Interview with Avi Sic

Amid the chaos and excitement of Amsterdam Dance Event in October, we caught up with Avi Sic, the Chicago-based DJ and producer bringing her own blend of indie house and electronic vibes to every stage she hits. Right away, her down-to-earth energy came through; easy to talk to, full of stories, and clearly passionate about what she’s building. We chatted about how growing up in Chicago shaped her sound, the significance of ADE, and her future plans.

You’re based in Chicago originally (but you tour globally) — how has Chicago and its club culture shaped your approach? How does playing internationally (e.g., at ADE) require you to adapt?

"Chicago raised me on real club energy from the very start. When I moved here in the early 2000s, the scene was electric and incredibly inspiring. The roots of house are here, and that shaped everything about the way I DJ and produce. It is about groove, attitude, tension, release, and really feeling the crowd in the moment. When I play anywhere, I bring that foundation with me, but I also adapt to each room. Different states or countries and even different venues within the same geographical location respond to

different pacing and surprises. I love reading the energy and finding the balance between what feels familiar and what feels completely new. No matter where I am in the world, the goal is always the same: make people move."

ADE is a major international event for dance music. What does performing here mean for you at this point in your career?

"ADE is where the entire dance world comes together, so performing here feels like stepping directly into the global conversation. It is exciting to represent my sound and show exactly where I am headed creatively. “Seat Back” and this new Hybrid House direction I am building both mark major new chapters for me, and ADE is the perfect place to showcase that evolution on an international stage.

Last year was my first time attending and I did not even have a show, so coming back this year to perform feels like a real step forward. The energy here is unreal. The city lives and breathes dance music, and I am honored to be a part of it."

For your set at ADE, are you planning anything special (unreleased music, live elements, B2B, etc.) or is your aim to bring your classic energy?

"Absolutely. I always bring that high energy and recognizable Avi Sic vibe, but ADE deserves something extra. I have a stack of unreleased tracks, including upcoming label releases, that I have been testing on the road. ADE is the perfect place to debut that kind of fire and see the reaction in real time. The crowd here is full of music lovers and industry heads, so it is the ultimate test environment. I want everyone to walk away knowing exactly where my sound is headed next."

With a diverse crowd in Amsterdam — some hardcore club heads, some industry people, some festival travellers — how do you read the room and balance your set for multiple audiences?

"For me it always starts with instinct. I have been doing this for more than 20 years, and reading a room is second nature. I watch the faces, the feet, the energy shifts, and I build from there. At ADE you have people from every part of the scene and also plenty who are seeing me for the first time. I love creating that bridge. I lay down a strong groove as the foundation, then I take risks and adjust based on how the room responds. When the entire crowd locks in together, that is the moment I chase every single night."

While you’re here at ADE, have you discovered any artists, labels or sounds that have excited you — perhaps something influencing your next move?

"I attended a lot of panels this year, and there was a big focus on AI in music that I found really interesting. There is so much innovation happening right now, both creatively and behind the scenes. A huge part of the experience for me is connecting with people I have known online and finally meeting them in person. That includes label teams, A&Rs, agents, and of course other artists. Being surrounded by so many forward-thinking minds always pushes me to experiment more and stay ahead of where the scene is heading."

⁠Looking ahead 12 to 24 months — where do you want your sound or your live show to go? Are there unexplored directions you’re keen to try?

"I want to keep levelling up every part of what I do. I can only work hard and hope the development continues to show. I have new visuals I am excited to roll out, and I am playing support for some huge artists along with my own headline shows in between that keep me sharp and connected to fans. I still do everything from open format bar and club sets to high profile events like Nobu and corporate bookings for brands like Pepsi. All of that keeps me working and growing while I build this next chapter. On the music side, I want to keep pushing Hybrid House further and explore bigger stages internationally. But of course as a musician and producer I love all music. I always like to experiment with different genres even if I don't release that stuff. My weekly radio show Late Checkout just hit its 200th episode with Fedde Le Grand, and then with Morten next, so that platform is growing too. I just hope the work I put in, both behind the scenes and in front of the crowd, continues to resonate and open new doors around the world."