aiming at the dancefloor,” she shares. Teaming up with Mau Maioli once again and bringing in Capetini for a stripped-down, hypnotic rework, the release spans electroclash, minimalism, and even a hint of garage. For Eli, it’s more than just a rework—it’s a bridge between different eras of her artistry, a way to connect her past and future. “Dream come true,” she describes in three simple words.
We spoke with Eli about her journey, the evolution of the electronic scene, the vision behind her Heels of Love label, and the creative process behind her latest release.
photography by Moa Almeida
Eli, what drew you to techno? (smiles)
I have been an avid record collector since I was a teenager, mostly buying rare stuff from obscure synthpop, post-punk and hardcore bands at that time, so when I started going out, I would go to clubs that played that kind of music. When I turned 17, I decided celebrating at a club called Massivo, that played a historical role in São Paulo queer club scene – it was the first time that I heard house, disco, garage and the DJ was legendary Mauro Borges. There was no turning back, I went to the club every week after that. A few blocks from Massivo, there was Ursa Maior where DJ Renato Lopes was a resident, and that was the first time I listened to techno, but it was not until a club called Columbia opened, and they organized the first afterhours called Velvet Underground – soon to be called Hell’s Club – that I really found my place: not only musically, it had become my lifestyle. DJ Mau Mau was the resident, he became one of the most influential DJs ever in Brazil, and definitely a big inspiration for me: I heard Jeff Mills, Slam, Derrick May, Daft Punk, so many classics for the first time during his morning sets that helped shaping my musical taste.
You’ve been shaping the electronic scene for over two decades now. What changes from the old days do you miss the most? And what do you prefer about the scene nowadays?
I feel very privileged for being there in the beginning when what we call scene was still being shaped – it was very naive, there was so much love and passion involved, as there was no money and everybody wanted to be part of a community first and foremost. Having said that, I think it is kinda sad when some old school artists or promoters say it was better before, as there is so much great music and events right now. A lot of people have this romantic vision of the early days, we were experiencing new music, parties, drugs for the 1st time, and it was life changing indeed. But right now in Brazil, we are living such an exciting time: amazing festivals and parties that deliver a high level of production and professionalism, so many talented and unique music producers and DJs, so much artistic diversity while building a true Brazilian scene identity. I know the sense of community might have been lost on the way when it became such a big industry, but you can still find that in the independent scene… and for a lot of people, they feel they are part of something, they belong, they feel transformed by the music and the lifestyle – different times, but this feeling is the same from the beginning.
I feel we are creating something so special here, and I love being around for so long to see all the changes and evolution in what we do.
“What makes a DJ really special isn’t technique—anyone can learn that. It’s the feeling, courage to take risks, and bold choices that make an artist outstanding.”
So, what keeps you excited about music after all these years?
Music is a fundamental part of my life, my earliest memories are very musical, so for me, there is no life without it. It guided all my choices, it gave me everything I have, it moves me and inspires all the time.
“What You Gonna Do” was originally released in 2016. What inspired you to revisit and rework it for this second release on Heels of Love?
„What You Gonna Do“ is one of my favorite songs ever, and a lot of the fans that started following me in recent years have no idea I used to sing in a synthpop band. I wanted to revisit and do something aiming at the dancefloor, so I joined forces with Mau Maioli again, and invited Capetini, who delivered a stripped down, sexy, hypnotic, raw version that I love.
The release spans electroclash, minimalism, and even a hint of garage. If you had to describe this release in three words, what would they be?
Dream Come True (smiles)
Heels of Love is still a relatively new label. What’s your vision for it?
Heels of Love was born to be a platform for my music and other Brazilian artists, and as a reflection of my work as a DJ and music selector, not be restrained to one style. I can’t be put into a single box, as there is so much amazing music out there, and Heels of Love translates that personality.
“The most important part of my work is bringing women together…”
Do you think social media has changed the way people connect with music and nightlife culture?
Totally. There were no cameras or phones back then, so it was really about being present and living the moment. Social media has changed the industry and the way people consume music and culture, it has also allowed many artists to promote their music worldwide and connect to their fan base like never before. There are downsides in everything, but I’d rather look at the positive side of things, as changes are inevitable and honestly, they keep me excited about what future will bring.
Strong female figures like Patti Smith and PJ Harvey have been important to you. Do you think there are still too few women shaping the creative scene across music and the arts?
I have always looked up to women like Patti and PJ Harvey – they are such strong, talented women, at the same time, there is some kind of frailty and vulnerability in their work and their persona – it is where I feel connected to them. I was raised in a family of very strong women, who always told me to be independent and pursue my dreams. I come from a Japanese family, my dad was very strict and valued traditions, and definitely had different expectations to what my life should be – having an arranged marriage, being a good wife and mother, having a „normal“ job, but somehow these women – my grandmother, my mom, my aunts – raised me to build life as I wanted, not to live according to social conventions. That somehow reverberates in every aspect of my life til now.
I am surrounded my inspiring women since I was born, and that gave me a very different perspective of what the world should be like. The most important part of my work is to bring women together and realize how much stronger that makes us, to give them opportunities and visibility that I didn’t have when I started out. Inequity and misogyny are real, we deal with it all the time, but I see meaningful changes are happening in the past 10 years – finally women are getting the aknowledgement we deserve, not only as artists, but the whole chain that involves a lot of amazing professionals backstage. There is a LONG way to go, especially in this weird moment that the world is going through, with so many setbacks for women and LGBTQI+ rights. But when it comes to creative industry, there is no way back: women are in the magazine covers, in the peaktime slots in the festivals, finally getting the recognition we deserve – having that kind of representation is very powerful because it shows it is possible. I am here to show other girls that is possible.
“The more I travel, the more I appreciate being ‘home’—and home is more about the people you come back to than a place.”
What do you think makes a DJ truly unforgettable beyond technical skills?
What makes a DJ really special is definitely not technique. Technique anyone can learn. But feeling, the sensibility when you read a crowd, the courage to take risks, the bold choices you make during a set, that is what makes an artist outstanding. That is something that you have to have inside you. My favorite DJs are the ones who make really take people on a musical journey, who love surprising a crowd, and creating different atmospheres during a set. And course, deep and broad musical knowledge – there is nothing sexier than that.
What’s something people might not know about you but should?
I make a mean Udon!
After years of traveling and playing worldwide, what does “home” mean to you now?
The more I travel the more I appreciate being „home“ – and home is more about the people you come back to than a place. It is very easy to feel lost in this industry, it is challenging mentally and physically, so I really need time with my family and friends to recharge, have some kind of routine, and I strongly make an effort to keep some sense of normality in my life. Keep myself grounded, surrounded by people who truly care about me and are not afraid to be honest with me – sometimes you need people to tell you are being idiot lol – and always remember what really matters in my life – that is home for me.
“There were no cameras or phones back then, so it was really about being present and living the moment.”
Your tattoos are eye-catching. When did you get them, and do they still have a special meaning for you? (smiles)
I have two tattoos, and both are very striking. I say they are my lucky charms as I got them in very different and pivotal moments in my life, and things have changed and improved so much when I got them. I have a dragon on my back, that is my sign in Chinese horoscope, and also a blackline tattoo that I got when I was through major changes in my personal life – ending a 10 year relationship, moving out – but when I look back, I see it was just the beginning of a very exciting life chapter!
The most important thing in life is?
The people you share life with.
Follow Eli Iwasa for more:
x.com/eliiwasa
www.instagram.com/eliiwasa
Check out the new release:
hypeddit.com/hol002/whatyougonnado
