DJ Eden fell in love with music when she was a teenager but only started practising being a DJ when she was 36
Eden has been using music to help deal with the loss of her mum(Image: Supplied)
A Paisley DJ who began mixing and learning to create music in her bedroom has gone from TikTok uploads to having her tracks played on some of the world’s biggest stages.
And she says music has been her lifeline through personal tragedy.
DJ Eden has been behind the decks for more than a decade – but it was the leap into creating her own music, collaborating with other artists and sharing it on TikTok that propelled her into the spotlight.
Eden’s love affair with dance music began in her teens, but it wasn’t until the age of 36 that she decided to learn the craft herself.
Inspired after seeing DJs command the stage at the iconic Hangar 13 back in the 90s at Ayr Pavilion, she decided this was her calling.
She had her first taste of playing in front of a crowd when Glasgow’s DJ Zitkus was happy to let her to play at The Courtyard Bar in the city.
“My ex and I showed up networking with people in the scene and selling tickets,” she recalled.
“From there, my name started appearing on flyers and I got the vibe for it. I never looked back and I will always be so grateful for those opportunities and to anyone who taught me the basic skills.”
Since then, the Paisley artist has played high-profile gigs – including closing Glasgow’s legendary Barrowland Ballroom for Pride Month last year – a feeling she admits she will never forget.
She said: “I had serious imposter syndrome and couldn’t believe Kasey Munro (Glasgow Pride) and Alan Davis (Biteback Agency) had so much belief in me and that really led me to start believing in myself.”
TikTok soon became another stage for Eden’s music.
Her first platform attracted over 14,000 followers before being unexpectedly banned but she worked hard playing live DJ sets, rebuilt her new account from scratch and now has a loyal following of more than 17,000.
There are also 2,000 followers on Soundcloud where you can find more than 100 of her mixes from over the years, with fans recognising her tracks both online and in clubs.
However, two years ago, tragedy struck when Eden lost her mum to cancer.
She admits the grief was overwhelming but music became her therapy.
Eden says the support from her family is what keeps her going and she couldn’t do it without their backing when times feel tough.
While caring for her 73-year-old dad Jimmy – who was a banjo player in a band back in his heyday and used to be a well-known busker all over Scotland – her son Gary is her biggest supporter.
Eden said: “When I focus on my music, it feels like my mum’s still with me. My hall light had been flickering for weeks. I kept thinking, ‘is that you, Mum?’”
Eden felt there was another sign from her mum as she got a message from her friend to say popular DJ Hannah Laing had played one of her songs.
She said: “One day, a moth landed on my hand and stayed there. Just then, I got a message from another DJ friend who was attending saying Hannah had played my track at Luminosity.
“I thought, that’s a sign.
“That’s my mum.
“I just wish mum was still here to come watch me play at gigs as she loved a wee boogie.”
Eden is set to headline in Oban, Argyll at The View later this year, as well as at Styx Kirkaldy for Thunder Rave in Fife where Cappella and Altern 8 will be supporting.
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