Channeling Ancestral Beats with DJ Vahshi

It’s no lie that Armenians love a good party. The reality is, we've been hosting ragers since before the Gregorian calendar. The first Armenian party formally recorded in history took place in King Tigran the Great’s court (95–55 BCE). A festival by today’s definition, these opulent multi-day feasts featured the hottest musicians from all over the globe. Greek philosophers even made their way to the party. Plutarch, known for chronicling the lives of royalty wrote, “There was nothing but music and dancing, banqueting and revels, all along the shore...”

While today’s parties allow us the modern conveniences of espresso martinis and disco balls, the sounds that define our culture are still making people sweat on the dance floor, and DJ Vahshi knows exactly how to channel them.

A Brooklyn-based DJ and multidisciplinary artist, DJ Vahshi (Audrey Peshkam) is part of a new wave of diasporic creators remixing ancestry and club culture in real time. Originally from Southern California, her mixes explore a variety of different soundscapes from bouncy energetic house to eerie, sultry techno. Of course, she is always showcasing an array of Armenian artists, infusing traditional rhythms with modern electronica.

She’s also the co-founder of the Brooklyn-based collective and event series Hye Frequencies, an event series showcasing local Armenian DJs. As a lover of Armenian culture and dance music, she celebrates the fusion of traditional sounds while hosting parties the descendants of Tigran the Great would be honored to attend.

While DJ Vahshi does not have any more Hye Frequencies events lined up for the rest of the summer, she did create a playlist for all of us to dance to. Check it out on Spotifty, and follow DJ Vahshi and Hye Frequencies on Insta so you don’t miss the next one!