01 | MATTY CHIABI
To kick off our monthly spotlight series we caught up with Matty Chiabi, the 24 year-old DJ, presenter and legend-in-the-making who made 2022 her bitch. We asked Matty all about the mammoth achievements she made over the past year and what we can expect from her in 2023!
Q. From hosting your own afternoon radio show on Capital Dance to making up 1/4 of Girl’s Don’t Sync (@girlsdontsync)- one of the flyest DJ groups on the scene right now, you really made ‘booked and busy’ your 2022 mantra. What’s your secret?
Please I am only JUST figuring it out hahahaha people don’t know I was an absolute MESS last summer. I was the unhealthiest I’ve ever been in my life last year for a number of reasons - trying to do it all , not resting which meant I wasn’t present a lot of the time. One thing I’m doing in 2023 is prioritising my health and well-being. Making time for the gym, having balanced meals, planning that time out for ME. It’s difficult with my schedule but not impossible and I acc sound like my mum but the time I spend complaining or dreading something could actually be spent just doing it. I never want to feel how I felt last year so I’m really gonna try!!
Q. What were the motivations behind setting up GDS?
GDS was started by 4 friends who loved djing and wanted to ultimately create an opportunity for themselves to do that. I came up with the name “Girls Dont sync” in the shower which is meant to be ironic due to the stigma around the sync button but it can also be read as girls don’t sink, we rise. Might sound cringe to some but the world is mad, it’s male dominated and we’re sick of it lol. Along the way we’ve realised that GDS represents so much more - we’re djs , best friends , women , different races , we have insecurities, we’re navigating our 20s , we have overdrafts , we have no clue what the future holds. We literally represent every type of 20 something year old girl or person trying to chase what feels seemingly impossible tbh!
Q. This may be hard as there’s so many to choose from, but what achievement are you most proud of so far in life?
Securing my own show on capital dance is 100% my biggest achievement. Radio has always been my first love and I really have put in work trying to master the art of broadcasting (which I’m still trying to do). This is so cringe (ew) but I honestly walk into that studio every day and I’m reminded that I can really achieve my biggest dreams if I put my mind to it. When I do a good link or I’ve m had a good show or people let me know they’re tuning in, I honestly feel soooo happy. I’m literally living a dream ngl.
Q. What are you manifesting for 2023?
Whewwww, career wise, I’m manifesting an on screen presenting job. When you manifest something it doesn’t always happen immediately though! There’s still a process behind your goals e.g practise , watching my fave presenter etc. Granted you will always learn on the job and there’s no such thing as perfect but I try to make sure I leave every opportunity saying “I tried my best” My on screen opportunity might not happen this year but I know I’ll be working on the skills which might allow me to get the job done when it finally arises , all part of the process!! So funny looking back , connecting the dots and realising how one experience impacts the next so moving forward I’m honestly trusting the journey!