Lady Tazz - Divine Tricks and Kinky Treats

Lady Tazz is a multifaceted force from Canada and Bangladesh—DJ, producer, vocalist, Mind Medizin record label boss, and psychologist. At the age of 16, she attended her first rave and subsequently traveled to Berlin, where she fell in love with the power of techno and created her alter ego, Lady Tazz.

Spending time between Canada and Bangladesh, she completed her psychology degree, helped run her family business, and started the first English-speaking radio station in Bangladesh. Lady Tazz won several wards for the radio station, where she also hosted her forward-thinking show that helped usher in an all-new underground scene in Bangladesh.

Cultural expectations of women in Bangladesh meant that Lady Tazz had to make secret trips abroad to learn the art of music production. She was bullied online after revealing her project to the world; backlash followed her every move. Fortunately, her family was on her side and empowered her to carry on down her path.

The DJ Cookbook caught up with Lady Tazz last summer, and she shared her mission: to unite people beyond boundaries of gender, ethnicity, race, and sexual preference. Her record label, Mind Medizin, is an extension of her sound- kinky techno with subliminal rhythms that liberate your erotic innocence.

Lady Tazz shares the significance of mindful eating for a harmonious connection between mind, body, and soul. She reveals her favorite traditional Bangladeshi dishes, Canadian foods, and musical influences.

Q: Lady Tazz, welcome to The DJ Cookbook, where are you at the moment?

A: Thank you so much for having me. I'm enjoying my lovely home in Toronto, perched on a hill with lake views. It is magnificent. I adore the Canadian summers. 

Q: What have you eaten today?

A: Today, I've eaten  snowfish with vegetables, walnuts, and sea molasses tea. My diet is always healthy. I have a close relationship with my intellect, body, and soul. I usually just eat two meals a day. I fast all day long because I'm very particular about what I put in my body. This approach works for me, which is why I stick with it. It increases my energy, lessens inflammation, and halts the natural aging process.

Q: Did you cook it?

A: I have a chef at home, and he is aware of my food preferences. 

Q: When you’re home, what are your go-to meals? What do you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

A: For lunch chicken steak with a salad and walnuts, baked broccoli and dory fish for dinner. I fast in the mornings. I get up early and work out while fasting. I've conditioned my body to go for extended periods without eating. I have a spiritual teacher who has taught me to be disciplined and to pay attention to what my body needs rather than giving in to desires. I hold food and my body in high regard.

Q: What is a food staple that you can’t live without?

A:  Almond butter, dark chocolate, and eggs.

Q: Can you tell us what Bangladeshi food is like? What are the main ingredients, main dishes from main to dessert?

A: Bangladesh is famous for its fish, especially the Hilsa, whose flavor is out of this world and is cooked in many ways. 

Kachi Biriyani is one of Bangladesh's main meals. It is a delectable rice dish with soft goat or lamb meat marinated in fried onions, whole spices, fresh herbs, and yogurt. Ilish Pulao, (ilish means hilsa; pulao means pilaf) is a delicacy and one of the traditional dishes of Bangladesh. 

Ilish Mach or hilsa is not just a fish to a Bengali; it’s an emotion! Hilsa fish is one of the few famous for its incredibly soft meat. The hilsa has a full flavor and a smooth but oily texture.

Pantha is the most fundamental rice recipe. The rice has been steeped and fermented in water overnight. Torani is the liquid that remains. It is a unique cuisine that people of all social backgrounds enjoy. The fermented rice meal is served with salt, onion, chilies, and mashed cooked potatoes the following morning. It's simple and delicious.

Rajbhog is a popular Bengali dessert often made during festivals and special occasions. It is made with cottage cheese and a mix of crushed dry fruits and saffron. It's delicious. 

Q: How do you connect with Bengali cuisine? What reminds you of your childhood? What brings a smile to your face?

A: My mother.  She is the person that kept me in touch with Bengali cuisine. She would cook for me and feed me with her beautiful hands every day, and it was so special for me. She still feeds me with her homemade meals from time to time. My mother's love will always put a smile on my face. She would wake up before sunrise and prepare everything with her hands. The thought of just doing something unconditional makes me smile. 

Q: Do you come from a big family? Is cooking a family event for special holidays? If yes, what would a traditional holiday meal consist of?

A: The family is pretty small. On Fridays, My mother always cooks, and everyone must be present. This has been the case since I was a child. We all live together but on different floors. My father was always keen on keeping the family close.  Friday meals include fried hilsa, fish curry, and some plain rice. We skip deserts in the family.  

Q: Do you enjoy cooking? Do you have a favorite recipe that you always cook?

A: Nope. I enjoy eating. I dislike cleaning and cutting.

Q: What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

A: I love my air fryer! 

Q: You’ve lived in Canada. What are your favorite Canadian dishes (poutine, street food, sweets)?

A: I was born in Montreal, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Montreal smoked meat and maple syrup for LIFE!

Q: Can you describe the food in Dubai? Let’s get local and not touristy! What would a local eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that’s not the typical kebab, shawarma, or hummus?

A: Very rich and heavy! Balaleet is a favorite breakfast meal among the locals, with thin noodles fried in melted butter with honey, cinnamon, saffron, and rose water and topped with an omelet.

Khuzi would be my choice for lunch. This dish consists of roasted lamb served over rice with vegetables and almonds; it's pretty satisfying. Emirati's significant staples include meat, fish, and rice. Dates are also important.  

