Feature Interview – Sharon May Linn – Issue 050 –

Sharon May Linn, Spain, is an International live performer blending powerful vocals, DJ sets, and original music. Sharon combines commanding vocals, DJ sets, and original music into immersive live experiences.

Her adaptable formats make her a strong fit for festivals, clubs, and curated cultural events. Her career includes international performances and collaborations across electronic, pop-soul, and club music scenes. She is part of the dance group FPI Project. And she is part of the ShaMel Project (sisters B2B) DJ-led vocal set — music selection with live vocals.

Words By Sheriyar Asad

What’s your go-to pre-gig ritual?

For singing performances, I fast, drink only warm water, and take time to relax and ground myself. When I’m DJing, I still keep things light food-wise, but I allow myself a glass of good red wine.

If you weren’t a DJ and a singer, what do you think you’d be doing?

Honestly, I have no idea. I was born an artist and have been passionate about music for as long as I can remember. That said, I have many non-music-related passions—I love cooking, baking bread, practicing yoga, scuba diving, and exploring new interests whenever I can.

What’s the most memorable fan interaction you’ve had?

One that really stayed with me was during a series of gigs in Siberia. I was doing the Destination calabria tour. A group of very young girls were waiting for me at the airport to welcome me—it felt surreal, like having real fans.

What’s currently on your personal playlist (non-DJing related)?

Old standard jazz, 70s rock, funky acid jazz, 90s trip hop, experimental music—and many more genres, depending on my mood.

If you could collaborate with any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?

As a singer, Tina Turner is definitely one of them. As a DJ, I’d love to collaborate with artists such as Anjunadeep, Tebra, or Rialians on Earth—among many others.

What first drew you to singing and to DJing, and when did you realize this was something you wanted to pursue seriously?

I’ve been singing my whole life, so turning it into my main profession felt like a natural evolution. DJing came later—my sister encouraged me to start. Years ago, I had inspired her to sing; later, she transitioned into DJing and kept calling me to do the same. With my deep passion for music, I eventually jumped in—and I loved it.

Were there any specific DJs or musical artists that inspired you early on?

I’ve been inspired by hundreds of DJ’s I’ve worked with over the years, both as a vocalist in clubs and on studio projects. It was never about one specific artist, but rather the collective experience.

What was your journey like breaking into the music scene, both as singer and DJ? Did you face any particular challenges or advantages as a female when you were starting out?

As a child, I was always singing or pretending to be a radio DJ, recording music on cassette tapes. In high school, I joined my first semi-professional bands, which led me to perform professionally from the age of 17.

DJ’ing came decades later and in a very organic way. I started recording live mixes at home and sent one to a DJ friend for feedback. He forwarded it to Papa DJ, resident DJ at Buddha Bar Monte Carlo, which led to my mixes being broadcast on Buddha Bar Web Radio. I don’t feel I had specific advantages or disadvantages for being female—neither as a singer nor as a DJ.

How did you learn the craft of singing and DJ’ing?

Singing was mostly self-taught, with a few vocal lessons at the beginning. From there, it was all about experience. DJ’ing was also self-taught, supported by tutorials. Being a lifelong singer really helped me develop an instinct for timing and musical flow in my mixing.

What was your first gig like, and how did you feel during it?

As a singer, I don’t remember my very first gig, but my first big one was at the age of 16.
As a DJ, I was incredibly excited—it was a feeling I hadn’t experienced in years, as it came many years from being a singer. DJing felt fresh, new, and thrilling.

How would you describe your signature DJ style or the genres you primarily play?

I love a laid-back sunset vibe with ethnic chill house. From there, I enjoy slowly building the energy, watching people begin to move, until they simply have to dance—especially when I reach a climax with more melodic and techno-inspired tracks.

How do you prepare for a set?

I listen to the latest releases to stay connected to new sounds, but ultimately I follow my taste and my gut instinct.

Do you prefer playing open format, or do you like to stick to specific genres?

I prefer sticking to my favorite genres. Open format works well for events where adaptability is required, but for my own sets, I stay true to my sound.
As a singer, however, I cover many genres depending on the event—ranging from house and dance to disco, pop-rock revival, soul, jazz, and blues.

What’s your favorite part about performing live?

Singing and DJ’ing feel very different to me. Singing is more of a direct performance—I’m front and center, communicating with the audience through my voice. DJ’ing feels more like sharing my love for music with the crowd.
That’s why performing with my sister in the ShaMel Project is so special—we combine DJ’ing and live singing, and it becomes pure fun.

How do you read a crowd and adapt your set to keep the energy going?

It’s not something I consciously think about anymore. After so many years performing, it’s become instinctive—you just feel the crowd and respond naturally.

Do you incorporate any live elements, instruments, or unique mixing techniques into your sets?

Yes, I sometimes include live singing or collaborate with musicians like violinists or percussionists. It always depends on the context and the event, so it could be more musicians too.

What’s the most challenging aspect of DJ’ing for you?

Staying updated! There’s so much incredible music coming out every day. Since I’m involved in many other projects as well, I don’t always have the time to listen to everything.

Have you encountered any specific challenges or stereotypes as a female artist in a historically male-dominated industry? If so, how have you navigated them?

Unfortunately, there’s still the assumption that female artists can be “easy prey,” both physically and intellectually, when it comes to signing contracts for instance…which makes respect harder to come by. This referred in general to collaborators, organisers and managers, but also to fans who turn into stalkers sometimes. The #MeToo movement brought this issue into the open. I’ve learned to set clear boundaries, and if don’t feel respected, I simply walk away.

Have you found a supportive community among other female DJ’s?

Yes. I truly believe it depends a lot on your own attitude—if you’re respectful and positive, that’s usually what you receive in return.

How do you balance your personal life with the demands of a DJ career, especially with late nights and travel?

Late nights aren’t as frequent anymore—I often play sunset gigs, which I love. Traveling is something I’ve grown used to, and I actually enjoy it, especially since I never travel alone. It often feels like a small vacation. Thankfully, my family is very supportive of what I do.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry and DJ culture?

With AI becoming more present, I think the industry will become very challenging if you don’t adapt. What concerns me most is the use of AI-generated voices—where does talent go if everything becomes artificial?

Where do you see yourself and your career in the next five years?

I have several projects as a singer, with new releases coming soon. I’m also producing tracks specifically for my DJ sets—so let’s see where that leads.

What’s one dream venue or festival you’d love to play at?

I dream of playing in beautiful natural landscapes. While I still perform in clubs, I’m a bit tired of the club scene. I’ve played major events like Global Gathering in the UK during the release of Little Love with Gaudino, and I regularly perform at Reminisce UK with the FPI Project. As I’ve mentioned earlier, I also perform my song Destination Calabria, even if I’m only the songwriter and not the featured artist.
Like most artists, big festivals remain a dream—but for me, the setting and atmosphere matter just as much as the size.