Higher Frequency: Creating Opportunities for Local Talent

Higher Frequency, a local Teesside promoter is breaking barriers and creating new opportunities for up-and-coming DJs in Middlesbrough.

Co-founded by DJ Liz Dougan, Higher Frequency has become a game-changer for the local underground music scene.

An area dominated by House music; Middlesbrough lacked events for underground music like hard techno. But Higher Frequency set out to change that.

Liz Dougan said: “We’ve definitely put hard techno and techno on the map in Middlesbrough.

“When I first started two years ago there was nobody doing that anywhere. You couldn’t play heavier stuff like techno, there was no platform for that.

“So, I’ve created a platform so that other DJs that don’t just play house have a chance.”

Breaking the Mould and Creating Opportunities for Local Talent

After spending 14 years away from DJing, to settle down and raise her children, Liz decided to come back to the music scene now her children are a bit older.

But after being away from the game for so long, Liz struggled to “make a break” or for anyone to give her “a chance”.

Noticing a lot of the brands within the local scene were using the same DJs, she co-founded Higher Frequency.

Liz said: “There were resident DJs but there was no new talent coming through. You couldn’t really  get a chance to break that clique or for new talent to come through the door.

“I really wanted to create a platform where it didn’t matter whether you’d been DJing for 6 months or 6 years. You would get a chance to get on that stage and showcase your talent.

There's so much new talent coming through the doors every week  every month, every event, it’s fantastic.”

Higher Frequency: Providing a Safe Space where New Talent can Thrive

“Giving the underdogs a chance”, Higher Frequency focuses on showcasing raw talent rather than just popularity and are committed to giving a platform to all artists, not just those with a large social media following.

Liz said: “If you are not popular and don’t have this huge following, it’s almost impossible to get a set from places.

"We are just creating this completely  new atmosphere and vibe, none of that matters to us at all. You can have 5 people as friends on Facebook for all I care, if you are a good DJ and talented, you deserve a platform.”

Higher Frequency is extending inclusivity to young DJs too. They recently booked 13-year-old Ethan Mackintosh to perform at their upcoming event on April 12th at Disgraceland in Middlesbrough.

On giving young people a platform, Liz said: “We make sure we give a chance to  even really young DJs, the up and coming. You just  don’t know where they’re going to end up in 5 years’ time, 10 years’ time.

"They could be superstars you know what I’m saying. But it's people giving them the chance and the opportunity to showcase their talent in the first place  that will get them there, at the end of the day we want them to succeed.”

Higher Frequency on Tackling a Male Dominated Industry

In a male dominated industry, often women feel they don’t have a safe space to showcase their talent. But Higher Frequency have set out to change that.

Liz said: “I love that we are creating a safe space for female DJs to feel safe enough to come and showcase their talents.

“I feel it’s almost been predominantly a male industry, and I feel we are changing this lowly now and giving more female DJs a chance to showcase their talent. There aren’t as many female DJs out there at the moment but we plan on changing that. “

With their commitment to change, Higher Frequency are sure to leave an impact on the local Teesside music scene.

You can listen to the interview below.