Q: Are there any special herbs and spices that are a must-try when in Dubai or Bangladesh?

A: Nutmeg, mace, and saffron.

Q: Do you have Bangladeshi musical influences?

A: I returned to Bangladesh almost eight years ago. After returning, I established my own radio station, allowing me to connect with numerous artists and musicians nationwide. The radio station was on air 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with bands and performers keeping the place alive. Music always found its way to me. But this particular person called Baul Shafi Mondal had a tremendous impact on my life after moving to Bangladesh, and the best thing is that he has no idea how much he opened up my soul. He is a Bengali folk singer. 

His lyrics included a deep feeling of mysticism, a yearning for union with the holy.  "Deha tatta," a spirituality tied to the body rather than the thinking, is an essential aspect of his philosophy, which seeks divinity in humans. 

He became a mentor to me and even took me to his village in Kushtia a couple of times to meet all his other disciples. He introduced me to the celestial world. His music was like spiritual instruction. He is a truly rare human being. 

Q: Did music play a role in your family?

A: My father once operated the largest nightclub in Bangladesh. I was always around music.

Q: How important is music in Bangladeshi culture?

A: Music has played a significant part in the lives of people in Bangladesh. It is known as the "Land of Music." Music in Bangladesh is strongly intertwined with the country's psyche and reverberates throughout the rural. 

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a musician? Was there a particular moment when it all clicked in your head?

A: I took a girls' trip to Berlin 13 years ago. That trip transformed my life, and I knew I wanted to be a DJ. 

Q: What are some of your musical influences? (Get deep!).

A: Marilyn Manson, Deadmau5, Nadia Ali, Deep Dish.

Q: Did you go to music school? Which DAW did you learn? Did you know what your music should sound like and what story it should tell?

A: For a long time, I attended the London Sound Academy. I gained so much from the experience. All of the mentors were fantastic. I met Samantha Togni, Yazzuz, and some other incredible artists there. I studied logic.

Q: What is your favorite piece of gear?

A: I love the Moog  Subsequent 37.

Q: What do you enjoy most, DJing,  producing, or organizing events?

A: I like it all.

Q: How do you prepare your sets? Do you go for a mood or play it by ear?

A: I enjoy curating my sets. I prefer to create a few playlists that reflect people's moods in front of me. 

Q: In your opinion, what makes a good club night? What are the necessary ingredients?

A: The Soundsystem and the people make the institution. 

Q: What is the most delicious cuisine you have eaten while touring?

A: Still looking for one. I'm somewhat hard to impress in the culinary section. 

Q: When did your label Mind Medizin begin? What is the back story?

A: I began Mind Medizin two years ago. Mind Medizin is a large part of who I am. As a person, I am very sensual and passionate. I also believe that being in touch with your sexuality is extremely liberating and should not be hidden.  The label's primary value is liberation and freedom. 

Q: When did you discover your kinky side?

A: At the age of 13.

Q: Is your family supportive of your career choice?

A:  Yes and no. 

Q: In the beginning, how did you reconcile wanting to be a DJ/producer in Bangladeshi society? As a woman, you don’t have the same freedom as a man. How did you balance your need for self-expression in a conservative and patriarchal society?

A: It was difficult. I come from a business family; therefore, anything outside the family company's hustle was discouraged. My father and mother worked extremely hard to get this far in life and did everything they could to provide a wonderful life for me. You must always maintain your position. You will have several adversaries when you're on top of the game.  DJing is frowned upon in our community. It's not seen as something respectable. But honestly, it is because they do not know what we do. Techno culture is not the same as a female.

Let's talk about freedom. I got all the freedom in my life. I was treated as an equal always. And that came because that is how my father raised me.  In everything I pursued, I followed that principle.

Q: How does one fly under the radar when creating a safe space for like-minded individuals under tight government control?

A: It was much easier previously; there was love and respect, and we did it for the sake of the scene, but it's no longer the same. There's too much politics in the techno scene, ego wars, and nothing appears to be about the music anymore. Brands sponsoring events, big lights with cameras, kiosks, it's all too commercial, and I didn't sign up for this. There was a period when the underground scene was a secret jewel. I long for those days to return. I see the scene developing once ego conflicts are resolved, and mutual respect is established.  Because our community is so small, the government would never have made a big issue out of it or even known about it.  If only people weren't out to get each other. It's incredibly disappointing and unfortunate that today, like-minded people have nowhere to go due to the stupidity of some people involved in the scene. 

Q: Any anecdotes from a party that was too close for comfort?

A: Basement get-togethers. Hosting over 500 people underground was wild without even my parents knowing. We had grills and chains hanging from the ceilings. It was a real trap house. 

Q: Why do you think strong and independent women are still considered a threat in the 21st century? Power, control, religion?

A: Simple! Unconscious psychological defenses and universal beliefs.

Q: What artists are you most excited about at the moment? What are some new releases on Mind Medizin for the rest of 2023?

A: I'm thrilled about the next Various Artists on the label; I've had the opportunity to include 12 artists worldwide. Some upcoming releases would be an EP by Uncertain with a killer remix by Deniro. Maccar will release an EP with a cool remix by Blasha Allat. And Audio Units will also release an EP. This one will be exceptional, with two super remixers. 

Q: Lady Tazz, thank you for sharing your time with us. Stay kinky!

A:  Thank you so much. Love you guys!

Follow Lady Tazz on Instagram.

Listen to French Kiss EP here.

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