DJ Layla - a rare gem who will transport you into a divine realm of sound and space - takes her mixes to another level with the storylines she creates using music as her muse. She has a natural talent and way to mesmerize the dance floor with her sultry beats, silky smooth segues and vibrant depth of energy that enraptures your soul and body. Layla began her musical odyssey behind the decks in 2000 as DJ Velo. Her Vision: “I was akin to a new caterpillar, devouring everything around. 5 years ago I was first discovering the electronic music culture, going to those “rave” parties, dancing to the best music I’d ever heard. I had to have more. I had to collect it. I had to play it. I had to play it loud…' “ Her first musical forays took her into the realm of hard house and progressive trance, but she eventually made her way through almost all genres of electronic music, and was known for seamlessly mixing genres within her sets and mix CDs. “The music is my voice. It says things for me that I could never put into words. There is a rush of excitement as I make the beats merge, creating a whole new sound with my own hands right in that moment. It’s so beautiful I get lost sometimes, riding the waves of the beat to a high like none other.” Layla is dedicated to supporting the women of the dance music community, and starting in 2001, held a monthly potluck in Portland called Sister PDX where women could gather in a non-competitive atmosphere to learn about spinning records, share music, connections and advice. By late 2002, these gatherings spawned an invitation to create the Portland branch of the popular San Francisco collective, Sister SF. Although Layla is no longer a resident, Sister PDX is still making headway in the Portland scene, highlighting some of Portland’s established and up and coming female DJ talent.